I can only answer for how things are in my own home in Portugal because we are on lockdown. 

Portugal has not had a terribly alarming coronavirus outbreak compared to other European countries but the government is taking it very seriously nonetheless. We have been ordered to stay indoors with outings permitted for groceries, medications, gas, and banking. We are also allowed solitary exercise or short outings to give children exercise in pairs.

It does not feel hysterical. It feels cohesive. The rules are not draconian but they are clear. The markets are stocked but the lines are long at times. It is quiet out and still feels unbelievable.

Portugal has a communal mindset. It is a country that is not even one generation removed from a dictatorship, which ended in a peaceful rebellion. I do not see people bucking against compliance, even though the country will hurt terribly from the lack of tourism and hospitality. If there is rebellion, it has not crossed my worldview.

Personally, I am glad for the strict measures. As a Virgo, I appreciate clear rules. I am more concerned watching the uneven measures in America, the political in-fighting, and the fact that closed borders means that I cannot go see my parents should something happen to them. Like everyone else, I am managing anxiety about the economy.

As for isolation, I think I may be better built for this than some. I like being home and it turns out that I am less afraid of unstructured time with my children than I thought. It helps that we have plenty to do. My children’s school had online courses ready in case of emergency and they began this system this week. It was a lot of work for me to monitor their schedules and help them with lessons but it gave us much-needed structure and activities. They even had PE courses and played outdoors when the weather was nice.

My husband and I are also used to spending most waking hours together so that is not an adjustment. We have work to keep us busy but it is flexible enough that we can afford the distractions from the children. But it was exhausting. I had very little mental energy left for myself at the end of the day so my creative projects suffered but that is how it has to be for now. 

In Portugal, a common greeting between friends is: Tudo bem? It means “All good?” Relatively speaking, we are tudo bem. We are doing our part by staying in, we have enough food, we have a bidet to use in case we run out of toilet paper, we have plenty to do, we are healthy, and we have each other. I wish for you whatever you need for yourself and your families to be tudo bem!