An Update During the Corona Pandemic

Hello, everyone! I hope you are all safe and healthy! I just wanted to post a short update on how the Coronavirus is affecting me and this blog. The short answer is: a little.

My boyfriend and I have been working from home for the past week and will continue to do so for the next three weeks. We are allowed to go outside for three reasons:

• urgent shopping (food, hygiene products, etc.)
• trips to the pharmacy
• helping others who can’t or shouldn’t go outside

Going for walks or a run is still allowed, as long as you keep at least one meter distance between you and other people, so I don’t really feel all that constricted in my daily life. Sure, it’s strange to work from home because I’m used to a huge office where I can just get up and talk to people. But honestly, I have it pretty easy. I’m lucky enough to have my own terrace, so I don’t even have to leave my apartment to get a bit of fresh air or enjoy the sun. And the neighbour’s cat comes to visit every once in a while which always makes me happy.

I’m putting all the extra time I have to (hopefully) good use. I’m reading a lot, I hope to publish reviews more frequently during the next weeks, and I’m trying to stay as close to normal as possible. I think the restrictions our government put on the population are smart and helpful and I hope that humanity sticks together so we can get through this with the least amount of damage possible.

I have seen so much solidarity in the last few weeks – people offering to go shopping for elderly neighbours, people applauding every evening for those working in hospitals and supermarkets, people sharing creative ways to keep yourself and your children happy while stuck at home – and I’ve also seen total ignorance. People still partying, walking around in groups of 20 or more, ignoring the rules set in place to protect those who most need protecting… but overall, I think most people understand the responsibility each and every one of us carries and are trying to do their best. Thank you, fellow humans!

That’s all the news I have. I just didn’t want to keep posting like nothing is happening in the world, thus this little update.  I hope, my dear readers, that all of you are doing well! And in case you are quarantined or self-isolating at home, I will try and do my little part in keeping you entertained with book reviews and reading challenges and readathon TBRs. Stay healthy, stay safe, help others, and we’ll get through this together!