How Norwegians are using creativity and kindness to face Corona lockdown so far.

National volunteering, or Nasjonal Dugnad is how it’s been called now. Norwegians are very engaged in making this quarantine work so that we can prevent Corona virus from spreading so fast. After the first shock with announcement of the lockdown on March 12th, most citizens are now being positive and creative to make home office and home school work.

The public library in Stavanger is now delivering books to our houses, by bike. Also some bakeries are making delivery.
Zumba instructor Yaneluz and some yoga instructors have Livestream classes for free on Facebook and Instagram.

No more rush to the supermarkets and no more insane toilet paper buying. Actually what nobody could predict is that supermarkets are now lacking yeast. Yes. Norway is a baking land. We bake when we are happy and when we are sad. In the Winter and in the Summer. We make our homes cozy by baking. And now there’s shortage of yeast.

Keep walking. The government allows and actually motivates us to go for a walk, as it’s a very strong Norwegian habit. Contact with nature is healthy for body and mind, we all know. The challenge is not to go for a walk where and when everybody else is. People must avoid the same hiking trails. There should be 2 meters distance between humans. There’s been some queueing some places. Today I went for a walk in a near forest. Lots of people were there. We all tried to keep a distance and I changed my route a few times to avoid getting close. I saw a climbing frame with young people exercising. The majority was holding the bars without gloves or anti bac lotion. So I think not everybody is quite aware of the danger of touching the same surfaces while exercising outdoors.

We’ve done “all Norwegians clapping” for health professionals and also got clapping from them, thanking all for staying at home. A wonderful initiative is that some persons have hung motivational notes on park trees so that those who pass by get extra positive thoughts. At places like kindergarten ports there’s posters with nice expressions, like: Everything is going to be fine. You are not alone. Neighbors hang posters outside, offering to do grocery shopping for those who can’t go out.

I watched today at God Morgen Norge, a comedian having a meeting at home with his two small kids. Like a business meeting, he was congratulating them for being the best workers ever. So cute!

Today, I joined a group in a drive through birthday party for a little girl. Her actual party had been canceled because of Corona virus situation. One of the classmates’ mothers took an initiative to pass drive in front of her house to greet her. Each parent drove her/his child in this cool, innovative, Corona-safe celebration. We honked and waved Norwegian flag and balloons. It was so touching seeing the birthday girl standing there with her family beside her. I felt super lucky to be part of such an act of love and sense of community. It’s time for empathy.

Spring is here and we can make the most of this time at home to improve and value our family relations and think outside the box, work in our garden or whatever makes you happy.