Wednesday, April 8 - Sirens Breaking Crisp Mountain Air
by Alessia Martino TURIN, ITALY
Everyone has a different take on the word "quarantine" these days based on which side of the globe a person is experiencing this 2020 pandemic. Northern Italy got a hard hit, and as cases grew, on March 10, the whole country was put under lockdown for the world to see, and pray for.
I personally don't find the quarantine terrible, per se. However, one of the restrictions of the Italian lockdown doesn't let me walk more than 200 meters from my house. Every now and then, there are more restraining rules put into place. I haven't left the house perimeter, except for the exciting garbage disposal down the road since March 9. Before that day, I was basically already in all the time as I was aware of the severity of the non-yet proclaimed pandemic; however, the situation didn't hit the average Italian's consciousness just yet. Unfortunately, lots of people still undervalue the risk.
People are now allowed to leave the house for grocery shopping, for oneself, or elderly parents living in a different abode, for essential work, and emergencies. Restaurants, bars, and all non-essential places are closed. No person is generally allowed to leave the residential town without a proven (valid) reason. I don't venture out for shopping, my sister does, and she will do it for our mother as well. I haven't seen my mom in over a month, but as long as she is at home safe, I am happy. Other than that, my life is pretty normal as I get to live a more eased quarantine in the countryside. If I did feel in prison at the beginning, I don't anymore. I try to put a foot in front of the other without dwelling too much on the past or on the future. I am in my own bubble trying to live on.
I wake up at 7.30 a.m. every day. On weekdays, I help out my dad as the needs of nurturing agriculture never cease, and I am legally allowed as a family to contribute without having to start a work contract. My hands are blistered, but I am pretty lucky to have this opportunity as it gives me an excuse to go outside and keep the feeling of endless time flow at bay. Soaking the sun in is pretty sweet, too, although I had to endure outside winter weather for the last two weeks. It snowed once as well, it was neat but cold. Living in China for the last few years, I haven't seen a lot of snow, and snow in March is weird.
During the remaining time, I watch a lot of youtube and series. I keep my body fit by doing yoga twice a week, and I keep my mind fit by doing daily writing, sometimes in Italian, sometimes in English, and sometimes it's a bilingual mash.
My quarantine diet doesn't differ much from the usual eating habits, and pizza delivery helps. I just need to be careful about how much I spend as Italian prices are pretty high generally, and delegating shopping doesn't allow me to see how items are priced. As for the general situation, supermarkets seem to be fully stocked, although a baking craze started in Italians' kitchens, making some ingredients like eggs more sought after, and sometimes hard to find. The Italian bake-off is on. There is no toilet paper hoarding as the bidet is a wonderful invention, and consequently, no hoarding means there is still plenty of TP for all. Disinfectants and other alcohol-based products are the new gold, though. Non-essential items cannot be sold; for weeks, colored pens were among them but later allowed. Masks are near to impossible to find, so the average person still doesn't have one. Supermarket clerks are now by law required to wear masks and gloves while costumers are suggested to. Scarfs and other mouth coverings are accepted. Disposable gloves are often provided by the store. 1 meter of distance is required all-time for any interaction.
I have come to the conclusion that I am not stuck but contrary safe at home, blessed by a prime view of the Alps, fresh air, and a supporting family. However, peace is broken by magnified sounds - due to my attic living position - of cars (except on Sundays, when it is all unsettling quiet) but mostly of the bubble bursting ambulance sirens.