Work, fear and the current crisis

AOG, Madrid

There is real fear in the air these days. I see it when I watch the news, both local, as well as when I watch foreign channels. And the thing about fear is that it is contagious. Unfortunately.

The other thing I’ve begun to notice is ignorance.

Perhaps that is the wrong word. Perhaps what I see is that thing we humans do so well, that “its nothing to do with me” attitude which so often infuriates others, and somehow helps us to get through the day.

My co-workers speak of the current crisis as if it had nothing to do with them. Some of them are a bit unhappy about their job.

They speak about getting a different job somewhere else. As though that were so easy. Their attitude scares me. Especially given the latest statistics.

Here, since the crisis began, 3.000 journalists have lost their jobs, and this country has the highest unemployment rate in Europe. At least this month it does.

From reading the British press you’d think the UK will overtake Spain, and every other country soon.

One of my co-workers is pregnant. She is due sometime in March. She comes to work everyday and is already quite balloon-like. She is one of the few people not to complain about getting a different job.

I too don’t complain. Maybe because I’m older? Or perhaps I too am afraid?