Spain: A Day in Madrid’s City’s Lockdown

Since March 14, Madrid, one of the world's hardest-hit cities, has been under a strict citywide lockdown. Lockdown rules kept the city's 6.6 million citizens at home. Only essential supermarket, pharmacy, and hospital trips are allowed. Non-essential staff must work remotely.one of the final weekends 

A city famed for nightlife, tourism, and culture soon had vacant streets, parks, and closed businesses. Madriders must adapt to a new lifestyle day. The rigorous citywide isolation is hard to understand from the outside.

Sandra, Marcus, and Paloma discuss the Madrid coronavirus lockdown.
What is your quarantine day?

Marcus: My dog and wife are quarantined.

Paloma: My Madrid apartment. I considered going home with my parents, who live an hour and a half from Madrid, in the quarantine’s early days. Because they are older, I opted to stay here. Madrid was the infection’s epicenter.

Sandra: My family and dogs are at home. I live outside, have a backyard, and two dogs, so I am lucky. I do not constantly feel quarantined.
Lockdown: how does it go?

Marcus: I shower and have breakfast at 8:00. I prepare online classes, work with students online, and do paperwork from 9:00 to 13:30. Lunch follows my dog walk at 13:30 I have been busy preparing for my soon-to-arrive baby and video calling family and friends. I walk my dog again at 20:00, have dinner, and watch TV.

Paloma: Online classes, videos, and art projects. I cook fantastic stuff, play sports, make video chats with my pupils, watch TV, and clean. Marie Kondo? I Marie Kondo’ed the house and got rid of lots of stuff. It is my routine.

Sandra: I wake up around 7:30, walk my dog, then study till lunch and dinner.
How do you get lockdown updates?

Marcus: Work and TV.

Paloma: During the lockdown, social media, friends, family, and memes kept me informed. I enjoy and eat a lot of it. Seriously, mostly with the internet, news, and online publications.

Sandra: News informs me.
The lockdown’s hardest part?

Marcus: Not being able to leave my house whenever I want, stay outside as long as I want, and see my family in my hometown is the worst part.

Sandra: Probably not going out or making plans with friends…like eating out, drinking, visiting my grandmother, and seeing my family. Quarantine makes you respect the past. All your plans.

Paloma: Loneliness. I miss my family and friends. Loneliness and losing my routine are the hardest parts. Not being able to see the sun, have a beer with friends, run or ride my bike, or meet people, which I love because I am quite social.

Hearing about loved ones dying is the worst part. I lost someone I loved to this sickness, and it was one of the hardest moments since you hear about the virus every day without putting a face to it.
Your hopes?

Marcus: I am optimistic. I believe that time and effort will remedy this problem.

Paloma: I hope this will improve the environment or society. I appreciate self-discovery.
What scares you after the lockdown?

Marcus: Social interaction worries me. I do not enjoy the prospect of being alone after lockdown expires.

Paloma: My biggest worry is my career future. I planned a great 2020. I have many theater and related tasks. My acting career was canceled after a great year. I am scared about my career future and how normal life will be this year since I think it will not be normal.

Sandra: Because the government is not in charge, many individuals disagree with their approach. After this, everyone will go out at once, and there will likely be a second wave in the fall.

Paloma feels anxiety and community.

Paloma: I have observed many people uniting. Because it is crucial, everyone in Spain applauds doctors and medical staff at 8 pm. Everyone is doing well in the public health system. Our locked-in neighbors are applauding every day, generating a new sense of community.
Last words

After 50 days, people can finally relax coronavirus restrictions. Spain announced a multi-step lockdown lift. Children and families were allowed outside again for playing recently. Everyone can walk and exercise outside this week.