Life in the Times of Coronavirus: Lockdown Days 46-51: April 27-May 2, 2020

Yesterday marked fifty days—seven weeks—since the state of emergency was declared in Spain officially on March 14. We are still technically under the government-enforced lockdown (which is scheduled to be in force until May 9), though given the improving situation in Spain, certain restrictions have been lifted.

As of today, for example, some outdoor activity is allowed. From 6-10 a.m. and from 8:00 – 11:00 p.m., adults under 70 may exercise on an individually or go for walks no more than 1 kilometer (a little more than half a mile) from their homes. Those over 70 are allowed the same privileges from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Same distance limits apply. Kids 14 and under (in groups of three maximum) can be outside with a parent or guardian from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A chart has been going around on WhatsApp in Spain to summarize this for us:

Life in the Times of Coronavirus: Lockdown Days 38-46

And then, just as quickly as they had appeared, the masks vanished. Because the situation in Spain has improved, certain restrictions that have been in place are slowly being lifted. As of today, for example, children under 14 can go outside with a parent or guardian from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. If the favorable data trends continue—i.e., if the infection rates continue declining along with the COVID-19 related deaths—then adults will also be able to exercise or go for walks outside.

Life in the Times of Coronavirus: Lockdown Days 33-36

In the days of the coronavirus, I’ve been reflecting more and more on how I’ve been reacting in times of crisis. Namely, though I promised I’d never turn out like them, I have inherited the same anxieties and the same precautionary nature from my parents.

There’s always a what if on the other side of the issue. I could probably go outside for a little bit, but what if I have the bad luck of running across someone who’s sick? About a week ago I really wanted to order takeout, but what if the cook or delivery guy had coughed over our food? My car’s been sitting in the garage for a month and I should move it, but what if it’s just boiling with coronavirus, eager to jump into my body?

Et CeteraCarlos CabreraApril 18, 2020coronavirus, covid-19, cerdanyola, coping, pandemic, financial stress, money, work, unemployment, worry, anxiety, fear, lockdownComment

Life in the Times of Coronavirus: Lockdown Day 32

I ran across this article by Josep Corbera in La Vanguardia which helped ease my fears. The title is “Perder el miedo al coronavirus,” or “Overcoming Your Fear of the Coronavirus.” I found it to be a balanced article which offers a healthy perspective to view the current pandemic, as well as to prepare ourselves for the months to come once the lockdown has been lifted. He talks about how our collective understanding of the virus must change as the pandemic progresses and offers a helpful glimpse at the summer. For those of you living in countries where the pandemic is in full swing, I highly recommend reading it. I’ve translated it fully for you below, and hope you find it as reassuring as I did.

Et CeteraCarlos CabreraApril 14, 2020translation, la vanguardia, post lockdown, coronavirus, covid-19, pandemic, spanish republic, rajoyComment

Life in the Times of Coronavirus: Lockdown Day 20

Life, in most cases, will test all of your relationships sooner or later. Marriages, friendships, perhaps even familial ties – these will all be subject to the trials and tribulations that seemingly go hand in hand with our very existence. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, problems with a spouse/partner, unexpected difficulties, or one of the many financial woes that one can fall victim to, it seems quite probable that you will one day see the true mettle of your relationships. Nearly three weeks into our government-enforced lockdown in Spain (and who knows how many weeks we have left), I’ve been thinking about how my relationship with my husband has shifted and evolved since the coronavirus pandemic interrupted our lives.

Et CeteraCarlos CabreraApril 2, 2020marriage, coping, support, silver lining, coronavirus, covid-19, pandemic, catalunyaComment

Life in the Times of Coronavirus: Lockdown Day 13

Of course, not every day feels full of hope. Some days it is difficult to remember that the coronavirus pandemic is temporary, that it will perhaps one day vanish from our world as quickly as it upended it. There are nights when – hearing my husband’s breathing as he dreams next to me, feeling the cat as it nestles against my leg for warmth – I stare up at the ceiling, straining to recall what life was like before the pandemic hit Spain. Everyday, human interaction has taken on a hazardous tinge, having become infected with dirty words like transmission or contagion. Crowded summer concerts, packed restaurant terraces, trains cramped so tight their cologne stings your eyes – I feel like I see everything these days, even my memories, through the prism of COVID-19.

Et CeteraCarlos CabreraMarch 26, 2020coping, covid-19, coron, pandemic, grief, groceries Comment