When COVID-19 started in Colombia life changed a lot…
When COVID-19 started in Colombia life changed a lot. Schools were closed we had to stay
home and everything felt strange. But at the same time another big problem started. The
government wanted to pass a tax reform which means change the taxes and many people
thought it was very unfair because poor and middle-class families were already suffering
with no jobs and less money.
I was living in Bogotá and I remember the streets full of protests. Every day people were
outside with posters shouting with music and banging pots. The city was loud but also full of
energy because everybody wanted to be heard. There was a feeling of union like the people
were one big voice. But it was also scary. The police used tear gas even when we were just
walking peacefully. The gas burned my eyes and skin and made it hard to breathe.
One day I went to a protest with my friends. We thought it was going to be calm but suddenly
the gas came. My eyes started crying without control and my throat was burning. I was lucky
because I was prepared. I had milk with me because I heard on the news that it helps with
the effects of the gas. I used it on me and my friends and it gave us some relief.
In other cities like Cali things were even worse. There was a lot of violence chaos people
hurt and even some deaths. On the news you could see images of fire blocked streets and
clashes with the police. It was very hard to believe all that was happening in our country at
the same time we were fighting a virus.
I will never forget one moment. The gas came again and I saw my friends suffering. My first
thought was not about me but about them. I saw a corner where we could escape and I told
them to run with me. We got out of there and I helped them with the milk in their eyes. That
day was so shocking that later we even appeared in the news.
Those days felt endless. At home I had online classes but it was impossible to concentrate
with all the noise outside and the fear of what was going to happen next. It was like living
between two worlds one with the virus and one with the protests. I learned a lot during that
time. I learned to be ready to protect myself and others I learned the value of union and I
learned that we cannot stay quiet when something is unfair.