After the first information on the coronavirus began to drift from abroad, I realised immediately that it would not remain regional because people travel and move about. Because of my background, I know what globalisation means, in both the good and the bad. I spent my childhood in Lebanon in the middle of the war, and I understand the meaning of Force majeure, an extraordinary event. I know how to prioritize things.
When the coronavirus arrived in Finland, everything stopped in the span of three weeks. There were no customers. It was an emergency because I had running costs but no income. People started cancelling birthday, matriculation, wedding and other orders. That was the worst part, I lost everything. Large orders keep a small entrepreneur’s business afloat. It’s frightening when you don’t know what’s coming. You can only hang in there. Corona is invisible and that is what makes it scary.
The situation has not improved. I take an anxiety medication, I can’t sleep, I cry and stress. Corona is my most difficult experience, a nightmare. It has brought humility. You know you can’t get by on your own. You think that if you work hard and are strong, you will succeed. But it’s not enough, we need each other.