Sweden, Stockholm, Paulina, Polish, 32, Project Management Consultant/Vlogger (currently half year long trip in Europe), Married/ Two kids
General
How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
Yes. The restrictions are not so strict as other European countries. There is recommendation to stay at home but restaurants and supermarkets are open. During 1st wave there wasn’t any lockdown neither.
How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
People are more cautious. It was a bit strange with the beginning of 1st wave but now it is a bit more normal.
How are you and your family?
Very good. Some of our family members in Sweden had it already.
What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
Travelling. We couldnt plan too much our half year trip in Europe. We had to be friends with uncertainty ready to change plans in the last moment. Not easy with kids 🙂
The restrictions are not so strict as other European countries.
Measures
When did you realize how serious the situation is?
In March when all the news said about pandemia. I have listened to both Polish and Swedish news and the Polish were much more scary. In Sweden it was more constructive and rather “stay calm and but listen to recommendation” message.
How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
Sweden was country with the least restrictions in Europe. No lockdown. No masks. Reccomended to stay at home. All office workers should work from home. Limited gatherings. Keep the distance and wash hands recommendations.
Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
Yes. I think it was very good that there was no lockdown. People followed necessary recommendation. I am happy that I could go for a walk and my kid could go to kindergarten. Only thing I would change is more protection for elderly. Sweden failed with that but they corrected those actions later.
What would you like to say to your government?
That made a good job and they followed their logic. I am glad that they did not locked the society.
Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
–
I think it was very good that there was no lockdown.
The Virus
Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
I know people who were infected but nobody who died.
Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
None of those.
Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
No, I am not afraid but I am careful as I do not want to get it. I try to keep my health in the good shape. We do not meet much people at the moment. But there was a time I was in advanced pregnancy and I was afraid back then – In March.
I am not afraid but I am careful as I do not want to get it.
The lockdown
How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
I did not have lockdown in Sweden. I am in Portugal now because we are travelling and there is lockdown here now. We should not leave the house but a sport or going for groceries is allowed. We handle it good. We booked a place with a yard so we can be outside most of the time. However we cannot travel around so we had to change our plans. We supposed to visit Lisbon now. We try to use this time to generate new business ideas.
Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
We did not have a lockdown in Sweden but I was on sick leave in the end of my pregnancy and my husband as well as he broke his leg so we felt a bit like sitting at home much. But for us it was very good time with lot of reflections. And we had time for ourselves finally.
What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
Even if we did not have any lockdown in Sweden we have reduced our contact with people drastically. And that was the worst. It has changed in the summer when everything went back to normality. Anyway we live quite calm life now with kids so it did not changed our life so drastically.
Even if we did not have any lockdown in Sweden we have reduced our contact with people drastically.
Changes
How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
I am on maternity leave. But in my company there was some lay-offs unfortunately during this time and many organizational changes.
How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
At the beginning of Corona pandemy in March it changed a lot as we avoid contact with many friends or we meet outside. We also did not hug which was a bit strange. However from May we started live a bit like normal just a bit more careful with the distance and hands.
What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
No impact.
Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
At the moment is normal. Hovewer we do not meet to many people as we are travelling so we mostly stay within family interactions.
We do not meet to many people as we are travelling so we mostly stay within family interactions.
Perception
Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
Nurses and doctors – they are heroes of this year!
What did the crisis show you?
That you can work from whenever place on earth you want.
What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
Going out and meeting people. And planning while travelling.
Which images will you never forget?
That strange feeling when you meet with your friend and you don’t know if you can hug him or her or not.
Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
Many people died and it was extremely tough to hear.
That strange feeling when you meet with your friend and you don’t know if you can hug him or her or not.
Perspective
What are you afraid of right now?
I try not to be afraid. It does not help. More careful about how to keep your health in the best shape.
What gives you hope?
I am full of hope. I hope it will end soon and people will meet again as usual.
Are you planning to travel within the next months?
I am travelling 3 months already and I am going to do it for next 4 months. We have made all the way from Sweden to South of Portugal by car with 2 kids. We have visited Switzerland, Spain and now Portugal. On the way back we want to visit north of Portugal (depends on the situation with Corona), north of Spain, France and Poland and maybe something else. We cannot really plan more than 2 weeks ahead.
Would you get yourself vaccinated against COVID-19??
No.
What can we all learn from this crisis?
That we should wash our hands. I hope more people will do it now.
If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
Year of love.
(I think people started to care after each other little more, we should love the peole as life may be unexpected)
I am full of hope. I hope it will end soon and people will meet again as usual.