Quarentine: Day One

Anyone who's been watching the news probably knows by now that Spain has declared a state of emergency.  Schools have been closed in Madrid for over a week.  Here in Andalucía we were told Thursday night that Monday would be the beginning of a two-week minimum shutdown of schools from preschool and daycare through university and tradeschools.  Within 24 hours we were told all public buildings and events were to be cancelled.  Now bars, restaurants, hotels and beaches are closing.  Parks are also closed.  Semana Santa has been suspended nationwide.

Now only supermarkets, pharmacies and hospitals are open.  On Monday the total deaths in Spain were 17.  Today they've reached 197.  Supermarkets are restocking shelves constantly and even so when I went to Mercadona Thursday evening there were entire ailes empty.  Surreal to say the least.

Chalk art in the patio

I drove home Friday after the last day of school, struggling to decide how best to confront school from home... The highway signs along the way all warned: "Coronavirus: Avoid Travel.  Better stay at home".  We are being told to stay at home.

Today was day one of voluntary confinement.  We went out for a lovely bike ride in the afternoon, but other than that we were home all day.  Angelines has also closed the bar indefinitely.  So today we were all home without the presure to do anything more than organize ourselves--unpack from La Zubia--and enjoy each other.  Emily was extatic.  She was so obviously happy to be with us that it made me begin to feel sad for the way our current lifestyle lends itself to living together without BEING together; hearing without listening and looking without seeing.

We'll probably all get cabin fever at some point, especially with the expected rains this coming week; but it was beautiful to have this imposed relaxation today.  As Miriam commented via WhatsApp: "enforced peace".  Monday I'll begin working from home: catching up with materials and record keeping and doing everything that I have barely had time to do for a very long time.  Balancing will be difficult and finding time won't be easy.  It never is.  But today was a little slice of perspective for which I am very grateful.

Stay home, stay healthy.

A little art therapy this morning

Sibling love