Working in real estate and meeting a lot of people every day

Albania, Tirana, Marika, Albanian, 42, Freelancer / Real estate consultant, Single

General

How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
There is a growing number of people with Covid 19 every day. The economical situation is really difficult, but every business is open now. The music in the night after 20.00 hour is not allowed. Due to hot summer & Corona, August was not successful month in business. After the opening in June of all businesses and people started moving more, the second wave was already here according to what government is declaring.

How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
There is no more the night life in Tirana this summer. The media is giving a lot of news all the day, so the fear is present. Anyway people are doing all activities, and they are getting used with the situation.

How are you and your family?
We are fine. None in my family is infected yet, wish this to not happen!

What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
The first 2 weeks of the lockdown, when the fear was strong, we did not know what is happening. Than in April, I started working, moving, and I was not feeling all the pressure. I spend a lot of my free time home, or running in the park. Not having the possibility to go to the park, was what I missed during the lockdown.

The second wave was already here.

Measures

When did you realize how serious the situation is?
I know the situation is serious, but I am very positive. I pray for my health, family and country that everything goes ok. We should learn to live together with the virus, and do not think all the time about it.

How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
The government closed all businesses and people for almost 3 month, bringing in very bad condition the businesses and the economy. The virus is still here, and maybe for a long time, we should learn to live with.

Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
The total lockdown was very bad. I am not satisfied. I love freedom and responsability.

What would you like to say to your government?
To not use this time & this topic to still, to realize their own interests, to deliver fear and stress, to block the businesses.

Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
The prime minister, all the time LIVE in Fb or Instagram.

We should learn to live together with the virus.

The Virus

Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Yes I do, I very good friend of mine, he recovered. He was at his own apartment during the recovery, for more than 14 days. I heard about some people I know, they had other problems with the health too before Corona.

Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
No, no symptoms, not sick, no Corona. I work everyday with people, in real estate, nothing happened to me. I wash my hands very often and I take care of my mind, this are my measures.

Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
I do not want to think about that. I do not want to get infected to. I take care of my food, immune system, and wash my hands as I said.

I work everyday with people, in real estate, nothing happened to me.

The lockdown

How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
Almost 3 weeks, from March 12 to the end of the month.

Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
I was alone in my apartment. The first days I went to the park, than the park was closed. I spent the time meditating, reading, contacting my family and friends. I was not in panic, I was very quiet and curious.

What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
I missed the park and the walk. Meditation and lecture helped me.

I was not in panic, I was very quiet and curious.

Changes

How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
The first 3 weeks, very little work, some phone calls, the situation was just a shock. Then, in April, I started moving a little because our activity was not closed, within restricted hours, of course, step by step, in May, the situation was changing, we started working full time, in June and now, full time.

How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
I do not meet them often, and not all of the friends now. Some activities are cancelled, like celebrations and parties. I do not spend a lot of time around, so for me was not so big change. If I want now to meet friends, we can meet, no matter the cases with corona are to the maximum.

What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
The market is very touched by the crises, and my activity is directly related to the economy, to the movement of people from other countries to Albania, so, it is very hard now to have a income to live well. In this situation you cant have an idea how much you are taking home in a month.

Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
I go to work, I have meeting with costumers, a meet a lot of people, because of the activities, I meet friends, not very often, I do sport. In Albania this period, the distances are not respected 100%. In closed places I put on my mask.

The market is very touched by the crises.

Perception

Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
I think the doctors & nurses.

What did the crisis show you?
Life is beautiful and too short. Be positive, share love with people, worry less!

What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
Be healthy. Have all the family in good health. Travel around the world, be free, not have boundaries.

Which images will you never forget?
The name of the Covid 19. No images, I do not watch television.

Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
A well know family friend who lost his life, and then in a week, his father lost his life, due to Covid, but both as I know, was sufferings from other bad diseases. This touched me a lot.

A family friend lost his life and then a week later, his father lost his life due to Covid.

Perspective

What are you afraid of right now?
I want the world to be cured and saved from this strange virus. People is talking about a chip, etc…, I do not want the freedom to be touched.

What gives you hope?
Faith in the Universe, Supreme Entity, in our creator.

Are you planning to travel within the next months?
Not yet.

If they find a vaccine, would you take it?
I do not want to take any vaccine for something I think they invented, and then they bring the solution.

What can we all learn from this crisis?
We should care more about ourself, our families, share more love and care for each other.

If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
No covid, more activities, More attention to people in need, more spirituality in the world, to walk to a better life full of love and peace on the planet.

I want the world to be cured and saved from this strange virus.