The Ask — paint your emotions from the first week of quarantine
March 13
Spain declared a National State Emergency a few hours before the US. I’m told that we won’t go to school for the next two weeks and news breaks that we cannot leave our homes starting tomorrow.
A seemingly endless stream of information floods in through phone calls from home, Twitter, and WhatsApp messages.
March 14
Our first day of complete lockdown. We are told that leaving for reasons other than groceries, the doctor, or essential reasons will result in fines starting Monday.
A beautiful moment bursts through the confusion as neighbors applaud together in support of healthcare workers at 8 pm.
March 15
The first rain in a while.
Seemed fitting.
March 16
Amazing acts of generosity erupt the uncertainty as people like Shea Serrano and Zion Williamson are donating to those in need.
2,000 new cases in Spain in 24 hours.
March 17
A travel ban was put into place, preventing any non-EU citizen from traveling within the EU.
March 18
Went to the grocery store and felt social distance for the first time from Spaniards. Waited in line two meters apart while listening to an older woman express that the last time she felt this sense of unease was during the war.
March 4
Level 4 travel warning issued by the US government which urged US citizens abroad to come home. Flight prices for the next week went from 350 to 2,500 euros to go from Madrid to PDX.
Aromas from budding orange blossoms in the street offer the most bittersweet symphony.