Things get more challenging when your screen is your only port to the outside world; and when you cannot go anywhere. But at the same time, you can use your computer to get connected with everything. Despite that, you would lose the ability to communicate your thoughts and feelings, and that makes communication difficult. Particularly in these circumstances, which are full of confusion and tension.

This brainstorming drawing presents the professions in Al Mina, which is known by the ‘city of waves and horizon”.

Home quarantine is difficult for all those who have busy social lives and do not have time to be by themselves or next to their families. So going through this experience which suddenly happened and changed everything will not be easy for them.

Before lockdown began, our schedules were overwhelmed with tasks, reporting for work. No one had the time for long phone calls and, when we met with others, our phones followed suit. Because we live in an age of rapid exchanges of messages, I did not need to call my friends and relatives to ask about their days. Instead, I could simply check their updates on Instagram or Snapchat.

Who ever thought to see archaeological sites empty of tourists, or grounded airplanes without any flights, or largest cities empty of people or more than two-thirds of the Earth’s population stuck at homes for more than two months?! All of this was a fantasy, but it happened!

Here we are in the second month of home quarantine, which is necessary to avoid the risk of infection with Coronavirus/COVID-19. This pandemic is threatening the safety and health of the entire world.

Most of the activities that we used to do, before the quarantine, were completely different. So our lifestyle has changed. However, we are trying to adapt to this new lifestyle to protect ourselves and others.

After the outbreak of this pandemic or the so-called “coronavirus” in Lebanon and the occurrence of its serious effects which cause health symptoms that could lead to death, all people were in quarantine and communication stopped between them. We did not have any communication ways except social media channels. This was very annoying because we know that social life brings all family members together. Therefore, this interruption had several negative aspects, one of which was not being able to participate in happy and sad family occasions. Thus we started having these events within the smaller family only. This led to loose social ties and divergence of families and communities.

It seemed to me like a dream, or rather a collective nightmare that suddenly occurred and dominated the world with its impact. At first, it was difficult for me to believe what was happening. What happened? What have we done? What are our sins? What is God testing us for? How can we resist this small body which scientists have been unable to fight?

Dear Diary,

For two weeks now, I was following up on the coronavirus pandemic spreading all around the world. It was very sad to see how this pandemic was directly affecting peoples’ lives as well as the socio-economic sectors. Worldwide, governments start taking specific measures for lockdown in an attempt to prevent the spread of the COVID19.

Blue sky, green scenery, calm sea, and surrounding vibrant semi-urban setting has always been the best combination place for relaxation and comfort zone to me. These are the features of our beloved family sacred place for daily gathering especially during warm days. This is our sweet balcony.