Cristina García Rodero SPAIN. Madrid. April 20, 2020. The people who do the essential work in my Salamanca neighborhood in Madrid are those related to health, pharmacies, hospitals and markets, who are in charge of food
(...) and cleaning products, and also the delivery man, who these days are especially dedicated to collecting food orders and moving them quickly. A few days ago, construction workers were allowed to work and today they have given the green light to the anchovy fishermen. I would like to thank them all because with their dedication and courage they make it possible for us to buy masks, alcohol, disinfectants, gloves and to continue to give medication to so many people and to remedy other illnesses, running with all the risks. Several pharmacists have already died. To the workers in the markets, the distributors, the cashiers, the transporters, make it possible for us not to lack food, also risking our health. And to the young people who, with their bicycles and motorcycles, carry the food, or medicine, or any other need, work at any hour for a ridiculous wage. In these days they have demonstrated in protest because before they received 2.50 euro per order and now they are receiving half, 1.20 euro, without giving them any protection of masks, gloves, etc. When I go out I find them waiting to receive work over the phone. They are the only people I see, Madrid is empty. Soon the children under 12 will come out with many conditions, but it will be a joy to see them on the street. The difficult thing is to be able to work in these circumstances. In Spain it is one of the hardest confinements, except for food and health, you need to have proof to go to the allowed jobs. If you disobey, the fines are very high and in some cases, punished with jail, so I have had to work in the places where I go once a week or 10 days to buy food and to the pharmacies trying to find everything necessary to not get infected or spread the virus. All these products were quickly exhausted and we have been © Cristina García Rodero | Magnum Photos