Surviving Isolation

Most of us are doing ok for now. The thought of this virus lasting 3 months minimum, but probably longer frightens me. Do any of us know what it is like to be isolated for an indefinite amount of time?

I keep reminding myself that I should look at the positives. I have a partner and close family all living together who are very healthy. What must it be like for those who live alone? What must it be like for people who have no family or relatives? Even then, we are better off than we were before Facebook, Skype, twitter or Zoom. At least some of us can still work, meet socially on line, or even do some home schooling. There is no reason why we cannot enjoy lunch with a friend online. Everything is the same except different. Really, the only important difference is no physical contact. We can go for family walks. People are amazing. Some neighbourhoods have come up with novel ideas to make walking interesting. They have their kids tape funny pictures to their windows. More structured imaginative ways are also emerging. Competitions for best paintings or the amount of teddybears in windows are becoming popular. The bear hunt is very exciting for the younger ones. For those open playgrounds it is possible to have kids stay very distant from one another. Visiting a variety of them throughout the week is fun.  This may not be possible if infections continue to rise.

There are some beautiful parks in Alberta

This park had a solar energy spot to charge phones

Bike riding and scootering could be a change from walking.

I myself belong to Toastmasters. We have started having club meetings on Zoom. This is different but still enjoyable. We get to meet and appreciate one another in new ways. I find myself Skyping or e-mailing old friends to find out how they are coping. The daily updates which we must watch, to find out the speedy changes that are happening, can be frightening. We are lucky to have computers to help us have discussions with friends and be informed.

Do not forget the elderly. I saw some great ideas on TV. One can record songs and messages on old simple devises. Decks of cards for solitaire and other card and board games can also be included. Get the grandkids to do drawings. Remember to clean all with anti bacterial wipes and put into a zip lock bag. This could be a great treat to the old folk.

Does anyone have other interesting ideas? Simple ideas are best especially in this era of overload.
Keep safe.