'Self-isolation in Russian': an American spoke about his life in quarantine in Moscow

“So will someone come and check if I am here?” I asked. “Not sure,” the operator answered.

“What should I do if I need to test it, or if it feels bad?” My girlfriend asked.

“Just take care of him,” the answer sounded.

And she really cared about me.

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We live on the second floor, which turned out to be a gift of heaven during a two-week quarantine, during which I really never left the apartment. First, we lowered the basket from the balcony to pick up gifts from friends and relatives, which consisted mainly of food and beer.

In fact, there was no particular need for this. In Moscow there are many small firms that deliver essential goods to your home. I am very glad that they are there, and I hope that they will survive the economic crisis. I take this opportunity to say hello to couriers from delivery services. Thank them with a tip, if possible.

I was impressed by the good beginnings on the Internet, the purpose of which was the desire to help all of us usefully kill time during the quarantine period: the great Russian actors arrange online broadcasts every night reading aloud fairy tales - I suspect they are intended mainly for an adult audience. The real find was online concerts - an adaptation of the Soviet tradition of "apartment owners", underground concerts arranged at home.

One of the works presented as part of the #isolation flash mob is W. Hogarth’s “Soon after the wedding.” Hipsta_alex/Instagram

But the biggest gift so far has been a Facebook flash mob project called #isolation, in which Russians recreate great works of art at home. Now almost half a million people have joined the group. The amateur recreation of world masterpieces is proof of the ability of Russians to self-irony in the best sense of the word. In isolation we are alone. However, at the same time we can be alone at home - and all at the same time.

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I spend too much time looking at a window of the same kind - absolutely not spectacular: rare pedestrians, not too many cars, occasionally birds fly by. If I knew that I would have to spend ALL my time here, I admit, I would invest more in my view from the window. The apartment is several floors higher. Overlooking the Kremlin. However, boredom has its advantages. I used to not understand fans of leisurely Norwegian television shows. Now understand.

I admire animals, especially my cat amazes me. There is no need for quarantine. When we look out the window longingly or complain about the view from this same window, or when we are just bored - she looks at us with an expression as if she says: “Oh, come on ...”

I understand that when we all sit at home, we have a desire to engage in previously unrealized projects. I have such projects too. However, my neighbors, who decided to participate in projects to repair their apartments with a drill and a hammer, deserve all the bad things that could happen to them. I'm serious. Nearly.

However, it is worth remembering that in the midst of all this gloomy news, good events also happen. Three (three!) Of my friends immediately had children from the beginning of quarantine.

The Russian response to the pandemic is either quite adequate, or resembles disaster preparedness. Or something in between. In Russia, fewer cases of infection have so far been registered than among neighbors in China or Europe. However, there are serious questions to the quality of testing and, possibly, to attempts to artificially lower [official] statistics. My job is to communicate with people. What they are telling me gives reason to believe that the situation here may worsen before improvement comes.