Yesterday we took the car and drove through Palermo Soho. Many, many, MANY establishments were shut down, with 'For rent' and 'For sale' signs everywhere. It was a desolated sight and we hadn't realized it was THAT serious, given that delivery has kept going strong considering the number of our neighbors' buzzers we hear every night.
Larreta is reopening outdoor dining on Monday, and some places have promptly placed outdoor counters / tables as the sidewalk allows.
Walking on the Avenidas, I also realized that many stores have converted their offering. The wine shop on Scalabrini has far less wines and alcohol bottles on display, and half the store now sells vegetables. Many cafés have closed - takeaway coffee is not a big thing and not enough to pay the bills. Several grocery stores have popped up, though, especially selling vegetables and basic foods.
Since the weather was really nice, yesterday there were some people at Parque centenario. Some enjoying the sun with their masks one, and some with the mask under their chin.
We have also spotted some people with no mask at all. It was just 20°C but with a mask on it is hard to walk at a speedy pace and breathe well.
I myself went out to buy vegetables yesterday and it was a disaster: if I kept my glasses on the nose, I couldn't see anything because of the vapor from my breathe. If I kept them on the mask's fabric, they slipped down. I was sweating and had to use a tissue and I felt like a criminal taking off my mask. At the same time, my glasses fell, the mask rubber band broke and I was ready to yell a giant f.... off and go home.
The veggie store owner was trying to do his best putting his mask on whenever a client was in the store. The guys delivering meat entered with no mask and with half a cow on their shoulders, and later smoke a fag outside. A guy collecting his laundry was in line with no mask.