Mauritius, Grand Baie, Paul, Mauritian, 50, Documentary Photographer, Married/ Two children
General
How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
The situation in Mauritius is generally calm at the moment. We have been COVID free for nearly a year, so except for the borders being practically closed, everyday life has slowly returned to some normality.
How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
People’s recent attention has generally switched from the transmission of the virus to the vaccination. Large scale vaccination hasn’t begun in Mauritius yet, so we are watching the rest of the world with anticipation.
How are you and your family?
We are well.
What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
Currently, the biggest challenge is probably the shipping of goods. Mauritius is a tiny island, mostly dependent on importing all sorts of goods, from foodstuff to electronics. As might be expected, COVID has widely disrupted international shipping, resulting in delays on many of these items.
Currently, the biggest challenge is probably the shipping of goods.
Measures
When did you realize how serious the situation is?
I think I realised how serious the situation was with COVID around the middle of March 2020. Until then, the virus felt like a challenge for other countries. But then the borders around the world began to close, and suddenly we realised this was going to impact us as well. From there, things changed very rapidly.
How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
Quickly and decisively. Our borders were closed almost immediately, and we entered a very strict lockdown until we were able to bring the virus under control.
Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
Yes. Lockdown was very hard, but it was necessary.
What would you like to say to your government?
Well done for acting so swiftly.
Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
Honestly, the whole situation escalated so quickly that my memory became something of a haze, so I can’t think of anything in particular.
Lockdown was very hard, but it was necessary.
The Virus
Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
No.
Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
No.
Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
No, not in Mauritius. My concern for the spread of the virus is more when the borders open again.
My concern for the spread of the virus is more when the borders open again.
The lockdown
How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
We had a very strict lockdown from March 2020 to the end of May 2020. For the three weeks of lockdown, we weren’t able to leave our houses for any reason at all, not even food shopping. Those without enough provisions had them delivered by the authorities. After a few weeks, supermarkets were allowed to open, but access was only granted on certain days, allocated by family surname. And that is more or less how it stayed until the lockdown at the end of May 2020.
Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
Yes, I spent lockdown with my wife and two children. We spent the time adjusting to the new normal. We played lots of games, worked, and home-schooled the children. Mainly, we tried to maintain some normality to our weeks, as the days all seemed to merge.
What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
I really missed able to go out for exercise. I have always been very active, enjoying running, cycling, water sports, and so on. But in lockdown, we weren’t allowed out for any reason, including exercise, so that was difficult. Fortunately, I was able to put a sort of home gym together, and also I have a large garden to run around, so I managed to keep somewhat active.
For the three weeks of lockdown, we weren’t able to leave our houses for any reason at all, not even food shopping.
Changes
How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
Before COVID, I travelled extensively for work; however, this came to an immediate stop, and I had to adapt my business quickly. It is fair to say that my business is very different today than it was a year ago.
How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
Mauritius is a very social island, and people have been proactive in supporting each other throughout the crisis. Technology has helped tremendously in maintaining social connections. Of course, not meeting friends and family in person was difficult, but at least we didn’t all feel completely cut off, thanks to video calls and messaging apps.
What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
It has had a considerable impact on our financial situation. Being self-employed, I only receive income if I can work. Fortunately being a small business also allowed me to adapt quickly, and I could secure enough projects to sustain us. I am also thankful that we had savings to see us through. Things are picking up now, though, and I am hopeful for the future.
Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
Daily life is now actually very much like it was before, except not being able to travel. Being Covid free for nearly a year, we can move around, interact with each other, work and study mostly as we always have done.
Being Covid free for nearly a year, daily life is now actually very much like it was before, except not being able to travel.
Perception
Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
For sure, the heroes of this crisis have been the everyday people who kept the country going during lockdown: the hospital staff, the delivery drivers, the refuse collectors, supermarket workers, and so on. They still went to work despite the virus.
What did the crisis show you?
I think the COVID crisis has helped us all reevaluate the things which are important to us. In many cases, these were perhaps not the things we might have expected.
What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
I will most appreciate the freedom to travel and move around. We take for granted being able to travel almost anywhere, any time we like.
Which images will you never forget?
During lockdown, I became a little obsessed with traffic cameras all over the world. The sight of deserted city centre streets, which are typically full of traffic and pedestrians, will stay with me for a long time.
Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
The loss of every victim of the virus is a tragedy, but it was heartbreaking to see so many people unable to be with their loved ones during their final moments.
I think the COVID crisis has helped us all reevaluate the things which are important to us.
Perspective
What are you afraid of right now?
My main concern is that people, weary of the restrictions, begin to act irresponsibly and cause the virus to spread even further. The vaccines offer a lot of hope that we can soon return to normality, whatever that might be, but we aren’t there yet. We need to maintain our discipline.
What gives you hope?
The way people have pulled together throughout this crisis has offered me a lot of hope.
Are you planning to travel within the next months?
No.
Would you get yourself vaccinated against COVID-19??
Yes.
What can we all learn from this crisis?
This crisis will hopefully have taught us not to take anything for granted.
If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
The year you will never forget.
We need to maintain our discipline.