How is the coronavirus situation in the world? Like most people these days, we are following the news reports on the coronavirus in various media. We also follow blogs, and we have to say that sometimes it is particularly interesting to get those everyday glimpses from around the world.
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How is the coronavirus situation in the world?
When we talk about the coronavirus situation in the world, it is no longer just about the number of infected and dead people. It's also about restrictions, quarantine, border closures, economic difficulties and the rules that apply from one day to the next.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently advises against non-essential travel to all countries, which of course means avoiding all trips abroad that are only for pleasure. Despite this, many Swedes are of course in other countries, perhaps because they live there or are on trips that started long before the advisory.
Coronavirus situation in the world - via social media
In several Facebook groups, we have read about Swedish motorhome drivers who are in southern Europe, or who are on their way up to Sweden. Right now, many are worried about closed borders. We also follow several bloggers around the world. We will start with the border issue and continue with the bloggers' reports.
Travelling through Europe - closed borders?
Many Swedish motorhome drivers have rushed up to Sweden to get home before the borders close. Among others, the bloggers Motorhome criss-cross and Lisa's wheelhouse through Germany before the borders were closed.
Denmark has closed its borders, but is letting Swedes go home. Poland, Germany and France have also closed their borders, and perhaps more. The information about what applies to Swedes who want to cross back to Sweden through Germany is a little unclear.
We have heard on Facebook about several people who have been able to pass without problems, but in these times it is difficult to be sure of what is happening, as everything changes quickly. Please let us know if you know more!
Sweden
We start by reporting from Sweden! Here in Sweden we are talking about all about corona. It's almost like it's hard to have other conversations, because everything has somehow become unimportant in the shadow of what this virus is doing.
Events with more than 500 participants are prohibited and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against non-essential travel to all countries. People are hoarding food and toilet paper and shop shelves are empty here and there. The photos are from our Sunday edition.
Finland
Maria, with the blog Maria's Memoirs, lives in Finland. She says that they are now talking about a state of emergency in Finland. All non-essential travel abroad is being discouraged, many activities are being cancelled and even schools have been warned to close.
Spain
The Spanish Prime Minister declared a national emergency on 14 March. This means, among other things, that people can only go out to run essential errands, such as shopping for food, visiting health centres, going to work, caring for the needy, visiting the bank and in emergencies. Schools, restaurants, bars, museums and entertainment centres are closed for at least two weeks. We know of several bloggers who live, spend the winter months or travel in Spain. You can read what they write here:
Annika, with the blog Casa Annika, who lives in Spain, says that many people have panicked and rushed to supermarkets to stock up. She also says that the military has been patrolling the streets and urging people to stay indoors, and that TV is urging those who have stocked up on hand sanitiser and face masks to return them.
Britt-Marie and Lars, with the blog bm.lars.travelblog writes that one reason for the Spanish "house arrest" is that many people have left the crisis zone of Madrid and travelled to their holiday homes on the coast, bringing the infection with them.
Margareta and Ingemar, with the blog Pensioners' will(l)an are on the ground in the neighbourhood of Torrevieja. They report that a car has been driving around with loudspeakers informing everyone to stay at home. They also say that you have to keep your distance in the shops and that only one member of the family is allowed to shop.
Lena in Wales, who also spends a lot of time in Spain, writes that museums, monuments, bars and restaurants are closing, but it is different in different regions. She describes how she had to search two shops to find toilet paper.
Blogger Ama de Casa tells us that you can be fined for "pleasure walking" and that playgrounds are closed. She also confirms that the shelves of some shops in the city centre are empty. Torrevieja. Check out these pictures and you'll see.
Elisabet and Lennart, with the blog Motorhome Ellenare in Gran Canaria. They say that, like everyone else, they have been placed in home quarantine for 15 days.
Portugal
Anna and Roger, with the blog Living in a mobile home, say they were 'kicked out' of a municipal campsite in Setúbal, south of Lisbon, because municipal tourist services were closed. They also say that meat, water and toilet paper have been picked up in shops.
Greece
Anita, with the blog Anitas Cretelives in Chania and describes how schools, restaurants, cafés and hotels are no longer allowed to open. Only supermarkets, bakeries and pharmacies are now allowed to open. In the supermarket, only one person is allowed per 10 square metres, so customers are let in at intervals. Anita also explains that there is a TV campaign where famous people are encouraging people to stay at home.
USA
Annika, with the blog Life in the Suburb, blogs from Virginia. She writes that "it is not possible to not talk about it". She talks about her feelings when Trump closed the border with Europe and promises to continue writing about the crisis.
Anna, with the blog New York - My Bite of the Big Apple is not in the US but writes, based on stories from friends, that "New York is becoming a ghost town". She has heard about closed libraries, cancelled shows and empty store shelves.
Asia
Linda, with the blog Resamedfamily.se reported for a long time from Thailand. Among other things, she says that everyone had their temperature taken when they visited the island of Koh Samet and that everyone was heat-scanned on their departure from Thailand.
Christine, with the blog 29 degreeshas been to Bali and says that the island took early measures, such as fever control at airports, which reduced the spread of the disease. She also reports that Bali has been hit hard by the ripple effects of the coronavirus and that some hotels and restaurants have already closed, resulting in unemployment. There is no panic about infection, but there is concern about the economic consequences. Christine has now travelled on to Hawaii, via the 'ghost airport' in Brisbane.
What have you read and heard about the coronavirus situation in the world?
Maria's memoirs says:
My update on Finland is also underway, links when published.
17 March 2020 - 7:24
Maria's memoirs says:
Now I have blogged ?
http://mariasmemoarer.com/2020/march/undantagstillstand-2.html
17 March 2020 - 12:00
Helena says:
How nice Maria! I'll update the post with a link to this too!
17 March 2020 - 17:50
Monica says:
In France, President Macron spoke last night for the second time in a few days, the French have not realised the seriousness of the situation even though all restaurants, bars, sporting events, concerts, museums etc are closed. Schools are closed and everyone who can MUST work from home. My daughter who lives in Nice with her French family is working from home and homeschooling her two lively little boys. Indefinitely.
As of today, very strict conditions apply. You have to stay at home, you can only leave your home if you have to go to work, and you have to provide proof of this. Every time you go out, you have to carry a signed document "on your honour" and you can only go out if you need to seek medical attention, do essential shopping, or if it is absolutely necessary to take care of a family member in need. You may take a short unaccompanied walk in the neighbourhood of your home (the address must be indicated on the document), you may also walk your dog. Police officers will patrol everywhere and you will be fined up to €130 if you are caught out without documents and without fulfilling the criteria.
People are also not allowed to gather in their homes to meet family and friends, or to play boules outdoors, for example. Elderly people, 70+, may not be visited and may not go out themselves, food and any care is provided by the community.
All measures are taken to protect the elderly and vulnerable population and to do everything possible to ensure that the care system fulfils its tasks.
Although not stated outright, this is both a quarantine and a curfew. President Macron said five times during his speech that "we are at war". In Paris, crowds of people left the city once the restrictions were finalised. It's unclear where they are going - this applies to the whole country!
There is also hoarding, in exactly the same way as everywhere else in the world. Inside and outside the authorised shops there are yellow lines at one metre intervals and only one person is allowed in at a time.
Despite the restrictions, I want to go back, we have only lived in Sweden for one year after ten years in France. I am completely amazed at how this world crisis has been and continues to be handled by the Swedish authorities. Soon alone in the world, we will be subjected to a kind of public health experiment to achieve "herd immunity".
No thanks - as patients at risk, my husband and I have since this started to become apparent put ourselves in self-imposed isolation with food, medication, hand sanitiser and professional face masks (plus toilet paper:-). Out we go for short walks with the dog and keep our distance from those we meet. We live French in Sweden.
17 March 2020 - 9:18
Helena says:
Thank you for telling us about the situation in France Monika! Take care of yourselves!
17 March 2020 - 20:52
Anna / boihusbil.se says:
Great with a collection! Today we are "trapped". Thanks for the link!
17 March 2020 - 10:03
Helena says:
Read your latest post. What a strange situation the world has found itself in! Take care of yourselves!
17 March 2020 - 20:56
Ama de casa says:
What a great compilation you have made!
After a day in quarantine, I'm already tired... And it's raining so the terrace is not an option. Oh well, I just have to "like" the situation and tough it out. In any case, I will soon go out with the garbage if the rain stops for a while 😉.
17 March 2020 - 10:43
Helena says:
Understand it! And how tired will you be? At least we can go for walks and I have had online meetings with colleagues, but I work from home. Still a bit sad ...
17 March 2020 - 20:58
Ruth in Virginia says:
Annika (Life in the Suburb) lives almost next door to me,
so you know what it is like here. My granddaughter, who lives with
me has moved into the lower floor, because she has been working
in a restaurant until yesterday. It closes. I have a cleaning lady
who has said that she will come today. Maybe not so good
idea, as she has worked in many houses, but if she takes the risk,
I do it too.
The eldest daughter is expected home from London today. I hope it goes
according to plan. Probably quarantine for 2 weeks.
My granddaughter, who is a university student in Washington DC,
was allowed to leave her room and is now staying with her daughter, who will be
home today. The son-in-law is home and healthy...
I am quite OK and hope it continues. Let's see how it goes.
Take care of yourselves!
17 March 2020 - 10:55
Helena says:
Oh, you live so close? Yes, I noticed that you both live in Virginia. Interesting (and scary) to follow the state of the world now. You could also choose not to do the cleaning right now? Take care of yourself!
17 March 2020 - 21:00
Lisa says:
Good info you have compiled. Can inform you that all campsites and tourist facilities in Germany are closed from today. Schools and day care centres are already closed. Hospitals and nursing/elderly care homes receive 1 person 1 hour per day.
17 March 2020 - 11:53
bmlarstravellingblog says:
What a great summary of what is being blogged about in the wake of Corona. Here we just read that there have been 200 new cases in Spain in the last 24 hours and that they are asking the 25,000 tourists on Spanish islands to go home. Then one can only hope that the flights continue to run.
17 March 2020 - 13:48
Helena says:
Lisa, thanks for more info! Interesting, and scary, to follow everything that happens.
17 March 2020 - 21:00
I Monica says:
Sweden?The most contradictory and confused country in the world?According to the middle-aged, who are now largely at home for a little sniffle and possibly Corona, no one knows because no one is tested and probably many are infected with SARS-CoV-2 and probably they are sick as in an ordinary flu.But this category often says: "I will be fine, but we have to protect all the old people".In their view, it is from 70 and upwards.When so many middle-aged people are "sitting at home", the health care system cries out for the pensioners, you must come and save the situation in our hospitals.In the next breath Tegnell says that 70-year-olds shouldn't go out.Because the middle-aged should shop for those who can bring infection with them ... One day the same man says that we should all be infected, great for the country, the next day everyone should be indoors.Everything should be open one day because we should preferably be infected, the next day everything should be shut down, well not the hospitals because that's where the old people should go, not as patients but as professionals in their professions.Comedies will probably come soon ...
17 March 2020 - 13:44
Ruth in Virginia says:
Thanks for a dark comedy, IMONICA!
17 March 2020 - 15:42
I Monica says:
Here you go Ruth, I don't know if you are joking but I already have a scenario written in my head. I see all the 40 to 50 year olds, at home, eating, watching TV, drinking and smoking and then, extremely tired of their children and teenagers who are also at home and also unable to book trips but happy for the salary that rolls and all the toilet rolls 🙂 Then I see the elderly stumble to the hospitals and on the spot at 06.45 start operating on appendixes, gall bladders, etc. It is worse with microscope work, analysis work and diagnosis work, where top vision is required to see abnormalities. I'm glad I might not have to, I haven't turned 70 yet. But many people of retirement age work, know one who was 90 but do not think it is allowed nowadays, think they took away prescription rights and such and then it became difficult. I hope no one steals my idea. And of course it is serious and countless people are affected even more than by the virus. So hope for wisdom, wisdom, reason etc. etc.
17 March 2020 - 18:58
Ruth in Virginia says:
I hope to read your next scenario.
You have a real talent.
I'm about to turn 92 and I'm soaking up all the fun I can.
Thank goodness for computers and people like you.
Ciao!
18 March 2020 - 2:08
BP says:
Well, yesterday the UD urged all Swedes who are abroad to hurry home. A little strange call, I think, especially if you have been "stationed" in Spain, Italy and France. Should they bring the infection to Sweden, which already has enough infected people?
Good compilation of bloggers affected by curfews and other issues.
17 March 2020 - 20:11
Lena - good for the soul says:
The economic situation right now and how it will be feels really uncomfortable! It's crazy how fragile everything is. But that is how our society is structured.
Then, of course, it is really sad for those who do not come out of this with their lives.
Just ride out the storm and take care of each other!
Hug Lena
18 March 2020 - 6:30
Lena in Wales says:
Very interesting reading from different countries.
Thanks for the link.
Things are tough here in Spain now and the other bloggers in Spain describe it well.
Take care of yourselves!
18 March 2020 - 10:29
Elisabeth says:
Now it is the 4th day in quarantine. So far everything is ok. The sun is shining and we can walk around the house. We do not have bunkers and hope that there is still food in the shops, as promised by the authorities here. It is difficult to get home early, as everything is booked until 17 April. Right now it feels so good to be here as home. Good compilation you made! Interesting to read blogs from other countries.
18 March 2020 - 12:39
Anna, New York - My Bite of the Big Apple says:
A frightening overview! Yes, this is so unreal now that there are almost no words for it ... It's awful not even being able to go out and walk without a fine, as Ama de Casa writes. Without having any opinion on whether it's right or wrong, my thoughts go to all the side effects of this, all the loneliness and isolation, all the businesses going under... The effects will be immense, even after the day the virus is under control. Where will it end?
Thanks for the link to my post about New York becoming a ghost town. I wrote it a few days ago and now it is a fact. The city's 27,000 restaurants, bars and cafes are no longer allowed to serve food on-site.
Take care of yourselves!
19 March 2020 - 16:37
Across the board says:
Great post - and thanks for the link. The hardest part of leaving was not knowing what we would encounter. What does a closed border mean? How closed is it? Can you not get through at all? Today we know that it is possible to get through, but we drove like fools against the clock.
19 March 2020 - 21:06
Åsa says:
Now I've also got a...
https://www.bortugal.se/corona-i-portugal-karantan-i-paradiset/
20 March 2020 - 20:20