Quarantine

Today is hump day of my 14 day quarantine, I‘m halfway to freedom!  How’s it going?  Well, I’ll be honest, I’m about to gouge out my eyes with the dull end of a butter knife.  Haha.  Technically, it’s being called a “restriction of movement” due to travel.  I visited my husband in port in Singapore, and while I was there, the Department of Defense issued guidance, which was then further tightened down by local military leadership, and here I am.  Home.  No visitors.  Can’t even go grocery shopping.  

Woe is me, right?  This sucks.  I’m all alone.  My poor little extrovert self is withering.  I have zero physical interaction with anyone of legal drinking age.  But, while I complain as I endure my situation, I totally get it.  I have definitely had those FML moments, I won’t deny that!  But while it totally sucks, I am completely on board with the reasons so many of us are “restricted in movement”.  My bestie of 30+ years  and a sister-in-law are severely asthmatic.  My parents and in-laws are of the age that makes them more vulnerable.  One my sisters has an autoimmune condition.  I am on board with the restriction because I know that it could save their lives.  And that means something to me.  It should mean something to every single one of us.  No doubt we ALL know and love someone who is older, immune-challenged, and in some other way at higher risk for contracting and dying of COVID-19. 

So, how to survive restriction?  Here are a few ideas:

1. FOLLOW THE RULES.  This is not the time for little cheats.  And trust me, I am the queen of those, which is why every diet I have tried ultimately has failed!  Don’t rationalize why one little social interaction is “ok”.  I ventured out of isolation one day to a garden shop, where I literally touched nothing but what I bought.  Then afterwards I felt guilty and wondered if the cashier touched something that I was bringing home to my children, who love to help in the garden.  Or if I inadequately covered a cough and left behind some germs…while I’m not sick, who knows when a symptom may show up, right?  That’s why I’m quarantined.  It’s just not worth it.  I swear on my blog I will not go out again near any other human beings.  Oh, my poor kids…they will certainly weary of my growing insanity!
2. WASH YOUR HANDS.  WASH YOUR HANDS.  Wash your hands.  I am a slight germaphobe, but I usually keep it in check for just those illnesses that involve vomit.  Other things aren’t as horrible to me.  In fact, I kinda love diseases.  I’m a bit of a nerd like that!  I have a standing invitation from a University of Nebraska Medical Center doctor for a tour of their Ebola containment unit.  Yes, really!  But anyway, these days, the moment anyone walks into my house, they are immediately sent straight to the bathroom to wash with hot water and soap, and I stand by with my timer.  Go ahead, sing “Happy Birthday” twice through, we won’t judge!
3. DEPEND ON YOUR FRIENDS FOR HELP.  I learned this nearly 10 years ago when I had a child hospitalized for 2 weeks while hubs was deployed.  When your friends offer to help, accept it!  They are offering because they like you and are willing to help you out during a crappy situation.  Accept their help graciously, and then you may get the chance to help them out another time.  Maybe next week after you are out of quarantine!  I have seen countless of acts of kindness here, from my own friends offering help and bringing groceries (and vodka, wine, etc), to people on the Facebook group offering to help out others who don’t have an established network.  We are all going through the same thing, and we will shine through in the best acts of humanity! 
4. BE AN EXAMPLE TO YOUR LITTLE PEOPLE.  While there is a good bit of uncertainly surrounding this virus and its spread, and most of us are not infectious disease specialists, we can still remain calm and trust in the professional scientists and doctors who are working constantly to learn and understand what we are dealing with.  It’s ok to be nervous, scared, anxious…whatever, but remember that your kids will look to you for an example of how to handle a crisis such as this.  Uncertainty.  Constantly changing information.  Specific and remarkable impacts on our daily life routines.  Take it gracefully and show them that we are built with resiliency, the ability to adapt and shift gears as necessary.  They will learn coping strategies from this.  This will be a memorable and significant event in the lives of all of us.  Use this as a chance to show your kids your strengths and trust in the experts.  Then, have a glass of wine…  
5. ALCOHOL IS YOUR FRIEND.  I mean this twofold.  Hand sanitizers need to contain 60% alcohol to be effective against this virus.  The second one, much more helpful to me during my quarantine, currently takes the form of vodka.  While no alcoholic, I will be honest….at the end of day 4 or 5 or 6 with no adult contact, little people grabbing at my legs, and no real reason to shower, brush teeth or even get out of PJs, I was reaching for a stiff drink.  But that’s ok.  Make sure your offspring are fed, clothed and not bleeding, and bottoms up, baby!  Cleansing from the inside out, right?!?

Feel free to share your own quarantine/restriction of movement/isolation experiences here! I want to hear your stories and coping mechanisms!

Love and cheers!!

Christine 

Photo by Brian McGowan on Unsplash