We all experience lockdown differently, depending on our temperament, our family situation, our network of friends, the size and location of our home and many other factors. Some parts of the world are further along the timeline than us and we can learn from their experience. For example, there seem to be five fairly typical phases of lockdown: the beginning, adaptation, the new normal, continuity and, finally, the lifting of the lockdown. This timeline can help us to better understand our reactions.
The first phase is, of course, far behind us: the period when the lockdown came into force, bringing with it the closure of crèches, schools and non-essential businesses, as well as queues outside food shops.
We’ve also already been through the second phase: we’ve adapted to the new measures and found our rhythm. We try to limit our news intake so as not to end up adding to the widespread anxiety and panic. Some of us have returned to some rather neglected domestic activities: cooking, board games or DIY. We’ve been in contact with those we haven’t seen or perhaps even heard from for a long time.
In the current “new normal” phase, we’ve adopted a new lifestyle, not without difficulty sometimes. It’s important to agree on a family schedule: who does what, when and where? Some parents have even drawn up “contracts” with their families, which can prove useful when it comes to respecting the new rules in the long term.
Switzerland is planning to gradually ease the lockdown restrictions as of 27 April and France will start to do the same as of 11 May. This will be the continuity phase. The challenge then will be to stand firm over the long term, even after the lockdown begins to be lifted. We might be tempted to let our guard down and bend our new rules now and then ... but we must keep up the good work and consolidate our new habits.
The light at the end of the tunnel is in sight, when we’ll once again be able to visit and hug our friends and family and see our colleagues. That will be the moment to learn from this experience and remember the most important lessons!
I wish you all the best in overcoming this challenge with courage, patience and an open mind. Here’s hoping that this experience will ultimately prove beneficial and will help us improve our lives in the future!
Pierre Gildemyn
If you’d like to comment on any of my articles or suggest a topic that I could write about, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at Ombuds@cern.ch.
*Loosely based on “Lessons from a coronavirus refugee” by Sina Farzaneh.