QUARANTINE - DAY 42 - 16th April 2020
As Bethlehem ends day 42 in quarantine, the UK has announced an extension of lockdown of three weeks until hopefully after the peak of cases has been reached. Last night in Dheisha camp, Bethlehem, two new cases were reported.
Our first virtual coffee morning/cookery class will start on Tuesday 21st April at 10am UK/12pm Palestine time. We will be learning how to make simple Palestinian bread. If anyone would like to join us please email me - melissascott@hotmail.co.uk - and I will send you the recipe and zoom invitation.
Today a 32 year old woman from Beit Jala reports on her experiences over the past 42 days:
I did not expect the effects of the coronavirus to be of this degree of difficulty. As all countries around the world announced the closure of their airports and border crossings, the number of cases and deaths was increasing, and the crisis was revealing the deterioration of health systems and institutions across the world. There was a shortage of all medical supplies and coronavirus testing equipment all over the world.
During the first days of the emergency situation, my family and I decided to abide by the government's decision to adhere to home quarantine. So I stopped working and my brother would go out to the market to buy supplies for the prevention of the virus, such as gloves, soap, sterilizers, vitamins and medicines, as well as enough food for us during the period of home quarantine.
I called the medical complex where I work and told them that I wanted to stop working throughout the emergency period that had been announced in our country. I was especially worried because I work as a dentist and the nature of my work would be dangerous for me and my family because the virus is transmitted by droplets - this is what they announced at the beginning of the thirty-nine days of quarantine.
My house felt uncomfortable and I longed for my pre-corona life, even with all its troubles. I used to go to work, help people, practice my favourite hobbies of volleyball and tennis, and would meet my girlfriends. I decided during this period to lay out a plan to take advantage of the whole day. So I began reading international websites and magazines that published articles and studies related to dentistry and I enrolled in distance learning courses in the fields of dental treatment and public health. I decided to practice daily exercises at home and read books that I had not had time to read before the virus. I have been catching up on my favorite TV series and trying things I did not have the opportunity to try before. I tried to cook with my mother as well ..
The Prime Minister gave us encouraging news a few days ago that we are approaching the end of the crisis, if we continue to commit to stay in our homes. This has given us hope again that we will reach the month of Ramadan; the epidemic will have ended and all those with the virus will have recovered...
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