Coronovirus : Coping with the Crisis.

 Friday 13^th March, there I was preparing to leave for my morning spa visit as usual, when Z asked if I was going to go. What a weird question, I thought. He was referring to the advice from the radio that we stay home. I saw it as advice, he as a directive – I learned later that a neighbor believed I was irresponsible in going out. L.  6 of us on the bus – well distanced! – equipped with an assortment of masks, sanitizing wipes, gloves and scarves. The spa is well-nigh deserted: I am alone in the pool and, after my swim is over, it is to be closed down. On exiting, I drip water and tears!

 All educational institutions had already closed nationwide on March 10^th, but to avoid the inevitable, heavy socializing, on March 13^th cafes, bars, restaurants, museums, shopping centres, sports facilities went on lockdown.

Finally, as of 6am March 23^rd, restrictions were placed on all non-essential movement. Anyone travelling without a document from their employer to verify their place of work, or without a document declaring the reason for being out and about, is fined 150 euro.                                                       

People found to be infected, to have been in contact with someone infected, or to have arrived in Greece from outside the country are automatically put under quarantine. Anyone found flouting this is liable to a 5,000 euro fine. One student returning from Britain was put under quarantine as was the norm, but was found not to be observing that. His father had failed to persuade him to stay indoors … and so had called the authorities and ratted on him! In short, Menoume spiti: We’re staying home – our motto for the duration of the lockdown.

                              

 I think most countries experienced the phenomenon of panic-buying as the enormity of the crisis began to sink in. Number one item on most shopping lists seemed to be toilet paper. One answer proffered as to why that should be was that in a crowded place for every one person who coughs, ten others ……  well, you can complete that statement, I’m sure ! :)

We spend a lot of our time working in the garden when weather permits and one day we even cleaned out the pool. The next day we found we had an illegal immigrant: a lady toad had come to produce in our front-yard, which was of great interest to our Leondaris. She is identifiable as a toad, apparently, by her string of eggs rather than a frog’s clump of spawn.

                                         

 

 When the weather is not so clement, then home-management takes over. My kitchen cupboards and drawers are now sparkling clean and more ergonomically organized - visible halo!!  I also completed a freezer review and long-lost / concealed-under-frost items are chronologically arranged and will feature on next week’s menus.

 One daily routine, however, is not to be missed – our daily televised information spot by two stalwarts. The first is Nikos Hardalias, who must have a huge name tag as his full title is that of Deputy Minister of Civil Protection and Crisis Management. He’s pictured here in more relaxed circumstances!

                                           

He has studied at home and abroad – post-graduate studies in Political Sciences and Media at Kent University. His unenviable task is to keep us in order and devise ways to do that. He is now tightening up on measures to avoid the inevitable Easter exodus which some will be plotting for next week! (The Orthodox Easter is one week after the general Easter this year.)

 But the protagonist of these daily updates is unquestionably someone who is being lauded as a hero, both at home and abroad. He is Sotiris Tsiodras, a non-politico in charge of managing the country’s predicament from the medical side of things. He is both a medical practitioner, a medical professor and researcher. He has studied here in Greece and in Harvard where he specialized in infectious diseases, one particular focus being the HIV virus.

                                            

A man of humility and humanity, he often expresses his appreciation for the dedication of front-line staff, naming and wishing ICU patients he has visited a good recovery.  A father of seven, he is also a psalmist, trained in singing those haunting Byzantine chants. It seems that it’s not by chance his name means ‘saviour’.

 Greeks are known for being rather cavalier about observing the law. So it is a mark of their abilities and dedication that these two are held in such respect, that – along with police support - systems are being upheld, and our victim roll has so far remained relatively low.  Mind you, local wags do say that at 6pm, instead of delivering his usual speech, if our Sotiiris begins to sing psalms - then we’ll really know that we’re in deep, deep  …… trouble!!

As I said, we celebrate Orthodox Easter next week, but let me offer you a scene of a little corner of our garden in spring garb and wish you all a very Happy Easter!