Costa Rica, Heredia, Memo, Costarrican, 34, Chef, Single/ No kids
General
How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
Our first case was on March 06th, and it started very very slow until 2 week June. Second wave hit harder from the 3rd week of June onwards, catapulting from 10-15 cases daily to 400-500-600s. Communitary infection was detected on this stage.
How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
Drastic. There’s a lof of xenofobia especially towards Nicaraguans, which Costarricans blame to spread the virus. Totally false.
How are you and your family?
I’m good, all family is well.
What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
The susceptibility to media exposure with all those Covid19 stories and headlines. Its draining.
Measures
When did you realize how serious the situation is?
April, during Easter when every single store was closed
How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
Reaction was very efficient. Use of cars as per registration plate/day, closure of bars (this has been really devastating for bar owners which are closed still since March), restaurants can function only by delivery, churches (CR is a very very Catholic country – this has affected the older generation especially), and most recreation areas such as parks and walk/sport trails.
Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
Im satisfied. Nobody has been trained for this.
Good: containtion of the transmission
Bad: a lot of hatred is coming out of people due to restraining measures.
What would you like to say to your government?
I´m proud of you.
Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
Quedate en casa (Spanish for ‘Stay at home).
The Virus
Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Nobody.
Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
Not yet.
Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
Not really. Even though I can get the virus, my health and immune system are in good shape.
The lockdown
How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
2 months (April/May)
Allowed: essentials only
Not Allowed: pretty much everything else.
Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
Alone – exercise, clean nutrition, reading, meditation.
What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
I missed the most my friends and working. It helped the exercise, the workouts and meditation.
Changes
How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
I lost my job. Being a hotelier in the Luxury field, all my chances to get a proper job were shut down.
How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
Entirely. Everything changed. I see and can notice in people’s eyes, they mistrust everyone and everybody. I guess war times must be similar.
What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
Ive been living on savings, but yes totally has been affected. As a vegan and not drinker, Ive been able to save a lot.
Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
Isolated. The only people I see is when I go out running.
Perception
Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
The front liners (doctors, nurses, cops, firefighters), the vegetable and fruit growers and those who go out to work in the street for their family’s survival, even though they can get infected.
What did the crisis show you?
People’s reactions towards extreme boundaries.
What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
Work stability.
Which images will you never forget?
The empty street of my city Heredia, sometimes it seems like a ghost town.
Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
People starving, people who got infected because they don’t have enough money to have a mask, all those who have struggled big time for survival.
Perspective
What are you afraid of right now?
Nothing. Can´t live having fear.
What gives you hope?
How I see the slowly but surely back to normal.
Are you planning to travel within the next months?
In 3 weeks!
If they find a vaccine, would you take it?
100% im pro vaccination.
What can we all learn from this crisis?
Tolerance.
If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
Learning.