Things to do while in isolation.

Well for the most part, it's been uneventful being in isolation. But that's good! I prefer no drama!  Thankfully with modern  technology we can still communicate with friends and family through Facebook, Facetime, Zoom, Skype, email, texts and calls.

Just for the record, for those on the frontline, it's a real fricken' nightmare. (My heart goes out to those who face this every day.)  For those of us inside...there's a different kind of nightmare...avoid slipping into madness. (Luckily I've been living on my own for years.)   Also, I was raised to be independent and learned to be content with one's own company. Still...other than my lovely cat to keep me company,  it's up to me to find ways to keep me busy. 

So, here's what I've been doing... 

1. Dye my hair

2. Make cupcakes (I made cookies too but ate them so no pictures!)

3. Paint chairs...(only did 2 so far) White=before Black=after paint

4. Knit

5. Make face masks for friends and family

6. Make baby gift

7. Go for walks

8. Listen to music...thank you Alexa!🥰

9. Make scrub caps and masks

10. Cook stuff...

11. Drink (but not excessively because alcohol is a depressant so be careful.)

12. Take funny pictures of my bff /cat. 

13. Burn incense to kill neighbors tobacco smells

14. Sit in car while waiting for laundry to wash @ laundromat.  (No one uses social distancing so I wear the mask.)

Projects I've started during COVID-19 Isolation...and on to more!

So, I've done lots of projects since the isolation began (for me, March 21, 2020) but making face masks for friends and family has to be the one thing that keeps me getting up in the morning. The idea of anyone getting sick keeps me making these with the hopes that it will help someone, somewhere. 

Day 28 of COVID-19 Quarantine Lockdown, April 2020

I have to apologize, its been ages since my last post. So much has happened since then. 

But first of all, to all my dear readers, friends and family, I hope you and all your loved ones are well and safe! My heart goes out to all the healthcare workers, paramedics, fire fighters, police officers, grocery and pharmacy workers and everyone who is working on the front lines. I commend all of you! 

I trust we are all practising safety measures with "social distancing" (yes, a new phrase) which they now say should be MORE than just 2 metres (6 feet) from others. But also wearing face masks in public, which will reduce the spread to others.

At this point, we must use all precautions as we really don't know exactly how contagious it really is, who has it, who is a carrier (with mild or no symptoms) but all of us can become infected if we don't practise safe measures! (This includes hand washing with soap for more than 20 seconds etc., including before and after putting on/taking off face masks and other PPE.) Personally, I hope no one has to find out how damaging this virus can be.  

This is a mask I made (yes that's my scary quarantine hairdo)...it has three layers, one of which is a pocket. I found paper towel folded and placed inside the pocket works pretty well. I can still breathe fairly well. Fabric is woven cotton and I used elastic. Many people working long shifts prefer the ties, as the elastic over the ears can become painful. 


**Just for the record, these are NOT for healthcare workers on the front lines (since they require certain standards that have to be met). I'm only making these for friends and family at the moment. I will make PPE (personal protection equipment) for healthcare workers, if requested, but lack all the necessary supplies at the moment. 

So, here we are! For, myself it's day 28 of the COVID-19 lockdown...and I have to say, unbelievable! Over four weeks ago today, my boss sent us home for a two week self isolation. At first...it felt like a long overdue vacation, one which I haven't had in years. But then, when checking with family and friends...along with the media, it soon sank in, how serious this really has become, and two weeks....that is history now! 

Of course, we have to take a lot of things with a grain of salt, especially what the media is feeding us. (I don't dispute the case numbers and number of deaths. I believe that is a reality, and one we must take seriously.) I don't think governments would make this part up. The fact that other leaders or public figures like Prince Charles, Boris Johnson and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau have been infecfed, shows no one is immune!

Now, I find myself limiting my time viewing news and other social media because some of it is either overwhelming or just too depressing. For everyone's mental wellbeing, we have to distance ourselves from it from time to time. Otherwise all this information is just too much to digest.  I find it can trigger fears that we thought were in check. So, we must try to remain calm in the face of so much uncertainty. The one thing we're all coping with, is the state of our mental health and possibly physical health too. After several weeks in isolation, we may start to feel disconnected, unhinged, socially neglected or panicked etc. And that's when we have to distract ourselves with daily tasks, projects or hobbies. Especially if you have children who look to you for guidance. 

Even now, when I pick up groceries, I start to feel slightly panicky. But now, I have a routine...I start doing safety checks. Are my hands clean, do I have wipes or hand sanitizer, disposable gloves and clean face masks? Then...I have to do another check to see what has been cleaned between my apartment and my car. Then I have to check all the door handles. Once inside my car, I hand sanitize, again!  (Sheesh! What a fricken nightmare!) And I'm not even a germaphobe! Plus, all the while, making sure I don't touch my face. Oh yeah... make sure my glasses are on too, before leaving the house. (As I need them for driving.) 

My cousin, who is on her own, has a compromised health issue. So, I try to do the express grocery pick ups while she does the ordering online for both of us. I also make other stops such as the pharmacy etc. My idea is to have as little interaction with others, as possible. (Not by choice,  but necessity.) The one thing I've noticed locally is....there's many who aren't wearing face masks, disposable gloves or other PPE.  (Plus they're not social distancing either.)  Living in a smaller community is lovely. The downside is... I think people feel more confident that our exposure is less, so they take more risks. Though it may be true about less exposure, the reality is, no one is immune! Anyway, that's my post for today. More again soon. Stay safe, everyone!