COVID-19 and expatriation in Hungary

For now Hungary seems a much more sane place then the US so we are staying put.
In the US in Minn. they are only having senior shopping hours for one hour and not everyday.
Hungary is treating it's children and seniors pretty good I'd say.
Nothing bad is happening to us so we are staying for the long haul here.
I feel a bit sorry for people caught in the middle right now, no jb or being excluded from entry into Hungary who have a life here but can't reenter right now.
People with small children might be under some stress as well.
Plans for the future, no one can say what is going on and how the economy of the world will be when the dust settles.
Got a roof over our heads and enough food to eat and the internet, we are better off then many people are I'd say.
I feel much more like a Hungarian then an American lately anyways.
It's going to be great when we can all go back to normal and let's pray that no one else dies from whatever this is.

If you're overseas, especially if you're settled somewhat, then returning to the U.S. in particular seems a hard choice. Not only is the situation there grave and likely to grow much graver in coming weeks, but travel itself -- sitting on planes and navigating airports and local transport -- involves significant risks, not just of possible contact with the virus but of stress that'd lower your overall resistance.

I can think of overwhelming reasons why you might go back, like a family member in need. But absent some overwhelming reason, I think the best course now is simply to stay put wherever you were when the music stopped.

I could get repatriated but Mrs Fluffy and the Fluffyettes would be alone here and I'd rather be with them anyway, even if I had the virus and it was bad.  I might have already had it and potentially I could be immune. 

I can see this all lasting until the middle of 2021 when there's a chance of a vaccine becoming available.

Brexit is scary for people who use the EHIC system as an emergency backup.  It will become invalid at the end of December 2020.  So far, Brexit is still on track and the date has not changed.  That seems foolish in the extreme given the current circumstances.

My husband  said something today which I didn't think of before and sort of makes me angry.
He said we haven't seen anything yet with this virus. That after this holiday Sunday, easter the real numbers will start.
God, I pray he is wrong.
He said people are going to gather in homes for the holiday and spread whatever is going on everywhere.
That makes me very angry since we are trying our hardest to not go anywhere except once a week to pay bills or buy food in bulk.
Tired of finding stale moldy bread as we try to buy for a least a week and it only takes days for rolls to go hard.
That's minor though,we all want to return to normal so the sooner people try to isolate the best they can the sooner we all can get back to life.
If things get worst after the holiday then we will not even be allowed to go food shopping.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

My husband  said something today which I didn't think of before and sort of makes me angry.
He said we haven't seen anything yet with this virus. That after this holiday Sunday, easter the real numbers will start.
God, I pray he is wrong.
He said people are going to gather in homes for the holiday and spread whatever is going on everywhere.
That makes me very angry since we are trying our hardest to not go anywhere except once a week to pay bills or buy food in bulk.
Tired of finding stale moldy bread as we try to buy for a least a week and it only takes days for rolls to go hard.
That's minor though,we all want to return to normal so the sooner people try to isolate the best they can the sooner we all can get back to life.
If things get worst after the holiday then we will not even be allowed to go food shopping.

I don't think it'll make any difference really and if it does, it'll just be a blip.   I'm not see a lot of parties or socialising going on around here but I must say one of our neighbours seems to have more visitors at the weekend than they did before.

You could always buy sliced bread, keep it in the freezer and take it out slice by slice to put it in the toaster etc.  The rolls are more of a problem I do agree.

The holidays are going to be painful.  Tomorrow will be hell at the shops, closed Friday, closed Sunday and Monday.  If one is going to get stuff, today's the day.   Mrs Fluffy said Fridays were a zoo at the local Aldi.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

it only takes days for rolls to go hard..

Even in a bread box?

Our rolls last longer than just days in a bread box. Just expressing my experience.... But, yes, they go stale faster than other types of bread.

In such times.... maybe rolls are not the thing to buy. Life is not as it was before. Be agile. Adapt to current conditions. Maybe consider muffins instead.

So... Don't complain..... Adapt. Other people are doing more than not having rolls.... 

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Tired of finding stale moldy bread as we try to buy for a least a week and it only takes days for rolls to go hard.

Again... Do you have a bread box? Bread should easily last a week in a bread box without going hard or moldy unless you bought bread "on the edge of spoiling" (i.e. in the cheap half priced bread bin at Tesco rather than from your local bakery). Buy fresh bread. Or simply buy flour and make your own.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Mrs Fluffy said Fridays were a zoo at the local Aldi.

FWIIW: This past Sunday, when I went shopping, local Aldi was not empty of people but not crowded either -- actually about pre-virus average. And actually had everything in stock I wanted (first time in over two weeks  -- that is, plenty of Tejföl.... Apparently they recognized the local Tejföl hording going on and adapted. But I am still wondering why in the USA hording was with Toilet Paper, and here for me locally hording was with flour and Tejföl.... My only conclusion.... People are weird).

klsallee wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

Mrs Fluffy said Fridays were a zoo at the local Aldi.

FWIIW: This past Sunday, when I went shopping, local Aldi was not empty of people but not crowded either -- actually about pre-virus average. And actually had everything in stock I wanted (first time in over two weeks  -- that is, plenty of Tejföl.... Apparently they recognized the local Tejföl hording going on and adapted. But I am still wondering why in the USA hording was with Toilet Paper, and here for me locally hording was with flour and Tejföl.... My only conclusion.... People are weird).

Not just Aldi, Mrs Fluffy phoned me to say she was kicked out of OBI as it had to close at 15h. 

Too many people rushing for stuff before the holidays.  She only went for silicone sealant and 18mm stud (threaded rod).  Now we'll have to go before 0900h tomorrow so I have materials for Easter DIY jobs.  Need some welding rods too.  Might be a rush on those.

If only I'd added silicon sealant, welding rods and threaded rod to my previous hoarding list.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Not just Aldi, Mrs Fluffy phoned me to say she was kicked out of OBI as it had to close at 15h.

Obi.hu states this closing hours at their web site. Hardware is "non-essential"*. Food stores like Aldi are open longer. The non-essential closing hour at 15 was mandated by the government last month.

* But of course, being required to close at 15:00 versus some other time is just politicians trying to prove (and maybe falsely claim?) they are "doing something" by simplistic dictates like limiting  open hours** .... as if a virus can not be caught at, say, 13:00, versus at 16:00.. Of course that is ridiculous. No scientific basis for such hour limits. Politicians at non-work. Again.....????

** It is not that simple. And the real solutions requires political will that few government leaders, especially the "populist type" are currently willing to enforce in a timely manner.

P.S. Populism in a nut shell. Ignoring expert and professional advise for the in moment political tribal diatribe. A microcosm of political rhetoric. And the result of such rhetorical ideology.:

Boris Johnson vows coronavirus will not stop him shaking hands

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in intensive care after coronavirus symptoms worsen

The world will experience even more on so many levels due to similar denial. Be it ecological, environmental, climate, human suffering, etc, etc etc. (none of which will be related to any human virus but all related to human Hubris). It will sadly only get worse.....

klsallee wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

Not just Aldi, Mrs Fluffy phoned me to say she was kicked out of OBI as it had to close at 15h.

Obi.hu states this closing hours at their web site. Hardware is "non-essential"*. Food stores like Aldi are open longer.-

* But of course, being required to close at 15:00 versus some other time is just politicians trying to prove and falsely claim they are "doing something" by simply dictates like limiting  open hours** .... as if a virus can not be caught at, say, 13:00, versus at 16:00.. Of course that is ridiculous. No scientific basis for such hour limits.

** It is not that simple. And the real solutions requires political will that few government leaders, especially the "populist type" are currently willing to enforce in a timely manner.

Mrs Fluffy was stuck in the queue.  She was in plenty of time but the queue was massive and she couldn't get to the check out even after queuing for ages.  We'll have to go for essentials tomorrow.

Makes it worse to restrict opening hours - means people will rush in there in crowds rather than stagger their visits.   We used to get this in pubs in the UK when there were restricted hours. Or prohibition come to think of it. Restricting the supply means people want more of it. 

Psstt...wanna buy some toilet paper....or silicone sealant....???  Got a nice line in 18mm studding....

Hmmm....time for a rant....

....politics is both weird and annoying. OV has mandated free parking in Budapest.  Apart from nobbling the public transport companies who are now cutting back on services. He's also screwed the non-Fidesz district mayors source of finance.  That's so people can go to work where they aren't supposed to be.   All done on decree I might add.  In other madness I note HU can benefit from almost 900 million EUR of EU money for coronavirus measures.  How they can keep bank rolling a wannabe autocrat I've no idea. 

...rant over but I don't feel better.....

fluffy2560 wrote:

Hmmm....time for a rant....

....politics is both weird and annoying. OV has mandated free parking in Budapest.  Apart from nobbling
the public transport companies who are now cutting back on services. He's also screwed the non-Fidesz district mayors source of finance.  That's so people can go to work where they aren't supposed to be.   All done on decree I made add.  In other madness I note HU can benefit from almost 900 million EUR of EU money for coronavirus measures.  How they can keep bank rolling a wannabe autocrat I've no idea. 

...rant over but I don't feel better.....

Hell... That was not a rant.

On the scale of rants.... That was, way, way, waaaaay too PC. It was almost like you were coddling an infant.....  On the rant scale..... At other sites, what people have ranted about, and how they rant..... Well... Again. I can but say, you are very kind and very PC in your "rant". Good grief.... what else i have seen elsewhere... I had no idea people could be so crude..... 

You want to hear a real rant (but even I can not go as crude as others online I have seen)... (but still probably not allowed here because expletives may be necessary .. and sans expletives, may be why you don't feel better..... ) come visit me (well....  when that is possible). I will give you food, wine, beer, etc. and a real two hour rant..... But be prepared to debate John Locke and John Steward Mill on up.... (okay, and also the Manga Carter... if we must.... ).

klsallee wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

Hmmm....time for a rant....

....politics is both weird and annoying. OV has mandated free parking in Budapest.  Apart from nobbling
the public transport companies who are now cutting back on services. He's also screwed the non-Fidesz district mayors source of finance.  That's so people can go to work where they aren't supposed to be.   All done on decree I made add.  In other madness I note HU can benefit from almost 900 million EUR of EU money for coronavirus measures.  How they can keep bank rolling a wannabe autocrat I've no idea. 

...rant over but I don't feel better.....

Hell... That was not a rant.

On the scale of rants.... That was, way, way, waaaaay too PC. It was almost like you were coddling an infant.....  On the rant scale..... At other sites, what people have ranted about, and how they rant..... Well... Again. I can but say, you are very kind and very PC in your "rant". Good grief.... what else i have seen elsewhere... I had no idea people could be so crude..... 

You want to hear a real rant (but even I can not go as crude as others online I have seen)... (but still probably not allowed here because expletives may be necessary .. and sans expletives, may be why you don't feel better..... ) come visit me (well....  when that is possible). I will give you food, wine, beer, etc. and a real two hour rant..... But be prepared to debate John Locke and John Steward Mill on up.... (okay, and also the Manga Carter... if we must.... ).

Maybe I've become part of the problem.  Worn into submission, ground down etc.  Mrs Fluffy is telling me she cannot stand the inane BS that the OV supporters spout all day in Facebook and is now refusing to read what's being said by her family members. 

For self-preservation of my own sanity, I'm trying to be more objective and distant despite the weird new and dystopian world we seem to be in.  I am still wondering if we've split off from the previous reality and this is some kind of parallel universe.   

I'm not really up on Stuart-Mill or Locke.  I should be as they were important economist philosophers and a bunch of loons really. 

Descartes is really more my style - that's he of "I think therefore I am" or more importantly these days, the  less involved "culinary" equivalent of "I'm pink, therefore I'm Spam".   

I cannot believe how popular Spam is in the Pacific region. WW2 legacy I suppose as an extruded substitute bacon neatly tubed for slicing and putting on square processed bread sandwiches.

BTW, Magna Carta was the basis of the US Constitution.  I knew that would come up sometime - good job I was paying attention way way back in school that day.

Probably all that was a random COVID19 lockdown survival strategy rant.

Update:

Was in Obi and it was bonkers busy again.   

Got everything needed for immediate needs except a spark plug.

Some people not wearing masks and some people not keeping their distance.  Either they and their relatives are immune or superhuman or plain stupid.  None of them - I am sure  - could actually confirm the former in the current state of play but I can confirm the latter by visual inspection.

Day 28 of Lockdown and we are slowly coming out of Lockdown. We will finally be able to go to OBI on Tuesday, thank the lord. I can get on with some jobs around the house.

SimCityAT wrote:

Day 28 of Lockdown and we are slowly coming out of Lockdown. We will finally be able to go to OBI on Tuesday, thank the lord. I can get on with some jobs around the house.

Lockdown is becoming boring.  Coronavirus is quite boring now. 

Anyway, what are you planning to do?

I bought some silicone sealant after some careful selection.  Most of them were acrylic which I feel is not as rubbery as silicone.  Interesting thing is we bought clear aquarium goo and not like bathroom sealant. It was about 1400 HUF cheaper to get aquarium goo instead of bathroom goo.  Bathroom goo tends to be mainly white and I wanted clear/transaprent.

I used it to seal around the edges of a new outside light which is fitted to a somewhat uneven surface and might be exposed to dripping water.  Light looks quite good so far.

klsallee wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

it only takes days for rolls to go hard..

Even in a bread box?

Our rolls last longer than just days in a bread box. Just expressing my experience.... But, yes, they go stale faster than other types of bread.

In such times.... maybe rolls are not the thing to buy. Life is not as it was before. Be agile. Adapt to current conditions. Maybe consider muffins instead.

So... Don't complain..... Adapt. Other people are doing more than not having rolls.... 

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Tired of finding stale moldy bread as we try to buy for a least a week and it only takes days for rolls to go hard.

Again... Do you have a bread box? Bread should easily last a week in a bread box without going hard or moldy unless you bought bread "on the edge of spoiling" (i.e. in the cheap half priced bread bin at Tesco rather than from your local bakery). Buy fresh bread. Or simply buy flour and make your own.

Yes, they are in a bread box, a real Tupperware one in fact.
We made 2 loaves of bread, the birds are going to love them when we get around to going out again.

We all want this "thing' to go away.
My husband said he thinks we haven't seen anything yet, just wait until all those idiots gather for Easter. We will know the damage within a few weeks.
I saw a video where now in the US they are only allowing 200 people into those huge Walmart stores at one time, they have closed off most of the store inside as well.
Only,essential items can be purchased. All electronic supplies and clothing items are off limits.
My "crazy cousin" put a photo on FB today, his machine gun and bedroom slippers in the corner of his room. WTH, he is not stable at all.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Yes, they are in a bread box, a real Tupperware one in fact.

Tupperware is too enclosing. Does not breath well, even the ones with the little air vents. Will promote mold. Consider a real bread box.

klsallee wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Yes, they are in a bread box, a real Tupperware one in fact.

Tupperware is too enclosing. Does not breath well, even the ones with the little air vents. Will promote mold. Consider a real bread box.

Yes, no ventilation in sealed plastic boxes. 

After perhaps 1 day, slice it and put it in the freezer.   

Take out slice by slice.

fluffy2560 wrote:

klsallee wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Yes, they are in a bread box, a real Tupperware one in fact.

Tupperware is too enclosing. Does not breath well, even the ones with the little air vents. Will promote mold. Consider a real bread box.

Yes, no ventilation in sealed plastic boxes. 

After perhaps 1 day, slice it and put it in the freezer.   

Take out slice by slice.

Yes that is another option. Even lasts longer than bread box.

Bread box is zero energy using method. Most any bread Should last a week to 10 days normally in a good bread box*. Freezer option will allow use of bread much, much longer. (Months? Years? I have no data).

*Had a bread box that molded bread in just days. The bread box was infected with mold. They do need to be cleaned and kept clean. My fail. Not a bread box fail. Cleaned it, and no more problems. Provide this experience info as a community service.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

We all want this "thing' to go away.
My husband said he thinks we haven't seen anything yet, just wait until all those idiots gather for Easter. We will know the damage within a few weeks.
I saw a video where now in the US they are only allowing 200 people into those huge Walmart stores at one time, they have closed off most of the store inside as well.
Only,essential items can be purchased. All electronic supplies and clothing items are off limits.
My "crazy cousin" put a photo on FB today, his machine gun and bedroom slippers in the corner of his room. WTH, he is not stable at all.

I'm afraid the US  is starting to look like the anomaly here.  Who actually needs a machine gun?   Isn't Walmart renowned for being visited by people who are dangerously eccentric?   

I saw Trump order the deportation on health grounds of irregular immigrants.  I also saw some Mexican towns are telling US visitors not to come!

I also read a while back Slovakia is testing gypsy communities on the grounds they are a pool of virus ill health.  They are doing it using military doctors.

Interestingly in the UK, they have halted all deportations because of the risk to the deportees and of course the airports aren't working.  Breach of human rights to dump deportees into physical danger.

And this morning I had a bulletin that the lockdown is extended indefinitely here.

fluffy2560 wrote:

I'm afraid the US  is starting to look like the anomaly here.  Who actually needs a machine gun?   

Isn't Walmart renowned for being visited by people who are dangerously eccentric?

That is down right insulting... No they ain't dangerous.... Just fat.....

https://www.pinterest.com/bonniejwc/wal … ric-carts/

Can you imagine any of those charging you with an automatic weapon? At fat cart speed?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgJvgESR920

Well.... again.... actually.... maybe... It depends..... 

P.S. Gotta love British Humor.... Even if we Yanks don't understand it....

klsallee wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

I'm afraid the US  is starting to look like the anomaly here.  Who actually needs a machine gun?   

Isn't Walmart renowned for being visited by people who are dangerously eccentric?

That is down right insulting... No they ain't dangerous.... Just fat.....

https://www.pinterest.com/bonniejwc/wal … ric-carts/

Can you imagine any of those charging you with an automatic weapon? At fat cart speed?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgJvgESR920

Well.... again.... actually.... maybe... It depends..... 

P.S. Gotta love British HumoUr.... Even if we Yanks don't understand it....

I am sure that being fat isn't on the criteria to refuse the purchase of a gun - even in Walmart. I can see the logic in walking around in some places anywhere in the world armed to the teeth.

Fish called Wanda.  Well, bit of a joke there - Archibald Leach (John Cleese) was the birthname of Cary Grant.  The addition of Kevin Kline and Jamie Lee Curtis opened the market for the movie to attract US audiences.   It's not my favourite movie with the Monty Python team. 

The best simply has to be Life of Brian.  "He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy".   Where else could one get that level of absurdity. Absolute classic.  And the subject of many spin off sketches and skits.   It's pretty true that if you say to any British person in say their 50s-60s, "no-one expects the Spanish inquisition" or "beautiful plummage", they'd all know exactly what you mean.  We're all just waiting to use it at any opportunity.

fluffy2560 wrote:

I am sure that being fat isn't on the criteria to refuse the purchase of a gun - even in Walmart. I can see the logic in walking around in some places anywhere in the world armed to the teeth.

Fish called Wanda.  Well, bit of a joke there - Archibald Leach (John Cleese) was the birthname of Cary Grant.  The addition of Kevin Kline and Jamie Lee Curtis opened the market for the movie to attract US audiences.   It's not my favourite movie with the Monty Python team. 

The best simply has to be Life of Brian.  "He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy".   Where else could one get that level of absurdity. Absolute classic.  And the subject of many spin off sketches and skits.   It's pretty true that if you say to any British person in say their 50s-60s, "no-one expects the Spanish inquisition" or "beautiful plummage", they'd all know exactly what you mean.  We're all just waiting to use it at any opportunity.

I was trying to inject a bit of humor in the discussion.....* At such times as today, we can be a pebble and shake our fist at the mountain, or find ways to laugh at the absurdity as we die.....

*If I burn in Hades for same, I take on that burden......

BTW, there's a note on the HU govt immigration site saying permits are permanently extended and for 45 days after the end of the COVID19 emergency. 

See here - Extension of Residence Permits during COVID19 emergency

klsallee wrote:

....

*If I burn in Hades for same, I take on that burden......

Oh, so you too then?  Time to throw another log on the fire and get the BBQ out. Bring it on Beelzebub.

BTW, our teenage Fluffyette has declared as a Satanist and it's caused consternation amongst some of her online correspondents who - apparently - are all hidden god squad types.  I'm finding it all quite amusing.

BTW2, I was also being somewhat sarcastic about anyone getting a chance to own a gun.  Schizoid or plain evil, sure, here's your weapon, enjoy.

A serious topic, good, too often random topics are generated by non-members, on this forum there are a few key contributors but unfortunately not too many (I am Dutch and I have to say the dutch version goes into real topics far more often).

As for Corona, I live with my wife at the west-part of Balaton, clearly the curfew has
an impact on us as well. We try to limit going out as much as possible, eg shopping once per month or even less, but if I do then massively (OK I am being frowned upon, but that is fine), for explaining and help with shopping I ask my gardener (already taking 150 liter of sparkling water is heavy (and needs explanation) as does the quantity of wine and animal food (dogs and cats).

I have to say it is quite quiet in shops like ALDI, and those who do shop buy massively (not as much as me but still), I hardly see workmen anymore buying a bit of bread, meat and cola.
Luckily not too many shortages, but last time canned food and rice were either missing or in very short supply. (enough vegetables and fruit, but these do not hold for 5 weeks)

Luckily we have a big garden and house in a small village (much easier to live then in an apartment without garden).
Living in a village has also it setbacks, but overall more positive then negative.
What we do miss are concerts, restaurants, swimming, .... All blocked but in my view rightfully so.
Things will get worse and I am curious what will happen (also financial worries, but ours are less then for most). Good that if things get really worse we have a serious looking GSD (I wish we had 3 or 4), guns, axes etc are not for me.
All in all right now life is still quite normal (5 star prison if you like), what the future will bring?

cdw057 wrote:

A serious topic,

Yes it is. And thus requires a social, not egocentric response.

cdw057 wrote:

shopping once per month or even less, but if I do then massively (OK I am being frowned upon, but that is fine), for explaining and help with shopping I ask my gardener (already taking 150 liter of sparkling water is heavy (and needs explanation) as does the quantity of wine and animal food (dogs and cats).

I have to say it is quite quiet in shops like ALDI, and those who do shop buy massively (not as much as me but still), I hardly see workmen anymore buying a bit of bread, meat and cola.

Deliveries to such stores often only happen weekly. By shopping once a month, and buying in mass for a month, you are potentially depriving three other family that week of food. Think about that. The virus incubation time is only two weeks. Buying for a month is basically hording, and you should avoid hording at this time. Hording is egocentric and selfish.

And you ask your gardener? Well... its seems you are certainly not one of those currently out of work or living hand to mouth...... Hardly a typical Hungarian who may be only paid weekly, if they have a job at all, and can not buy for a month, and may need that weekly food purchase you maybe took from them by buying (horded) for a month..... Just saying.... Think about that.

Side note: I shop weekly at the Tapolca Aldi, and nobody there is buying massively.... (except for flour and pasta), but plenty of meat, cheese, bread, vegies, TP, beans, dog food, etc. etc. etc.. So was not really a problem.... Within two weeks our local Aldi got extra shipments in and I could buy all the flour and pasta I wanted. So... I could live without either for two weeks and then I had it again.... Just saying...

cdw057 wrote:

as does the quantity of wine

Well... Maybe wine buying is not the most important purchase during a pandemic....  Wine is a luxury product at any time...  And some might see it as bit egocentric during a pandemic.... 

And I say this, having vineyards and a winery. Wine keeps. So it should not be even worth mentioning at this time.

cdw057 wrote:

(enough vegetables and fruit, but these do not hold for 5 weeks),

Luckily we have a big garden and house in a small village (much easier to live then in an apartment without garden).

You say you had land. Did you not grow food there last year, and store last year's vegetables and fruit (drying, preserves, canning etc.)? My wife today made a soup form last years squash, and last night we had a salad from our over wintered lettuce. Why don't you have the same? Seriously... maybe you need to talk to your "gardener". Maybe fewer ornamental plants (IMHO, a grass lawn is a waste of space), and more food producing plants on your land is something to consider.

Again, just saying. Yes, I was a bit critical. But overall, please take my comments as things for you to consider, longer term, for the future

Dear Klsallee,

You are actually one of the few positive contributors to this forum I referred to, I am of course a bit sad that I am kicked that hard, of course there are positive and negative items. Me and my wife try to adhere, we do not know if we have Corona (nobody knows, we also do shopping for our elderly neighbours btw when doing massive shopping), I (we) do not want to be the source of death (and when mentioning 150 L of water, there is at least 1000 available), still I try to be a bit considerate for clients coming. (Wine of course is a luxury (sorry but that is the way I am and enjoying life a bit))

ALDI (and others in our neighbourhood_ have quite a lot of supplies (honestly in my view it is actually good to go once per month (limiting infections to an absolute minimum) (also good for the cashiers(salary and low risk( (with my gardener, him just saying 100 bottles of this or that water, 200 of this or that cat food, ...) (also out gardener is happy , he had a job as a waiter in a hotel, he, his wife as well are unemployed with three children (I know he is very happy with any additional assignments).

I try to limit contact to an absolute minimum as instructed (if all would go just once per month I think it would be good). (enough supplies just planning is not always aligned (I do not feel I am taking food from others, I feel that I am making life easier for many)).

Of course I should feel guilty of having some savings but some of our (German and Hungarian neighbours do not complain)

My apologies for presenting myself as egosistic and I probably am (in a way), but I feel not as much as you present.

I have my skills (financial and often pratical), my wife also (vegetable garden as referred to and working very hard to support during this period).

Best regards
cdw057


PS Having a bit of cash (we are not rich) is not a crime, but helps make life more convenient (not only for us but also the people we can pay (are they friends, or making use of us, in any case I like most of them and they are happy and so are we)

One additional remark, whereas my wife likes to go out, swimming, going by bus somewhere,... she is now not "allowed" to go out of the house, me taking a risk is fine, but one person has less risk then two, I have a driving licence, my wife has not.

What I want to say all have a problem, some have a 5 star prison, others have not, but we have more then enough vegetables during summer (no meat though, but I bought 10 kilos last time (we have a fridge fortunately).

Other people on our street also have their issues and luckily our city hall also provides for medical services (giving injections, daily meal, a bit of talk, ...), lots of comments of how things are done in Hungary, but I am actually quite impressed. (might not be the case everywhere though).

Not all of the elderly like their life to be arranged or directed for in that sense (and they do not want to take that service and prefer to go out on their own (I personally do not agree with that; they do refuse (independence of course is important, but not at the cost of the health service if not needed)

On Hungarian support (and people who accept curfew) I have two extreme examples, an elderly German lady (82) who is very outgoing, still dances (or used to) and has a enough cash, she accepts, (a huge house, had planned a cruise, many contacts,.. all gone), also a close Hungarian neighbour, very poor, all she does is taking care of her garden and dog, son has cancer, but she is strong  even in these times and accepts.

Other neighbours are relatively fine as well, our village does well. (relatively speaking)

So I'm a student currently residing in Debrecen, I'm doing a full bachelors here, not just studying abroad for a semester. I think right now, Hungary is a lot safer and not as crazy as the U.S., and so I'm okay being here for an extended period of time. I was originally planning on visiting my family over the summer, but with everything going on, my family and I decided it would be better for me to stay unless things change.

In terms of life here, in my opinion, it's not that bad. I love that the elders get to have the morning to go to the shops without having to worry about a bunch of people being there. There aren't any cases here in Debrecen as of now, so quite a few people are out and about during the day. They just closed all the parks here, which is sad, but I understand why they did it.

Nobody is panic buying which is fantastic. You can still find everything you need on the shelves and nobody, as far as I've seen, has been overbuying items. Me personally, I only go to the shops every two weeks, and I go knowing exactly what I need so I'm not there longer than I have to be, as a courtesy to other shoppers. As for the shops themselves, none are limiting how many people can be in the store at one time, except one or two of the Aldi's here.

University is online as of a month ago, and they are keeping online probably for the rest of the semester. So for us, students, during the day it isn't that bad because we do have school to keep us occupied. However, on weekends, the students are going quite stir crazy because we can't go out and see our friends.

In terms of family, my parents are happy I'm here because I'm much safer. I talk to them every day so it hasn't been that bad being away from them during all this. I live alone so this hasn't brought me closer to anyone per se, I guess I could say it's been a really good self-reflection time more than anything.

Overall, I would have to say that, based on what my friends back home in the Seattle area have told me, I am pretty happy staying here during the virus and quarantine. I have food, a great flat, and I'm still able to continue my education so there isn't much I'm complaining about.

Hello! Thanks for the engagement.
I am not impacted negatively by the onset of closures and delays due to COVID19. Since I have been in Hungary, I have been aware of the potential shut down and made arrangements that fit my budget. Because I was already planning on spending this time traveling around Europe and volunteering, the only ones who have suffered are the businesses I will not be able to patronize, and the volunteers who lose out on English speaking conversation. Hungarians have realized my expat status and have been a tremendous help in accommodations for longer-term. Honestly, I have met some nice people who have been of help. I have no plans of returning to the US any time soon, and really actually have made some good connections for life.

Having an income while here would behoove me now. As I am planning on teaching in China after this pandemic is cleared, my income is dependent upon its finality, and I must continue! Not sure if that is still happening, but there are various volunteer resources to help me at least not starve-at least until my next destination.

@Jenniferlaurengarden

Well, I do hope you will get to see some of Europe before you leave for China.

Jenniferlaurengarden wrote:

Hello! Thanks for the engagement.
I am not impacted negatively by the onset of closures and delays due to COVID19. Since I have been in Hungary, I have been aware of the potential shut down and made arrangements that fit my budget. Because I was already planning on spending this time traveling around Europe and volunteering, the only ones who have suffered are the businesses I will not be able to patronize, and the volunteers who lose out on English speaking conversation. Hungarians have realized my expat status and have been a tremendous help in accommodations for longer-term. Honestly, I have met some nice people who have been of help. I have no plans of returning to the US any time soon, and really actually have made some good connections for life.

Having an income while here would behoove me now. As I am planning on teaching in China after this pandemic is cleared, my income is dependent upon its finality, and I must continue! Not sure if that is still happening, but there are various volunteer resources to help me at least not starve-at least until my next destination.

I think you can give English lessons online via Skype.  One of my daughters does it.  Doesn't pay a great deal but it does pay something.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Jenniferlaurengarden wrote:

Hello! Thanks for the engagement.
I am not impacted negatively by the onset of closures and delays due to COVID19. Since I have been in Hungary, I have been aware of the potential shut down and made arrangements that fit my budget. Because I was already planning on spending this time traveling around Europe and volunteering, the only ones who have suffered are the businesses I will not be able to patronize, and the volunteers who lose out on English speaking conversation. Hungarians have realized my expat status and have been a tremendous help in accommodations for longer-term. Honestly, I have met some nice people who have been of help. I have no plans of returning to the US any time soon, and really actually have made some good connections for life.

Having an income while here would behoove me now. As I am planning on teaching in China after this pandemic is cleared, my income is dependent upon its finality, and I must continue! Not sure if that is still happening, but there are various volunteer resources to help me at least not starve-at least until my next destination.

I think you can give English lessons online via Skype.  One of my daughters does it.  Doesn't pay a great deal but it does pay something.

Its Zoom these days so I hear

fluffy2560 wrote:

Jenniferlaurengarden wrote:

Hello! Thanks for the engagement.
I am not impacted negatively by the onset of closures and delays due to COVID19. Since I have been in Hungary, I have been aware of the potential shut down and made arrangements that fit my budget. Because I was already planning on spending this time traveling around Europe and volunteering, the only ones who have suffered are the businesses I will not be able to patronize, and the volunteers who lose out on English speaking conversation. Hungarians have realized my expat status and have been a tremendous help in accommodations for longer-term. Honestly, I have met some nice people who have been of help. I have no plans of returning to the US any time soon, and really actually have made some good connections for life.

Having an income while here would behoove me now. As I am planning on teaching in China after this pandemic is cleared, my income is dependent upon its finality, and I must continue! Not sure if that is still happening, but there are various volunteer resources to help me at least not starve-at least until my next destination.

I think you can give English lessons online via Skype.  One of my daughters does it.  Doesn't pay a great deal but it does pay something.

How old is your daughter? Is she single..? 

I'm ending my stay in HU now, as we expect baby and currently we are separated by situation - My wife cant enter Hungary. Therefore I'm moving at least for limited time, maybe for good back home.