The Coronavirus Pandemic

[Aloka]

This topic is for members to discuss the Coronavirus Pandemic if they want to, and how it is affecting them personally.

....and bearing in mind that we are an international community, please try to avoid discussions about politics, thanks.

[KathyLauren]

As retired people, our lives aren't very exciting at the best of times. Covid-19 has made them even less exciting.

The theatre where my wife and I volunteer has shut down. It is looking like it will be a year before it reopens. With some of the restrictions easing here, we have been able to get together with some friends for dinner one time, and we ate out on our own once. More often, we go to the drive-through at A&W and eat in the car. Or we get take-out and eat at home. Our idea of living it up.

We would love to be able to get together with our neighbours. But one of them is immune-compromised, so the best we can do is to chat from a distance when we see each other out in the yard.

We try to set a good example by wearing our masks when we are out shopping. Too few people do. It is frustrating. People act like the pandemic is over. We beat the first wave, but we are expecting the second wave in the fall to be a doozy. We ordered some more washable masks, and a couple of boxes of disposable masks.

I was lucky that a medical procedure I needed went ahead in March. I was one of the last patients before the clinic shut down. I know a lot of people needing the same procedure who have had to wait for months.

So, boredom, gratitude, responsibility. We are healthy, and we are thankful for that.

Om mani padme hum
Kathy

[philg]

We are self-isolating because we are both at risk. It's been hard not to see grandchildren who are growing fast and are going through stages we will never get to see. There's one we haven't even seen yet. But as Kathy says we are healthy(ish) so have a lot to be thankful for.

[justusryans]

I agree we are both are doing well due to self isolation and wearing our masks when going out in public. We don’t even hardly shop anymore. Most large grocery stores have outside pickup now. Too many people not wearing masks these days for us to go inside shopping.

Anyway it is what it is... we are healthy , stay safe!

Mike
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[dwlemen]

This is hard times, but I am trying to use it as an opportunity to be mindful. I have a tendency of racing off into future "fantasies," and this is prime fodder for that. A few times already I have been sure this was it. That the cough, runny nose, etc. was not my usual allergies, but was the virus. And, then I catch myself imagining my hospitalization, death, my family grieving / guilt, and then moving on without me, etc. etc.

I know intellectually that all that isn't true, and is catastrophising, and such, and I am trying to use mindfulness to catch myself when I go down those rabbit holes, and say "not now" and feel my breathing for a minute or so. Difficult, but hopefully good practice opportunities.

In terms of the literal affects of this, I am very (VERY) fortunate to have a job that is extremely secure (IT for welfare dept) and can be done entirely at home. Besides hating zoom calls, this is great. Pre-pandemic, I would drive an hour each way to the office. Haven't had to do that since March, and since we're just as effective, it makes a good case for my staying home after things return. Most of my for fun activities involve being outdoors (biking, hiking, fishing) so they have had little effect. And, with the family being unable to do their activities (wife shopping!), we are saving money.

So, essentially, the worst part for me thus far has been in my own mind.

Peace,

-Dave

[Aloka]

Hi friends,

Are you all still coping with the virus pandemic where you live? What about your family and friends?


Sending lots of good wishes & metta,

Stay safe & well.

Aloka

[Thinker]

Having gone through a relationship break down a few years ago, this point in time is and has been difficult not been or seen my Kids for a year other than popping in presents. Tough and depressing.

[philg]

We get stir crazy occasionally, but when you understand that you are living in a pandemic you accept you have to adapt accordingly. I'm trying to keep fit(ish) with the indoor cycle and I've bought some of those fitness bands to do some upper body work. We are also trying to eat healthy, but the quality of the fresh food we can get leaves a lot to be desired and we are having to take vitamin and mineral supplements. We still don't know if we had the virus months ago since we can't get a blood test. I think we both had a mild response, but my wife is suffering from the after effects with continual sore throats and swollen glands in the neck.

Despite this we know we are lucky. I'm on a pension so I don't have to work, and we get supermarket deliveries so we don't have to go out shopping. We have a small garden to go out in, with a pond, a greenhouse and a couple of sheds. I've let the shrubs around the outside grow to cover the fences (which are all 6ft high around here) so we can look out onto green leaves as well as some flowers I've managed to grow. The last of the apples from our apple tree have just been used. They were small and somewhat scabby and eaten (by something, not us), but I managed to cut them up and cook the good bits. The pears from our pear tree are next and I have to check them daily to see which are ready to come off, or we lose them all when they fall in the wind.

Having said that, I miss walking the hills which are close, but difficult to get around safely when others do not understand that there is a pandemic on. The paths funnel into narrow bits where you are close to other walkers, so you are relying on them wearing masks. They don't because they are outside and think they are safe, but can't social distance when the paths narrow. Oh well, something to look forward to I guess. Take care all.

[woodscooter]

I'm lucky that I've not been infected by the virus (so far).

The lockdown has been useful for me. I've had a number of unfinished projects and things I was always going to do if ever I got the time. Then suddenly, I've got the time! So I've tied up a number of loose ends over the past few months.

It's all getting a bit tiresome now, but as the restrictions are being eased it's not so bad.

[KathyLauren]

Hi friends,

Are you all still coping with the virus pandemic where you live? What about your family and friends?


Sending lots of good wishes & metta,

Stay safe & well.

Aloka

Still coping well, thanks. The tight lockdown imposed earlier is paying off in that our second wave has not started yet. Restrictions have been cautiously eased, but at the same time, mask-wearing has been made mandatory. There is some apprehension locally about the university opening for classes in a few weeks. It sounds like they have sensible precautions in place, but it remains to be seen whether returning students will obey them. So, we are sticking with the program, minimizing contact.

We get some social contact via a local community group. We are the nutty couple who sit six feet away from everyone else. That's fine. When the second wave hits, we will probably cut that off. I get most of my social contact on the Internet anyway.

I hope you and your family are staying safe and well, too.

Om mani padme hum
Kathy