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Self-Isolation Proclamation
How to survive and find yourself in self-isolation.
Officially it started, for me, on the 14th of March — in truth, stores were closing on the 12th.
I am heading into the 4th week under the isolation system in Barcelona. We require permits to leave the house, even to shop at a monitored supermarket only 150 meters away, or go to a local pharmacy. You stay in your barrio. Everything else is closed. Shuttered down. Streets are deserted. Most of the population is not working, sitting at home.
Waiting.
Opportunities to wave at neighbors across the street or who live in the building, but that you never met, arise. The roof is the new fitness center/ playground/ yoga studio.
Individuals must accept and respect the situation as it is presented to us.
This morning I received the chart below from my son in Tokyo, a metropolis whose political decisions are cowed and non-committal to the point of irrelevance. He is half entering/ not entering, voluntary/non voluntary lock-down. Confusion reigns. At least in Barcelona it was draconian enough for the population to take heed.
As one functions through isolation (we have an estimated 3 more weeks,) one must consider how to approach the situation. I hope the chart below gives some enlightenment and reflection to those just launching into the early days of isolation.
I thank the authors above who produced this and hope we can all find our way through the limiting situation that is presented to us.
Stay safe, stay sensible. Finding a new humanity.