PHOTOGRAPHY


JOELLE SORAYA BATISTA ISELI



A COLLECTION OF INTERVIEWS
FROM AROUND THE WORLD





COVID-19



© 2020 Joelle Soraya Batista Iseli. All Rights Reserved.



📍Thimphu, Bhutan



“I am currently alone in a hotel as part of the government mandated quarantine. The Bhutanese government has initiated lockdown and a mandatory quarantine for people coming in from abroad. So anybody who flew into Bhutan after the 18th of March has been kept in a quarantine facility, which are hotels in our case. We are given 3 meals a snack everyday and provided with necessary items like soap. Everything is completely free. The hotels are 3 stars and up. Most hotel owners have generously offered their hotels to be kept as a quarantine facility. We have all the amenities. Most people are kept one person per room. In New York, The King has also rented apartments for the Bhutanese who are affected by the virus. For those of us in quarantine, everyday a nurse will check our temperature and ask us if we have any symptoms. if we do have any symptoms at all, we inform the nurse and a doctor will test us the same day. At the end of our mandatory hotel quarantine period we get tested. Any citizen showing symptoms can call a doctor or go to the hospital and get tested, healthcare is free in Bhutan so it is available to anybody. For those of us in the facilities we do not need to pay for the hotel or meals so we don’t have the need to financially sustain ourselves. But there is a donation page for the government online, so a lot of people who can afford it are donating money. As an extrovert I thought being in quarantine would be difficult however because of video calling apps I’ve still been getting social interaction so I am doing good. The government of Bhutan also provided a list of numbers anyone can call if they need any mental help. Social gatherings are not allowed and police monitor the city and ask people to go home if they are not doing something essential. On the flight into Bhutan we all knew each other because we’re students and it is a small country, and we ended up in the same hotel. So we created a massive group-chat where we can keep each other entertained. We have been playing online games together and even started a ludo tournament. Other than that I have been watching series on Netflix, video calling friends, and snacking ALOT. I wish I had some books to read because I can’t concentrate reading online. Once this is all over, I look forward to meeting my friends and going out to eat in restaurants again. Currently there are only 3 Bhutanese people who tested positive and two American tourists. So when they tested positive they tracked down all the primary contacts and then tested them as well, so far everyone is negative.”





April 9, 2020



📍Haarlem, The Netherlands



“I am currently here switching between my family and my roommates. The Netherlands decided not to go on a full lockdown when it comes to enforcing quarantine. However, we are not allowed to be outside with more than 3 people at a time while keeping a 1.5 meter distance from other people. Not complying with these regulations would result in a fine of 450 Euros! In addition, all public gatherings have been made illegal. On the bright side, if you feel sick or think you may have symptoms of the coronavirus you can definitely seek medical aid! There are enough ICUs as of now. However, they do not test people - they will only do the test if you are bound to be hospitalised. When it comes to returning home from the supermarket, I do not wash any of my groceries. Despite economic circumstances, I have a fixed-hour contract I still get paid so that’s money still coming in! My mental health is doing okay whereby I feel rather calm, but only as long as I am surround by people though. Meanwhile, I simultaneously work online and am also studying for online exams that I have coming up soon. I’ve also bought a gaming console which I play a lot to keep myself entertained. I wish my friends, grandparents, and my dog were with me right now. I miss them very much. Also my grandparents are very lonely in isolation. What I look forward to the most when all of this is over is going out and going on vacations.”





April 9, 2020



📍Vientiane, Laos



“I’m currently with my family in Vientiane, Laos. The majority of people have been following the rules that the government just created recently to avoid the spread of the virus — my country has just started to have the covid-19 cases — we have seen many countries that failed to stop the virus so we take that as examples and try to be aware more of the event. If you feel sick you can seek for a medical aid. At the moment there are less than 30 cases in Laos and we can call the line that give counselling to those people who may has symptoms. For groceries, we do wash all of them when we return home before putting them in our fridge. Financially, I’m working for parents and they are supporting me. I try to spend on necessary products and things. When it comes to my mental health, I try to stay with family as much as I can, chat about things in general, avoid talking about fake covid news, and keeping up with the amount of covid patients in the country. To keep myself entertained, I have been working out, listening to music, and watching comedy shows. When it comes to the top 3 things I wish I had with me right now… hmmmmm would be would be my sister, niece and boyfriend. Once this is all over, I look most forward to be back to work and live a normal life, be able to go to the gym and meet my friends.”





April 10, 2020



📍GothenbUrg, Sweden



“I currently live here with my boyfriend and we are still able to see friends and colleagues. My city is not taking too many actions. We are still allowed to be up to 50 people in a room. Currently, schools are only closed for college students and high school students whereby the younger kids still go to school as the parents work and can’t stay home to look after them. However, employees that can work from home are encouraged to do so. Healthcare is free for everyone here so if you feel sick or think or think you may have symptoms of the coronavirus, you can seek medical aid. Also, I do wash all of my groceries when I return home before putting them away in the fridge but not with soap. Financially since I can still work, not much has changed for me. When it comes to my mental health, I’m doing good as I still work and can be outside. I mainly try to focus on gratitude. I have also been learning about yoga and stocks. Other ways I keep myself entertained is by reading, cooking, kissing my boyfriend’s forehead and cuddling, and I go running and on long walks with friends in nature. Staying healthy is the only thing I wish for right now. What I look most forward to after all of this is being able to see my family without worrying about them and seeing my amazing friends abroad.”





April 10, 2020



📍New york city, nY, USA ✈
South Korea



“I am currently alone in South Korea, in a quarantine facility that is run by the government. Up until last week, I was in New York City. Due to the worsening situation there, my family was very concerned and wanted me to leave the city right away. I wanted to go home but Thailand was closed and so I decided to go stay with my boyfriend for a while in Korea instead. I feel like in America, specifically NYC, the quarantine could have been enforced more and the government could have been more strict with it, considering the severity of the coronavirus over there. I still saw a lot of people going out without any protection and meeting up with friends when they should have been quarantining. Luckily I do not feel sick, but when it comes to seeking medical aid particularly in NYC, people cannot reach any medical aid anymore unless they are having an emergency. Even after calling 911, you would have to wait in the line for hours to see the doctors as the hospitals are all very overwhelmed right now. I tried to be careful and not get sick by staying at home all the time and throwing bags of all the food I ordered outside of my house. Right now in Korea, I’m currently in a quarantine facility so all the food is being served for me. In financial terms, my family is currently supporting and helping me right now. Apart from feeling disheartened from what the world is going through, my mental health is not that different from normal as I’m very comfortable being alone and my normal life is already very similar to quarantine - I do most of my work at home anyways. However, I do find it hard that I am unable to go outside for walks and exercise. I feel that my body is getting weak and I feel more fatigue throughout the day. I try to cope by exercising with youtube videos. Regardless, I’ve been watching a lot of movies on Netflix that I’ve always wanted to see but didn’t have time for. The three main things I wish I had with me right now is my family because I miss them and feel more safe with them around; my guitar so that I can practice and keep working on stuff; and some nice snacks like chocolate perhaps haha. Going out for long walks around my neighbourhood and buying some nice coffee in a cafe is what I forward to the most once the quarantine/movement restrictions are lifted.”





April 10, 2020



📍Santiago, Chile



“I am currently here with my husband. The city’s attitude towards enforcing quarantine depends on which part of the city you are located in. In general, it is enforced that residents must stay home, however, some areas of the city are under mandatory quarantine and mandatorily require people to wear face masks. Nevertheless, there are still people throughout the region that do not believe in the pandemic and go out as though nothing is happening. The medical system has been coping very well, for now, with the pandemic and the amount of people seeking medical aid for the virus. If you have the symptoms you can get tested and treated either in the comfort of your own home (if the symptoms are mild) or at a hospital if needed/required. On a side note, we do wash all of our groceries when we return home before putting them in the fridge (with soap too!). However, if we can’t then we leave them out for at least 24 hours. Currently, I am financially sustaining myself through my company. When it comes to my mental health there are good and bad days; I’m trying to figure out what my body and mind needs but I’m mostly okay. The best gift that we have at the moment is time. In the meantime to keep myself entertained I’ve been reading a lot of books, cooking new recipes, and trying to figure out what I would like to do/be in the near future. The main things I wish I had with me right now is my family (I really miss them!) and a treadmill because I find it hard to get myself to exercise without cardio. That’s practically what I look forward to most once the quarantine/movement restrictions are lifted - going for a hike and seeing my family!”





April 10, 2020



📍BASEL, SWITZERLAND



“I currently live here with friends and visit my family daily. Basel is one of the 4 major cities in Switzerland. The country has somewhat been on lockdown since early March, however, the methods of the Swiss government are far too relaxed in comparison to other countries. It’s important to note that Switzerland is one of the most heavily affected countries however, with the increasing temperatures and good weather it is hard to convince people to stay inside if there is no official directive from the government. There have been several strategies put in place to slow the spread of the virus. Firstly humans are limited to no more than 3 people in a group outside. Secondly, all grocery stores limit the number of patrons and provide hand sanitizer upon entrance. Lastly, as public transportation use is paramount to the Swiss, they have begun regularly disinfecting the trains with teams that sweep the carriages. Access to health care isn’t an issue for any citizen in Switzerland. Switzerland has expensive insurance and healthcare for most citizens however, because of this it ensures that everyone has access to medical care even if they can’t afford it. I live in a house of 12 people whilst sharing 3 kitchens so washing groceries essentially becomes redundant when there are so many people coming in and out and using certain groceries. So no I do not was my groceries. I am lucky enough to have a family that isn’t financially affected by corona and likely won’t be affected. I currently live on the support of my parents and will probably remain that way for the foreseeable future as finding jobs at the moment is very limited. My mental health is great, I adapt quickly to new and tough situations. There is definitely added stress and slight anxiety from the confinement and inability to live life normally however it’s a fact of life and we need to move and work to solve the problem. My laptop has been my saving grace through this period. I cycle through movies, tv shows, games, graphic design, and youtube pretty much all day. In addition to that, I occasionally join friends for yoga in our garden. Funnily enough, I’ve also taken up baking. I’ve baked close to 10 cakes over the last 2 weeks. The top 3 things I wish I had with me right now are an Xbox as I have a passion for gaming however I sold my console last year to focus on my studies, however, had I known about corona I probably would have kept it a little longer; a pool as I love swimming and with the weather warming up having a pool would be really ideal at the moment; and a telescope as with all this additional time on my hands and me being a night-owl, a telescope would be fun. I’ve always been fascinated by astrology and it would be an opportune time to learn a little bit more. The one thing I look forward to most after the quarantine/movement restrictions are lifted is TRAVEL!! I don’t think I can stress how much I need some travel. Traveling is my DNA and the only thing that really matters to me in life. being restricted from doing so is not fun. However, it’s important that we wait until it is safe to do so. In addition to that, I’ll probably go to Mac’Donalds and get a large Big Mac menu. "





April 11, 2020



📍Amsterdam, The Netherlands



“I’m currently alone in Amsterdam, Netherlands as there is no point in going home to Romania and be in quarantine for two weeks. The government in the Netherlands has stated several laws and regulations to be followed but did not enforce them. Hence, many people still don't obey them and go outside, hangout, etc. We can seek medical aid, although for internationals it is still unclear whether you can get tested or not. After I bring home my groceries, I only wash my vegetables but without soap. Financially speaking, it is very difficult at the moment since there are no job opportunities currently and therefore am highly dependent on my parents. When considering the large amount of academic work I have to do and don’t have much time for myself, my mental has has been pretty bad since going outside is not really an option anymore to disconnect. I feel stuck between the walls and my computer. On the other hand, to keep myself entertained I’ve been playing games and watching movies only — unhealthy choices. The main three things I wish I had with me right now are my family/girlfriend/friends as it is difficult to only communicate online — lacking social interaction easily leads to depression; outdoor activities — being able to spend time outside mostly; and training — most of the gyms, training parks etc. have been closed so there is limited places to actually train if you cannot do so from home. What I look forward to most after all of this, is being able to spend more time outside and do several activities that do not require me to face my computer for so many hours of the day.”





April 11, 2020



📍Chiang Mai, Thailand



“I’m currently staying home mainly with family (mom, dad) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Right now Thailand issued a curfew from 10 pm till 4 am, if violated, spend either 15 days in prison and/or fine 15,000 THB (≈US$ 471.40). But they could impose a 24 hours curfew if people don't cooperate. Right now, many shopping malls, crowded shops, universities, schools, etc. are closed, even 7/11 closed the same time as the curfew but obviously groceries stores (Rimping, Tesco Lotus, etc.) remain open until 14 April, but I believed they would extend the date probably by a month more or less. The quarantine is not so serious during the day because people are still running around, to work and other places, the only difference is that there is less traffic. So far, there have been no complaints, protest or anything toward quarantine. Most of the people that have violated the curfew are mostly drunks. Thailand has a very low supply when it comes to medical testing but its starting to increase. The best thing they can do right now is stay home and away from others. Obviously right now its on high demand but normally the tests take 15mins to get the results but in Thailand its doesn’t because its take 3-4 days to get the result — testing in Chiang Mai cost around 1000 THB (≈US$ 31.42) to 3000 THB (≈US$ 94.27). When it comes to groceries, I do not wash the canned food, bottles, plastic wrap or any processed products, etc. not really much. I only wash the vegetables and fruits but not with soap, duh. Financially speaking, my employment name is still in the company I worked for, so I am still getting a monthly income. I also sold all my stock market profits before the whole situation got worse and I also get a little bit from my parents. When it comes to my mental health, I have no issues :) To keep myself entertained, I’ve been playing games, started investing in stocks, studying for uni, and video chatting with friends. I wish I could meet up with friends and go drive around with music playing out loud because staying with parents is sometimes boring and mine are very strict and serious about this. What I look forward to most after the quarantine/movement restrictions are lifted is going back to Munich, Germany to continue my studies, buy more stuff from shops when they’re open, and meet up friends or other relatives.”





April 12, 2020



📍Selangor, Malaysia



“I’m currently in Selangor, Malaysia. I was preparing for my move to London to start working, but because of lockdown, I decided to stay at home, so I am with my parents and dogs, thank goodness. My city is taking quarantine seriously. Police are coming to the neighborhood and also doing road blocks. I also cannot leave my house because you can only be one person in the car, and I can’t drive, so for groceries and other essentials I need one of my parents to go. We are also not allowed to travel beyond 10 km of our house, so doctors appointments need permission from the police and groceries/essentials need to be in the vicinity which is not ideal as I live far from the main city. Moreover, if we feel sick, we can seek medical aid. I can call my GP easily and I live next to the main Covid-19 hospital, which is not completely overrun with patients as things are at the moment. With groceries, I do wash them when I return home before putting them in my fridge and make sure to sanitize my hands. When one of my parents go grocery shopping, they have to take their temperature, sanitize their hands, and line up 2 meters apart, as only 50 people are allowed to be in the store at a time. Financially, I live with my parents who are supporting me. My dad is still able to work from home so we are lucky. When it comes to my mental health, I’ve had mental health issues in the past, which have come back to haunt me in this time. However, I made sure I have zoom sessions with my therapist regularly. To keep myself entertained, I’ve been doing yoga, singing and playing my piano, and watching youtube videos and Netflix.The top 3 things I wish I had with me right now are: (1) A drivers license — because it would enable me to at least get fresh air; (2) My brother - he’s alone in Denmark and I wish he was with my family in lockdown; and (3) A Nintendo Wii - for Mario Kart. Once all of the quarantine and movement restrictions have been lifted, what I look forward to finally teaching yoga again and travelling !





April 22, 2020



📍Bielefeld, Germany



“I currently live with friends/roommates in Bielefeld, North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany. The quarantine and restrictions include the following: Social Distancing rules of at least 1,5m; Banning of gatherings of more than 2 people (exception for people who live in the same home); Limitation of how many people can be in any given store at once; Soon to be: Mandatory face masks on buses, trains and in stores. Breaking these rules can result in fines between 200 and 25000 euros. These rules are enforced through police patrols and checks, monitoring of public activity and general social pressure. People are not necessarily ecstatic about the rules, but most are keen to follow them. Some have broken the rules by still partying or having large gatherings and have been appropriately punished as stated by the new laws. If you feel sick, you can seek medical aid. Hotlines are available for those who experience symptoms and currently the healthcare system in my city is not overwhelmed, so hospital care would be possible. When it comes to groceries, I do my best to practice good hygiene and reduce all contact when in public, but I’m not going around disinfecting everything. Financially, I am sustaining myself through my savings. When it comes to my mental health, I have not had too many issues yet, however I try to keep fit and busy by working on projects and going out in nature. I’ve been keeping myself entertained through cooking, baking, jogging, movies/tv shows (Netflix), video games, and photography. The top 3 things I wish I had with me right now are dumbbells and other gym equipment. Although I can keep fit in other ways, weight training has been removed from my regime and I am starting to notice the effects that this has. Other than that, I have everything I need. Once the quarantine and movement restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to going to the gym and doing other activities (bouldering, cinema, mini-golf) as well as visit friends in other cities.”






April 23, 2020



📍Phuket, Thailand



“I’m currently with friends in Phuket, Thailand. The quarantine here has been highly enforced. Curfew starts from 10pm to 5am and all restaurants are ordered to be closed in my sub district area, our only access to food and necessities is 7-11. If you feel sick, we can seek medical aid. When it comes to groceries, I don’t wash them before putting them in the fridge after returning home. Financially, my family is currently supporting me. When it comes to my mental health, mindfulness and meditation has helped as well as connecting more with people on a deeper level and have meaningful conversations. To keep myself entertained, I have been watching movies, reading books, and discovering new music. The top 3 things I wish I had with me right now are a camera because I would like to document the pandemic while I can; football for working out and enjoying my favorite sport; and a skateboard for cruising around the city in an empty street. Once this is all over, I look most forward to freedom to go wherever and whenever I wish and to be reunited with friends and family and never taking the outside world for granted.”





April 23, 2020



📍Yongin, South Korea



"I am currently alone in Yongin, South Korea. In Korea there is a nationwide strategy that has been implemented since the beginning of COVID19. When I say beginning, I mean they started doing this when we had double-digit cases only. Locally, Korea has been offering free check-ups for prospective patients who are showing symptoms. Medical care in Korea is amazing. For those in quarantine, the government has been assigning every individual to a healthcare worker in their district/city checking up on them twice a day. Also, they offer free mental health counselling services for every city. In terms of immigration, Korea has been requiring a 14-day quarantine for all Korean nationals or residents, and has been sending foreigners to a government facility for 14 days at their own expense. Moreover, I haven’t gone grocery shopping yet (14-day quarantine). But if I were to shop for fresh products, I would just put it in a sealed container or plastic bag. In order to financially sustain myself, I am working full time and also going to school full time. When it comes to my mental health during this time, being busy has been keeping me sane. Countless schoolwork on top of regular work have been accelerating the pace of my day to days. Also, thankfully I have big windows, so I never felt claustrophobic (this has been the biggest reason for my mental sanity I think). I can’t imagine how I’d be if I were in a dark room. I’ve also been airing out my room a LOT, so that has been good. I do find myself being a little moody and lethargic time to time, though - I can tell that I’m short with people and I don’t feel like doing things that require me to use my brain sometimes. On the other hand to keep myself entertained, I started playing Fortnite, started watching new shows, networking with other people through LinkedIn, reading the news, making TikToks (lol) and browsing through music. When it comes to wishing for things I wish I had with me right now, I actually can’t think of much material goods… I do want a new white-out? Hahaha and I want all my loved ones here with me I guess. Once all of the quarantine and movement restrictions have been lifted, what I look forward to most is going to the gym and staying active! Home workouts just don’t do it for me."





April 23, 2020



📍Calgary, Canada



“I am currently living in the city of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. I am living with my family during this quarantine season. Honestly, my city has been taking this problem very seriously, it is amazing to see how we are all very supportive of the essential workers. Not only this, but everyone is always mindful of keeping their distance when they are out and about. The city has placed some disciplinary actions in the case that one were to break them. This being that you would be fined quite a hefty amount of money, but so far, there hasn’t been any cases of this happening. It is honestly great to see that not much has changed in terms of how much kindness we still show one another, and I feel glad to be a part of this community during these tough times. If you feel sick, there are resources available online to check and see if you really do have the Corona Virus. This is implemented so that we don’t overfill the hospital's capacity with patients who think they are sick rather than actual patients who are in need of medical attention. Just to be extra safe, my family actually sanitizes almost all the groceries that we buy (not the fresh produce of course) and we wash all our fresh produce with clean water before storing them safely. I am currently sustaining myself financially through Canada's Employment Insurance Plan (EI for short) and Canada's Emergency Response Benefit (CERB for short). Honestly, it makes me happy to be a citizen of a country that really looks after its people, especially during tumultuous times such as these. When it comes to my mental health and if there is one thing that I am going to take away from this time in self isolation, it would be that I will never take my friends and family for granted ever again. If it weren't for their continuous support and occasional check ups, this situation would prove to be a lot harder than it already is. I am forever going to be grateful for my friends and family for making sure I was doing ok during all of this. To keep myself entertained, Netflix has proven to be a great way to pass time. Video games are another great example of this. The only thing I really wish I had with me are my friends. I know they aren't "things", per se, but I feel like I have all the material needs to keep me happy entertained. Once the quarantine and restrictions are lifted, you best believe that once the quarantine has been lifted, I will make an effort to see my best friends again and show them how much their support has meant to me during such hard times. It really has me thinking that such hard times can really prove to strengthen all the relationships in our life that matter the most. If there is one thing I could leave on anyone reading this, it is that we live in a very fragile and sensitive world, but it is ultimately the social interactions we make that can really shine a light on the planet we live in.”





April 23, 2020



📍Chiang Mai, Thailand



“I’m currently with family in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This city’s attitude towards the quarantine is enforced. Nationwide lockdown and curfew between 10pm to 4am. Most people abide by the rules and regulations imposed by the govt and know its necessary to stop the spread of the virus. If you feel sick, we can seek medical help. Thailand was also pretty quick with setting up health insurance plans for Covid19. With groceries, we do wash them before putting them in our fridge — some with soap and some with just sanitizing wipes. Financially, I have been supporting myself through my savings accounts and with some freelance projects from companies who are still needing work done. When it comes to my mental health, I’ve been coping pretty well I believe. I have my family to talk to in person, and my friends online. Online gaming has also helped as well as net surfing, usually on youtube watching some tutorial — usually something engaging or stimulating. To keep myself entertained, I’ve been surfing the internet, watching movies, playing video games, playing and learning new instruments, learning new skills here and there, catching up on some reading and tasks I've been putting off for a while now. I think I have pretty much everything I need with me right now, but I'd love to have more of my family and loved ones in closer proximity just because I want to know they're okay and I can talk to them more. Once the quarantine and movement restrictions have all been lifted, I’m looking forward to walking and wandering around the city, and picking up where I left off with the special people in my life. Seeing everything close to complete standstill has me appreciate the daily ambience of life that much more.”





April 23, 2020



📍Singapore



“I currently live in Singapore with my girlfriend. As of the 22nd of April, Singapore has extended its circuit breaker lockdown period to the 1st of June. Although this is infuriating it is somewhat understandable given that the only new cases are largely from foreign migrant workers. If you feel sick, you can seek medical aid and the government will help cover the costs in most cases. The only case where the government won’t help you with the medical costs is if you fly into Singapore after April. This is to prevent or dissuade Singaporeans abroad returning with the virus. Moreover, I do wash some of my groceries — especially vegetables and fruits. Financially, I’m relying on my savings and help from my parents until I am done with my semester. When it comes to my mental health, I’ve been doing indoor exercises, going for short jogs around the neighbourhood, and chilling on the rooftop to soak in some of that vitamin D. My semester is currently not over so I still need to complete my assignments but other than work I am playing on my Switch, experimenting with my photography, and sketching. The top 3 things I wish I had with me right now are my family and dog, the expensive college computer equipment to help me finish my assignments, and recreational stuff that I would not like to list in fear of my government finding out so more cider. Once the quarantine and all the movement restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to traveling and working again as a photographer.”





April 23, 2020



📍Kentucky, USA



“I’m currently with my family in Kentucky, USA. The city is enforcing people to stay at home but parks are open and you can go get take out and go to the store. If you feel sick, we can seek medical aid but they want us to call the doctors online first and then if it is serious go to the hospital. When it comes to groceries, we use disinfecting wipes. Financially, I live at home so mom is buying. When it comes to my mental health, I am doing fine. I’ve been going to the park to keep myself entertained. I wish I had a treadmill and weights with me right now so I can workout at home. Once all of the quarantine and movement restrictions have been lifted, what I look forward to most is going out with friends.”





April 23, 2020



📍Canberra, Australia



“I’m currently with family in Canberra, Australia. The quarantine is enforced in the city, police patrol the streets ensuring quarantine protocols are being upheld. The general populace doesn't find this to be a problem. Many non-essential businesses are closed. Moreover, if we feel sick, we can seek medical aid. There are covid call centres and testing clinics available. When it comes to groceries, I don’t wash them. Financially, I am currently sustaining myself through Centrelink (financial aid) payments from the government and government stimulus money. When it comes to my mental health, I have been coping through meditation, exercise, and routine. To keep myself entertained, I’ve been playing guitar and videos games. When it comes to the top 3 things I wish I had with me right now, I can’t really think of anything… maybe a girlfriend? Once the quarantine and movement restrictions have all been lifted, I’m looking most forward to live music, sports, and chilling with mates.”





April 23, 2020



📍Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia



“I’m currently with my family in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. When it comes to the city’s attitude towards the quarantine, the quarantine is quite strict and it’s being enforced quite heavily for as far as I can tell. My dad got stopped when walking the dog by the police and told to go home or he’d get fined. I also heard that some people got arrested for jogging. Moreover, if you feel sick, you can seek medical aid. I live quite close to the hospital and there’s no overcrowding yet as far as I know so I should be able to. When it comes to our groceries, we do wash them before we place them anywhere at home due to the whole corona thing. Financially speaking and as I’m staying with family, I don’t have to pay rent and I still have my job so I should be okay for now. When it comes to my mental health, it’s kind of hard and I’m trying to find new things to do to distract myself. It gets kind of hard after a while and I’d really like to go out again. Being stuck inside sucks. To keep myself entertained, I’ve been working out, streaming, snacking and watching Netflix. The top 3 things I wish I had with me right now are: (1) A friend to keep me company; (2) An infinite amount of snacks since they run out too fast; and (3) A monitor so I don’t have to game on this crazy big screen. Once all of the quarantine and movement restrictions have been lifted, what I look forward to most is seeing all my friends again and being able to go out and do things.”





April 23, 2020



📍Melbourne, Australia



“I’m currently alone in Melbourne, Australia. When it comes to the city’s attitude towards the quarantine, we are only allowed to walk on the street with no more than 2 people. No gatherings are allowed for dinner or parties except for small children. If you feel sick, we can seek medical aid. Our government has set up a hotline especially for coronavirus. You can call the hotline to gain information or report for symptoms of coronavirus. With regards to groceries, I don’t wash them when I return home before putting them in the fridge. I only wash them before I use it. Financially, my parents are currently supporting me. When it comes to my mental health, I’m doing fine. I go for a walk outside from time to time. To keep myself entertained, I’ve been watching movies, learning the stock market, playing video game, cooking — which I’m not that good. It helps to learn to cook. The main 3 things I wish I had with me right now are my girlfriend, a bigger TV, and loads of money to do online shopping. Once the quarantine and restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to clubbing, meeting a bunch of people and hanging out, and studying for university someplace else that is not my room.”





April 23, 2020



📍Vienna, Austria



“I’m currently in Vienna, Austria. I’d rather be with my family during this time but I live here with my flatmate. She’s not always home though she usually stays with her boyfriend so we only see each other every few days depending. My city’s attitude towards the quarantine has been super strict. Luckily there are not a lot of cases like in other countries. Generally, we were among the first to set in place strict rules in Europe other than Italy of course when it broke out like crazy all of a sudden. The key is people who work together and stick together which will make this whole situation so much better. At the beginning of May, the situation will turn around as shops reopen, but I don’t think it's a very good idea to be honest as it’s only been a month and a half of quarantine — seems like they’re wrapping things up quite fast. Only a certain amount of people will be allowed in the restaurants. Bars and clubs are for sure going to be closed for the whole summer, that’s what I heard. I’m guessing they are reopening to salvage the economic situation in Austria to not look bad in front of all the other countries. Moreover, if we feel sick, we can seek medical aid. A friend of mine apparently had symptoms of the coronavirus — she was sick for 2 weeks feeling super weak and her lungs hurt. She called the ambulance the first week, but no one came. They are so busy and just can’t keep up with all the people are calling in thinking that they may have the coronavirus. It took so long for them to come — she called twice, but they only came like 5 days later even though they said within 48 hours. When they finally arrived, they tested her with positive symptoms. So yeah, I don’t know if the medical aid is super developed here. They’re struggling a lot and I think its because its not the usual kind of way you know. European people are like super structured and this is pure chaos so I think they can’t really handle it. Respect to them seriously though for all the work they’re doing because its amazing, its just insane.. can’t even think of doing that 24/7. Furthermore, with groceries, I wash fruits and veggies and throw away any plastic or unnecessary packaging before putting them in the fridge. Financially speaking, I’m earning my own money but if there ever is anything I can just call my dad and he’ll give me money. So I’ve been good and also learning how to manage my finances. It hasn’t been easy as it's the first time I’m handling money the right way because before I just got it and never really had pocket money or anything. So it’s been really hard to like invest, save, etc — like doing the right thing/choice when considering getting something that’s maybe cheaper. It’s definitely a learning process that I’m going through right now. When it comes to my mental health, the beginning was super hard because I was working every second day without really having a proper balanced work condition. In the morning when I get up I’m super tired and can’t really motivate myself because there aren’t a lot of things to do at work — you basically just sit there and wait for time to go by, its a nightmare to be honest. So when I come home, I’m super unsatisfied with myself because the next day I can sleep for as long as I want. Regardless, it then got better because I started doing yoga, learning Chinese, reading a lot, watching TV and tanning on the balcony. I just kept myself busy so with time it got better; you just have to accept the situation, you can’t do anything about it, so you have to just stick to the rules and that’s it. I only wish that my parents were with me because they’re so far away and my old dog would be nice too but she’s not alive anymore. Otherwise, I’m pretty happy I don’t need anything else. I’m in my good vibes. Once all of the quarantine and movement restrictions have been lifted, I look most forward to hanging out somewhere in the sun, tanning and being with friends.”





April 23, 2020



📍Los Angeles, CA, USA



“I’m currently with my wife in Los Angeles, CA. When it comes to the city’s attitude towards the quarantine, the government’s response has been good, shut downs everywhere and its pretty quiet, although I’m not sure how much its enforced police wise. Also, everyone is wearing masks. If you feel sick and want to seek medical aid, I believe you can although I haven’t really looked into it, but I assume so. With groceries, we use wipes on boxes and wash fresh stuff. Financially, I’m still supported by my parents. When it comes to my mental health, the anxiety is on and off but I try and get out in the sun on my balcony and work out. To keep myself entertained, I’ve been working out, watching TV, cooking, playing guitar and recording/writing songs. I wish I had my family, a garden, and a dog (something fluffy) with me right now. I look most forward to seeing friends and playing shows again once all of this is over.”





April 24, 2020



📍Amsterdam, The Netherlands



“I’m currently in Amsterdam, The Netherlands staying with my mother, but moving in with a friend on May 1st. When it comes to the city’s attitude towards the quarantine, there is a thing in the Netherlands called an “intelligent lockdown”. Certain rules and restrictions are in place, but people have the liberty to move around outside freely. As long as you adhere to the 1.5 m in common places and do not congregate with more than 3 persons. There are a lot of people out on the streets though. Especially with the nice weather we’ve been having. Parks are pretty crowded, but people generally adhere to the 1.5 m rule. If you feel sick, you can seek medical aid. The Netherlands has a pretty steady healthcare system. Amsterdam isn’t hit as hard compared to other cities in the world either. With regards to groceries, I only wash produce like vegetables and fruit before putting them in the fridge. Financially, my tax return provided me with sufficient financial means to sustain a living for now. As soon as some restrictions will be lifted, I will go looking for a job immediately. When it comes to my mental health I take advantage of the fact that my mother has a dog, whom I walk at least once, sometimes twice a day. Besides that, ASMR helps a lot in the night and I have plenty of work right now, with my thesis in progress. To keep myself entertained, I have been meeting with friends outside — on a safe distance, walking the dog, watching Netflix, playing piano and cooking. The top 3 things I wish I had with me right now are my girlfriend (not a thing though) — I really miss her; a good laptop — I have one, but it would’ve really helped to have a top laptop to work on right now; and a wine fridge — might sound oddly specific, but I really want to gather some nice bottles to make a little collection and I know from past experiences that red wine, unless properly stocked, can go bad quite quickly. Once the quarantine and all the movement restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to be swamped during service at a restaurant I am working at or go to an amazing festival with my best friends.”





April 25, 2020



📍Prague, Czech Republic



“I’m currently with my family in Prague, Czech Republic. A complete lockdown was enforced for the first month. Restrictions are being lifted now and things are beginning to open up again. If you feel sick, you can seek medical aid. The hospitals have a lot of spare capacity and there are places to get tested in the city. Moreover, I don’t really wash my groceries when I come home before putting them in the fridge, I only wash fruits and vegetables without packaging. Financially, I am still dependent on my parents as I am still a student. When it comes to my mental health, there have been no major changes just busy with exam revision (as I would be anyway). To keep myself entertained, I’ve been studying, walking the dog, and watching movies. The top 3 things I wish I had with me right now are some friends — been only with my family for the last 6weeks.. access to sports — some activity would be nice; and access to grandparents — not seen them in a long time as it is not safe for me to visit them. Once the quarantine and all the movement restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to traveling and going out with friends.”





April 26, 2020



📍New York City, NY, USA



“I am currently in New York. I am very lucky to have my cousin's family here. So I am staying with my cousin, uncle, and aunt in Queens. NYC is enforcing social distancing and quarantine. We are living in a residential area, so it's not as lively as Union Square where I used to live. We stayed home and went out once every two weeks for grocery shopping. Our area is very quiet, but I receive messages everyday from the city in reminding citizens to stay home. If I am sick, I believe I can seek medical aid. But if just mild symptoms, it's not advised to seek medical aid immediately. Overall, I think the medical system is still overloaded by this pandemic situation. Moreover, we don't wash groceries but we do wash our hands with soap. I don't think washing groceries is a necessary preventative strategy. Financially speaking, being with my family at this time was extremely fortunate for me that I don't need to worry about my financial situation. When it comes to my mental health, I have been writing a lot lately, and starting to do dream journals again. Doing these have helped me a lot to support my mental health during this pandemic. To keep myself entertained, I have been picking up comics again to keep myself entertained, and spending more to do creative work. The main 3 things I wish I had with me right now are more art supplies, so I can do more art; I wish I could see my friends, because I know it will be even harder to meet them after graduation; I wish I had some of my favorite books with me, so I can read pieces from time to time. Once the quarantine and restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to visiting my friends again, and just to walk on the street while enjoying the street view.”





April 27, 2020



📍Toronto, Canada



“I’m currently with my family in Toronto, Canada. Quarantine here is very much enforced. Canada’s borders have been closed for over a month now, meaning that the access across the border to the US is limited to essential travel. Fines are in effect for those who are in a house of more than 5 people, and those 5 people must be either family or permanent residents of the house. All non-essential businesses have been closed and ordered to work remotely for the time being. Essential stores (grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, etc.) have cut down their hours and only a certain amount of people are allowed inside any establishment at any time. If you are waiting for entrance, you must stand outside and all stores have a 2 meter distance demarcated on the ground for people to stand. All other stores, including restaurants, are doing delivery or curb side pickup, in which you must stay in your car and staff, with the appropriate gear, will come out and give it to you. People that have recently arrived in Canada must stay in quarantine for 14 days or face a fine and jail time. Those who break any of the quarantine rules will be fined $1000+. You are allowed to go out and exercise but must maintain the appropriate 2 meter distance at all times. Moreover, as tests are very limited in Canada, only those that have potentially deadly symptoms or have existing conditions that may be exacerbated by the virus are allowed to go to the hospital. Those who are exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 that are not deemed mild should remain at home for 14 days and do not qualify for testing. Furthermore, we clean all groceries with Lysol (disinfectant) wipes in the garage before bringing them into the house. Financially, my dad is sustaining our family, while my sister and I are now allowed to receive the Canada Emergency Student Benefit given to students and recent graduates who are unable to get a job due to Covid-19. This benefit gives us $1250 a month from May until August 2020. When it comes to my mental health during this time, it’s very hard but like billions around the world, we are slowly coping through online meetups. I have my family so it has been easier to get through these rough times. However, it is still very hard because humans are made to physically interact with one another, and not having that has made life way harder than it was. In order to keep myself entertained, I have been doing my Senior Thesis but now I spend my days applying to graduate school, working around the house, taking pictures, and Mari Kondo-ing my life. I also go out for walks with my family at least once a day which gives me the air I need. The top 3 things I wish I had with me right now are my boyfriend and my 2 best friends. Going from seeing them every day to nothing has been incredibly hard, even when I talk to them multiple times throughout the day. Once the quarantine and movement restrictions have all been lifted, I’m looking most forward to being able to go to the cottage and be with my best friends again.”





May 6, 2020



📍Montreal, Canada



“I currently live with a friend in Montreal, Canada. The city took strong measures relative to other North American cities but less strong relative to European cities. Social distancing is strictly enforced by the polices, for example, they will control people in the street and at the park to see if they live together, if they don’t, the fine is $1,500, which is quite dissuasive, and has been given quite extensively. However, as mentioned before, people are still able to go outside, enjoy walks, as far as home as they want, there is no need for an attestation to go grocery shopping or anything else. Furthermore, retail stores will be reopening in a week and have already reopened outside of the city center. If you feel sick, we are able to go to the hospital pretty easily to get tested. To get accepted into the hospital, they will prioritize elders. If someone from a younger age is sick, they will monitor him from home by calling him daily. With groceries, I do not wash them. I place them in the fridge or on the shelves and wash my hands afterwards. Financially, I have some money left from my parents that I am using and I will start my paid internship from home in a week or two which will enable myself to be financially sustainable. When it comes to my mental health, there are ups and downs. The lack of structure in the day makes it hard but I have good sleep, I exercise a lot, read and meditate so I feel quite productive. It was harder when I was alone. To keep myself entertained, I’ve been playing video games and watching Netflix — thank god I have my ps4 and Netflix subscription. On the other hand, I wish I had more tools to cook! Once the quarantine and all the movement restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to going to restaurants, clubs and festivals.”





May 10, 2020



📍Athens, Greece



“I’m currently by myself in Athens, Greece. When it comes to the city’s attitude towards the quarantine, they were proactive like cancelling annual carnival events in February. All educational institutions closed on the 11th of March and went into full lockdown on the 23rd of March. If you feel sick, you can seek medical aid. I believe there is national health insurance in Greece like in other European countries. However, the healthcare system has been damaged due to the financial crisis, but as long as cases don’t overwhelm it, which it hasn’t, then it will be alright. When it comes to groceries, I would wash only fresh groceries even pre-pandemic but in terms of other items, no but I would wash my hand thoroughly. Financially to support myself, I’ve been catching bugs and selling them to Tom Nook (Animal Crossing reference for those who don’t know haha). When it comes to my mental health during this time, I just try to not think about the pandemic too much, such as not reading the news everyday but rather go out for a walk. To keep myself entertained, I’ve been watching a lot of British comedy series, especially “Would I lie to you” (recommended) — pretty much keeping me sane lol. Also probably a lot of online gaming with friends. The main thing I wish I had with me right now is to probably be with family and company. Once the quarantine and all the movement restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to seeing my family again since I haven’t seen any of them since January sadly.”





May 16, 2020



📍BOSTON, MA, USA



“I’m currently with family in Boston, MA. When it comes to the city’s attitude towards quarantine, there are strict rules to be followed in most open businesses such as pharmacies and grocery stores. I would say it is enforced to some extent, but most people are enforcing it on themselves voluntarily as well, abiding by the rules and following the guidelines. If you feel sick or think you may have symptoms of the coronavirus, we can get tested if we schedule a testing appointment with our health care provider. There are also drive through testing sites set up in many health centers. With groceries, we are more careful with the exterior packaging, and we make sure we wash everything before we eat it. But for the most part, we still do groceries the same way we did before the pandemic. Financially, I’m lucky to be living with my parents now, so they have been supporting me and my younger siblings as we all moved back home. When it comes to my mental health, I have a good support system of friends and family to talk to when needed, and my books and shows provide a good way for decompressing and taking my mind off things when I need a break. To keep myself entertained, I’ve been reading a lot, and trying to work on my language skills, I’m rereading the Harry Potter series in French and Spanish, or trying to at least. I don’t think I have ever had this much time with my family, and I don’t think I will in the future either, so I’m trying to make the best of it. Every night we either watch one of our shows, or we play board games. I’m also busy with some research projects and classes. So I keep busy pretty easily. The top 3 things I wish I had with me right now are as follows: I wish I had a storage space full of non-counterfeit PPE, especially N95 masks. My father is a dentist who is still seeing emergencies, and getting our hands on FDA approved PPE has been very difficult and extremely expensive; I also wish I had a few of my friends with me now too. Although I’m finding it easier to talk to some of them because our schedules are now much more flexible, it would still be nice to have them physically present; and lastly, I don’t know if this counts as something I wish I had with me, but I really wish I had a little café or public library, if we’re just wishing for things. I struggle with being productive at home, and my productivity soars the second I step out of my house, so having a mini café around would’ve been pretty cool. Once the quarantine and all the movement restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to travelling again.”





May 20, 2020



📍Winchester, England



“I am currently in Winchester, England. I am in University accommodation and I have two flatmates who have stayed during the lockdown. Although they are here, they don't really get along so most days I feel like I'm alone because everyone stays in their rooms most of the time. The city I am in has a very relaxed attitude towards the quarantine. I have not seen any policing on the roads and the only measure I have seen in my city is in the 2 metre distancing in supermarkets. Apart from supermarkets, there is nothing else really being done. It is probably because the city I am in is quite small compared to others. I guess there is more enforced measures and policing in the larger cities, such as Southampton and Basingstoke. I have quite an advantage if I get sick because there is a hospital right next to our accommodation. If we get sick with coronavirus symptoms, there is a certain number we have to call and are advised to call this number first before coming into the hospital. Furthermore, I have to admit that I haven't washed any of my groceries after coming back from the supermarket. Initially, I intended on washing them but I kept forgetting. I think I was more concerned about getting home, putting the groceries away, and going for a shower as soon as I could. Moreover, I have been decently financially stable throughout this lockdown as I have been furloughed by the place I work. This furlough amount consists of getting paid 80% of your average working hours and I get this every week. The main things I spend on would be groceries and maybe some online shopping. For the first few weeks/ first month of lockdown, my mental health was deteriorating. I felt lonely and I worry about how my mum is coping. I would feel down all the time with rare spurts of happiness. Recently, I have been happier and been able to learn new things, explore some places, etc. I have noticed that recently I have not been getting upset/angry over small inconveniences. So at the start of lockdown, I was keeping myself busy by completing my university assignments so I could spend the time after lockdown on my big project. After I finished my assignments, I started exercising but that was short lived as I felt demotivated to do exercise in my small room. I decided to get some new games for my Nintendo Switch to keep my mind off the things that made me feel down. I have recently bought a Ukulele as I felt like learning something new in this lockdown. The first thing I wish I had is a bicycle. As I have very little motivation to do exercise, I would have loved to have my bicycle with me to get some sort of exercise done. I don't think there is anything else I wish I had because I have got everything I could want/need in this lockdown. I am really looking forward to travelling after the lockdown restrictions are lifted even if it means just driving to see friends and family around England. I am looking forward to travelling to other countries as well obviously. I am looking forward to moving onto the next step of my career (whatever that is) after I finish university.”





May 21, 2020



📍Epernay, France



“I’m currently with my girlfriend in Epernay, France. They took their time to react (like everything in France), but they did distribute masks so that’s cool. They’ve also implemented a lot of rules and parking is free throughout the whole city. If you feel sick or think you may have symptoms of the coronavirus, we can seek medical aid quite easily actually. Hmmm when it comes to groceries and ideally washing them when returning home before putting them in the fridge, we don’t wash them — we should but we don’t. Financially, I am currently on partial unemployment therefore I keep 85% of my paycheque during the lockdown so I’m okay (the missing 15% is generally for gasoline and one or two outings). When it comes to my mental health, it’s a little hard given that we cannot see who we want, but since the lockdown ended things have gone back to normal. To keep myself entertained, I have mainly been playing video games. The main 3 things I wish I had with me right now are wine, cheese, and bread. Once the quarantine and all the movement restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to having a beer on the terrace with friends.”





May 21, 2020



📍Bali, Indonesia



“I’m currently with friends in Bali, Indonesia. When it comes to the city’s attitude towards the quarantine, they are semi serious about it. For some weird reason Bali is not doing bad with corona despite the limited regulations. They limit people to not being able to go out after 9pm, but it is not enforced. They seal certain roads but you still can go around. Masks are told to be worn in some places, but in others not. Like for example to enter the gym you have to wear it, but you can take it off during the work out. All the regulations are all semi enforced. Restaurants were closed for a while, but then opened not too long after. Indonesia as a whole avoids sharing information and the government admitted to hiding information, because tourism is the main source of income. Moreover, if you feel sick you can seek medical aid and you can order tests to your house too. With regards to groceries, I don’t wash them when I return home from the store before putting them in my fridge. I only wash them before I cook them, and I do not use soap. I feel cooking it burns off the possible bacteria. Financially speaking, I’m currently supporting myself through real estate in 2 countries (only one is occupied). Go-carting place in Shanghai that is now open. Stocks have crashed so I have moved onto forex trading. My online entourage business is also on hold, because America is not doing too well. When it comes to my mental health, it was tough because I am away from my family. But I have a close friend who is family here, but it is not the same. I just try to keep myself occupied. My mental health is fine, but I am often stressed because I have loaned money and helped out a lot of family and friends. It is difficult for me to say no, and now is straining my mind a little. To keep myself entertained, I have been going to the gym, watching movies, playing games, reading books, doing my online business and I am working on opening a restaurant/hotel here — which is in progress. The top 3 things I wish I had with me right now are: (1) Family because this holiday has been way too long. I am very fortunate because I never had a serious lock down, but still is not ideal; (2) My books and work documents, because work is very limited online for me. There is so much I can do without the documents and my laboratory. I set a goal (work wise) and have not made much progress. I know the situation is not ideal, but setting goals and not being able to reach them is not a good feeling; (3) I do not have a third thing. Things are pretty nice in Bali, besides having nothing to do on an island. Once the quarantine and all the movement restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to going back home and being with my family and friends. Going places without masks.”





May 27, 2020



📍Kuwait



“I’m currently with my husband in Kuwait. When it comes to the city’s attitude towards the quarantine, it has been enforced with pretty strict regulations as a lockdown for 2.5 months now, partial curfew and total curfew for 20 days. 3 areas of Kuwait had been on total curfew since April 6th. If you break the curfew there's a 10,000 KD fine ($33,000) and up to 3 years in jail. We can sign up for an appointment to go grocery shopping. Moreover, if you feel sick you can absolutely seek medical aid — you’ll call the hospital in advance and you'll go from there. With regards to groceries, I only wash them with water but not with soap when I return home from the store before putting them in my fridge. Financially speaking, my husband is a contractor here in Kuwait for the DoD so thankfully he's still getting paid. When it comes to my mental health, as you know I love to travel, I'm an outdoor person, I love being active so it has been a bit of a challenge for me emotionally at times specially when I'm not a TV person but we go on for walks (2 hrs walking allowed in your area daily) and we go up to the pool on the rooftop of our building. It has been challenging at times but ok for most of the time. To keep myself entertained, I have been going on daily walks, watching Netflix, reading, cooking, enjoying the views from the rooftop and the pool, TikTok (lol) and dancing. The top 3 things I wish I had with me right now are bacon (pork is not allowed here), refried beans and Mexican/American food overall. I'm originally from El Salvador so I miss the spices and tasty foods from Latin America. I'm a US citizen so I miss the food there too. Once the quarantine and all the movement restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to traveling!!!! Go out for a coffee, or eat out to a restaurant. Our total curfew will be lifted in 2 days and a few places will start opening afterwards.”





May 28, 2020



📍Tokyo, japan



“I’m currently with family in Tokyo, Japan. The city’s attitude towards the quarantine wasn’t so hard. Japan has this law that they can’t force people to stay home. They just asked us to stay home as much as we can, but the companies are making us work at home to prevent us from getting the virus. If we feel sick, we can seek medical aid. Moreover, I don’t wash my groceries when I return home before putting them in my fridge. Although, I do wash my hands every time I go outside. Financially speaking and when it comes to my mental health, I still have a job and so that keeps me working and busy. Furthermore, I’m currently fine with everything! But I wish I have a driver so that I don’t have to go on train whenever I go outside. Once the quarantine and movement restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to going to restaurants and go see movies.”





May 30, 2020



📍 Marondera, Zimbabwe



“I’m currently in Zimbabwe. I’m on a school campus in Marondera — but doing online teaching. When it comes to the city’s attitude towards the quarantine, Zimbabwe has many other pressing issues. We are supposedly on level 4 of lockdown, masks enforced and though most business are up and running number of staff is limited. The effect of lockdown is having a terrible impact on lives of those who depend on money they earn each day to put food on the table. The Zim government is unfortunately corrupt and only interested on what they can get out of this global issue. #lockdowndoesnotworkinzim Moreover, if we feel sick, we can seek medical aid but the wait can be long. When it comes to groceries, we wipe them but not with soap. Financially speaking, I fortunately live on a school campus so I’m doing ok at the moment. When it comes to my mental health, I’m doing okay. To keep myself entertained, I have LOTS AND LOTS of teaching prep and marking work to do. Before school ‘began' I was based in a game park enjoying the space! The main 3 things I wish I had with me right now are my loved ones, to have my family nearby and have a personal back and neck masseuse! Once the quarantine and movement restrictions are lifted, I look most forward to not having to wear a mask and being able to move around freely.”





June 6, 2020




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