Today I went to the supermarket, and the first thing I saw was that there were no carts available, as there were so many people shopping. I had to take a basket, which meant I couldn’t take everything I planned to buy. As I walked around the aisles I saw that the shelves, while not empty, were rapidly thinning out. The people who had managed to get carts had loaded them up mountain high, and it took forever to check out.
This struck me as an indication that siege mentality has set in. And you should know that so far we have a total of 40 cases of coronavirus in the whole country!
Other signs
Most public events have been cancelled, including football matches – gasp! Now that is really serious in this football mad country. An annual gaucho fair we were going to attend today was cancelled. All events of the expat organization I belong to have been cancelled until further notice. Concerts some of us attend at the Kirchner Center cancelled until further notice.
Yesterday I had lunch with four women friends, only a couple of whom did the usual Argentine hug and kiss when we met. That’s part of the national culture here and it’s hard to see it go. I hope it comes back when the virus goes away. There was to be a fifth friend at our lunch, but just yesterday the government decreed that anyone arriving in the country in the last eight days had to self-quarantine for fourteen days, and Joanna had arrived from the US seven days before.
And in a move that devastated those of us who dance tango, all the milongas have been closed until further notice! Mind you, I have to admit that with all that close contact and the fact that at this time of year many of the dancers are visiting from other countries, it was probably a wise move. Thank goodness I still have my lesson with Alejandro so I can get my tango fix at least once a week!
It’s very strange to look at my social calendar for next week and see it empty. Still, it’s worse in many other countries, and I hope that by taking these measures this early, we can avoid a major outbreak.
Wherever you are as you read this, I hope you are managing to live as normally as possible through the crisis and taking care of yourself as much as possible. This too shall pass.
Self-isolating Argentine style
You beat me to it. Have been sorting out the social distance thing with two teenagers and getting groceries before there is no TP, other paper products, cleaning supplies. The siege is here. Keep well!
I went to my local supermarket this morning during their seniors only hour, and I’m happy to report that the shelves have been restocked — including the toilet paper! No sign of any shortages.