Life in the Times of Coronavirus: Lockdown Day 10
Children pose behind a handmade sign that reads “EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY” in downtown Barcelona. (El Periódico)
Today is the second Monday of the government-enforced lockdown in Spain due to the coronavirus pandemic that has been ravaging the world. As of today in Spain, there are 33,000 total cases, with nearly 6,000 in Catalonia. Carmen Calvo, the Spanish deputy prime minister – equivalent to the Vice President in the U.S. – has been hospitalized with a respiratory tract infection and is awaiting the results of her coronavirus test. Several prominent Spanish politicians and celebrities have also tested positive for COVID-19. More locally, there have been 255 confirmed cases so far in the county where I live, Vallès Occidental. 21 people have died. Officials today estimated that Catalonia alone will need approximately 1,800 UCI beds – three times the amount it currently has. Today the president of the local Catalan government also decried the fact that the central government has so far refused to completely shut the access points to Catalonia to avoid it from becoming “another Italy.” Tensions, both in terms of health as well as politics, are running higher than ever.
It’s hard not to let so much bad news get to you. It was raining today, and I watched the headlines while my coffee finished brewing. More deaths, more infections; fewer jobs, less confidence that the economic and healthcare systems will hold. The rain lashed against the window; the wind beat against the cold glass and howled under the front door. The weather turned even darker in time with the terrible news. The smell of brewing coffee began to fill the flat, and after I’d poured myself a huge mug (I love coffee), I made the best decision I’ve made all day: I switched (and kept) the television off.
I don’t mean that I will be burying my head in the sand, or that I do not recognize the gravity of the situation that we’re currently experiencing in Spain. I just chose today to limit the amount of bad news that I wanted to consume, and after learning of the new restriction – namely, much like in France, the citizens of Catalonia will need a document justifying why we have left our homes – I turned the television off. Because, even (and especially) in the middle of a storm, we can all use some good news.
So, I’ve compiled some of the good news regarding the coronavirus outbreak in Spain. I’ve tried to be as local as possible to give you a sense of the community here, so have stayed within Catalonia.
In Cerdanyola, the town where I live, the Association of Chinese Merchants donated 4,000 surgical masks to our local police department to distribute among the town’s workers who are on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. Like everywhere else in the world, face masks are scarce, so the gesture will go a long way in helping. “We all have to help each other and work together, especially to provide protection to those who need it the most,” said the group’s representative. “Together we can gain control of COVID-19 and win the war.” The move was especially touching, considering the growing tide of racism against Asians in the last few months.
Also in Cerdanyola, more than 200 local businesses and restaurants have donated gloves and other material to the local health centers to help them cover shortages of basic protective equipment.
In Cerdanyola and the surrounding towns, residents have set up an assistance network where anyone needing help getting to the grocery store or pharmacy – whether because they are in the high-risk category or have children and thus cannot get out of the house so easily – can simply send a WhatsApp message and get the help they need.
Barcelona’s progressive mayor, Ada Colau, has reached an agreement with officials where the iconic Palau Victòria Eugènia (a lovely modernist building located in the city center) will be used to house the most vulnerable among coronavirus victims: the homeless, the poor, and people living in situations of domestic abuse. I’m glad to live in a city where we remember how important it is to include everyone.
In Sentmentat, about 30 minutes away from where I live, has a population of 9,000. Its residents have started a campaign where they use donated material to sew handmade masks for healthcare workers and other professionals to use during the coronavirus outbreak.
All over Catalonia there is a lovely feeling of community, a sense of shared struggle, among neighbors. Given the current situation, I cannot go out and document it for you, but I can tell you that our neighborhood is not exempt. Nearly every day, a local musician sets up a keyboard and microphone on his balcony and gives our entire neighborhood a free concert. Last night we were treated to songs by Elton John, The Righteous Brothers, and even the Pussycat Dolls (yes, really).
Finally, and to give you a sense of Spain, check out this absolutely stunning flamenco song, “La vida es un regalo,” (Life is a gift) sung by Estefania Saavedra. The message is uplifting and the rhythm is addictive. I’ve transcribed the lyrics and (loosely) translated them for you below (though it’s clearly much better in Spanish. Make sure you check out the video, though - her voice is amazing.
Ahora es cuando te das cuenta que en esta vida eres afortunado,
pero como pasa siempre, lo ves cuando te ha faltado.
Para que pienses un poquito en lo que queda por vivir:
imagina el verano, en una playa,
rodeado de tu gente que te acompaña donde tu vayas
Un paseo por el parque, una puesta del sol,
un abrazo a tus padres, ese beso de amor.
Cosas tan pequeñas que no valoramos
pero que ahora mismo todos añoramos.
A ver si esto sirve para concienciar
que en esta vida hace falta unidad.
No importa el empleo que tengas, ni color ni ideología:
todos somos importantes, lo están viendo en estos días.
Ojalá que todo esto sirva para volvernos más humanos
Recuerda que solamente será posible si nos ayudamos
Disfruta bien de la vida que no se te escape de las manos
Y da gracias que la vida porque estar vivo ya es un regalo.
[translation]Now is when you realize how lucky you are,
but like always, the realization always comes too late.
Now think for a moment about what you have left to live:
imagine summertime, on a beach,
surrounded by your people who accompany you wherever you go.
A walk in the park, a sunset,
hugging your parents, a romantic kiss.
Such little things we don't think about
but that’s exactly what we’re all longing for now.
Let’s hope that this serves to raise awareness
that unity is needed in life.
It doesn’t matter what job you have, your color or creed:
we are all important; we are seeing the truth of this these days.
Hopefully all this will serve to make us more human.
Remember that it will only be possible if we help each other.
Enjoy life and make sure things don’t get out of hand:
Be grateful, because life itself is already a gift.
Monday, Day 10 of the government-enforced lockdown has come to an end. Confined to our homes until at least April 13. If things go the way we hope, then it’s just three more Mondays. Three more.