The Life under the Covid in Milan 2/3

　In March, when I had gotten used to the situation and was about to start a new semester, or when I had a dream about eating shabu-shabu because I wanted to eat Japanese food so much and I found out it was a dream and woke up in despair, Corona arrived in Italy and spread quickly.

             Shabu-Shabu

　By the time of the expansion of Corona became huge, there was less than a month before the start of a new semester, and it was immediately decided that all classes would be held online. Although the evaluation method and other details were not yet decided, the decision to start online classes was made very quickly. I think there was only a two-week delay in the start of classes. Unlike in Japan, this kind of action without detailing is often problematic in normal times, but I thought it was suitable for emergency situations. In Japan, I don't think they would have been able to change so quickly for fear of being hasty and of being criticized for being too hasty.

　Also, the restrictions started immediately. What I remember is that it became impossible to go out unless there was a necessary reason such as shopping. The only stores that were open were supermarkets, pharmacies, and post offices. Also, the number of people allowed inside(density) was limited, so if I didn't go early in the morning, I had to wait in line. The waiting time was often as long as an hour. During this time, I often listened to Kanda Hakuzan's oratory. The supermarkets also put daily necessities and stationery, but only food was available to buy. 

　Despite all the restrictions we had taken, the Corona was still going strong, and there was no positive news, as some areas in the north of Italy had lost so many people that they could not cremate them in time.

　As for my own life, I was living in a shared house with four other people, but due to Corona,  my roommate went back to his or her hometown and I had to live alone, which was a good deal because I can use the all spaces for four people. At that time, I think since we were all trying our best to get used to the lockdown, I did not hear the racism against Asians. On the other hand, the early spread of Corona in Italy caused problems with the French media's discriminatory behavior towards Italy. Italy was now the one being discriminated against. However, I was very disappointed to see that the common understandings seeing discrimination is a wrong thing was not sufficiently widespread, and when Corona was over and it started again in the next autumn. I started to see such attitudes toward me again.

　This was my first time in a lockdown, so I was very bored and didn't know how to spend my time. There was so little change from day to day that I lost track of the days of the week, and time was moving at the fastest pace in my life. The only thing I could enjoy every day was to look out the window and see the mountains in the distance, the clouds hanging over them, and the setting sun. Even a glimpse of lightning from an occasional thunderstorm was an exciting event. It was a good point that I rediscovered the beauty of nature.

                 The views from window

　Watching the news in Japan at this time, I was very jealous of the fact that the spread of the corona was relatively small and there was no lockdown, and life seemed to be going on as usual.

    By the way, before the spread of corona, wearing a mask was not common in Europe. I remember when I studied in Bulgaria in 2016-2017, my Italian and German friends were very surprised when I wore a mask because I had a cold. At the time I was not comfortable wearing a mask, but now I don't feel that at all.

Ref:https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%81%97%E3%82%83%E3%81%B6%E3%81%97%E3%82%83%E3%81%B6