The mean c-word or how a virus has gripped the world

Hey there my lovelies,

as a book blogger I usually write about fun topics like books. Every now and then I get personal and share some poetry with you as well or write about things that are important to me.

Today, well today I’m going to make an exception and I’m going to write about the conditions in Austria ever since the Corona virus hit us. I know some of you might sigh now or be tired of this topic, but I feel like I need to write about it because it became such a huge part of our everyday life.

I’m aware that plenty of people write about it, the media is full of it and lots of people don’t want to hear the bad “c-word” anymore. What usually gets lost in the media is how other countries are affected and what happens over there. I can only speak for Austria but ever since things got serious in my country we barely got any news from others. We’re so busy with our own problems we can’t keep track of those of other countries as well.

I’m no journalist, I’m no person of influence, but I’m a normal Austrian citizen who lives here and sees what is happening. On Monday (March 9^th) it were about 104 Corona cases in my country, today – Saturday the 14^th we’re already at 655 and the number is still increasing. It’s spreading rapidly and because of this our government decided to take stronger measures.

From Monday on all shops that aren’t vital will close. That includes hair dressers, clothes shops, mobile phone shops, children’s toy shops, book stores (of course that one makes me super sad. >_<) shoe shops, etc. I’m sure you get the idea.

Grocery stores, pharmacies, drugstores and other shops or institutions (e.g. hospitals) that are vital will be open though. Restaurants will close at 3 p.m.!

I think I don’t even have to mention that libraries and other public places aren’t open any longer as well.

The borders to Italy, Luxembourg, the Swiss and to some of our other neighbouring countries are closed. As will be our schools, universities and kindergartens. Which basically means my kid will be at home with me for four weeks but I’ll still have to work somehow. (Home office is a real thing now. XD)

I know at first glance this might not sound all too bad, but our lives, the way we led them for years, well nothing will be the same for quite a while now. Especially our social life! Corona has a huge impact on everybody’s lives and we Austrian’s are trying to deal with it as best as we can.

So what happened now? Some people over here decided for hoarding and our grocery stores are empty. Yesterday I didn’t even get milk or butter, let alone pasta or toast. It was crazy! The government and the media are trying their best to contain a mass panic but what I’m seeing in the stores (people arguing over who gets the last loaf of bread or toilet paper) is really alarming. Yesterday they had to close a grocery shop because people started to fight. I didn’t read this in the news… I heard it from a friend who happened to be there at the time.

I probably could go on and on with other stories and things that are happening but I’ll keep it at that. I don’t want to unsettle you, I don’t want you to be afraid, what I want to do is to tell you how things are over here and which kind of consequences we face. Because if the virus is in your country you might have to face the same issues as well. Or you’re probably facing them already.

What I want to accomplish with this blog post is the following:

I want you to be safe; I want you to be healthy. I want you to be informed and to take care. I want you to listen to your governments and to take their warnings seriously. I want you to be compassionate and considerate. I want you to be aware that elderly people belong to the risk group and therefore need to be protected from exposure. (e.g. don’t let your parents take care of your children. Kids have a pretty easy course of disease and what might seem like a little cold could turn out to be Corona and be deadly for elderly people)

I don’t want to tell you about safety measures because I’m sure you read or heard about them already. I just want you to take care of yourself and each other. I think that’s the most important thing. Don’t panic, stay calm and follow the instructions of your governments. They take those drastic measures for a reason and it’s important to go along with them.

So for now all that’s left to say is: Stay safe, wash your hands and be considerate and kind. No matter where you are, we will get through this. Together! To panic won’t help anyone but if we help each other we’ll be able to get through this. Take things seriously but don’t lose your head! Stay calm and composed. That’s all I ask of you!

I love you guys and I’m sending you lots of virtual hugs and kisses! ❤

Take care!

P.S: My family and I are doing okay and we’re all still healthy! Let’s hope it will stay that way. 🙂

P.P.S: The first thing I’m going to do when this is all over is to give my parents, my bestie and the rest of my family one big hug! ❤ I’ll miss them like crazy and phones can’t hug you. *lol*