So 2019 ended with some intriguing news from Wuhan, China. Apparently a coronavirus - COVID19 - was spreading fast and China was warning the world to beware.
On Februaray 25, I left for my vacation in India, and when I returned, schools in Kuwait (and around the world) closed in order to stop the spread of the virus. Of course, at first this news was greeted with a little thrill - More Vacation!! But there was also a tinge of nervousness: what is this virus????
In the beginning, we all stuck pretty close to home, limiting our contact with the world, but still hanging out with close friends.
And we gathered in our courtyard for conversations and singing!
But as we limited our contact even further, I had to figure out what to do on my own. Those first days were spent doing those things I just never had time for. I cleaned out cabinets and shelves, I deep cleaned the entire apartment and rearranged my furniture.
I even started cooking more for myself, which was delicious!
Thank you to Josh for sharing his pork windfall with me!
And thank you to Elliot for bbq-ing them, and his family for sharing a meal together with me in these crazy times.
(Okay, so I mostly started cooking more because the restaurants were closed down.) Luckily, before that happened, I was able to get in on a special promotion by Pink Berry!
It was difficult at first to imagine the effect this virus would have, or the numbers of people who would be infected by it. At times it felt like we were living out some dystopian novel! Kuwait enacted a curfew: 5pm - 4am. Only essentials were open: grocery stores, pharmacies.... I self-quarantined and spent days on my own. I washed my hands endlessly!
As the mosques were closed as well, people started saying their prayers out on their balconies here in Mahboula, where I live in the Dunes apartments. I missed the call to prayer part, and captured only the calling out from balconies, so instead of being inspiring, it was actually almost eerie.
Luckily, we were allowed to go back into the school, to officially close it down for the year, and so I brought home what I needed to get some work done.
And occasionally, those of us locked up in the Dunes together, would get together - but not too close, and only after having washed the tiles! - to play a game and chat.
Even though we were all practicing social distancing, we still have movie nights down in the pool area - we just sit apart from each other. It's so nice to have this community, especially at a time like this and so far away from family and loved ones.
And now? Well, we are 6 weeks into this pandemic here in Kuwait. The Ministry of Education has given permission to continue teaching online until May 7, so teachers are making videos of lessons and meeting live online with their classes every day. I am working hard to support teachers through this time as well as getting some planning done for next year.
And on April 6 at 6pm, my neighborhood of Mahboula was officially put on 24-hour lock down for 2 weeks. Apparently they have identified buildings here where workers are infected with the virus, and so Kuwait is trying to ensure it does not spread throughout the country by securing this area. It sounds a bit frightening, but I keep reminding myself that I am fine. I have a pretty well-stocked kitchen, and friends I can rely on should I need anything. I just hope that this lock down does, indeed, stop the virus in its tracks here in Kuwait.
Only time will tell.
I am worried about my family: my parents out in California, my Jennifer & Matt in Colorado, and my Christina & Bernhard in Austria. My sister and her family holding out in San Diego and New Jersey. I am so grateful for technology!!! With messaging and video calls we can share our daily lives with each other. I can enjoy the Easter eggs that Christina and Bernhard dyed; I can watch the progress that Jennifer and Matt are making on their new house (and ensure that Jennifer takes breaks for her precious cargo); I can make sure that my parents are not going out more than absolutely necessary; and I can touch base with countless friends around the globe who are also trying to weather this storm. We are in this together. We need each other. 💗 Now more than ever.
April 15 ~ UPDATE
The lock down was both frightening in some ways, reassuring in others. It felt good that Kuwait was taking the virus seriously and making sure that it could not spread from the worst infected areas. However, it turned out that we weren't to be locked in our apartments for two weeks (which I think it should have been), but rather, we are free to roam within Mahboula - which means that there is more opportunity for the virus to spread.
Here in the Dunes, people are more and more staying in their apartments and not even coming down to the courtyard. I try to get out for fresh air and a chat with friends, but more and more I am in my apartment playing Bananagrams for myself or playing endless rounds of Solitaire. Work has been the one routine I cling to for normality.
In addition to people being able to walk around Mahboula, workers were still being bused out to work - which means that there is a risk of spreading the virus outside of Mahboula!
The Kuwaiti government has been bringing in food for those who need it. Here is a picture of the men lining up - there are hundreds of them every day, picking up bags of food items and filling their propane tanks so they can cook.
April 18 ~ UPDATE
Yesterday I found out that they are constructing a field hospital here in Mahboula:
It sort of made me realize that we are locked in with the virus. I don't mean to sound melodramatic, but that is really what it amounts to. My fellow teachers here in the Dunes became more and more nervous and many elected to take the embassy flights offered (at great cost!). And then last night we got an email from our school's superintendent telling us that they had arranged with Qatar Airways to have us all shipped home. That we had to go now.
Again, I have such mixed feelings. A part of me is grateful that the school is paying for my flight out. But another part of me is worried about how much time that gives me in the US. How do you ask anyone if you can stay with them for four months? Life is not a movie. It's not as easy as you'd think. There are many things to consider.
But here I am. I have to continue supporting teachers as they conduct their virtual classrooms and begin packing up their things, and also prepare to leave myself. Some people are leaving tomorrow, and the rest of us over the course of the next two weeks. It's overwhelming.
April 23 ~ UPDATE
Just over two days until I fly out. There are so many emotions being felt by not only myself, but everyone here in the Dunes. Those who are leaving are worried about when we will be returning, what will happen to pets if the live-in nannies are forced out of our buildings, where we will stay when we are in our own countries? And those who are staying have just as wide a variety of feelings. They are wondering if they will be able to get flights out later in the summer, what happens as the virus continues to spread here in Mahboula, are they at greater risk because of where we are?
Today, I feel mostly helpless. I'm packing for the US, but don't know how much to take since I don't know how long I'll be there. I have been trying to get my little laptop repaired, but the part was delayed and today they still haven't received it. Wouldn't be so bad if I were the one who could just drive to the shop and pick it up, but I have to rely on a friend to do the legwork. What would I do if I didn't have such caring friends?
And then I heard on the news that yesterday there was a run on a truck that was bringing in some food to the many workers living here.
Maybe it's the laptop. Maybe it's the desperation in this video clip. Maybe it's the upcoming flight and overnight in an airport. All I know is, today I feel helpless and just want a hug.
April 26 ~ UPDATE
My, I need to fly out! Getting a bit melodramatic!
That being said, it has been really stressful. Thankfully, my laptop was fixed yesterday (yes, the day before my flight!!!), and my friends, Paul and Mahmoud picked it up for me. I am so grateful - this was no small thing! Paul's car was broken, so Mahmoud came out of his self-imposed quarantine to drive them to the shop in Hawally in the afternoon. Then they came down to a checkpoint here in Mahboula where I met them. Another friend, Judith gave me a ride to the checkpoint, and as I jumped out of the car to approach the fence, a soldier approached me. I explained that I was just picking up my laptop that had been fixed. I was worried because just a few days ago the police refused to let some teachers pass boxes (from teachers who had become stuck outside of the country but weren't returning next year) to the waiting shipping company! I must have looked pretty desperate, because he just cocked his head and said, "no drugs". I assured him no drugs, and retrieved my laptop. We didn't have time to talk, as they had to leave so Mahmoud could drop Paul off back home before returning to his own apartment before curfew, but it was so nice to see them again. Until next year!!!
So, my apartment is packed up, and plan it's are gathered together for easier watering. As much as I'm going to miss our social distancing coffee mornings, I'm happy to be flying out.
Today is my flight out: first to Doha, where I will have an overnight in the airport, and then on to Dallas, where I'll have a shorter layover before flying into Denver. I am ready to go. If Jennifer and Matt weren't expecting, I might have opted to stay in Kuwait, but honestly, today I am tha kful to be leaving. I worry about the expat workers here in Mahboula. Right now the government is providing for them, but for how long will they keep that up? Inshallah, they will care for them throughout this ordeal.
The bus was able to drive in agaon tofay (Yay!) but for a minute we weren't sure we could get back put of Mahboula! A police officer who must have been nearing the end of his shift made us u-turn back inside. Luckily, we were let out at a other checkpoint, after convincing thenpilice there that we actually had a flight out!
The airports are eerily quiet, which is good. Temp check to get into the Kuwait airport, but no more checks anywhere after that. Its just as well. I'm masked and sanitized up! 30ish hours until I'm in Denver!!
In Kuwait with my boxed snack
In Dallas, waiting.....
