Coronavirus Pandemic
Randers, Denmark
Shutdown: Day One
Maybe it was inevitable, but it is here! Worldwide at the time of posting, there are 126, 258 cases and 4,638 people have died. The ex-newscaster in me has to cover this topic, a bit of a stray from my normal travel beat.
I will be updating my readers abroad on the situation here in Europe; Denmark specifically. Most of the news here in Denmark is in Danish obviously, but I have my translator on and I am on the ground to give updates.
Last night at 10:30 PM I got a call from Rasmus, saying that I should maybe go to the store to get groceries. Needless to say, everyone had the same thought. People were clearing out our local Netto, following the news from Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen that-- Denmark would be shutting down for the next two weeks.
This morning, schools are closed, people are encouraged to work from home, bars are closed and transportation is becoming increasingly limited and discouraged. As of right now there are 615 cases in Denmark and 1,366 are in quarantine. I am thankful to be in a country as progressive and proactive as Denmark in a time like this.
Rasmus' basketball team, Randers Cimbria, beat their opponent in Svendborg last night and the shutdown news broke midway through the game. Fast forward, Rasmus’ basketball season is being postponed until at least the March 26th. And there will be no practices or gym sessions, since the facilities are closed. Most sports leagues across Europe have been suspended, and obviously the NCAA and NBA are not far behind.
This morning we headed over to our local equivalent of a Walmart™️ and we noticed a bit of funniness going on. A lot of meat was gone, baking supplies, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. We went to another store and was limited to only purchasing 2 small bottles of hand sanitizer. But on the plus side, Danes don’t really like spicy food, so my Mexican section remained untouched! So Rasmus and I should be fine.
I predict that the USA is a week or two behind Europe with these regulations. So maybe you all can learn from my blog and adjust. I am really sad for the small businesses that will get hurt by this, but better safe than sorry. We will be self quarantining with the team, and doing workouts on the yoga mat for the next few weeks.
A friend of mine Alexi Grojean, an American who has been in Wuhan, China since the Coronavirus outbreak, and has been quarantined, has some great advice. He says,
“My best advice is to think of something you’ve always wanted to learn and get the supplies needed to learn it.”
You can follow him on Instagram @southwest_hooey
I will be video updating everyone on my instagram @misslindley.
And I will also write back here with updates.
Those in Denmark, the coronavirus hotline is: 70 20 02 33 and general questions can be answered at www.coronasmitte.dk
ACCORDING TO DANISH AUTHORITIES
The situation is serious and could end up causing serious problems in the country's hospitals if we do not jointly stop the infection with coronavirus in Denmark.
The message is clear from Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S), who has presented a number of initiatives:
Employees in the health sector, the elderly sector and the police must stay on the job. Other public servants will be repatriated from Friday 13th of March. As far as possible, they must work from home. If this is not possible, they will be sent home with pay.
All private employers are encouraged to ensure that as many people as possible work from home, or take time off. Physical meetings are only encouraged when absolutely necessary.
All public schools and daycare services will be closed from Monday, March 16th for a fortnight. They are not closing as of now because the government does not expect everyone to have care options ready for tomorrow. But if you do, you are encouraged to take children out of daycare already. Municipalities establish emergency care. Private institutions are encouraged to do the same.
Students in all public youth education and higher education will be sent home as soon as possible and no later than Friday, March 13th for two weeks.
Hospitals and nursing homes are encouraged to impose stricter restrictions on visits.
Work is underway to ban organizers, amusements, restaurants and others from gathering more than 100 people indoors.
Bars and night clubs are encouraged to stay closed.
Everyone should limit the use of public transport.
All indoor cultural institutions, libraries and leisure facilities close from Friday March 13th and two weeks ahead. At the same time, the government calls for religious communities, associations and so on to close in the same way.
Treatment guarantee is temporarily invalidated so that there may be focus on coronavirus. It also means that operations can be postponed.
Everyone should follow instructions on having good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently and also should use hand sanitizer. Cough and sneeze in the elbow bend or in a handkerchief you throw directly into the trash. At the same time, avoid kisses, hugs and handshakes in the public space.
Avoid travel to special areas.
DSB introduces seat ticket requirements for all Regional, InterCity and Lightning trains during the period.