It is April 1st and I don’t think we will get the pranks that we usually do! In fact I don’t know about you but since March 12th I totally feel pranked. The world as we know it has totally changed. Who would ever have thought that we would all still be isolating from each other? Indeed the whole world is in quarantine! Even though this is our new normal and it could be for a long time to come, it still is mind boggling! In fact, I just returned from Barrie visiting the grandchildren on March 1st!
Our news constantly gives us the latest updates on Covid 19. Social distancing when we go shopping is now measured with round dots on the floors. Protective barriers are in place for our cashiers. Wearing gloves or even masks are a regular occurrence. Your trips shopping are well organized as you do not want to make several trips. Non essential businesses are closed down. Streets in my city are empty save for a few people. Most people who still have a job are working from home. We can see our Prime Minister updating us every day at 11:15. Public Health representatives speak to us daily on the news and answer our myriad of questions re this new normal because of the virus. When you go out now you make sure it is a close distance as washrooms are closed as well. All restaurants are closed and only take out is permitted. I had to get medication plus food for our dogs. I called ahead, paid for it over the phone, then when I got to their location I called them again. The receptionist unlocked their door and brought this out and put it in my trunk.
Purel is attached to my purse and is used repeatedly on my hands when out. I left my purse at home on purpose but kept the Purel in my pocket! Yesterday this new order for closures came from Doug Ford, our Provincial Premier. Among the facilities ordered closed are playgrounds, off-leash parks, skateboard parks, picnic areas, outdoor community gardens, outdoor recreational facilities and my go to place, beaches! Last Wednesday I went to Port Stanley to soothe my soul by going for a walk and listening to the waves roll in. People were social distancing. It was a break from all that was going on and the changes we see daily in our lives.
Throughout this time though, I am totally amazed at people’s resiliency. Parents are schooling their children who continue to be off since March break. They have gotten very creative as they now have their children in their homes 24/7. There have been more forts made with cushions and blankets. My Barrie grandchildren have had a tent in their living room for several days for nightly sleepovers of siblings together.
Many people I know are starting to bake and are getting quite creative in their baking. My daughter hauled out her ice cream maker and made frozen yogurt. She has a pasta maker as well and will be using that again. I have seen many parents teaching their children cooking or baking and other household skills. My daughter-in-law is trying to finish her year of schooling via face time on the internet.
Thank goodness for computers! Our Forest City Toastmasters meet weekly through Zoom. It is so wonderful to see my friends again. We have kept in touch with friends and family through messaging and phone calls. We are all such social beings and this is so important. One of my former Toastmaster friends is 3D printing protective shields for health care workers. Many companies have come forward to make not only face shields, but masks, ventilators etc. I saw on T.V. where one company is producing room dividers for hospital patients that have a microbe shield.
Paramedics are helping pharmacies deliver medications to people. Properties have been donated in case extra space is needed for hospital patients. Neighbours are picking up groceries for the elderly or those with disabilities in their neighbourhood. Relatives are standing outside nursing homes to sing happy birthday to their loved ones. In Italy people are singing from their balconies. Often people near hospitals are clapping or banging on pots at shift change to thank the health care works and the essential services like police and fire fighters.
Many people I know have been cleaning out cupboards! Yesterday I tackled two junk drawers. I cannot do the crawl space yet as there is no place open to take my stuff! As well all of my health care providers are closed. I don’t know about you, but my back is never happy being bent over in this space.
As a retired nurse, I think daily of my peers who continue to work diligently to help people in hospitals suffering from this virus. They are often the only persons there to support their clients as no visitors are allowed. This can be heart breaking in so many ways especially when a patient passes. I have seen nurses getting flowers and food from various groups as a thank you. Although it is never expected at times like these, acknowledgement is so special. Everyone is exhausted already and we have not hit the peak yet. Medical staff has had to be so careful to not bring this virus home to their families or to get it themselves.
I have seen Provinces with more cases being helped out by other Provinces in our country. For once the politicians all seem to be on the same page! Things are getting passed quickly to help those with major financial difficulties. Remember the teachers strike? Boy that seems such a long time ago. It got quietly resolved.
We now are focused on the very fundamentals in life. We are totally getting back to basics and spending more time with family. I hope your family is in a safe environment! We were to have travelled to New Orleans on the 6th. I am so glad this got cancelled. Yes I will miss that adventure, but hopefully next year we will be able to do this. Our health is the most important thing.
Get out for a walk in your neighbourhood. You can exercise at home with what ever you have available. Cans can be used as weights! If you have stairs use them repeatedly. There are yoga programs on T.V. You know those many DVD exercise programs you have kept? Now’s the time to dust them off! Spring is here and those gardens I know will be in great shape this year. For my Wellspring cancer friends they have programs online. You just have to register. I know some of you have an exercise bike that has previously served as a clothes rack! This might be the time to unearth it again and give it another whirl!!
You can actually watch a whole series on T.V. Those books you have wanted to read… well you now have time for it. The knitting project you started can finally be finished. All those recipe books you have… try out some new meals.
Most of all try to keep positive. I know these are very scary times. We truly are in uncharted waters. Be your best you and be kind to others but most of all to yourself. This too will pass. I am not sure if we will ever get back to the way we were. Perhaps that is a good thing. I hope that because of this virus we all learn what is truly important in life.
Be safe, stay well and know that I am thinking about you with loving thoughts. The Reiki I do can be sent to you to long distance to help ease the stress. I am as close as the phone or email if you need to talk. 40 years as a psychiatric nurse gave me a lot of practice!
A big virtual hug from me to you!
