I am anxious about my first trip to Portugal. I am anxious about traveling after tearing my meniscus. I am anxious about traveling after Covid-19.

On June 15, 2021, air travel between the United States and Portugal reopens. On July 13th, I purchase my Delta tickets from Atlanta to New York, New York to Lisbon. I am set.

I know some of the history of Covid in Portugal at that point in time. Like other European countries, Portugal reports its first case of Covid on March 2, 2020. A doctor who has traveled to northern Italy and a worker who has traveled to Spain both test positive. In only two weeks, on March 16, 2020, Portugal reports its first death. In October 2020, Portugal reports over 100,000 cases; by August 2021, Portugal reports over 1,000,000 cases. During the epidemic, over 18,000 people die. Yikes!

I find comfort that the Portuguese officials and people, unlike the Trump and Republican administration and the general population in the United States, take vaccinations seriously. Out of approximately 10 million people, over 9 million receive one vaccinations and almost 9 million receive two vaccinations. Great! Furthermore, they donate 5% of their vaccinations to former colonies in Africa (to Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor). Even the cartoon animals are protected!

As in the United States, the government responds in other ways. It provides financial support for workers furloughed by their employers. It provides incentives to gradually reopen business. It extends lines of credits to small businesses. It defers tax for individuals and companies.

I am still anxious. Would my flight be cancelled because of a new outbreak? Would I have to be quarantined in New York or Lisbon? Would I find hotels, airbnbs, restaurants closed? Would I, and others, be wearing a mask every day?

My flights are not cancelled or delayed. I do not have a ten day quarantine period. I do not find any of my lodging closed or restaurants closed. I and others do wear masks occasionally, more so in Lisbon than in the rural and small town areas.

I am fortunate that I did not contract Covid-19. I’m fortunate that I am able to travel through a country where thousands died. I’m mindful of that fact.

We see evidence of our lives. I see run-down buildings where people work. I see deserted village homes which people have left. I walk past waste treatment plants. I spy masks lying in the weeds or in the gutter. Humans leave evidence of their lives. Covid-19 is no different. The evidence of Covid though runs so much deeper than the physical remains of masks. Individuals have died. Individuals must live with the after effects of covid. They may be always fatigued. They may suffer “brain fog.” They may feel an unshakable feeling of isolation. More than the remaining physical evidence of Covid, those evidences are more debilitating and probably longer-lasting.

May we learn behavior and change our behavior so that future outbreaks will not be as destructive.