COVID-19 Lockdown Barcelona – Day 31

The locals are getting restless. It has been over 4 WEEKS of a strict lockdown. The current weather is exactly why people move here and fall in love with Barcelona. For weeks now, the sun will shine, a light breeze will blow, and temps will hover around 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit). The flowers are blooming and short sleeves are in order. There are plenty of reasons to prove everyone lives outdoors: crowded plazas drinking wine and sharing tapas, walking the boardwalk and beach, and taking to the hills for a good hike.

The warmth is bringing the people outdoors, and I am no exception. This past week, there has been speculation that the current lockdown until April 25 will extend to sometime around May 11. That would essentially be 8 weeks stuck (and safe) inside a little flat, but the walls have become boring and my patience is thin. There has been some dissension within the Spanish government as the autonomous states within Spain want to take control back. Some regions have very few cases and death, and propose a loosening of the lockdown. The curve has flattened and we are on the descent, and the healthcare system appears to be managing. Some non-essential businesses were allowed to resume work this week nationwide. So the message from the top isn’t quite clear and this may be a way the citizens are pushing the limits.

The traffic outside has picked up with cars and pedestrians. For the first time in a month, DJ decided to venture outside with me as we needed some items from the pharmacy and the grocery store. Technically, only one of us is allowed out at a time, so I took Blue Jeans with me and we walked on separate sides of the street so we would look like different households. I had Blue Jeans and made my way to the queue for Mercadona, and it was the longest line yet! It took about 1 hour to pass the line. Meanwhile, DJ was able to secure more masks and some medicine from the pharmacy. DJ and I switched places while I was in line for Mercadona, and I decided to walk around the village with Blue Jeans while DJ shopped for food.

The main street was bustling. The plazas had people resting on the benches, but were void of the normal restaurant umbrellas and tables. People were walking in pairs but most had on masks. People were playing with their dogs, but staying 1.5 meters away from others. Children were running with balls while dads were reading the local paper, but in a little contained area. It was a semblance of the normal that I love about Barcelona. I was warmed inside and felt a little hope. And then I felt guilt and shame. And then I became confused trying to figure out what exactly is the best course of action for this virus.

I watch and read the news for the US, Europe, Spain, Italy, and the world. Sweden somewhat has a herd immunity protocol in place with personal responsibility encouraged to stay home. Germany has a lockdown but countrywide testing and contact tracing, which explains the low deaths. Italy and Spain have Draconian-like lockdowns for the last 4-6 weeks and it proved to flatten the curve. China also established a quarantine quickly but, most likely, lied about their numbers. The US is doing all kinds of differing theories where the states have the authority to lockdown but they don’t have the authority to re-open (cue sarcasm); and the citizens are questioning their freedoms versus the health and life of others.

But, let’s go even further and bring in the methods of cure: a vaccine, development of antibodies, herd immunity theory, hotter climate elimination, HIV and malaria drug treatment…so many proposals. And, let’s not forget the hoax community! This could be a manufactured virus. This could be China’s secret weapon to take over the world. This could be a scenario for pro-vaxxers or it could be a scenario for anti-vaxxers. I don’t have the answer! I am just as confused as everyone else.

With the social distancing obligation in place in the US and England, the models predict the peak will be this week or next. This may prove that some movement is acceptable, like good outdoor exercise. And, this is where I question Spain’s possible decision to extend the strict lockdown another 4 weeks. Being cooped up inside lowers our immunity, lowers our mental health and stamina, and I understood the need in the beginning. But I would like to see the return of some outdoor movement with strict social distancing and mandatory masks in place. Barcelona, surprisingly, is not very large. Within 1 hour of walking, most can be out of the city and in nature. It takes me about 15 minutes and I can be fully immersed in the Collserola mountains that surround Barcelona. Within 5 minutes, I am walking in Parc Guinardo, which is quite large with wide trails and plenty of hills. These areas (and other parks surrounding the city) should be made available to us in the near future. We need a little sunshine to keep going!

It will be interesting to see the data and the measures Spain (and the rest of the world) will take to contain and eradicate this virus. Again, I don’t have the answers. I am selfishly looking forward to learning to walk again. My rear end seems to have widened a bit lately.