IT HAS BECOME a regular practice.
Every night at around 8 p.m. I hear a whoop coming from one of the windows of our building, then I hear cheering.
When I approach the window everyone is looking out and cheering, making as much noise as they can.
Some people even pull out their home DJ kits or play the Spanish national anthem. All this is a special act of appreciation for the health workers that fight a daily battle against the coronavirus.
It shows how even in the most dire of situations, humanity still finds a way to thrive and celebrate.
As of this writing there are 9,400 cases of the virus here in Spain, with 4,000-plus in Madrid alone. The streets are eerily quiet as the nation is under lockdown. You can only go out to buy food, buy medicine, go to work, visit your loved ones or walk your dog.
You can’t even go for a jog or have a simple stroll outside unless you want to be fined 100 euros.
This situation may continue well on into the Holy Week (still with no church activities).
In light of all this though, that simple gesture of standing in solidarity with your neighbors and expressing your thanks at being alive gives everyone strength, not only the health workers.
It reminds me of how it is in Italy. Even if they are confined to their homes they still keep the spirit of community alive with the songs they share from their balcony windows.
I even saw a post on Facebook that they are planning to do the same back home in the Philippines. By all means, go ahead! That small gesture means a lot to those who are at the heart of the crisis and those who are directly affected by it.
The resilience of the human spirit comes out in the most dire situations. (angelica.panaynews@gmail.com/PN)
