Hello everyone!
Today I want to talk about how the pandemic is being handled in our countries and what we think about it.
In Guatemala, for almost two months now, we have been on complete lockdown, and for about a month and a half, we’ve also had a curfew. For a month, it was from 4:00 PM to 4:00 AM, and for the past two weeks, it’s been from 6:00 PM to 4:00 AM. Also, during the curfew, we cannot travel from one State to another.
We have about 600 cases of infection, and from those around 20 have died, and 60 have recuperated.
Our new president (started in January of this year, poor guy!) is a doctor, so I think this helps because he understands the risk and dangers better. Of course, this doesn’t mean he has all the answers; I don’t think anyone does.
I was chatting with my friends in Italy, and they agree that the problem there is that everyone thought they were just more cases of the flu, which had been affecting the country since October, so they were completely unprepared for the pandemic.
Although pandemics like this one have existed before, this is the first time I have experienced it, and I guess most of you hadn’t either. These are unprecedented times for almost everyone.
What about the economy? Ours has been harshly affected, with most businesses closed, especially small businesses. Many people have been laid off because of the situation (one of my brothers included), and the surviving ones are supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, and those that offer delivery services like most restaurants.
But also, people are trying their best to survive by selling masks, antibacterial soaps, groceries, and other first need items to have an income during the quarantine.
In many countries, authorities have said that the restriction measures will slowly start to disappear as of next week. Our president calls it a little “gift” if we behave well this week.
But, are we ever going to be able to go back to “normal”? Is there now a before and after coronavirus? What will our new “normal” be like?
During the Bubonic Plague, for instance, social distancing and isolation were practiced, but after a while, people went back to the same interactions they had before the pandemic. Is that going to happen to us? Are we going to be able to hug and kiss our loved ones again? Are we going to be able to shake hands again?
As someone from a Latin American country, being affectionate is part of my culture, it’s in our blood! So, the thought that we might not be able to show affection to our loved ones as we once did, it is heartbreaking.
What do you think will happen? Will things go back to the way they were before, or are we going to have to get used to a new “normal”?
Let me know in the comments, and for further information on the pandemic check out my two previous blog posts: Work in the Time of Covid-19 and What To Do During The Quarantine
I do hope my next post will be about good news on how we defeated COVID-19 and how we are slowly but surely getting back to our old ways but in a better and healthier way.
Until the next time, take care and stay safe!
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