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Week 13 - Part 2 - So much is happening in Turkey


Edited BY

G P Kennedy

Gul - istanbul, Turkey


 For the past three weeks we have been living in our new normal life in the Aegean Coast of Turkey. We feel safe and more protected here. However, it also feels very strange that how we reconstruct a new sense of normal, rearranging our lives to fit to a new normal life. We wear our mask every time we go out. We use cotton easy use mask for walk, surgical mask for other places. We wash our groceries. Wipe down everything we touch. Wash hands incessantly.

 

 Compulsory mask wearing still a problem in the country and police started fining people for not wearing them in public and the same message is around; I wear a mask to protect you. You wear a mask to protect me.

 

 Living with the virus has showed us new tricks, teaching us to come up with new ways of shopping, socializing and the way we live. We’re on holiday but still enjoying eating at home, drinking at our own garden rather than going to trendy bars and restaurants. We can’t just jump the pool, every time we feel hot but still okay. Our beach won’t be opening this season but we’re still happy to go other beaches, we choose the quietest one.


A 'new normal' wedding
 

 The coronavirus has ripped our normality. This pandemic is making us all vulnerable and risky each other at the same time. We live in a very small community in this isolated place but can still any of us be a treat? How we will live without a sense of fear?

 

 Somebody was complaining about a BBQ that our neighbors were having during Father’s Day. They were outside in the garden. Still it might seem odd seeing people gathering together. Some say the virus makes everyone equal but I think coronavirus is also the class war that impossible to ignore. Not everyone can afford to stay at home. Anyone can get sick but some people are in more danger than others.

 

 Turkey insists its outbreak is under control. The number of daily coronavirus cases in Turkey is around 1500 with more daily recoveries than new infections says Health Minister.  The death toll rose to just over 5000 with around 20 fatalities in a day. 963 patients remain in intensive care.

 

 The government has imposed this weekend a national wide curfew, as there are university entrance exams through the country. Over 2.5 million students are expected to take the exams.  Although the authorities said all measure have been taken for safe exams, there was a big argument that exams weren’t postponed.

 

Isolation and treatment for COVID-19 positive students


 There were isolated classrooms for students who have tested positive and have been receiving treatment. These students (either in the hospital or under quarantine in their homes) were taken to schools by ambulances. How cruel the world is!

 

 Turkey has recently eased restrictions and re-launched its tourism season. It’s gradually resuming flights and opening health-certified hotels. Turkey has already lifted restrictions on international and domestic travel after flight operations remained suspended for more than two months. These days the Ministry of Tourism tries to promote international tourism and offers safe tourism and developed health infrastructure. I don’t think the tourism sector will recover from this deep recession. In addition, cinemas, theaters and wedding halls will open from July 1.

 

 Apparently, Turkey has $50 billion worth Indian wedding industry. 90% pre-booked wedding arrangements had been postponed rather than cancelled. There are still talks about how these can be done.

 

 In terms of Turkish weddings, many people shared frustration over the new rules.  There won’t be any photo shooting and dancing other than the married couple. I can’t think any Turkish wedding without traditional dancing, halay. 


Wedding 'veils'

Also weddings will be outdoors and short. Guests have to wear their masks and their body temperature will be taken on entrance, guests list will be given to the authorities in advance. Only takeaway boxes and single use cutlery will be used during wedding dinner party.

 

NO SUCH VIRUS CAN STOP POLITICS

 When you think Turkish politics, we’re having hot and tense summer. This week 50 bar associations have joined a protest march to express their concerns over proposed changes about the elections system of the bars’ administrations, which they think is undemocratic.  

 

Protesting lawyers

 The bars were blocked from entering to the capital, Ankara by the police. They used social distancing policy as an excuse. The top lawyers had to camp overnight on the capital city’s outskirts.  They weren’t allowed to have chairs, blankets or tents for the rain. This has caused so much anger and the next day they were allowed to enter to Ankara.  This crisis is over, what comes next?

 

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