As we all know, everyone and the whole world is battling against coronavirus. I won’t tackle the virus itself here anymore since all of us know what it is.
Well, how is the flatland, the country of cheese and tulips doing this time of pandemic? How are we doin’?
I got all the free time now, thanks to this virus. I have never imagined that in my lifetime I could experienced this ‘stay home protocol’ and walk without zigzagging before I reach my short destination 😀. And that’s why I have the time now to write in my blog for the first time of the year.
As to why a lifestyle changer? Since May 9, 2020, everyone is urged to work at home and schools were closed and all parents (of primary schooler) started to become homeschool teachers. It was tough given the homework and tasks that our children must do are no jokes. I still have to cycle to work since I can’t take my work to home. Husband works home and might be till the end of the year (as working home is becoming a norm).
Our family routine drastically changed. Kids started their schoolwork right after breakfast. Their papa has to spend few hours per day to assist them and I was assigned to help them 2 days a week since I worked three days a week away from home. Work - home - grocery. That is our newly found route to success😄.
The Netherlands practices smart/intelligent lockdown. Common sense is the key. Stay at home as much as possible and maintain social distancing (1.5 meter at least) and thankfully, people are reasonably obedient. Frequent hand washing, hand drying by tissue papers, sanitizing everywhere are just examples that people are doing more often than they normally do. The government is also strict in implementing. Restaurants, recreation parks, museums, theaters, gym/sports, contact-professions ceased, and non-essential shops are closed. Events, churches, funerals, weddings are also discouraged and limited only to maximum of 30 people maintaining 1.5 m distance. Men and service-people are rules abiding and most opted to the conservative option not to push to the allowed limits. In short, you see people so rarely at public places. No traffic jams and you got to see how green and wide the narrow streets are.
Not to mention the first week of home quarantine that panic buying of consumers was extreme. Toilet tissue pandemic was real. Shelves for basic goods were empty. Many grocery stores offer special time (8-9.30am) for the elderly shoppers. I thought that ‘hamsteren’ will never be a scenario in a first world country but yes, in time of crisis, all is afraid of getting hungry😀.
Starting next week on the 11th May, primary school opens. Kids have to go two school days and get online schoolworks half of the week. The government and RIVM (health agency) have released list to soften anti-corona measures to follow in the following weeks. As of writing, there are 41k+ infected by corona virus, 11k+ admitted in the hospitals and 5k+ death cases in the Netherlands.
Good to note that we are at least blessed with nice spring weather since the quarantine started. Not that bad I would say. We enjoyed our garden and spent a lot of time there than we expected and I am gaining weight as baking and cooking are so irresistible nowadays. (Note: Keukenhof, the largest tulip garden in the Netherlands and in the world was never opened this year). Spring blooms are everywhere and blue sky is just an amazing sight. Small things we truly appreciate this time and do things you enjoy like what I am doing now is simply luxurious.
I wish everyone to keep safe, stay cool and sane 😉. I will be more visible in the coming days!
Well, how is the flatland, the country of cheese and tulips doing this time of pandemic? How are we doin’?
I got all the free time now, thanks to this virus. I have never imagined that in my lifetime I could experienced this ‘stay home protocol’ and walk without zigzagging before I reach my short destination 😀. And that’s why I have the time now to write in my blog for the first time of the year.
As to why a lifestyle changer? Since May 9, 2020, everyone is urged to work at home and schools were closed and all parents (of primary schooler) started to become homeschool teachers. It was tough given the homework and tasks that our children must do are no jokes. I still have to cycle to work since I can’t take my work to home. Husband works home and might be till the end of the year (as working home is becoming a norm).
Our family routine drastically changed. Kids started their schoolwork right after breakfast. Their papa has to spend few hours per day to assist them and I was assigned to help them 2 days a week since I worked three days a week away from home. Work - home - grocery. That is our newly found route to success😄.
The Netherlands practices smart/intelligent lockdown. Common sense is the key. Stay at home as much as possible and maintain social distancing (1.5 meter at least) and thankfully, people are reasonably obedient. Frequent hand washing, hand drying by tissue papers, sanitizing everywhere are just examples that people are doing more often than they normally do. The government is also strict in implementing. Restaurants, recreation parks, museums, theaters, gym/sports, contact-professions ceased, and non-essential shops are closed. Events, churches, funerals, weddings are also discouraged and limited only to maximum of 30 people maintaining 1.5 m distance. Men and service-people are rules abiding and most opted to the conservative option not to push to the allowed limits. In short, you see people so rarely at public places. No traffic jams and you got to see how green and wide the narrow streets are.
Not to mention the first week of home quarantine that panic buying of consumers was extreme. Toilet tissue pandemic was real. Shelves for basic goods were empty. Many grocery stores offer special time (8-9.30am) for the elderly shoppers. I thought that ‘hamsteren’ will never be a scenario in a first world country but yes, in time of crisis, all is afraid of getting hungry😀.
Starting next week on the 11th May, primary school opens. Kids have to go two school days and get online schoolworks half of the week. The government and RIVM (health agency) have released list to soften anti-corona measures to follow in the following weeks. As of writing, there are 41k+ infected by corona virus, 11k+ admitted in the hospitals and 5k+ death cases in the Netherlands.
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| The cherry blossoms at the garden of my parents-in-law. |
Good to note that we are at least blessed with nice spring weather since the quarantine started. Not that bad I would say. We enjoyed our garden and spent a lot of time there than we expected and I am gaining weight as baking and cooking are so irresistible nowadays. (Note: Keukenhof, the largest tulip garden in the Netherlands and in the world was never opened this year). Spring blooms are everywhere and blue sky is just an amazing sight. Small things we truly appreciate this time and do things you enjoy like what I am doing now is simply luxurious.
I wish everyone to keep safe, stay cool and sane 😉. I will be more visible in the coming days!
