Wanderwoman Update: Miriam Spritzer

This month we talk to one of our OG Wanderwomen and my good friend, Miriam Spritzer. She is one of the people I have seen in person since the covid pandemic started. If you are new to the site, Miriam is an international correspondent based in NYC. You can read her original profile feature here and follow her adventures on IG. Let’s hear about how the pandemic has affected her lifestyle and how she is coping in our new world.

HOW HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOUR LIFE?

There are so many aspects on how the pandemic has affected my life, that it is hard to summarize in a few words. I have to admit I was able to adjust quickly at work and some aspects of my social life. As an international correspondent, I was already used to working remotely from my actual offices in Brazil and communicating with my colleagues via facetime, whatsapp and zoom, so the biggest challenge in that sense was actually to think outside the box and create new content from home—all the events, premieres, art exhibits and shows and in-person interviews that I would normally cover were canceled overnight. The same socially was true, as an expat. I was used to being physically distant from friends and family, so at first it wasn't so complicated to live in the quasi lock down we had in NY. As we realized that it would take longer than a month, the social toll became heavier and the travel restrictions to Brazil also meant I wouldn't be able to go home for an unforeseeable time. But as always, I tried to make the best out of the situation—I created a social media plan where I shared different cultural activities available online. I used the extra time to connect with friends who were abroad that normally I wouldn't have time to do long phone calls with. And of course, once things started opening up, I learned to appreciate the present more.

HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR COUNTRY IS HANDLING THE PANDEMIC? DO YOU FEEL SAFE?

I was in NY for most of the pandemic, and although there was a phase with very high numbers, I felt quite safe, to the point that during the summer we almost forgot there was a pandemic. However the city has become more dangerous and that for me is very complicated. Now I am spending the winter in Florida, and although the rules are a bit less strict here, I feel as safe as I was in NY in the summer - minus the fear of crime. Brazil unfortunately is very chaotic. Like the USA, each state did their own thing. Luckily my state at first was very respectful of the lockdown, which held the pandemic a bit there, but once they reopened the cases went up. I wouldn't feel safe to go out and see people, even if we are respecting social distance and wearing a mask, like I do here in the USA.

BASED ON CURRENT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ARE YOU HAPPY TO BE WHERE YOU ARE OR DO YOU WISH YOU WERE SOMEWHERE ELSE?

Since I don't have much of a choice on going home due to travel restrictions, I am very happy to be in Florida for the winter and I was happy to be in NY for 2020. I'd love to have the option to visit my family and friends in Brazil, but I have made my peace that it will have to wait a little bit. It's not easy, but it is a price you pay when you choose to live abroad.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON TRAVEL RIGHT NOW? WHEN DO YOU PLAN ON TRAVELING? AND WHAT ARE YOUR NEW GUIDELINES/PRECAUTIONS?

Traveling itself, for me, is not a problem. The few times I took flights and was at airports was fine. I wear a mask at all times, make sure I have my hands clean and the seat clean as well and it didn't feel too uncomfortable. However I would say that this is not the best time to explore and go somewhere for tourism, unless you are going somewhere you have been many times and want to see it more empty. People are tense, the energy is different and heavier and we are all a bit nervous about little things. So when I think of travel nowadays is to spend a long period of time or go somewhere where the activities are mostly outdoors.

WHAT IS YOUR NEW NORMAL?

My new normal is very much like my old one, but I wear a mask and if I can, I sit outside. I try to maintain a routine and healthy diet, but I don't kill myself when that doesn't happen. I make sure to enjoy the moments when I am social and when I feel I might have been too exposed for some reason, or am seeing someone that is more frail, I take the test. I believe we have to learn to live with the virus, which doesn't mean that I have to go to a nightclub full of people, but it means that we have to go about our lives the best way we can, carefully but not neurotically. If that means walking in the park with a friend, great. If that means going to restaurants every now and then, perfect. If one does not feel comfortable and wants to stay home, do it. But be respectful, give space and be mindful of others.