Kristers Berzins
19, Ikskile, Latvia
“I try to be as productive as I can but sometimes the isolation is too much for me.”
About me
What level of lockdown or quarantine are you in?
Country wide state of emergency till mid-June. Gatherings allowed up to 25 people. People are advised to stay at home. Always remain 2m apart.
What has changed since coronavirus started?
Everything. Social contact has changed so much. Not being able to suddenly switch environments as I was used to affected me mentally. I was so accustom to change and constant improvement that when suddenly all that come to a stop I felt powerless. Also the economic crisis that followed the virus has stressed out my whole family. Nothing seems as it was before.
Are you able to go to school/work?
I am studying from home and I will have really important exams soon that I cannot fully prepare for. I will only have just a few actual classes that won’t be enough and for that reason my future academic opportunities suffer.
Where do you spend most of your time now?
At home. I try to be as productive as I can but sometimes the isolation is too much for me. I have been talking a lot of walks lately that help me clear my mind.
How do you communicate with your friends?
Much less than before. At the beginning of the lockdown we talked a lot but as it progressed I lost effort and it seems that I have started to stray away from my friends. School and other social activities held us together but now it seems that the friendship have fallen off a bit.
Do you see your family more or less now?
A lot more. Me, both of my parents, my brother are living in the same house.
What do you see when you leave your house?
In my hometown, since it is more of a rural area there are more people on walks and biking which is a great improvement. The capital (Riga) that I sometimes need to go to used to be empty but now it seems to get back to normal.
How do other people look when you go out?
There are some people in masks. I will have to take all my exams using face shields. There are a few people on the streets looking worried and a lot who will try to avoid you when you get too close to them.
How do others act when outside their house?
Older people act more careful. Some young people are still precautious but act similar as before.
Has anything changed for the good in your life since coronavirus started?
I get to be enjoy nature and hang out with my family but everything else seems to be worse.
What is the worst part of social distancing for you?
The fact I can’t see my friends anymore. I feel at times lonely and it’s hard to communicate with people when you don’t see them often. People around seem more stressed than usual. I cannot learn as well in school because it is hard to ask teachers for help. The worst part is the thought about future because there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding it.
If all restrictions have been lifted in your area, is everything back to normal, or are there still changes that you can see?
There are some that are lifted. Restaurants are beginning to open but you still need to keep distance. I don’t feel comfortable walking in public around strangers.
The Quaranteen Project
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The Developing Story was created to give a voice to those seeking to be heard, while encouraging and empowering all communities to speak their truth through the medium of photography. Through our capsule storytelling projects, we amplify ordinary voices, offer the wider world a new perspective on current affairs, and encourage visual arts in every community around the world.