As
of 6pm, local time, Athens:
#
of confirmed cases: 695 (71 new cases since yesterday)
#
of deaths: 17
#
of people in hospital: 114
It
is estimated that there are 8,000-10,000 cases in the country.
Day
15 of staying home
In
today’s 6pm live press briefing Health Minister Vasilis Kikilias, Health
Ministry spokesman Sotiris Tsiodras and Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos
Hardalias made more announcements. Some are summarized below.
Kikilias
stated that the Greek health care system is so far, withstanding the increased
volume of patients. However, he underlined that it is in our hands to ensure
that it continues to function and withstand increased demands.
He also thanked
the Chinese ambassador and China for their recent donations of masks and
medical items.
He noted that 2,158 beds in various health centers
and hospitals have been reserved for COVID-19 patients.
In addition, through this government website, people can volunteer to
help during this public health crisis. The website states:
“This volunteer program is aimed at anyone who can provide services
such as doctors, nurses, paramedics, psychologists, students and
retirees in the health sciences. The volunteer program is also open
to anyone wishing to participate in this effort by providing
administrative, technical and any additional support to the health
system regardless of their specialty.”
Kikilias
called on the public to act with social responsibility, solidarity and
patriotism.
It
is the time for “us” not “me” – he stated, quoting General Giannis Makrigiannis
who fought in the struggle for Greek Independence.
Health
Ministry spokesman and infectious disease specialist
Tsiodras also estimates that it is possible for more than 50% of the population
to become infected. He also stressed that if the strict measures are relaxed,
the virus will surely spread. He explained that the time we’ve already gained
should be used wisely, and thanked the public for adhering to the measures.
 |
| police checks in Athens |
Deputy
Civil Protection Minister Hardalias noted that the majority of the public is following
the new restrictions. He went on to clarify some of the details regarding the certificates/notes
that people must carry with them when they go out.
Some
new announcements:
All
Aegean Airline’s international flights are suspended from March 26-April 30.
As
of tonight, at 12 midnight, flights to the UK and Turkey will be suspended.
When
asked if the armed forces will be deployed on the streets to enforce the new ban on movement, he answered that for the moment they are otherwise occupied but if they
are needed, they will help…
***
Today
was cause for quiet celebration, as I mark day 15 of staying home and not
losing my mind. So, as the sound of helicopters whirred overhead, I sat on my
balcony and toasted my sanity.
I’m
still continuing my strategy of tuning out the insanity… and it’s working. Who
needs the TV droning on and on, in the background of our daily lives, every bit
of ‘breaking news’ adding unnecessary anxious noise?
Living
in an urban setting, our balconies have now become mini-stages for the entire
neighborhood (and world) to see. My back balcony faces the backs of other
apartment buildings, creating a Rear Window-esque theater of the absurd. Who
needs the TV when all you have to do is open your balcony door…
Most balconies have
awnings so sometimes you can’t necessarily see others, but you sure can hear
them. From my back balcony (off my office where I sit and work)… a man sits on
his balcony and talks incessantly and loudly on the phone, conducting business
with what I assume are his co-workers or employees. He tells them how to
respond to emails, telling what to write, word for word. Some of the clients
must be foreigners as many times the dictation is in English. Tell them this,
he says: “we thanks you for interest, we responding you with quote for your
informations…” huh?
The translator and editor
in me cringes. So far I have refrained from shouting across to him…
The balcony in the
front offers another perspective. It overlooks the street below. Most
passers-by walk with a determined stride, on their way to the market or
carrying bags of groceries. The majority of them are wearing masks and plastic
gloves.
Today I observed a familiar face, a delivery guy from one of the courier
service offices in the area. He has delivered packages to me many times in the past. He
looks about in his 60s, rather chubby, disheveled hair, no mask, no gloves… On
his moped (no helmet) he slowed down and parked below my balcony, opened the box
on the back of the moped, took out a package, delivered it to the building next
door. He hopped back on his moped, and started coughing, a loud hacking phlegm-y cough, not
even attempting to cover his mouth... His moped slowly putt-putted down the street,
a stream of invisible cough germs trailing behind him…
Cheers to all of you out there, near and far, from my balcony to yours.
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