Corona quarantine in Norway from a Brazilian immigrant’s point of view.

Norway has just closed its doors, due to the spreading of Corona virus. It all began with a person who came back from China in the North of Norway. After that many people came from skiing trips to North of Italy. Now it’s coming from people who haven’t traveled. I see the closedown as necessary. Schools, kindergartens, universities are all closed. Sports and cultural activities are cancelled until Easter. All those who come from other countries must stay at home for 14 days, in quarantine.

Handling the news. It’s important for everybody to keep calm so that we can think straight and do what’s best for the whole population. Sacrifices will be necessary. I heard the Health secretary saying that maybe one of us who don’t have symptoms, are not afraid of getting sick and don’t see a point in the closedown. However, we must think of children who have asthma, elders and others with chronic diseases and low immunity. Your grandparents, neighbors, everywhere there’s people who can get very ill. Anyone can transmit it. Even those without symptoms. I really don’t wish to be a walking virus transmitter.

Some people are running to the supermarkets to buy as much food and supplies as possible. If you’re healthy and get Corona, you will probably have mild symptoms. If people keep panicking and empty supermarkets, there won’t be enough food for those who come after you. It’s time to think collectively, not egoistical and irrationally.

I’ve heard once that what kills mostly when there’s a fire in a crowded place is not people who got burned. It’s those who have been trampled by others, due to panic.

In extreme situations I usually keep calm and do what I have to. I wonder if my Brazilian background has something to do with this. In Brazil we had to face many changes in our economy (inflation and change in currency in the 80’s and 90’s). As a warm tropical country, we prevent from getting dengue every Summer. Also deal with violence and avoid some places when there’s suddenly a robbery or conflict.

Is there a good side? I am an optimist and I try to see a good side in everything. We lose much, but we gain something that many of us lack: time. Why not use this time at home to focus on your family? Do you live alone? Maybe now you can finish that book you started to read a long time ago. Or study: take that Norwegian course seriously. This quarantine shows how we handle changes in our everyday life. Make good choices. Keep safe.