Covid´ 19

Yes, I know it is a topic what a lot of people don´t want to hear anymore, but anyways I want to give a short live update how things are going during quarantine time and how it does affect my work and leisure time.

As I already mentioned in one of the last articles, after the Lithuanian government’s elections the population started to face stricter restrictions. These have started from the 26th October and they will resist at least until the 29th of November. During this time, people need to ware facemasks everywhere, even outside in the park. Furthermore, people are not allowed to gather with more than five people. On top of that, the schools have closed, but some have already started to open again. First of all the primary school went back to normal and the following weeks the pupils from high school can go back to school as before. Nevertheless, they need to where face masks everywhere. Well, almost every country in Europe has similar restrictions, so this should sound familiar to you, doesn´t matter where you live right now.

However, how do the circumstances effect my work in school and kindergarten? Because pupils attend to online classes right now, there is less to do for me. Though, I have quite a few options. One the one hand I still have the possibility to work in kindergarten and primary school. Especially in after school there are many children and they quite enjoy having someone to play with. On the other hand, I always have the possibility to reconstruct the building. The reconstruction of the building is a never-ending story. Even though there are really lovely and cozy parts of the building, there are also some parts, which are not useable yet.  Fortunately, I still can go to school, work there, socialize with other people and don´t need to do everything online, yet. Unfortunately, due Covid there are more issues coming up. My tutor in school was in quarantine so we didn´t really have a tutor the last weeks. Moreover, the facemasks do really bother me, because I am not able to wear them in a correct way. One option: I do wear a mask and my glasses, but then I don´t see anything because my glasses become foggy. Second option: I don´t wear glasses but then I don´t really see anything, Does not matter which option I am running for, I don´t have a good view.  However, I don´t want to complain, overall I still think that I am in a good situation right now.

I must admit though, that these current issues do affect my leisure time pretty much. Normally, I would attend to yoga or contemporary dance every week, but these activities have been cancelled until further notice. Everything has shut down, so I spend more time inside, because there are not many outside - activities I could join.  Recently I have started to hear Christmas songs and bake cookies. Because of that, I am already in Christmas mood in the middle of November. Besides, meeting with friends also take part in private flats.  In my point of view, the biggest drawback is that it is hard to get into touch with new people. All events have been cancelled or take place online, so there is no possibility to meet new people. Furthermore, our on arrival seminar is online, too. Normally, this would have been a great opportunity to meet other volunteers around the country.

I just hope that the restrictions don´t last the whole winter. But with Covid you can´t plan. To be spontaneous is one thing I learnt most, thanks to Covid.