Quarantine

[cabepfir]

Hi guys,

As you probably know by now, Italy is now completely quarantined. We are invited to stay at home and leave only to go to the groceries or the pharmacy.

It is a strange situation, since I use to work from home, so the quarantine isn't a major change for me. At the same time, it is incredibly strange NOT to be able to get out in the rare

Comments

[gingerbred]

Keep sane, keep safe. 🍀 Quarantine is no joke on your nerves either. (I got effectively stuck inside for three months after a hospitalisation, and was going *nuts*.) Do you have... not sure what they're called in English. (Rückzugsecken -> corners into which you and your husband can each withdraw to give one another some space?)

I'm glad you two found each other and the timing worked out so well for you. Nits to how other folks do things, you have to do what works for *you*, and I'm happy to hear it is. Hubs and I technically didn't even live together the first year of our marriage. Different strokes. (We're going on 20 years together now, so we're doing something right.) And yes, incredibly grateful for our health service.

[cabepfir]

Thank you. We both work from home (we do the same job, albeit for different clients and contests) so we are used to stay at home together 24/7. Each of us has a desk in a different room.

Italians are actually allowed short walks outside, and the basic needs activities are open. Many people continue to work in factories and the like. The atmosphere, however, is tense and some people are panicked (especially those closer to the contagion). The South of Italy, were I live, is still relatively sane... we'll see if the quarantine protects us, at least.

[delphipsmith]

It must be so odd and stressful, and at least a little bit scary. But how lovely that you have a spouse to share things with. There is a saying in America (I don't know if it exists elsewhere) that marriage halves one's troubles and doubles one's joys - I hope that's the case for you. I send you much good karma and healthful thoughts

[gingerbred]

> marriage halves one's troubles and doubles one's joys

Thanks for sharing this; I hadn't heard this saying before. I often think English is pessimistic in that regard: 'misery loves company'. In German we say 'a shared misery is halved' / 'a trouble shared is a trouble halved', which strikes me as more positive. And it's very odd to think of German as more upbeat, so it's good to know there's something similar in English out there.

All the best for your mum.

[cabepfir]

I hope your mother will be safe from all of this.

Schools and universities have been suspended here some ten days ago. As you can imagine, everyday life is filled with criticism about how our government managed the event - they should have closed everything earlier, they shouldn't be closing this, closing that, etc. In fact the quarantine was made necessary by the fact that many people didn't respect the basic rules we were given from the beginning. We are an undisciplined people and we are paying the consequences.

But I do wish USA had public health care now.

[mywitch]

I'm so glad to hear from you. It must be very strange to be part of such a large lockdown. I work from home myself so I completely understand how nice it is to get away for small breaks. As of Friday though, I am not working at all, but should a new job fall in my lap, it is very easy to work remotely.

I think the US is going to be a mess for the foreseeable future. Without health care, things are so expensive and many won't be able to afford to see a doctor. I swear we are the most insane country on the planet. Grrrr.

And I second the idea of another sshg_exchange!

[cabepfir]

I don't think you had the chance to participate to the Exchange ever - it was glorious. There were so many fics I actually failed to follow them all XDD

We can actually go outside for short walks, but I live at the centre of an highly populated city (no countryside or desert places) so it's better recommended to stay at home unless you have serious reasons.

[mywitch]

I really missed out on the exchange - I was just looking at the fics from 2013 and there were something like 180+! What a glorious time to be in fandom!! :D

[redcandle17]

I hope you and your loved ones are okay and stay okay.

[cabepfir]

Yes, thank you - I personally don't know anyone who has been infected. The contagion has spread only mildly in the south of Italy (where I live) so far. We are quarantined for precaution, but my city had only few cases so far.

[therealsnape]

I'm so glad to hear from you! I hope all will be well again soon. Meanwhile, keep safe and keep sane!