Seeing the crisis as the beginning of major challenges

General

How is the situation in your city/ country?
Now it´s almost back to normal. At the beginning? It was a mess. Hospitals had no space, infrastructure or services and people where dying in the streets and homes. Eventually the vaccination process speeded up and the country became more stable.

How did the atmosphere in your country change since the pandemic started?
I am very priviledged in my country, so I can’t speak for everyone, but personally, I believe we were scared to show our loving latin personalities. Not being able to hug the elderly was heartbreaking. A lot changed but I believe we were resilient. I also think this crisis made the socio-economic inequality more visible. I hope there will be positive changes to our system through that visibility.

How are you and your family?
My family and I are okay. We had a close loss, but we deal with grief in a beautiful way. I think it brought us closer together but also made us realize the importance of boundries and healthy communication. It also made us observe our priviledge and become more responsible about it. How can we help those who are more vulnerable?

What is the biggest challenge for you during the crisis?
A change in lifestyle. I went from attending school and walking or driving around the city to being at home, sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time. I saw the benefits though. I spent more valueable time with my close family and my pets. It also helped me prioritize my mental health.

Not being able to hug elderly was heartbreaking.

Measures

When did you realize how serious the situation is?
Since it started. I knew it was not going anywhere. I know it is serious, but I also believe we need to learn how to live with it and create new ways of living, more regenerative ones and where community unites and builds trust and safe spaces.

How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
Instant lockdown for way too long in my opinion. Traffic restrictions, curfews, forums in places, mandatory masks and even vaccination for a couple of days. I think we were given way to much responsability, because they don’t have a health system that works for crisis like this one. I am well aware that we all need to be responsible and take care, but not because our government sucks at keeping us safe. Spilling the tea here. Sorry not sorry.

Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
With some I was and with others I am not. For example, I understant that keeping social distancing was useful and responsible. I don´t understand why schools were closed and bars were open. Are we really living in societies that prioritize adults getting drunk than kids being educated? It’s sad.

What would you like to say to your government?
We have so much to do. Health and education should be a priority. If only we had people in power that instead of putting our money in their pockets would be transparent at investing it in what really matters… oh what a wonderful world it would be. Stop corruption and fight for a more egalitarian country PLEASE.

Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
Can’t really remember.

I don´t understand why schools were closed and bars were open.

The Virus

Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Yes. I knew people who passed away from Covid and now, myself and a lot of people close to me have been infected.

Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
Yes. I have done a lot of Covid tests for travel reasons and because of symptoms. One came back positive in January 2022. I quarantined with my partner for almost two weeks. I ended up in the hospital after Covid for a huge migraine. Covid sequels suck.

Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
Not really. It would suck if I get it hard again. But I am not afraid.

I ended up in hospital after Covid for a huge migraine.

The lockdown

How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
Two weeks. We only went to the kitchen to get food. We would go for night walks when noone was outside in the street and wearing a mask. We would wear a mask in communal spaces. I decided, for my own good and health, that smoking wasn’t allowed for me anymore.

Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
Yes, with my roomates and partner, but mostly with my partner in our room. We watched the Mandalorian lol, ate chinese, did stretching sessions when we felt a bit energized, took good care of each other and were very vulnerable. I cried so much. We also read, worked and specially, rest.

What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
People! I would call friends and family and I would journal and meditate. I remember clearly having a panic attack one night, and my partner and I went for a walk and found roses in the garden. I smelled them and I felt so grateful. Practicing gratitude was probably what helped me the most.

I cried so much during lockdown.

Changes

How did your work situation change since the pandemic started (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
I started a stable job online for an international project and it has been great. Now we are all living together and working together in a project that builds conscious communities around the world. We are creating new ways of living in this everchanging world.

How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
I became more intentional about my relationships. Became closer to those who are unconditional and stepped away from those who weren’t for me. I became more present with the people I love and now I choose more wisely who I want to be surrounded by.

What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
It has been a positive impact. I was able to become independent from my Mom and move to another country for a while.

Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
I am very priviledged and blessed to say that I am living my dream life. Fortunately I am surrounded by people who share values and respect each other’s authenticity. I am graduating school soon, I have a job that I love and I am focusing on how to create more positive impact for more vulnerable groups in society.

I became more present with the people I love and choose more wisely who I want to be surrounded by.

Perception

Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
I am very grateful to doctors and health workers. I am very grateful to activists who have raised the voice for those who are underrepresented at times of crisis. I am grateful to people who share the importance of mental, emotional and spiritual health.

What did the crisis show you?
How big social inequality is. How radically important it is to take a look at our priviledges and act responsibly from there.

What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
Hugs. But… after the crisis? I believe this crisis is only the beginning of the fall of obsolete systems and the beginning of major challenges we will have in the future. There is no after, there is just forward. So appreciate communities comprised of change makers.

Which images will you never forget?
Many.

Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
I’d rather not mention.

The crisis showed me how big social inequality is.

Perspective

What are you afraid of right now?
I am afraid of not being present. I am afraid of not being grateful for this moment.

What gives you hope?
Community gives me hope. Solutions give me hope.

Are you planning to travel within the next months?
Yes.

Would you get yourself vaccinated or have you already been vaccinated against COVID-19?
I am already vaccinated.

What can we all learn from this crisis?
Take a look at your privilege. Heal yourself and take care of yourself. Show up to your life with honesty, vulnerability and lots of love. Take care of others.

If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
It wasn’t the worst year of our lives. It was a year where we were challenged, only to grow and be better.

Community gives me hope.