19 March 2022 in Kufstein, Austria
We are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Europe is currently the epicenter of the outbreak. I live in the Tyrol, Austria. My region was locked down on Monday 16 March and as of today we are in quarantine. This means we cannot leave the boundaries of our town or city except for work and we should otherwise only leave our homes to get necessities, medical care or to bring help or supplies to those in need.
Many businesses were forced to close on Monday: retail shops, hair salons etc. Supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies remain open as do businesses where people can work separated, alone or from home. Creative solutions can sometimes be found, but unemployment is sky-rocketing, businesses are operating far below normal capacity, supply chains are fragile.
Currently the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases are doubling every 3.3 days in Austria, every second day here in the Tyrol where I live. As of this afternoon we have 2,013 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 6 deaths and 9 people recovered here in Austria.
The situation just over the border in Italy is dire. According to today’s statistics from the World Health Organization: 31,506 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 2,503 deaths. That is an 8 % case fatality rate (CFR).
Case fatality rates don’t have to be so high. If critically ill patients can be treated, the CFR can be kept at less than half of that. The problem is that when too many people become ill at the same time, even the best medical systems (Italy has one of the best in the world) will collapse. There are not enough beds, not enough respirators, etc.
Hopefully Austria is reacting swiftly enough. Hopefully your country is too, because COVID-19 is coming to your town. Don’t panic, but take it seriously. Governments, leaders and businesses are slow to react. Don’t wait for them, start social distancing and washing your hands frequently NOW. You’ll save lives.
Here is a link to an article about why it is so important to act now. https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99ca
It’s a long read, but it is well-researched and filled with a lot of facts and charts.
Meanwhile, what does my little life look like here in quarantine in the Tyrol? We have beautiful spring weather with blue skies and no air traffic. Roads are quiet, the tourists are gone and nature appears thrilled at our current diminished capacity to destroy it. We are allowed to go outdoors for a walk alone or with people who live in the same household. Sport fields – including ski areas and golf courses are closed. And if you are sensible, you realize that you shouldn’t burden the medical community, so you limit yourself to low-risk sports. Sadly, I am currently sacrificing mountain biking, but I do hike up my neighborhood mountain to keep myself sane and healthy.
I miss my daughters and my grandchildren! I miss my friends and I miss my work outside my office. Quarantine is lonely.
From what I’ve observed here in my city, people are really quite disciplined. They keep the required 1-metre distance from one another. I haven’t encountered empty shelves at the grocery. Yes, even toilet paper has remained well stocked. I have enough food and certainly enough wine at home to last for a while.
I’ve scrubbed every inch of my terrace and all the garden furniture. #QuarantineLife #UncorkedintheAlps