Thinking the reopening could have been managed better

Colombia, Cali, Rodrigo, Colombian, 47, Public Relations, Not married/ No kids

General

How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
Colombia had a complete lockdown since March, it was scary seeing your city and the whole country as a ghost town. Everyone was controlled to going out, only pharmacies, supermarkets, banks and health workers were able to go out. There was an ID number control by days. Now, there is no control, everyone are on the streets, and yes, there is a 2nd wave because of this. People are taking this Pandemia as it has never existed, normality is the main issue. The country has become a non-sense population and a risky society that where ever you go, you in risk of getting the virus.

How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
The atmosphere in the country was spooky, most, not to say every city looked like a ghost town. It was amazing watching how streets and highways, that commonly were with a lot of traffic and noise, it was a complete silence. One of the amazing views was watching how pollution decreased and how many country animals returned to their habitat. It was spooky, it was.

How are you and your family?
My family and I are good, taking care of a risk person as a patient with cancer, diabetic and with two strokes, made me very precautious in what, where and when to leave my house. Most of the time we asked for deliveries, cooked at home and left/leave the house for urgent matter, nothing else. I have family in other cities of Colombia, in Spain, US and other countries, and they are in the same position of taking care of themselves. If you take care of yourself and your family, you are taking care of the rest of your surroundings.

What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
The biggest challenge within this months has been feeling prisoner in your own house. Not been able to go out and do what you are used to do, makes you learn to be prudent and also be cautious in what you do, eat and where you go. Is really scary to be aware that every place you go, you are at risk of catching the virus.

The atmosphere in the country was spooky, most, not to say every city looked like a ghost town.

Measures

When did you realize how serious the situation is?
I did realize that this was serious when Europe started to announce people getting contagious and dying, that moment I said, “What is coming is not a joke”.

How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
I think the government reacted to the crisis in an amazing way, ordering a complete lockdown, although a little late, but closing all airports, made the country secure of no more contagious visitors arriving the country. Ordering a total curfew all over the country, and making only essential workers to go out prevented form people sick to continue to be on the streets. Unfortunately economy was hit and people were suffering of hunger and income, the step by step opening was conscious, but as Latin-Americans people are disorganized and not aware of what could happen, and today, everyone is out and the virus is out there having fun and getting more people than health servants would have thought they will treat.

Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
Yes I am, until some weeks ago. Good was the lockdown and curfews to stop spreading. Bad, the reopening of commerce and people to be able on the move. That was really bad.

What would you like to say to your government?
I think the reopening could have been managed better, the ideal of opening commerce and work was good, but if the ID restriction would have continued, less people could have been on the streets and liquidity would continue flowing. The huge risk now is that this sick people with the virus and are asymptomatic, are out there making others contagious and not knowing they are sick until two weeks later. People asked to this risk to be taken, but as in Europe, we will be soon watching a second more strength lockdown.

Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
“This virus is going to last for a long time” / “Everyone in the planet will be contagious”

We will be soon watching a second more strength lockdown.

The Virus

Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Yes, I had close people that has catch the virus, very few has died, but yes, this virus does not respect economic, social, race or political status.

Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
I have done the App test, not been tested for it, I have taken voluntary quarantine.

Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
There is always a chance to getting infected, of you go out, visit public places or even having visitors, you are always at risk of getting it.

This virus does not respect economic, social, race or political status.

The lockdown

How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
The lockdown lasted from March to August, and was allowed for people by ID restriction by days to go to pharmacies, supermarkets, health workers to go to work, it was not allowed to people on this group of workers or not going to essential commerce to be on the streets.

Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
Yes, I spent it with my mother and our maid. We watch Netflix a lot, read, and work in the computer. We have a countryside home, so we had place to be, walk and have some air.

What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
Seeing my family, hugging them, playing with them, be able to see my girlfriend and travel, I missed traveling! What helped, been at home and enjoying the pool and TV.

During the lockdown from March to August we were only allowed to go out by ID restriction.

Changes

How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
Working from home, sporting, watching TV, reading and resting.

How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
Not that much, my relationship with my girlfriend continues steady, and with friends was good, social media had a big impact on relationships.

What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
Huge impact, work decreased at nearly zero and most the work is still on freezing mode. It is going to take time to recover and start again.

Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
Is normal, interactive relations on Social Media, and having very few family reunions.

Work decreased at nearly zero and most the work is still on freezing mode.

Perception

Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
Doctors, nurses and everyone involved in health issues are the most heroic people in the world. Teachers, parents and people helping others are the second row of heroism.

What did the crisis show you?
That life can be extinguished in a matter of days or months. Also that there is people in the world that still keep the helping initiative intact.

What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
That people will be “people person” and treat humans as humans and not by rejections. That those who are in need of work, have the opportunity of showing what they know and how they can help companies and communities to come to the new reality.

Which images will you never forget?
The images of ICUs full and with no possibilities of receiving more patients, that is really scary. Also the images on how nature is savvy and recovered places that were once theirs and were taken by humans.

Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
Recovery stories and health servers crying for help or impotent of not been able to help as much as they will.

The crisis showed me that life can be extinguished in a matter of days or months.

Perspective

What are you afraid of right now?
I am afraid now that those vaccines announced does not work and this virus will continue infecting, taking away loved ones and having issues not to be contagious. Also not been able to find a job or work right now, so much needed by me and others.

What gives you hope?
How people are looking for a cure and are making everything possible to get a vaccine. How people are helping others on not starving and keeping them strong. Praying, only God has the power of helping us at this moment and making it possible to continue strong.

Are you planning to travel within the next months?
As soon the vaccine works, and there is very low risk of getting contagious, hell yes I will be planning traveling.

If they find a vaccine, would you take it?
I will wait until there is 99% guarantee that vaccine works.

What can we all learn from this crisis?
That a virus, a transparent disease can kill you in hours and that people has turn back to be people, no more jealousy and no more arrogance in people. We need people helping people, no more people hating people.

If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
A year no one will remember, nor exist in mankind!

We need people helping people, no more people hating people.