Spain, Madrid, Paula, Spanish, 25, Journalist & Communicator, Not married/ No kids
General
How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
The second wave of Coronavirus began earlier in Spain than in other European countries, but fortunately it´s under control now. After a combination of several restrictions such as the stablishment of a curfew, a reduction of the restaurants capacity, a decrease in the people able to gather (no more than 6) and the proscription of travelling between the different regions the trasmission rate has decreased consistently, being Madrid the region with the smallest reproductive number of Coronavirus in the country (0,73) while Asturias (1,12) and Cataluna (1,08) the most affected.
How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
People are getting used to this “new normality”, but you can feel in the area that they had enough already. Everybody respects the rules of curfew, social distancing, hygenic masks and reduced groups gathering, but they look tired, sad and discouraged.
How are you and your family?
Thankfully we are all healthy.
What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
The fact that you can´t do a normal life.
Measures
When did you realize how serious the situation is?
I realized this was pretty serious a week before the Spanish government has declared the state of emergency on the first wave. I have many friends in Italy and travel there frequently because of my job, so by that moment I already knew about that devastated consequences of this virus and its fast speed of spread.
How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
On the first wave the principal measure taken was the complete lockdown of the country for 3 months, what meant the closure of schools, universities, and almost all economic activities in a presential way. On this second wave, the government has taken several mild measures that seek to reduce the transmission rate significantly and to avoid the collapse of the health care units.
Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
I am not. From my point of view this second wave could have been avoided, or at least lessen in intensity if the government had stablished the PCR test as requirement to everyone entering the country, plus a curfew and the closure of nightclubs in summer.
What would you like to say to your government?
You are fired.
Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
The virus is here to stay.
The Virus
Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Yes, I do. My Grandma´s sister was diagnosed with Covid and after 3 weeks in hospital she recovered. Unfortunately, two of my friends in Italy lost their grandparents because of Coronavirus.
Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
Yes, I took a PCR test this summer when I went to Rome because of my job. Once there, they did me the test before entering into the headquarters.
Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
I´m not fear free, but it is the idea of my grandparents getting infected what scares me the most.
The lockdown
How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
The lockdown lasted 3 months. Going out was only allowed for doing groceries, walking the dog or going to work if you couldn´t work online.
Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
I spent the lockdown with my parents. I spent my time working, learning healthy new recipes, reading old books, exercising and doing meditation.
What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
Liberty!! The only thing that helped me was keeping myself busy with work and practice 1 hour of yoga and meditation everyday. At some point I stopped watching the news, since it was only making me anxious.
Changes
How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
Principally, I travel less, do most of my interviews via zoom and barely go to the headquarters.
How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
We see each other very little, and usually meet at home.
What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
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Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
I work from home and mainly go out just for doing groceries or buying stuff I need. I do an hour of exercise everyday outdoors. I visit my grandparents once a week if I had no contact with any other person that does not belong to my family unit in the last 15 days. Regarding my friends we Zoom each other almost everyday and meet once a month in one of our houses or in a terrace.
Perception
Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
Every person fighting Covid whether its a doctor, a nurse, a scientific, a cleaning lady, someone sick with Coronavirus or every person that stays home, wears the mask and respects social distancing. This is everyone´s battle and we should be doing an effort as far as we can.
What did the crisis show you?
You can´t control everything.
What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
Liberty.
Which images will you never forget?
People going to their windows everyday at 9:00 PM to give a round of applause in gratitude to the work being carried out by Spain´s health workers.
Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
There have been several Coronavirus outbreaks in the Spanish nursing homes during the first wave that ended with a large number of deceased residents, who had to be buried or incinerated without the presence of any family member due to Covid restrictions.
Perspective
What are you afraid of right now?
The collapse of the economy.
What gives you hope?
The soon arrival of a vaccine.
Are you planning to travel within the next months?
Not any time soon.
If they find a vaccine, would you take it?
Sure, I think it is the only way of being safe and stop the Covid fast spread (what means saving lifes and the world economy).
What can we all learn from this crisis?
The fact that a digital conversion of all business sectors has begun. The importance of personal responsibility and common sense.
If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
The third industrial revolution.