So moving to Europe was part of a bigger plan to gain new experiences; isn’t life funny how it certainly delivered that in bucket loads.
We live in Spain – Barcelona - with a “concrete plan” that we have set into action to move to Croatia as of June this year. Hello! Somehow we managed to move to a country which has ended up smack-bang in the middle of the new COVID-19 epicentre.
On February 29th we had 32 known cases; as I sit writing this evening we have reached 13,910. That is a growth of 13,907 cases in just 19 days!
Spain has certainly seen its share of suffering through history – something that has helped build this nation. I have noticed that the Spanish have a very special kinship and truly love being sociable – always out together in public until the early hours of the morning regardless the day of the week. When we moved here we were amazed at the number of cafés and bars all overflowing with customers regardless of the weather or time of day.
Our awareness of the global spread of the virus, or at least our concerns, at that stage seemed to be far higher than the average Spaniard who continued as per normal. So it was with some relief that we started to notice the emptying of the streets as tourists finished holidays and new ones didn’t arrive. Then Spain implemented strict protocols and a massive changed occurred as bars and restaurants closed and people returned to their houses to isolate – not overnight, but from one hour to the next on a Friday afternoon. With a limited grasp of the local language, and a still non-existent local social circle, it was certainly a bit of a challenge for us trying to follow what was happening.
While it is still early days for the Spaniards in terms of lock-down, the wonderful nation has somehow continued to stay positive. For the first three nights we were confused at how all the people that had moved indoors to self-isolate were still somehow throwing parties that ended with clapping and cheering every evening at 8pm? Wasn’t there a ban on gatherings? It was only last night as I stood on my little balcony staring out in amazement at the deserted square and park, listening to the emotional sound of people clapping and shouting “viva espana” from their balconies and open windows, that I realized there was something bigger at play here. This show of gratitude and thanks for the healthcare workers battling the virus, by the very sociable people of Spain forced to endure isolation and lock-down in their apartments, brought on a proper meltdown for me.
Today in desperation for some sunshine and open space to stave off the depression, we ventured out on the streets for 10 minutes - sunshine D we are coming to get you!! Hanging our heads in shame we grabbed an empty shopping bag and snuck out the front door careful to not touch the handle. Again we were blocked by the militia and sent home as apparently we are not allowed out together. When we do need to stock up on groceries again we will need to walk 20 meters apart and pretend to be strangers. I guess some alone time will be good for our relationship.
While we are living in a country with an exceptional health care system, I don’t plan on going near it right now and pretty much relieved I am not allowed to send it down the single track on my mountain bike anymore - with a chance of injury and nowhere to go to for treatment.
Being trapped indoors for at least the next 15 days I oscillate between wanting to catch Covid-19 now and get it done with - making the most of my incarceration - to continuing to hope I can avoid what will surely be the ultimate outcome. At the end of the day, despite being a chronic asthmatic, I am fortunate to be healthy and young enough to get through being infected with minimal damage. I (we all) have a social responsibility to not spread it around to others who won’t be as fortunate. That is my fear. I can get the virus but please let me not infect anyone elderly or with an already compromised system.
From a distance I watch my wonderful South Africa begin to walk the same journey and I wonder at how my country continues to hold on to an amazing sense of humour. As a nation we too have certainly suffered through multiple traumatic periods and come through it stronger on the other side. Staying in contact with so many back home (and thanks to the pervasive nature of social media) it is interesting, and more than a little concerning, to witness the varying ways that people are dealing with the challenge – from panic to the absolute blasé. Friends you have a social responsibility here. Learn from those a week or two ahead of you that didn’t take this seriously early enough.
Whether you are part of the demographic that is at risk or not, your actions and choices will affect those that are. Even when the solution is isolation, we are all in this together.
Alas, Croatia, you will have to wait.
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