Tag Archives: masks

hey buddy, can you spare a mask?

01 Monday Aug 2022

Posted by in covid, sevilla

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spare masks

So this happened today. I was out having a Cold Beer with Peter (sitting by an open door, as always) when an old guy came in and asked if I happened to have a mask. Well, I always have a couple of spare masks in my bag in case of emergency, like if mine breaks, or even for the times I’ve walked out of the house without one on and don’t realise until I’m in the street. So of course I said sure, and gave him one of my extras. And THEN he asked me how much I wanted for it. Like, whaaat? I said it was on the house and that the important thing was that he had one. He thanked me and walked away.

Later it struck me that this was a bit odd because there is (sadly) no longer an indoor mask mandate and I wondered why he needed one. I mean, they are easy enough to find in health centres and pharmacies (where they are still required) and then I wondered if maybe it was to get into a soup kitchen or other help centre since he did look a bit down on his luck. Guess I’ll never know now.

Meanwhile Spain has the dubious honour of reporting the first two deaths in Europe related to monkeypox. The only other one outside of Africa (so far) has been in Brazil. Suddenly it feels like February 2020 all over again.

today’s the day

20 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by in coronavirus, covid, sevilla, spam

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mask mandate ends

Honestly, if not for masks still being required on ALL public transport I would be so fucked. As it is, I will keep wearing a mask when I go out, and inside all shops and restaurants. You have to wonder about the timing… I mean, immediately after Semana Santa when thousands upon thousands of maskless people were crammed together for an entire week. And then we have Feria coming up in two weeks, when thousands of maskless people will be crammed into small tents for another week. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to at least wait 2-3 weeks after Semana Santa for the case results to come in? Oh right, not testing any more. And no more mention of Covid anywhere in the media. Fuck.

local hero

23 Tuesday Nov 2021

Posted by in coronavirus, covid, health & happiness

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local hero

Walking past my neighbourhood churros place, the legendary Calentería San Pablo, I saw these signs (the Spanish one says “we won’t serve anyone without a mask”) and asked if I could take a photo. Because… YES. The churros counter is open to the street but of course people coming up to place orders are less than a metre away from the staff. I was told they have been threatened by customers who yell at them and say all kinds of nasty crap. But you know what? Their business, THEIR RULES. So suck it up, assholes.

I am so grateful for the continued mask mandate in Spain, which we’ve been told will be in place at least until spring. Even though more and more people (mostly tourists) are not wearing masks outdoors even when not maintaining the 1.5 metre social distance requirement, at least there is an element of safety when going anywhere indoors or public transport, etc.

Covid infection numbers have been steadily rising the past few weeks and there is already talk of the sixth wave. Happily they have reduced the time between second jabs and the booster, from six months to three, so I should be getting mine very soon.

mandated!

11 Monday Oct 2021

Posted by in coronavirus, covid, sevilla, spain

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mandated

This makes me happy. Our health minister has announced that the mask mandates presently in place will continue until at least next spring. This means that masks must be worn everywhere inside (except when you are seated at a table eating or drinking) and – listen up people! – you can go without a mask outdoors ONLY IF YOU MAINTAIN 1.5 METRES BETWEEN YOU AND EVERYBODY ELSE. It’s this last one that hasn’t been adhered to since the tourists starting piling back into Spain. And yes, some locals also flout this rule, but it is mostly tourists. Anyhow… this is a huge relief. I’m glad we’re not going the way of the US and UK on this one. 😷

By the way, these are the masks I’ve been buying. Locally made by Daysan and excellent quality, about 10€ for 50 masks. Time to place another order…

staying masked up

09 Wednesday Jun 2021

Posted by in coronavirus, covid, sevilla, spain

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me

There’s been some talk about Spain removing the mask mandate soon, but only when outside and while maintaining a social distance of 2 metres. We’ll still have to wear masks indoors. And all I have to say to that is – HA YEAH RIGHT. Well okay, that’s obviously not all I have to say, so here goes.

I’m the first person who would love to not wear these fucking masks any more, I find it very hard to breathe with them on and can sometimes get panicky to the point of having a tachycardia episode… but these fucking masks have helped keep us safe over this past year and a bit. There’s no doubt they work and, although I am leaning towards believing the science about the virus being less contagious outdoors, I am not about to suddenly start believing in humans.

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