Solidarity in a time of quarantine

Even after all these weeks of hearing about Covid-19 I am still incredulous that it has come to this. It is amazing to me that here we are, in 2020, thinking that all the things we always took for granted would never change. And yet, the reality is that the world has been brought to a standstill by an errant piece of RNA - because that's what this virus is essentially. A strand of RNA that has gone berserk and mutated from something that causes a harmless common cold to this aggressive strain that is the cause of so much death and disruption. It would be funny if it weren't so serious; the stuff that science fiction movies are made of. But unfortunately, it's the reality that we all have to live with for the time being.

Malta is not yet in lock-down but people are being encouraged to practise social distancing and to avoid congregating in large groups. Our office has shut down and we are all working from home so I am keeping busy for the time being. However, I know that there may be plenty of other people who may not be so lucky. I also know that, during uncertain times like these, it is easy to give in to fear and anxiety, to feel overwhelmed by all that is unknown and by the changes to our lifestyles that we may all be required to make in the future. But, to borrow a phrase from the Brits that was very popular during WW2: keep calm and carry on. Let us remember what is important and cling to it and let us re-learn how to make friendships and memories that last. If this pandemic will teach us nothing else, it will teach us that it's the little things that are truly important and that resilience and compassion comes from inside. Let's not forget those in our communities who are struggling or who are afraid and lonely. We can all do our bit to help.

So, today I wanted to share some links that may introduce a bit of levity to this tense situation that we are all living through. Hopefully they will help to get us through these difficult days. 

Photographer Carla Coulson keeps things positives and shares 6 good things that have come from the coronavirus pandemic.

Kim Wheeler of the blog Northern California Style shares some ideas about what to do when you're staying in because of the Coronavirus.

Elizabeth Minchilli talks about the Coronavirus Lockdown in Italy and gives some suggestions how we can help artisans that have been so hard hit by the travel restrictions.

If you haven't heard already, Italians are taking to their balconies and windows and making music to express solidarity with each other and as a reminder that they are all in this together. Girl in Florence has paid a beautiful tribute to these impromptu music sessions in her post: Songs for Solidarity: Italians unite through music from balconies, terraces and windows. They sang everything from the Italian national anthem, to traditional folk tunes and pop songs. Which doesn't surprise me. In my years on this planet I've learnt that the British will remain calm and stoic in the face of almost any calamity and the Italians will sing their way through it.

If you're bored and have some spare time  Natalie Kennedy, of the blog An American in Rome, has compiled a list of 6 Italian museums to visit for free online. You can now visit the Vatican Museums and the Uffizzi Gallery, among others, from the comfort of your couch and without having to worry about getting blisters on your feet.

Before I go, I just wanted to say how grateful I am for the blogging and Instagram communities and for all the beauty that so many thousands are willing to share. Of course, I am especially thankful to those that support this little blog.

Stay safe and stay strong. Together we will beat this thing. Tomorrow is another day.