Three weeks ago, everything was peace, joy, egg cake.
Lucinas Life was visiting her family in Slovakia, me, Mr.Bag in Tyrol. We both worked diligently on the new Tuscany ebook for Vanlife travellers, made plans for publication at Easter, discussed new itineraries for this spring and summer. Everything online and over mobile - and now? Now everything is Corona.
| This is not a common item. This time it's not about posting beautiful pictures. Also this time does not apply: Pictures say more than 1000 words. This time: Words are there to read, and words trigger thoughts, which in turn lead to a rethink. Hopefully. That's why this article is completely without pictures. Only a dramatic post image is intended to attract many readers so that a lot of rethinking can take place. |
The Corona virus has also hit us in full. At least many of the effects of this virus pandemic are sometimes quite devastating and admittedly, a certain uncertainty is spreading in us at the moment.
The facts and figures published in the media, worse and worse from hour to hour, are slowly raising the question of whether what we had in mind is really right or important. Does it make any sense at all?
First of all, health is paramount.
Thank God we are healthy. Still.
At this point we wish all those affected a good recovery and a lot of strength. power that will also need it. Even those who are struggling with the effects. The massive cuts that governments' actions bring to our daily lives are not pleasant. New for all of us, but nevertheless we call the arrangements absolutely necessary. Even if massive entry is to be expected for tourism and thus for many other economic groups that live on it. Financially, it will affect all of us, but what is money?
A wish is fulfilled
This article is written at the request of a mutual friend who works as a nurse in Italy. So to speak, right on the front line fighting this virus. It's not meant to be scaremongering, but she has asked us to use social media in particular. Use to appeal to people's reason. This corona ignorance, which can be observed on Insta, is also completely incomprehensible to us.
Everyone still posts fashion photos, self-portraits in perfection and this and that. It is as if this whole crisis does not concern us and that it does not exist at all. I also understand that people prefer to look at such pics, because the other media only report on them. However, we must not pretend that we are not concerned.
This crisis affects everyone. All in Austria, all in Europe and everyone on this planet. Right now, these so-called "influencers" should use their reach to appeal to people's reason. So far, only footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has shown real solidarity.
Call of an Italian girlfriend
Our friend told us that unfortunately the whole of Italy completely underestimated this virus. We don't want to report on how she's doing at the bottom. It's just terrifying. But it is not about the danger of the virus - it is about the fact that far too many people are infected at the same time, and so this flood of infected people causes the whole health system to collapse.
Just two weeks ago, many beach parties were celebrated in Italy, people still travelled across the regions and took everything lightly.
And now?
Two weeks later, 15,000 people were infected and, unfortunately, more than 1200 dead. It may be that among the dead there are many elderly people, people with sometimes severe pre-existing conditions, but is it not our duty to protect them? Is it not irresponsible not to take any kind of avoidable risk? Does the state really have to step in and ensure that uniformed police officers comply with the orders?
Please, you people out there, take yourself by the nose and prove it to everyone that, if not the neighbor, at least you have heads. Be a role model, use your "influence" for now much more important than posting holiday pictures and self-representations. Or does a loved one of your acquaintances have to lie in the hospital first, where it is then weighed up whether there is still a real chance? There are definitely too few intensive care beds and ventilators for this mass of people affected, not only in Italy, but also here. That is why it is all the more important to minimise the spread. And at all costs. Everyone has to make their contribution, everyone has to feel responsible and everyone has to back down.
So stay at home and minimize your risk of infection.
Do without your jogging round, meetings with your friends and events – your and the health of your loved ones will thank you.
Let's fight the virus together. Fight with a counter-virus. A counter-virus called Reason.
What does all this mean for us?
By "us" I mean the ever-growing VANLIFE community?
Many who live the lifestyle of Vanlife have learned over time to generate their income via the Internet. As a result, they are unconnected and could also flee to less affected regions. Provided that our freedom of travel is not too limited. But that's what's happening right now. This is absolutely not a criticism, but it raises questions. Even existential.
But again, safety and health are taking place.
Separated yet so close
Currently LucinasLife and Mr.Bag are unfortunately separated - locally separated. Mentally, we are very close. Physically, however, a whole 900 km separate us - oh if it were only the km. With each passing day, this situation becomes more difficult to bear. The contact is limited only to the mobile phone and the head is constantly confronted with confused thoughts. Thoughts that you don't want to have, but are still forced upon you by media and measures.
Yesterday then, the absolute Supergau – entry ban for Mr.Bag to Slovakia. Sad, but reality and perhaps also - understandably - imperative necessity. It is better to know the Slovak health system and medical structures in this way. Much better.
Even we in Austria must prevent it so as not to reach the limits of our system. Now in the face of such a pandemic, one only realizes once again what a carefree life one was allowed to enjoy.
Awakened by such a small, disappearing virus, called Corona.
Future uncertain – living in here and now anyway
Now we're awake, but let's register what's happening?
Not only now with both of us (when we will see each other again, hug each other...), but also in the future.
What will it look like?
Since all the eastern states are shutting down and Italy has also been taken out of the game as a destination – what to do? Vanlife ade?
Is this the beginning of the end of travel for this summer season?
Is it even worth working on our travel blog?
Isn't tourism and the economy collapsing in such a way that our everyday lives will be completely changed?
Questions about questions and no answer in sight.
A feeling of discomfort is spreading with us at the moment, because no one can know how long it will take. It takes us until our lives are back to normal - virus-free - decontaminated.
Corona a Chance?
Really now? Should we see it positively?
Is the coronavirus perhaps even an opportunity, even for us travel bloggers?
A chance to get to know new places. Places that are not subject to mass tourism and have just been waiting to be discovered by us now?
We love places that are lonely and deserted anyway. Places in pure nature without crowds. But is that a solution?
Exploring your own country and discovering new lonely energy places? So to survive this crisis?
Unfortunately, there would also be some hurdles in Austria with this solution, which are put in the way. Camping and standing with the VAN is strictly regulated and is actually limited to campsites anyway. Even if you live in a van, you always have the home like a snail, it is difficult.
After all, where do you place your place of residence? To a campsite, again among many touris? Now in this time? Exposing yourself to increased risk just because you are not allowed to park anywhere else? Or are the touris all gone? Campsites and accommodation closed, as well as in Italy? Is there any room for us Vanlifer?
And again questions about questions and again no answer in sight.
A loud outcry
This article is not really an item. It's more like a cry for help. A desperately loud cry for a solution.
I would be particularly interested in how you handle this Corona crisis.
What thoughts go through your mind? Do you even make any?
Waiting and drinking tea? Bussiness as usual?
Or do you act and not react?
Take an apartment and retire from active Vanlife life?
Wait until it's all over?
I would be very pleased if you would write your opinion on this serious subject in the comments below. Perhaps we can exchange ideas, give each other tips and thus give a useful, deeper meaning to the social media mutated into the sham world.
Thank you for your solidarity, thank you for reading this.
Thank you for your comments and even more thanks for your reason.
In love
Mr.Bag
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