Physical Distancing in Curacao

“The longer you wait for something, the more you will appreciate it when you get it.”

I am Canadian. My husband is Spanish. Our family and kids are in Jamaica, New York, Canada & Spain. We are currently in Curacao, away from everyone.

Ricardo and I arrived back in Curacao days apart. Me on March 6th, and he returned from Spain on March 7th. By March 8th (my birthday), we started to discover the seriousness and the magnitude of this virus.

By March 12th (his birthday), we were 100% in panic mode. Flights were canceled, travel bans were implemented worldwide. The government of Curacao announced the closures of all hotels to take place immediately.

I was conflicted. Do I try to get out of Curacao or stay put? I would be a risk going back to our family, as I live in planes and airports – Canada also had more cases than Curacao, which at the time only had one. It would be safer for me and everyone to stay put for these reasons.

At the time of the first case on the island, the government was not playing games. They immediately banned all flights from Europe. The only plane allowed in from the ban was the one already in flight, and the only plane allowed from Europe was to pick up people stranded on the island.

With the second case announced – a curfew was put in place; no one was allowed out on the streets after 9 pm and before 6 am.

What happened by case five, and what is going on currently? All restaurants and grocery stores are closed by 7 pm. Only one person per family is allowed at the grocery store and in a car. If you have to leave your home for any emergency, you must call a hotline or send an email. Helicopters, as well as unmarked and marked police cars, are making sure there are no rule-breakers.

As isolated as we are, we feel blessed. We are locked into a lovely resort where we can still go for walks as often as we would like. Our only company is the occasional lovely iguana and the few security guards here on the property.

We have the ocean as a beautiful reminder of God's work to provide us the peace we all need at this time.

There is absolutely no shortage of food here. The shelves are packed, and we have lots of toilet paper (someone needs to explain this to me one day, or not).

Of course, we miss our families, but if we were in Spain or Canada – we would not be allowed to see them anyway. Surely it can get tougher at a distance, and at times very lonely.

Nevertheless, prayer, Netflix, and hope can help from day to day.

I believe this situation will be one of the most difficult, heartbreaking, and memorable ones we will face in our lifetime. We have seen cities, countries, and different areas on lockdown or in trauma before, but the entire world? My goodness. I think it is ok to be sad, to be scared, to feel fatigued, and to be a pessimist.

That being said, it is also ok to use this time to be optimistic, to enjoy your family, to support that local business that you have always wanted to try, or watch that show you just never had time to watch.

It is ok to feel what you are feeling, and it is ok to do nothing. As frustrating as this time is, let's do our part and stay at home. Going to your mom's or sisters'/friends' house is not social or physical distancing. Stop sending invites to home parties. Stop sending invites to birthday parties.

Remember: a front line worker's life is worth much more than your stupid party, so let's avoid selfish behavior.

I know. I know. We are all fatigued with this pandemic, but it does not mean it is over.

Stay safe, and remember we are all in this together.

Dress: Betsey Johnson www.betsyjohnson.com

Shoes: Carolina Herrera

Thank you. Thank you. 

Would love to hear your thoughts, Style Warriors!

M.E

Travel. Colour. Affordable. Luxury. 

*an update to this article will be coming soon...