Coronavirus: the new reality

It’s past midnight, March 14th; my weekend finally starts after the chaos of the week. Like a cuckoo nest, Covid-19 flew over me. The daily clutter of TV, news, radio, social media, conversations and whatsapp messages were massive – Coronavirus is everywhere. Yet, the numerous stories and theories are not adding up for me to take this pandemic the way others do. If you asked me two weeks earlier about Coronavirus, I tell you that this Virus is not taken serious in the Netherlands. Apart from a small group of food and toilet paper hoarders, people with masks and gloves walking in and out. It seemed not like a big issue in my hometown Amsterdam. I thought of the percentage of people dying yearly of the flu and other diseases. Is that not much higher? Talk less of the poverty, hunger, refugees and war causalities on a global level. 

I was determined not to panic about Covid-19. No hysteria for me. I had my common greetings: hug people and shake hands often, while others around me were taking actions weeks ago. I asked myself are they not overreacting and panicking too much?  The day that prime minister Mark Rutte made his first announcement on new ‘social’ measures. It slowly but peculiar changed for me. My steady routine of working, weekly gym and taking the kids to school and day care turned around.  Like many other businesses, my assignments and meetings were cancelled. It was more than awkward, I had to throw my familiar tight schedule in the bin and sketch a new one.  But avoiding social contacts was not one of them. All I knew was that Coronavirus was not also going to bring me mentally down!

So the next day I fixed my hair at a salon to uplift my spirits. I was determined to show off my fine bob-box-braids hanging in my neck the following evening at an African food joint in Amsterdam.  My Nigerian accomplice, whom I hadn’t seen for more than a year was in the same spirit as I about this Virus hassle. We were going to meet up that night or let the government decide for us.  Being both ‘stubborn’ sisters we made the decision ourselves. I imagined the other twelve Africans present at the same hangout having similar thoughts like us: “Life is too short and the Coronavirus is too depressing. Let’s forget about it, laugh, listen to good music and eat together.” But the mood we were so eager to escape from started to infect our night. As we ordered from the menu, greeted acquaintances; Wakanda style off course! While some were eager to do the elbow greet, which even for us surpassed this stage, jokes apart. I realised then our minds, social behaviour and conversations were absorbed by the Coronavirus.  Something we could not easily disinfect with a hand sanitizer or remove with a mask and gloves on. We were all tainted with the fear of the invisible. There was no hiding from it. No matter how hard we tried.

“If I had to make the choice again without these measures implemented, I probably would still socialize with those that have little to no fear.”

When I woke up the next morning from my ‘not so serious’ bubble. I actually felt relieved when the next announcement came: the instant lockdown of all hangouts, restaurants, bars, gyms, swimming pools, sex- and coffee shops. Not because I was afraid, but because of the majority of the people that were, and the vulnerable groups of our society. I felt bad for the small businesses and self-employed, it’s a tough one. I also thought about the people finding it difficult to make the decision to abstain from social public places, like I did the day before. If I had to make the choice again without these measures implemented, I probably would still socialize with those that have little to no fear. I think we should do what makes us feel comfortable as long as we respect each other in the process, and give those that want space their space. So far, I have not seen any press conference held of a government wearing masks and gloves or even keeping 1,5 meters distance. 

“I can’t see what is happening behind the curtains of this pandemic, but I am almost sure as we sit at home, others in power are in full action.”

Whatever I think of the Coronavirus pandemic, the predominant part of the world is clear on where it stands. There is no way you can escape from this new way of life. A big wake-up call, I think people in the Netherlands, Europe and the rest of the world can testify to: nothing in this life is constant besides change, in a more realistic manner. Do these changes frighten me? I say no. Am I more cautious? I say yes, especially for my loved ones. With this Virus locking everything down, source of incomes, social gatherings, public places, tourism and so on, we all should be alert. Currently we work remotely, give home schooling, pay mainly cashless (systems) and do everything online. A lot of industries stopped, while others are moving fast and I am not only talking about the movement of the health industry. I can’t see what is happening behind the curtains of this pandemic, but I am almost sure as we sit at home, others in power are in full action. Is it too soon to think that some of these measures will uphold after Coronavirus is ‘under (crowd) control’? What is the answer to the end of Coronavirus, vaccines? My mind keeps wondering about all of this and more. Time shall teach us these lessons.

As weeks pass, and I’m only coming out of the house when its necessary. It’s a perfect time to reflect on my life and loved ones. To connect even more than I did before. Dive deep into innovative areas, like an online business ( I heard its booming), finish reading those books on the shelf, and acquire skills for these new ways of living. At the same time looking at different perspectives than the mainstream media reports on Coronavirus. Keeping my mind and eyes open, because I refuse to be sucked into the frenzy of the majority. But do I have a choice other than to succumb to the new (social) lifestyle that Covid-19 introduced to the world? Not at all! We are in it together, like a long distance relationship, complicated but seriously committed.

Images from Unsplash by:

Perry Grone

Erik Mclean

Matthew Lejune

Tim Mossholder

What do you think about my first post? I am also curious about your thoughts on the Coronavirus. How did it change your lifestyle, so far? Feel free to comment in English or Dutch.

NOTE: last edited date only the layout and typos/grammar, not the content of the post!