The New Norm ( Archived) (19)

Since our lockdown last March, precautions have been gradually introduced.

For example:

1. Masks were not available, so their use couldn´t be made mandatory but, as soon as they were, they had to be used in ALL public places and 100-euro fines for non-compliance!

2. Chemists, Banks, Admin offices etc. - Entrance limited to three persons, resulting in long frustrated queues waiting outside in the sun in temperatures in the 40s C - some people passing out! (or pouring rain!). And, of course, no distancing to be seen because of the lack of space on the public pavements.

3. Supermarkets - The larger ones being restricted to 40 and gloves and masks mandatory.
The small ones, distancing is not possible and people are elbowing their way past and standing on your feet.
To increase the fun, these restrictions are not harmonious throughout Spain! confused

4. Doctors - They are closed to the public, except for emergencies.
The rest must make a telephone appointment for a telephonic consultation, and prescriptions - if necessary - will be electronically sent to a chemist to be picked up.

Now, to further the enjoyment, those who cannot speak Spanish will need to give a translator´s phone number who will, of course, need to know all your particulars in order to relay your symptoms and act on your behalf.
Rumour has it this has sometimes gone wrong!

Socialising with friends or... "anti-social" behaviour, as it is now called -
Frowned upon, but tolerated up to six people.
As for friends visiting in your own home, if living outside the community, it is not encouraged!

Up until the end of last year, all this would have seemed extreme. But now, it has become the new "norm", even to the point where face masks have become a fashion accessory.

Is there any road back from the point we have now reached?
Many of the measures stated above seem to be only bureaucratic as NO improvement is to be seen and, in fact, the situation is deteriorating daily.


I´d like to hear about the situation in other countries???

Apart from that, the sun is still shining and the sea is blue and warm.

In America, each state functions separately (for the most part), so the elected officials (governors, mayor, sheriffs), have made "Mandates". (Not laws. Mandates, only legislators can make laws that Congress votes upon). But most sheep follow the mandates. While the Useful idiots riot.

These "mandates", very greatly, from cautionary to tyrannical to "What? There is pandemic? Don't tread on my rights"

In my state, masks have to worn in a public place if indoors. (Shopping etc). And we have a 2 week quarantine for "outsiders". If you drive up to the state border, and your license plate is out of state, they will swarm you, question you, give you a questionnaire to fill out, and they want names and information of WHO you are going to see here and why?

Thanks for sharing Cossak.

Hmmm...one must wonder?

Hmm..your situation with the doctor's appoint does sound ridiculous!

Ours does make things easier in a way, as long as you don't have anything too serious.
How on earth can they make a diagnosis from the info you give them on the phone, without seeing you and examining you??

Even worse if a translator has to do it for you!!!

Sometimes people ask me to make phone calls for them, in which case I need to know the facts.

ANYMORE STORIES ANYBODY???