These Days of Lockdown

So much information is coming through social media, newspapers, TV and other sources. Times are tough. Most people are doing their best just stay home for the better good, nonetheless, there are those who refuse to believe that what is happening is real.

As I'm writing this, I can hear the construction site next door working full blast. I sincerely hope those workers are making extra hazard pay and that their being protected with masks and basic hygiene.  

God, there are days where I have a very difficult time wrapping my mind around all of this. But, I have noticed that the sky is clearer - it's bluer which means less pollution. I have been trying to keep fit with my physiotherapy workout and I tried to keep mentally fit by calling up family and friends. However, today it is my baby sister's birthday and I spoke to her via video chat. I tried to be strong while we were talking but now, I'm losing it. Deep down inside I know this breakdown is not going to go on forever. Crying alleviates the heart. Then you shake it off and go back into a different mode and just keep swimming.

 There are a lot of things we have to adapt to specially, in my case, teaching classes online. I see it as more of a help on line and the students are going to mature faster because they have to be their own, let's say police officers, and discipline themselves into doing everything that everybody or shall I say all the teachers are giving them to do. I realize that staying in bed and sleeping or watching Netflix or as they say bingeing on Netflix is much easier, but then again what are the long-term effects of these actions. Now it is time to take your life into your hands and try to set limits, routines, and discipline.

My current situation is that I have been away from the family for 2 weeks and a half now. It isn't easy specially when your mother is 77 years old , suffers from many illnesses, in a house all by herself . I don't feel that it's safe for her (nor for myself) to come her here to stay with me. Although we've been speaking on the phone everyday, she has not learned how to be self – disciplined,  therefore,  she spends most of her time in her room and since she does not have access to cable TV or any other kind of paid TV, what she only watches is the news in the open channels where all they talk about is the coronavirus. A good thing though is that she has finally learned how to answer a video call so we can see each other whenever we feel like it. But just seeing the person is not enough. We were raised in a society where touching other people is very important and this we miss a lot .

A good thing though from all of this is that on Sunday towards the end of the day I received a beautiful picture (which can be seen below ) from one of my neighbors, asking me if I wanted a piece of cake, which she had just made for her family. I was super thrilled and moved with the kind gesture and felt her frustration when I had to tell her that I couldn't accept because I can't have anything with gluten in it. Nonetheless, I did thank her very much and offered her my help in case she needed it although she's in a house with four other people. Reaching out to others does warm the heart and you can be sure that the person who is reached out to also feels better and not so alone.

Not sure how long this is going to last, but the city is under lock down and I am really hoping and praying that people take this seriously and stay in their homes. As I have said before it is for the greater good. Now is the time to think of us and not just me.

Stay home! Stay safe! Stay healthy both in mind and body! We are in this together!

Written : March 24, 2020

Photo: Mariangela ( my neighbor) Thank you so much !!!!

Stay Home

People are scared. They have no clue of what is going on. They run around without knowing where to go or what to do. Some of them cry, some laugh, some make believe that nothing is going on and some just sit there and stare into nothing.

            Our country is under lock down; the world is or maybe should be, and yesterday under my bedroom window there was a party going on. At least it sounded like a party. It went on all day long. People laughing, people singing, people screaming.  I had to get up and see what was going on.

            As I looked out the window, I saw a bar and across the street from it there was a blue tent. I could see that there was smoke coming from under the tent; therefore, it meant that they were having a barbecue.

            The first thought that came to my mind was social distancing. Weren´t these people supposed to be confined to their homes in order for the virus not to spread? It seemed as if they had not been told that.

            There were adults and child. The adults were drinking and eating while the children ran around playing catch. They were close and touching each other, either with their bodies or their breath.

            At first glance I was jealous because I wanted to be outside enjoying the fresh, well not so fresh, air. I wanted to be with my family whom I haven´t seen in two weeks. I wanted to be out with my friends being merry and drinking. Instead I was confined to my apartment.

            Being confined to my apartment isn´t all that bad. I am able to enjoy the time with my pets; organize what needs to be organized like a drawer, a closet, or my mind. I can also chat with several people via video calls. I can try out new dishes and eat what I want to. The cable TV companies have opened several channels which I usually do not have access to therefore I can be entertained and never bored. Books that I have bought over the years can help me fill my time with an activity instead of being idle.

 My home is my castle. It is where I am free to be me. Staying here means that I am avoiding spreading the plague that is in the world. Some people compare it to a prison cell where you are not allowed to leave. Leaving only when the guard comes to set you free or to move to another location only under close observation. However, my house is my kingdom and within these walls I am free to do what I wish to do.

People are scared. Sometimes I am too. Nonetheless, I walk by faith and not by sight. So, I am going to take this one day at a time and always look up. That being said, if people wish to live their lives nowadays as if nothing were happening in the world, be it. I just pray that they are touched by the fact that this social distancing is not to protect one´s self but to protect our species.

Written: March 22, 2020

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