Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Rouška

The Czech word for "mask" is rouška.  Masks are mandatory when you leave your home.  If you don't have a mask then you can use a scarf or whatever as long as your mouth and nose are covered.

Czechland is the first country to mandate roušky nationwide.  Police are able to fine you 10.000 Kč ($458) on the spot for not wearing a mask.  The problem is that there aren't any masks available in the pharmacies.

No postage required

Across the country people are making masks.  I actually ordered some 3 cloth masks on line.  






I was surprised when they arrived in my mail box a few days later.  They were mailed in a sheet protector and if you are distributing masks then no postage is required. 

A few weeks ago was the 170th birthday of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and people laid flowers at his statue at Masaryk University.  Now even Masaryk is wearing a mask.

Yesterday the government extended the state of emergency until 11 April.

Over the last two weeks healthcare workers were banned from taking vacation time.  People are not allowed to gather in groups of more than 2 people unless they live together.  People are doing their best to social distance.

Since you have to wear a mask outside it means that people can't smoke in public places.  So taking your mask off to smoke outside means the 10.000 Kč.  

I haven't really seen any shortages here.  True you can't find masks and hand sanitiser but everything else is available.  My family and friends have told me toilet paper and paper towels are pretty much sold out everywhere.  There isn't a shortage here.  Or at least I haven't experienced any shortages.

No comments:

Post a Comment