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Paige: You are listening to “Coffee with Gringos.” I'm Paige Sutherland.
Ian: And I'm Ian Kennedy.
Paige: And today, we are gonna be talking about coronavirus—again—because it is now a world pandemic and it's all anyone's talking about. So, we have to talk about it. So again, listeners if you get lost, check out that audio transcript and guide online. So, Ian, coronavirus: it has reached South America. Are you feeling the impact?
Ian: Yeah, now it's definitely I’m feeling the impact. Since part one of our podcast—of the coronavirus cast—things have definitely gotten more serious, definitely developed more. So just recently Piñera announced a state of emergency, a state of catastrophe. And so that means that for ninety days, here in Chile, there's more or less a lockdown. So, borders have closed, very limited flights in and out, you know, really a lot of quarantining. So, you know, things have definitely gotten a little bit more serious, and we're seeing it globally, as well. But here, personally here, where we are in Chile, we before hadn't really felt the effects yet and now it's come here. So, Paige, what have you noticed?
Paige: Yeah, I mean, it's been quite a week. All my family's in Boston and they have been panicking for weeks now. I mean, schools are closing, colleges are closing, restaurants, it's basically a ghost town where my family lives. You know, I was like, “Oh, it hasn't reached South America, we're just, like, living life, going out, restaurants—everything's fine.” And then this week, everything changed. I mean, most borders in South America are closed, you can't get flights, you can't go to restaurants, people are quarantining, wearing masks everywhere. It’s almost like we're living in a movie. It feels very bizarre and I definitely regretted my last-minute trip to Argentina.
Ian: Yeah, I bet. It sounds like it was a little complicated.
Paige: Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, things are really serious when national parks close. I did a trip hiking in the mountains, it was absolutely incredible in El Chaltén and I come back from, like, an eight-hour hike and they're like, “All the parks are closed. The border’s closed.” And I was living in this bubble and I was like, “Whoa. It's reached here.” And it was like mass hysteria because we had people from everywhere and they, as you know, El Chaltén is, like, in the middle of nowhere in the south. So, people were stranded.
Ian: Yeah, I mean, I've been sticking around my house, just staying inside, mostly. But I can just imagine the nightmares that are going on at airports, at border crossings, and, you know, we're just feeling the effects of all this hitting at once. Yeah, it's, like you said, you feel like we're, like, in a movie, you know. It's almost like, you know, life imitates art, in some cases, and this is one of those cases. And something we’ve got to accept is this is, like, the new normal—this is going to be going on for a little while. People can be optimistic but people need to follow the rules and the recommendations. And the quicker we do that, we can flatten the curve, as they've been saying, so you don't want to inundate hospitals with everybody at the same time. So, it's important to take good measures to try not to spread things, but it's crazy that this is happening—it's quite a wild time to be living.
Paige: And I think because it has never really happened before to this extent, at least in our lifetimes, no one knows what's happening. And especially with the internet, I think there's so much information out there that you don't know really what's true information, because you're just, like, inundated with news. You're like, “Wait, is that border closed? Can I not fly? Can I go here?” It's like, “Oh, if you take aspirin, it helps.” Or you're like there's so much news, it's tough to, like, decipher the truth, and I think everything changes day by day. So, it's scary that you are like, okay, so you know, we have to, like, work from home and then it's like, you can't leave your house, and there's a curfew. So, it's just building and I think there's really no say of, like, when things will get better.
Ian: Yeah, I think that's the thing is people want an answer now or people want a light at the end of the tunnel or they wanna think that, you know, this will just pass and we'll go back to normalcy. But I think people need to realize it's not gonna happen, they need to accept this new norm and get used to it. Because that's life. Life, you know, it's always changing, things are always evolving, so, but I hope some silver linings come out of it at least. I hope people start to appreciate things more, like the little things that we took for granted before all these restrictions. You know, just going into a restaurant or going to a movie theater, going to sporting events. All these things, having parties, right? You know, this whole social distancing is gonna be a real test for people and again, yeah, once we're able to be back with other people again, then hopefully people can really appreciate the beauty in that. So, unfortunately, as humans, we're pretty dumb, so we need things like this to really wake us up and make changes, unfortunately. It's like you need a catastrophe for change to happen. So hopefully, some good things will come out of this in the end. I'm trying to be an optimist. What do you think? What do you think this is gonna lead to?
Paige: Well, going on to your point about being optimistic, I, as we mentioned, I had quite a journey coming to Chile from Argentina. And I was in a situation with a lot of people that we were stranded and really trying to get home. And I saw just a lot of kindness, you know. Everyone was wanting to help, and, you know, offering me rides and trying to help me figure out a plan. And I thought that was really great, that you, you know, you're in this survival mode but people were, like, lending their hand, you know? So, I hope that that stays that way, you know, because I've talked to some other people who are nervous that when things get really tight, where the supplies cut off, or run out of, you know, toilet paper, food or whatnot, that people are going to get, kind of, savage. So, I hope the kindness stays. And we all, kind of, help each other because these are pretty dark times.
Ian: Yeah, definitely. Definitely good to have helping hands.
Paige: And quick reminder, don't forget if you want to advance your English more, learn more, go online to dynamicenglish.cl, where you can take private classes, you can take group classes, you can even now take classes online.
Ian: It's strange to see, I don't understand, what's the obsession with the toilet paper? Are people shitting more during this quarantine? That's the question I've been asking. Like, I thought more things here too would be flying off the shelves, like, soap and more hygienic things but everywhere it's toilet paper. I don't get it. What's the obsession?
Paige: I thought that at first too, because someone was like, “Isn't this respiratory? Like, it doesn't cause diarrhea.”
Ian: It doesn’t make any sense.
Paige: But what I think what it is is that if stores are closed, people can't work. You're not gonna be able to get toilet paper to the stores, and it's something that, unfortunately, as humans we all need. So, it's, I think people are just stocking up on things that they use daily. But it was funny, I saw, like, a meme on Instagram where they did countries, like, based on their stereotypes, what product they were stocking up on. And it was like in the US, it was guns.
Ian: Of course.
Paige: Yeah, maybe Brazil or something it was alcohol. And then in Germany, because they're very practical, it was toilet paper. So, it was, like, funny to see, like, based on how people's minds think of what they think they need in these, like, troubled times.
Ian: Yeah, it's, like, really idiosyncratic for each country whether choosing, right? U.S. guns, of course, like you said, the practicality of the Germans, alcohol in Brazil. Yeah, it's funny to look at all those and it's like, “Well, how are we going to handle the end of the world, right? What do we need to stock up on?” So that's funny. Here in Chile then, it's probably, what? Bread? And then avocados? Completos, maybe? I don't know.
Paige: I went to the supermarket yesterday and I, like, saw it. Like, people were stocking up. The guy in front of me had, like, twelve cuts of meat. So, lots of, lots of privatize asados, I guess.
Ian: I guess, the last asados. No, just kidding.
Paige: Yeah, so no, I mean, it's definitely difficult times and it's just scary, the unknown of it. Because, like, I guess in China, they said that they're getting better. Like, people are going back to work, things are going back to normal and that's been, what? Three, four months? So, if we think about that, it'd be crazy to be in this for another three months.
Ian: Exactly, yeah. Another three months and then on top of all, these things too, you know, you look at the economic effects to the market. (It) just keeps crashing and crashing, we’re leading to recession. President Trump actually made an announcement of a trillion-dollar stimulus package, which is really interesting. So, kind of a way to prop up the economy, kind of, help out with loans for businesses. They're even giving, they're going to be giving personal stipends to citizens. Not unprecedented but it's something that doesn't happen. It really shows that this is a real economic problem. They're having to prop up businesses, they're having to prop up the economy, give these people money so they can pay their rents, so that, you know, they can they can feed themselves still while this is going on and the country is inundated with unemployment insurance requests, as well. So, economically, we're gonna see the fallout of this for months and months to come.
Paige: That's what's so scary, like, for us as teachers. I'm a journalist and it involves a lot of human contact and you can't do that now as much. So, it's scary to think that if this lasts two, three months of not getting paid for that long. I mean, most people can't survive on not working for that long. So, I think in the beginning, it was kind of like, “Oh vacation, relax.” And then it's like, wow, no this is, like, crucial because, I mean, you still have bills, you still have to pay for things and not making money for a couple months is, like, not doable.
Ian: Right. And your heart really goes out to those people who, you know, there's a lot of people who luckily have the chance to work from home, and they can, kind of, continue in normalcy or keep things moving. But you really feel bad for those people that have no choice. They have to physically be there to do their job and in a lot of those cases, these people are getting laid off, and that really sucks. It's really unfortunate, so for those people who really want something to be provided soon or, hopefully, they can find a way to make up for the lost income that way, you know. So, a lot of developing complications, as a group, we're trying to figure it out. So, we'll, we'll just have to see what happens.
Paige: Yeah, a lot has changed since our last episode. So, I think it will keep on changing as time continues, but hopefully for the best. So again, listeners if you get lost, check out that audio guide and transcript online. Thanks for listening. Wash your hands.
Ian: Stay at home. We'll see you next time.
Paige: “Coffee with Gringos” was brought to you by Dynamic English, where you can learn English simply by using it. If you’re interested in taking classes or just want to learn more, go to our website at dynamicenglish.cl. Thanks for listening.
Key Vocabulary, Phrases and Slang:
1. to quarantine (verb): to isolate oneself from other people; be alone
a. The virus has caused world-wide quarantining to stop the spread.
2. to panic (verb): to feel severely anxious and nervous.
a. The family was panicking when they heard the terrible news.
3. ghost town (noun): an empty or deserted town or city with few or no remaining people.
a. It has been like a ghost town here since the government ordered a quarantine.
4. to regret (verb): to feel sad or disappointed due a decision.
a. I regret not buying more food before the quarantine started.
5. El Chaltén (noun, location): a town and mountain in Southern Argentina known for its popularity for tourists and outdoor-adventure seekers.
a. El Chaltén is a beautiful mountain that I want to visit in the future.
6. mass hysteria (noun): uncontrollable panic or emotion among a large group of people.
a. There is mass hysteria in all supermarkets as people buy as much as they can.
7. stranded (adjective): unable to move somewhere else; to be stuck in one place.
a. Many people were stranded at the border when they tried to return to Chile.
8. life imitates art (phrase): notion that something that happens in real life was inspired by art or creative work.
a. After seeing so many pandemic movies, it feels like life is imitating art right now.
9. to flatten the curve (phrasal verb): refers to reducing the number of infected patients getting sick at the same time in order not to overwhelm hospitals and cause problems. The curve refers to the number of infected people needing hospitalization.
a. The best way to flatten the curve is to stay at home and self-quarantine.
10. to inundate (verb): to overwhelm.
a. We shouldn’t inundate the hospitals with people who don’t need emergency attention.
11. to decipher (verb): to understand; to solve; to figure out
a. Scientists are working hard to decipher the details needed for a vaccine.
12. curfew (noun): a regulation that requires people to stay indoors during a specific time, usually at night.
a. The government ordered a curfew for all citizens from 10 pm—5 am.
13. a light at the end of the tunnel (phrase): a sign or signal that a difficult situation is about to end; something to give people hope.
a. People are searching for a light at the end of the tunnel during this difficult time.
14. silver lining (noun, metaphor): a positive outcome from a bad situation.
a. If there’s a silver lining to all this it’s that we should appreciate being able to go outside freely and without worry.
15. to take for granted (idiom): to not truly value something; to believe that something or someone will always be available.
a. People take for granted the ability to go to a concert or even a restaurant.
16. social distancing (noun, gerund): keeping distance from social events or other people in order to prevent the spread of disease.
a. Everyone in the world should be practicing social distancing, if they can, during this pandemic.
17. to lend a hand (idiom): to offer help to someone else.
a. Even during dark times, people are lending a hand to strangers.
18. savage (adjective): violent; uncontrollable.
a. Hopefully people will stay calm and not become savage.
19. to shit (verb, vulgar slang): to defecate; to poop.
a. Do people think people are shitting more during the quarantine?
20. respiratory (adjective): associated with lungs and breathing.
a. The virus is respiratory, so I don’t know why they are buying so much toilet paper.
21. to stock up (phrasal verb): to collect or buy lots of something.
a. People are stocking up on toilet paper during the quarantine.
22. idiosyncratic (adjective): distinctive; having a unique characteristic.
a. It’s interesting to see the idiosyncratic shopping habits of different countries.
23. completo (noun): Chilean version of a hotdog.
a. You can buy a completo anywhere you travel in Chile.
24. asado (noun): Spanish word for “barbecue”: when people get together to cook and eat meat and other food.
a. People are still having asados despite the importance of social distancing.
25. to crash (verb): to decrease rapidly.
a. The stock market has been crashing since the coronavirus became a pandemic.
26. recession (noun): temporary period of economic decline.
a. Hopefully the economy won’t fall into a recession due to the situation.
27. stimulus package (noun): financial incentives given to people and businesses in order to stimulate the economy and keep it from crashing.
a. The U.S. government will issue a stimulus package in the coming weeks.
28. to prop up (phrasal verb): to help or support; to assist.
a. The economy will be propped up by the government’s stimulus package.
29. unprecedented (adjective): never done before or known before.
a. COVID-19 has caused unprecedented economic decline since the 2008 crisis.
30. fallout (noun): negative effects caused by something happening.
a. The world is going to see the fallout of this virus for many more months.
31. crucial (adjective): critical; very important; essential.
a. It’s crucial that people take social distancing seriously if we want to reduce the spread of the virus.
32. to get laid off (phrasal verb): to be fired; to lose one’s job due to financial and economic difficulties.
a. There are many people being laid off due to the virus and it’s unfortunate.
33. to suck (verb, slang): to be disappointing or negative.
a. It really sucks that we can’t live our normal lives but it’s important to have patience.