Spain, Barcelona, Maria, Spanish, 29, Documentary Photographer, Not married/ No kids
General
How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
Yes, we’re on the second wave, and people already started talking about the third one.
How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
It switched from being a “normal life” to a totally changed world. If someone would have described to me the situation we are in a year ago, I’ve said that they were crazy. Still, we wear masks, and can’t say hi with two kisses, like we always did.
How are you and your family?
We are very good and are blessed to have the life we have.
What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
To accept that stillness is also very important. Incredible things can happen when we stop, it’s just that the way that this capitalist society is constructed doesn’t let us appreciate it. It has been challenging but liberating to go from action energy to a more receptive, subtle, and calm one.
Measures
When did you realize how serious the situation is?
In mid-March. I remember that we went to buy basic supplies with my mother and when arriving home, we turned the TV on. It was like a science fiction movie to see the president’s speech.
How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
The state of alarm and the partial lockdown was announced in March, which was a bit late compared to the severity of the situation in places like Italy.
Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
I think that the government started imposing measures a bit too late. Rather than that, I think it was an exceptional situation nobody was prepared to live or manage.
What would you like to say to your government?
That this situation it’s only evidencing a weak economy and endemic social problems, which we have been having since the last economical crisis, in 2008. Before the social and economical effects of this pandemic, everything seemed well in Spain, but it wasn’t, at all. I’d say to my government that they must take this as an opportunity to transform this economical system, to evolve into a more sustainable and responsible country, where everyone has their basic needs covered, such as access to proper housing.
Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
“Hands, mask, and distance”, written in several places inside the press conference room in the parliament of Catalonia.
The Virus
Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Yes.
Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
Yes.
Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
Not really, but I’m afraid of infecting the people I love.
The lockdown
How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
For around 3 months we were only alowed to leave our houses for basic needs.
Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
With my mother, in her home, and working. First, I was part of a beautiful initiative put together by Women Photograph, called The Journal, where I was documenting my day to day during the lockdown. That really helped me to keep my find fresh and creative. After that, I’ve been documenting the social response in my own community.
What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
Nature. Both missed and helped me the most. To touch the trees, the leaves, the sea, to feel the sand in my feet. I live near the forest and the sea, so some days I would go to feel the trees and leaves. I still remember the first time I touched a humid rock full of moss after the first lockdown months, and how that felt in my hand.
Changes
How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
I’m more interested in local stories and the impact that broader topics could have in hyper-local communities, like my own.
How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
It changed a lot. Now, I think twice before meeting anybody, especially when it comes to going to closed spaces or with groups of more than 3 people. That makes things much less spontaneous and “free” or “open”. Not only that but the way we communicate with each other has changed. In our Spanish culture, it’s pretty normal to touch even unknown people when talking and to have a small distance between each other. We introduce ourselves with two kisses. This can generate a feeling of closeness even if you don’t know that person. Now, most of the interactions feel “far away”, even with my smallest bubble of people.
What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
I’m okay.
Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
It looks different, but I don’t love crowds or big groups much, so it’s okay. I’m not a party person, but I do miss going out with my friends at night once every while.
Perception
Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
The beautiful souls who are taking this as an opportunity to rethink the way humanity has been operating, and doing something different and ingenious about it.
What did the crisis show you?
To go inwards. To have my balance. To reset. Stillness helped me to put my attention to my flux of thoughts, and I’ve been able to detect patterns that come from society or my brought-up which weren’t working anymore for me. I had the courage to remove the ones that weren’t of help, and to value and love more my purest essence, being true to it, always. Everything has been reduced to the “basic”, or “essential”, removing what was a distraction before, in terms of activities or thoughts.
What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
After? I don’t think that there is any after, rather than a new period where we start doing things in a different and more sustainable way.
Which images will you never forget?
The queues for food in my city of people that before had a job and could pay their rent.
Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
The citizen response, specifically in the community of Santa Anna, in the center of Barcelona, has made me think that solidarity does exist in my country. I’d say that this has been the silver lining during this pandemic, which has affected so many people on many levels.
Perspective
What are you afraid of right now?
I’m not afraid of anything right now.
What gives you hope?
Light, and people with light who celebrate and create light.
Are you planning to travel within the next months?
Yes, for work.
Would you take a vaccine?
Probably, yes.
What can we all learn from this crisis?
We are harming our Earth, we are harming our bodies, we can do things differently, and there is a solution if we act NOW.
If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
Myself, stronger, brighter, ready.