Spanish lockdown - ‘All we can do is wait and stay safe’
(Above) Denis McCormack and Jackie Whyte.
Denis McCormack and his wife Jackie Whyte have been based in Costa Blanca, Spain since 2003. A retired garda who served in Mullingar for 29 years, he was also an inter-county hurler with his native Kilkenny and Westmeath. Jackie filled us in how the couple have handled the lockdown in Spain, one of the European countries worst affected by Covid-19 and the restrictions imposed by the government are among the most stringent in the world.
Friday March 13. We were aware that Madrid had rising cases of the coronavirus, though at that stage we had not heard it referred to as Covid-19. We were aware that Madrid had been put into a two-week lockdown.
We had just heard through the grapevine and social media that our upcoming St Patrick’s day parade in Cabo Roig, in the Costa Blanca, had been cancelled and we went to see a publican friend of ours who was busy preparing like most of the businesses in this part of Spain. (In other words we went for a pint to keep in with Irish tradition as times of crisis.)
Within five minutes of being there, we, along with all other customers, were ushered inside by the local police force, politely but instructively, informing us that everyone must be at home by midnight and follow government instruction. We left, and in solidarity with shock, wished our friends good luck with “see you in 2 weeks!”
Our initial reaction was to go shopping! Stock up, but we just went for essentials. Our chemist already had social distancing measures in place. Taped floor, masks and gloves, and it brought the reality home as to how serious this was and still is.
The phones started to ring and many conversations later, it was assumed that the influx of people from Madrid to this area had possibly assisted the spread of the virus. This area is the nearest coast to Madrid and many have holiday homes here. On the initial two-week lockdown of Madrid, preceding the one in this region, many holiday home owners drove here to sit out the lockdown! The sudden rise in cases led to the lockdown in our region.
By Monday March 16, the government announced the lockdown of all of Spain. There were opportunities arranged to assist people who needed to return home within a timeframe.
Our lockdown was made simple. Do not leave your home unless necessary or with written permission to prove you had to travel to work, or care for a vulnerable person, or other extenuating circumstance. Only one person is allowed in any car. No passengers. This applied to taxis, proving extremely expensive for couples or families trying to flee the situation. We are not allowed out to exercise, and may only walk the dog for 50 metres from home. It is not even permitted to take your children out for a walk! This is governed with checkpoints and we are subject to fines from €600 to €30,000!
There was little or no warning to this. No government appeal to our better nature. We were simply told to do it. Whether the Spanish government acted quickly enough, we can’t comment. We can only run with the present.
We were instructed to adhere to social distancing when out. Immediately, the supermarkets and approved outlets had measures in place. We both “gave ourselves” an outing, with homemade masks on and adhering to all hygiene instructions, but returned home agreeing that is was not in our, or anyone else’s interest to go out again. If and when we leave our home now, on our return we leave our shoes in a bucket outside, and immediately disinfect any purchases and wash our hands. We realised that we were not safe ourselves until 14 days had passed without any symptoms and that became our mission!. We have passed this timeline but needed to stock up our supplies so the countdown begins again!
Our lives have changed dramatically as has everyone’s. We feel relatively safe with our own isolation, but fearful of falling victim as the Spanish health system is struggling. Adding to their overload may lessen any chance of survival if either of us fell ill. We are fortunate to have a roof over our heads, enough to survive on and keep our little zoo of two cats and a dog. Many families in Spain are without any form of support and are relying on food banks and kindness.
Prior to the lockdown Denis occupied his time with golf. He has a daughter Debbie in Coralstown with two grandsons, and another daughter Hazel in Perth, Australia. His 95-year-old dad lives in Kilkenny.
The closure of the golf clubs from March 13 left him with a lot of re-organisation of events with his club The Celts. The lack of exercise from his game has been hard on him. But, he has now taken to running up and down the stairs as often as possible! We are even attempting yoga.
I am originally from Belfast but came to Mullingar at 13. I consider Mullingar to be my base. My 78-year-old Mum, my sister Janine Dunne and brother Ciaran Whyte live there along with my nieces, nephews and grandnieces.
My daughter Molly was born in Mullingar and now lives in Colchester in England working as a carer. Prior to the Lockdown, my occupation was a live-in carer in the UK, travelling to and from Spain. For the foreseeable future, I have no income. Thankfully we have each other..
We are in contact with our family in Mullingar and elsewhere by phone, Facebook and video calls – more so now.
What will be the first thing you do when this is all over
See our children, grandchildren, family and friends, but there is a fear as to how and when will this be.
Will flights be available and affordable to fly to our loved ones and see them? But all we can do now is wait, stay safe, follow guidelines, not bother with conspiracy [theories] and stay safe!
The lockdown here is set to continue until at least April 25 and all non essential work has now been prohibited.