Whole society is kind of paralysed. Restaurants, small shops, hairdressers, physical therapies, spas, pools... if it's not neccessary, it's closed. And that means people are loosing their salaries.
Municipalities have trying to help people. First they told that schoolchildren will get their "food rations" (children get free lunch at schools) once a week: not ready made meals, but ingredients to make five meals per week. And this week they begun to hand out bags of food to families/people, who are suffering loss of income.
I was asked if we want food for our school children (we have three kids at school, all of them get free lunch every day when in school) but I declined. I think there are families in much more dire need at the moment - we on the other hand are lucky ones, hb is working in food industry, and even if their products are not considered most basic food products, production is still on.
And I - well on monday I'll start working on a new project in which we try to find ways to handle things when all this begin to return to normal.
I saw what one local munincipality is handing out to people. Depending on size of family, portions vary, but there was just essentials. What was striking to me was lack of ready meals, tins and highly processed products. There were:
-ground beef and ground pork
-chicken fillets
-eggs
-oats
-cheese
-sandwich ham
-spread
-rice
-potatoes (which were not pre washed, so they were still having dirt - they way most potatoes are sold here)
-bananas
-apples
-cucumbers
-tomatoes
-rye bread (essential here, made of full corn and only few% of wheat)
-crispy rye bread
-milk (non-fat lactose free)
-berry soup
-plain yoghurt
-coffee
-toilet paper
I think they was suprisingly well thought items - you have to remember they have had only few days to plan and act.
Food banks are in trouble, because most volunteers are over 70 or otherwise in high risk. Therefore they are not handing out food at their food banks, they are now delivering parcels directly to people. Food banks here don't need food now, they need volunteers from non risk groups and money. Many restaurants have donated their stock to food banks, otherwise it would have been wasted.
But if you are not in financial crisis, you can buy help: taxis are doing peoples food shopping and delivering medicines, animal shelters are helping people to take their pets to vet, garages are picking cars from home, fixing them and returning them and sanitizing them before handing them back.
Right now I think people have realized this is the real thing. Most people try to be in that part of society that helps stop this epidemic.
Saturday 28 March 2020
Friday 27 March 2020
Physical distance - week 2: This will get easier, right?
This is week 2. Now we are talking about physical distancing. You are not supposed to be a hermit, but to use social media to connect with others.
Soon people are not allowed to travel freely, borders between countries have been shut already and soon towns and districts will be isolated, too. My brother is on the other side of the border, so we might see each other in summer. But luckily post is still working, thye send me a parcel with goodies (cheese, sausages, olive oil, all kind of spreads...) I have eaten first jar of Salsa Tartufata.
Children are adjusting, slowly. D has problems in math, and I think she have to star again next term. But if schools are closed until summer break, I think there are few others, too.
Yesterday I went shopping again, I spent 5 hours going through stores and post office and pharmacy. I've never been so drained out after a shopping spree! You'd think it's easy to buy things if you have a list in your hand. Nope.
First of all, I hade three other lists and then mine. I decided to do my own shopping separately, so I had only three lists.
Secondly, other people eat different foods (different from my family's menu and different from others). I had to go through the mega store from one end to another several times, because I just didn't have any idea where would I find things. Yes, tiny plum tomatoes were easy to find, but where are protein drinks? Is protein drink the same as protein shake? How many pears I should take for two people? There isn't any 8roll pcks of toilet paper, do I take 6roll pcks or 12 roll pck? Where are mocktails? What are moctails? What does mean a sandwich ham without ham? (it was sandwich beef). There's no organig sausages, but there's organic hot dogs, will they do?
But I love to visit our local pharmacy, there's only one or two other customers and everything goes so smoothly: Old man's medication has to be ordered a day before picking it up, so he phones them. I had only his ID with me, and got the medicine and instructions in less than five minutes. And paid for it, too, 4,50€ for a medicine that's priced over 900€ per dose - thank you national health and social service system.
Tomorrow is d's 17th birthday. She wanted to have a nice evening with her friends, a movie night and hamburgers, perhaps. Now they are planning to use netflix's party app to watch a film together miles apart. But it's not the same. We had planned a shopping trip to capital next weekend (as her birthday gift), but we can't travel there at all. I'll bake her a cake and make pizza muffins, and she'll have her presents, but it's not the same.
but it's easier for a 17 year old to understand all this, my co-workers daughter has her bd on monday - there will be no friends to play with, no balloons to give them as gifts... She's been planning her party for a long time.
We are all lucky. We still have our jobs, and have been paid. We are healthy, we have homes and food and families. My wrecked nerves because of home school are absolutely nothing to think about. I'll have another piece of chocolate, maybe some salsa tartufata with french bread I have in freezer and then I'll start cooking kids supper. Salmon and potato fritters/rösti.
Soon people are not allowed to travel freely, borders between countries have been shut already and soon towns and districts will be isolated, too. My brother is on the other side of the border, so we might see each other in summer. But luckily post is still working, thye send me a parcel with goodies (cheese, sausages, olive oil, all kind of spreads...) I have eaten first jar of Salsa Tartufata.
Children are adjusting, slowly. D has problems in math, and I think she have to star again next term. But if schools are closed until summer break, I think there are few others, too.
Yesterday I went shopping again, I spent 5 hours going through stores and post office and pharmacy. I've never been so drained out after a shopping spree! You'd think it's easy to buy things if you have a list in your hand. Nope.
First of all, I hade three other lists and then mine. I decided to do my own shopping separately, so I had only three lists.
Secondly, other people eat different foods (different from my family's menu and different from others). I had to go through the mega store from one end to another several times, because I just didn't have any idea where would I find things. Yes, tiny plum tomatoes were easy to find, but where are protein drinks? Is protein drink the same as protein shake? How many pears I should take for two people? There isn't any 8roll pcks of toilet paper, do I take 6roll pcks or 12 roll pck? Where are mocktails? What are moctails? What does mean a sandwich ham without ham? (it was sandwich beef). There's no organig sausages, but there's organic hot dogs, will they do?
But I love to visit our local pharmacy, there's only one or two other customers and everything goes so smoothly: Old man's medication has to be ordered a day before picking it up, so he phones them. I had only his ID with me, and got the medicine and instructions in less than five minutes. And paid for it, too, 4,50€ for a medicine that's priced over 900€ per dose - thank you national health and social service system.
Tomorrow is d's 17th birthday. She wanted to have a nice evening with her friends, a movie night and hamburgers, perhaps. Now they are planning to use netflix's party app to watch a film together miles apart. But it's not the same. We had planned a shopping trip to capital next weekend (as her birthday gift), but we can't travel there at all. I'll bake her a cake and make pizza muffins, and she'll have her presents, but it's not the same.
but it's easier for a 17 year old to understand all this, my co-workers daughter has her bd on monday - there will be no friends to play with, no balloons to give them as gifts... She's been planning her party for a long time.
We are all lucky. We still have our jobs, and have been paid. We are healthy, we have homes and food and families. My wrecked nerves because of home school are absolutely nothing to think about. I'll have another piece of chocolate, maybe some salsa tartufata with french bread I have in freezer and then I'll start cooking kids supper. Salmon and potato fritters/rösti.
Sunday 22 March 2020
Social distance - week 1: Working from home and homeschooling
Oh, it's here. Covid-19, coronavirus. Whole Europe is shut. Our children are at home, been since monday. I was at the office on mon and tue, I had to sort out my laptop which wasn't connecting to net. My office is told to work at home at least until April 13th - as are kids homeschooling, too.
So this has been the first week of isolation (I'm not talking about social isolation, which is mostly the norm to us).
On wed I woke up at 4:30, just because I couldn't sleep anymore (hb wakes up at 4.15). Ate breakfast, checked emails, read all new info and, finally, when there was enough light, took 'Suma to walk. Then I put linens to washer, fed cats and read some more news. I let kids to sleep until 7.30 (usually I wake them up at 6.30) and fed them cereals. Nice slow morning.
Ys's teatcher had some papers for his class, so we had to fetch them - at 8.20 we were only ones at school (excluding staff).
So, the very first day of home schooling (not really home schooling, if all children in the country are at home and teatchers are teaching them via Internet). I was suprised all systems worked. I had trouble to go on with schedule - three childres all in different schools and of course they all have lunch breaks at different times - had to make quick lunch which was quick to eat. Tuna and pasta (a school lunch I have never made before...), at least I got one tin out of my pantry ;-)
Thursday was a challenging day, because I had compulsory training via skype - my lunch break wasn't at same time than kids etc. But we made it, and will make from now on. This is really a minor inconvenience.
Friday was another first: I was doing groceries to my aunt and Onld man and my mom. It took ages to find all things on shopping lists - there were plenty of everything, but I just buy different things. I had difficulties to locate them! But yes, I got all items. Also got medication for Old man, no problems there either. You can buy only one package of basic pain medication (30 tablets). Not because there isn't any, but because this way all people who needs it, will get it.
Shops here are in normal state. Toilet paper was missing from the shelves few days because staff was too busy to replenish them. Now there is mountains of toilet papers. Only shortage is hand sanitiser, but that will be solved next week, when basically all local breweries have set up their production lines for it.
Oh, yeast was missing, too. It is fortunate that there is at least a one yeast factory in this country (they produce CO2 for greenhouses, too) so this shortage is shortlived. I have both dry yeast in my pantry and old fashioned block yeast in my freezer, it's that kind you can freeze (not all yeasts can be frozen).
Oh, cheap tomato tins were also missing, now that I think of it.
But mostly shops are like thay have always been. Salad bars are closed, staff have so much to do they don't have time to disinfect anything extra. Salad bar is nor necessity. There was actually a lot of reduced milk!
Prices have not gone up, at least I couldn't find anything with inflated prices.
Now they are talking about isolating certain areas, because people don't behave reasonably. I think there will not be curfew yet, but they might stop all travelling from capital area, and maybe other big cities.
I have only one more bigger issue: my car is due MOT very soon and it need some fixing before i can take it to MOT. but now I don't feel comfortable (or safe) to take it to garage. So - I might be buying a car in near future (not a new car, but one that has it's MOT done recently).
I have enough work to do for the next three weeks, so I will not worry that yet. Hb may have to stay at home some point, because he can't do his job from home and their products might not be considered essentials. I will worry that if it happens, and there's not much to worry, then. There's nothing I can do to prevent it.
Oh, I gave my name as a volunteer shopper/doing errands for those who are quarantined or isolated, our commune started to organize volunteers last friday; they also have staff at library if someone needs help and can't find anyone to help them. I can't work as a coordinator, because our poor phone signal, but I'll do what is needed.
Tomorrow is the first day of week 2. Ys will be baking cookies at home economics (or just at home), they all have video lessons or chats during the day. I have two skype meetings...
Keep safe, wash your hands and take care of those who can't do it themselves.
We will get through this, together.
So this has been the first week of isolation (I'm not talking about social isolation, which is mostly the norm to us).
On wed I woke up at 4:30, just because I couldn't sleep anymore (hb wakes up at 4.15). Ate breakfast, checked emails, read all new info and, finally, when there was enough light, took 'Suma to walk. Then I put linens to washer, fed cats and read some more news. I let kids to sleep until 7.30 (usually I wake them up at 6.30) and fed them cereals. Nice slow morning.
Ys's teatcher had some papers for his class, so we had to fetch them - at 8.20 we were only ones at school (excluding staff).
So, the very first day of home schooling (not really home schooling, if all children in the country are at home and teatchers are teaching them via Internet). I was suprised all systems worked. I had trouble to go on with schedule - three childres all in different schools and of course they all have lunch breaks at different times - had to make quick lunch which was quick to eat. Tuna and pasta (a school lunch I have never made before...), at least I got one tin out of my pantry ;-)
Thursday was a challenging day, because I had compulsory training via skype - my lunch break wasn't at same time than kids etc. But we made it, and will make from now on. This is really a minor inconvenience.
Friday was another first: I was doing groceries to my aunt and Onld man and my mom. It took ages to find all things on shopping lists - there were plenty of everything, but I just buy different things. I had difficulties to locate them! But yes, I got all items. Also got medication for Old man, no problems there either. You can buy only one package of basic pain medication (30 tablets). Not because there isn't any, but because this way all people who needs it, will get it.
Shops here are in normal state. Toilet paper was missing from the shelves few days because staff was too busy to replenish them. Now there is mountains of toilet papers. Only shortage is hand sanitiser, but that will be solved next week, when basically all local breweries have set up their production lines for it.
Oh, yeast was missing, too. It is fortunate that there is at least a one yeast factory in this country (they produce CO2 for greenhouses, too) so this shortage is shortlived. I have both dry yeast in my pantry and old fashioned block yeast in my freezer, it's that kind you can freeze (not all yeasts can be frozen).
Oh, cheap tomato tins were also missing, now that I think of it.
But mostly shops are like thay have always been. Salad bars are closed, staff have so much to do they don't have time to disinfect anything extra. Salad bar is nor necessity. There was actually a lot of reduced milk!
Prices have not gone up, at least I couldn't find anything with inflated prices.
Now they are talking about isolating certain areas, because people don't behave reasonably. I think there will not be curfew yet, but they might stop all travelling from capital area, and maybe other big cities.
I have only one more bigger issue: my car is due MOT very soon and it need some fixing before i can take it to MOT. but now I don't feel comfortable (or safe) to take it to garage. So - I might be buying a car in near future (not a new car, but one that has it's MOT done recently).
I have enough work to do for the next three weeks, so I will not worry that yet. Hb may have to stay at home some point, because he can't do his job from home and their products might not be considered essentials. I will worry that if it happens, and there's not much to worry, then. There's nothing I can do to prevent it.
Oh, I gave my name as a volunteer shopper/doing errands for those who are quarantined or isolated, our commune started to organize volunteers last friday; they also have staff at library if someone needs help and can't find anyone to help them. I can't work as a coordinator, because our poor phone signal, but I'll do what is needed.
Tomorrow is the first day of week 2. Ys will be baking cookies at home economics (or just at home), they all have video lessons or chats during the day. I have two skype meetings...
Keep safe, wash your hands and take care of those who can't do it themselves.
We will get through this, together.
Saturday 21 March 2020
A new normal?
I'll write longer post later. I hope. Have trouble with connections, my laptop won't work without wire and whole house is planned to work wireless. So my ethernet cable is running through house and two floors and it has a very veird language settings. Three kids homeschool and I think English teatcher was having a mental breakdown. She sent a message at 8pm today....
We have enough food for a month or three. Yesterday I did shopping for three families, no missing items on shop - well, hand sanitiser was no show (but you can order it fron a local brewery) and you can buy only one pack of pain killers ( ibuprofein paracetamol etc).
And NOW we have snow!
We have enough food for a month or three. Yesterday I did shopping for three families, no missing items on shop - well, hand sanitiser was no show (but you can order it fron a local brewery) and you can buy only one pack of pain killers ( ibuprofein paracetamol etc).
And NOW we have snow!
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