Maja Knezović, Cim, Bosnia & Herzegovina
A Pandemic Adventure
Author: Maja Knezović
The initial months of 2020 seemed unusually sluggish. I eagerly awaited my annual vacation, but it was still a couple of months away. After bidding farewell to the last customers at the souvenir shop, I slowly began unpacking the belated shipment of new magnets, carefully arranging them on the designated display rack. In the background, the radio news began, and one particular report struck me with disbelief – the menacing virus that had been making headlines worldwide for a month had now reached Bosnia and Herzegovina. It quickly became the dominant topic among my colleagues during our breaks, whether for coffee, a smoke, or simply a breath of fresh air. Simultaneously, my phone buzzed incessantly with messages; what started as discussions about plans for International Women’s Day on March 8th swiftly transformed into panicked and worried conversations. The much- anticipated gathering on March 8th couldn’t escape the shadow of the virus, no matter how hard we tried to divert our attention and focus on other matters.
In the following days, the virus made its presence felt in our city, Mostar. The first confirmed case brought with it a twist of events reminiscent of a Mexican telenovela. This peculiar turn of events managed to momentarily divert our attention from the overwhelming fear and concern associated with the virus. As I listened to the news repeatedly at home, I received a message from my boss stating that we were not required to report to work starting the following day. Over the next three days, it felt as if the entire world gradually slowed down, until eventually everything came to a complete standstill. Only a few ventured out for work, as children and students were compelled to adapt to new alternative methods of education. We found ourselves embracing a new reality, commonly referred to as the ‘new normal,’ a phrase that became all too familiar.
Special attention was dedicated to the meticulousness and frequency of handwashing, as well as refraining from touching our faces. Going to the store became a task that required careful planning, and it felt nearly impossible to step outside without a protective mask covering our faces. The store shelves were half empty, and masks, a necessity, were scarce in the pharmacies due to a widespread shortage. These protective masks became an integral part of our new obligations and realities. While scrolling through social media, I came across a widely shared post—a DIY face mask template. It immediately reminded me of my neighbor, Marijana, who happened to be a skilled tailor with a salon conveniently located near my house. I shared the picture of the template with her and asked if she could create something similar. Her response came promptly, mentioning that she had already sewn similar masks for her household members but lacked the necessary materials. She suggested bringing an old piece of clothing if I had one available.
I retrieved an old sheet from the closet, its worn-out fabric on the verge of tearing at any moment, and made my way to Marijana’s living room. The road felt eerily deserted, a sight I hadn’t witnessed since I moved to Cim, and a mix of anxiety and confusion filled the air. However, as soon as Marijana opened the door, that unsettling feeling quickly dissipated, replaced by her calm and reassuring energy. We exchanged a few words about the situation, and she assured me that she would do her utmost to have the masks ready by tomorrow. She also mentioned that she could create additional pieces using the material from the bed linen. Pleased with the plan, I left to pick up the masks, elated about my new “fashionable” accessory.
I couldn’t resist taking a picture and sharing it on social media. Within minutes, my inbox was flooded with inquiries and orders for the same masks. The thought immediately struck me that over the next few days, Marijana and I could collaborate, with me assisting in the tailoring and her focusing on sewing the masks. I swiftly messaged her about the idea, and she enthusiastically agreed, suggesting we involve Sandra, another neighbor who possessed basic sewing skills, to expedite the process. And so, our pandemic adventure began.
For the following 5 to 6 weeks, the three of us would gather in Marijana’s sewing salon, tirelessly crafting masks to meet the continuous demand from individuals. Despite our dedication, we didn’t seek any financial gain from this undertaking—the masks were priced just enough to cover the cost of materials. Often, we would receive orders for ten or more masks at once, but we had to decline such requests. Instead, we limited the maximum number of masks per person to three, ensuring that each household could obtain their fair share.
After addressing the needs of our neighborhood and families, we recognized the potential to extend our efforts. Fueled by enthusiasm, we decided to sew and donate masks for a broader cause. Our focus turned to the gynecology department in Mostar. With great determination, we reached out to them, presented our proposal, and they eagerly accepted it. To support our efforts, we appealed to our neighbors for material contributions. Many responded generously, bringing bundles of old t-shirts and shirts to support our cause.
A few days later, we made arrangements with the gynecology department to collect the donated masks. However, little did we know that the person who was assigned to pick up the masks was an ambulance driver in a company vehicle who faced difficulty finding our tucked-away sewing salon. After waiting at a nearby restaurant for a few minutes, uncertain about the next steps, the driver resorted to turning on the vehicle’s sirens and flashing lights, hoping to catch our attention. Regrettably, this unconventional approach didn’t quite produce the desired result, as we assumed that someone was in urgent need of medical assistance. Fortunately, through a series of prompt phone calls, the misunderstanding was quickly resolved, giving us a lighthearted tale to share about this one-of-a-kind attempt at communication.
Those few weeks passed in a whirlwind of busyness, and the experience, coupled with the satisfaction of contributing to the common good, not only strengthened the bond among the three of us but also fostered a deeper connection with the entire neighborhood. Our neighbors became more involved, offering valuable advice and donating materials. While we were already close-knit as neighbors and always ready to lend a helping hand, either by borrowing something or helping out while on a trip outside of Cim, this shared experience deepened our connection on a profound level.
In the middle of May, a new message arrived from our boss, announcing her return to work as the pandemic measures became more relaxed. Soon, protective masks became readily available everywhere, even at the souvenir shop where I was employed. Consequently, the entire mask-making saga became obsolete, prompting both Marijana and Sandra to put an end to their sewing efforts and resume their everyday lives.
Perhaps, unlike many others, those few weeks didn’t translate into the long-awaited vacation for me. However, the profound sense of fulfillment stemming from our collective adventure provided me with the energy and motivation needed for the upcoming period.