an aussie in austria

Covid? What’s Covid? Oh that awful thing that plagued us for two years and is now… gone? Except it’s not gone… and though we’ve enjoyed a deliciously warm early start to summer here in Austria, it’s not even really trying to hide. Luckily, it has wound itself down so it’s not causing the kind of mayhem it did previously. But it’s still causing plenty of disruptions.

I know that if it hits me everything will be fine. But still, being pregnant I’m being extra careful.  Because the numbers, despite the good weather, are a lot higher than they were this time last year. And I just need to get through two or so more weeks. So yeah, I’m still wearing my mask. I’m still social distancing.

Basically all measures were removed in Austria on June 1^st. Which is good. Good for healthy people. Good for businesses. But there are still plenty of restrictions when we talk hospitals. Hubby’s not allowed to join me for my last few check-ups and with the German language barrier I have to say that really sucks. Naturally, if I go into labour with Covid the hospital isn’t going to turn me away, but if hubby was to have it, then I would get to go through that experience all alone. There are also restrictions once I have the child and am recovering in hospital – basically it’s hubby once a day and that’s it. Which in some ways I’m grateful for – not having to worry about looking decent for surprise visitors, for example. But on the other hand, some company might be nice, and it sucks for hubby to have reduced access to his kid for the first three days.

So I’m trotting around the supermarket, the shopping centre, even the toilet in the restaurants we sit and eat outside in, and I’m almost the only one left wearing a mask. And I’ve heard from other people who are still doing it, that anyone still wearing a mask is starting to get slight sideways glances. I think I get a free pass because I’m so obviously pregnant, but once I’m done with this, and I can get out and about, I may still continue to wear one. I’ll have a small, unvaccinated baby, and it might just be the smart thing to do.

A mask doesn’t hurt anyone else. If someone chooses to wear it they shouldn’t be given a sideways glance. In fact, I’m hoping that this whole thing means that masks will become more commonplace in certain situations – especially sick people in places like doctors and airports.

I’m not bathing in sanitiser, nor do I think it’s healthy to do so. At some point I’ll definitely get Covid, and a cold, and whatever else is going around, because in the end the immune system must need it. But for now, I’m going to keep doing my thing for a little while longer.