I'm on lockdown Ask Me Anything.

[OnLockdown]

I've name changed. I'm an occasional poster and a long time lurker. I'm in Madrid.

On social media on Spain, are people talking about the escalating number of cases & deaths, or are people just talking about how they get thru their own day?

In terms of childcare people are doing what they can. Family mostly. Spain is very family oriented.

There is definitely a lot of fear about the numbers on social media but mostly it's people asking what the rules are now and sharing tips for being at home. (I'm mostly onn specific parenting sites though).

What is the general mood like now there is a lockdown? Are people more anxious or do they feel more at-ease knowing they can hunker down at home and avoid crowds?

It's a mixed bag of emotions I think for everyone. Some people were already treating it like a lockdown as soon as the schools closed. Some people are very frustrated about not being able to make a living. There is community spirit in one way but suspicion of people in another way.

I don't know why but I'm so surprised amazon is still delivering.

I'll be back later if there are any more questions. And I will hopefully be able to tag people!

Spaniards are so sociable, as national character. Hard to believe they are coping well mentally.

Do you happen to know if cleaners and carers are allowed to attend their clients?

Are you allowed to take shopping to elderly relatives who can’t leave the house?

If your isolating and go to the supermarket how do you keep away from others in this time of mass hysteria and panic buying that are also in the supermarket.

@Jenasaurus I've been speaking to some people in Italy and they say they are limiting the number of people allowed into shops at one time. The rest are queuing outside with at least 1 meter spacing between them.

@lljkk yes, it has only been a few days but where I am people live in small flats and are used to going out all the time and being very sociable, do it must be hard.

@DanglyTasselsOfThigh cleaners and carers are allowed to see their clients but I know a lot of people are not getting their cleaners to come. Most claim to still be paying them.

Thanks OP it's interesting to get a first hand account of lockdown instead of rumours

Thank you OP!

@GCAcademic Yes, that is allowed as far as I know. I'm not sure how it would work if you needed to take public transport. There are police at some metro entrances checking what people are doing.

@Jenasaurus There are limits to the number of people who can enter the supermarket at one time. There are markings on the floor for the checkout so people stand a metre or so apart. Also, I think the panic buying is a bit less here. The shops are still reasonably well stocked.

@Chelsea567 @DanglyTasselsOfThigh I thought I would write this because I've been reading the coronavirus threads and there are a lot of questions and speculation. I hope this is interesting/useful!

Is the general thought where you are that getting the virus gives you immunity against getting it again?

Are the banks / building society equivalents open as normal for people to go in and if so is this likely to continue

@JemimaPuddleCat I haven't heard much about that to be honest. People are very much concerned with not getting it.

@urright banks are still open with the same conditions as other places. Only so many people can enter and they have to stand far apart. There is increased cleaning everywhere and staff are wearing masks and gloves in most places.

Having said that. I've only actually been out once since Saturday. I went to the supermarket but I tried to notice as much of what was going on as possible. I've also been observing from my balcony.

Thank you, would you be allowed to drive to your bank say ten miles away. I am due to house exchange purchase in uk so trying to plan but its a dilemma.
Also are the legal solicitors offices open
Thank you.

@urright That's an interesting question. I am due to exchange on a flat at the end of April. I am crossing my fingers about that.

As far as far travel is concerned. You need a valid reason and the police have been stopping cars with more than one person in them and asking them why. I think going to the bank is a valid reason. I'm not sure about solicitors but I think they would fall under essential services, so open.

Unessential, so closed, are bars, restaurants, clothes shops, toy shops, pound shop type shops, furniture, gyms, cinemas etc