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:

Et CeteraCarlos CabreraMay 2, 2020coronavirus, pandemic, covid-19, cerda, society, restrictions, children, senior citizens, adults, lockdown, post 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