People in the world have taken a big hit from what is called the coronavirus Covid 19—a sneaky disease. More precisely, it is very dangerous for people who have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, lung disease, a weakened immune system...

Older people can have some of these illnesses. That is why people stay home out of respect and love for their parents and grandparents.

It hit all professions to a large extent. Life in the world has slowed down. Empathy and solidarity brought people together. The coronavirus, by common effort, has disarmed everyone. For example, by sewing masks. Owners of premises that must be forcibly closed are helping in various ways to support those who need it most. Parents have become patient substitute teachers for their children. Parents have more time for members of their family. They come up with leisure activities for them. Today, an order has come that some smaller businesses can open, for example for buying building materials. People can improve their homes. I think this slowdown is positive for nature. Just the fact that people travel less by car means fewer emissions in the air.

I hate to admit it, but almost every day I get cabin fever. I wish I had good acting skills at times. So I can pretend well that I am somehow managing the situation. My problem is that I cannot control my emotions. I cause this myself by watching and listening to whether I watch the media. The reason is to keep up with what is happening with Covid 19. I waste a lot of time watching the news on TA3. I impatiently wait for better news. I want them to talk about recovered cases. And say that things are improving, that we are on the right track, and that the number of infected people is decreasing. Soon residents of individual countries in the world may return to normal life. And, lest I forget, I devote time to exercising. How to achieve this? By military discipline. Follow all instructions of higher authorities. The instructions and recommendations of virologists, doctors, the chief hygienist, the government of the Slovak Republic. Most important of all is that, if possible, stay at home—for the protection of our families!!! In our protected workshop at Dom Svitania, we are trained to follow rules. Because even in the protected workshop we have company rules. And we used to think that the rules in the protected workshop were very restrictive for us. Now we see that it is nothing compared to the state restrictions and measures.

One could list everything that the coronavirus has taken from us: freedom of movement, direct contacts, cultural and social life. Many operations have to be closed to eliminate the possibility of infection. Responsible managers evaluated the situation and are dealing with it by limiting activity or completely stopping production. Some jobs in many management-type companies can be done as home office via information technology. Information technology now helps with distance learning for children. There are, however, professions that depend on direct contact with the customer—airports, travel agencies, restaurants, stores with goods other than food, providers of various services. I know that for those of you who work in these fields, this is the most distressing. You had to close down completely. We will need you after this crisis. Because in time, people will need these services again. After the coronavirus threat passes, everything will return to the old tracks.

We thank the people who perform such professions without which we could not live for even one day. They are irreplaceable people. They are doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, police officers, armed forces, MPs in the NRSR, members of the central crisis staff, the lady president, shop assistants, carriers who deliver food to stores, bus drivers, train drivers...

I hope that even after this crisis everyone who has the will to work will get the chance and opportunity to realize themselves. Where there is will, there is a way.

My colleagues from Dom Svitania and how they spend this quarantine time: Ľubko Jančí: He uses the quarantine fully, spends time cycling, of course with a mask on his face, writes articles about cycling, helps colleagues each year with bicycle maintenance. He goes to the store with a mask. He observes strict hygiene.

Kamilka Sestrienková: We are in quarantine at the cottage. We have masks, dad made them for us. Right now while I am undergoing this bio treatment, only she goes to the shop. We are inside, cooking all kinds of goodies, watching TV—the news—playing with the dog in the yard. Bro is glad we are at the cottage, he explains to the children that they cannot come to see us.

Janka Hurbanová a Robko Bureš: Some stores and restaurants are closed, we have to wear a mask and we cannot go to visitations or be visited. Thankfully Anička and Martuška brought us some work, so we are not bored. We also cannot go on walks with the dogs.

Tomáš Maruška: He said he watches television, spends time with the family. They play quartet together.

After this corona crisis, I, Patrícia Bučková, will go crazy with joy, and not only because of the presence of my colleagues, but also when our customers grace us with a visit. Of course, only when there is no longer any risk of infection. It is possible that I will start singing our anthem. I hope the colleagues will join too.

Autorka: Patrícia Bučková Autorka je klientka rehabilitačného strediska Domu Svitania, n.o. http://www.domsvitania.sk/