link to original reddit post by /u/Rdgue3
I'm Spanish, and I'm seeing all the news regarding how Americans are currently and I'm just very jealous. Firstly, I'd like to say that, even if I dislike how the government is becoming increasingly authoritarian, we have still not reached the level of Russia or anywhere close.
For context, allow me to explain how the current situation in Spain is. In Spain, it is absolutely compulsory to wear a face mask virtually in every situation, even if you are sunbathing in the beach, alone in the street, in the middle of the woods or seated in a restaurant waiting for your food to be delivered. People who don't comply get fined, and cops are very eager to fine people for the slightest infraction.
Also, there's a curfew imposed from 11pm to 6am and, just as with the masks, the cops really want to fine people. Although 11-6 might seem to be a reasonable curfew and might seem as if it doesn't disrupt life, in Spain it really does, as most people usually have dinner at 10pm or so. Therefore, by having a curfew at 11, you are disallowing most people to have dinner in restaurants.
Although it is legal to be in restaurants, you obviously have to leave before 11, and in most places it's sooner because the workers have to get home. Of course, most people have chosen not to have dinner outside because it isn't worth it. Besides, even if someone chose to go to a restaurant, the capacity of the restaurants is way less than it was before.
Moreover, only a maximum of six people can be together at any given point, whether it is on a restaurant, on the street or just at your home. Actually, it is illegal for somebody that doesn't live in your home to be in your home, regardless of whether you invited that person or not.
I would love to say that these are all the restrictions that are at place, but I'd be lying. Depending on how many people are infected in an area, you might be banned from entering or exiting said area unless it is properly justified. If you have been in contact with anybody that has corona, you are not allowed to leave your home for ten days. Obviously, all of these restrictions are enforced by the police and you'd be heavily fined if you break any of them.
Also, Spain's vaccination rate is extremely slow, with a very low percentage of the people having any dosis of the vaccine (and that people being mostly people over 80 or essential workers, aka people working for the government, such as teachers or police officers).
Just 40 years ago, Spain was a fascist dictatorship under General Franco's rule, so one could argue that Spaniards should be wary of authoritarian tendencies or politicians who try to restrict liberties. However, most people cheer for more restrictions.
The economy is in shambles, the unemployment rate is very high and the predictions are not optimistic. Still, people want more and more restrictions to their natural rights and I just don't understand anything.
Thanks for reading until the end, I hope I didn't bother you too much.
TLDR: in Spain, most liberties are being restricted and the economy is destroyed, and people want even more restrictions.