Tag: isolation

Back to Prison We Must Go!

Sung to the tune of London Bridge is Falling Down:

Back to prison we must go!  We must go! 
Back to prison we must go, oh dreaded Covid!

As of this writing, 85% of California will be back on lock down. More than 50% of the state’s population is in my neck of the woods, specifically Southern California, and it begins at midnight tonight.

Regulations are designed to reduce the spread of Covid-19 as well to prevent a lack of ICU and hospital beds occurring.

I don’t find our restrictions so draconian as other places, nor are they as restrictive as when the first lock down began last spring. These are restrictions we can live with as we are not changing our lifestyles all that much. The only difference we have is a lack of family gatherings or a beer or coffee with friends. That makes it socially . . . isolated.  Social isolation helps and hurts, as we all know.

California state mandates have fine details, which should be read, to get more informed information about the okay and not-okay. For instance, the newspapers are saying that households cannot mingle, but the state website, when I type in my county, states:

Small private gatherings

Are allowed outdoors only with modifications
– Masks and physical distancing required
– No more than 3 separate households attend (including the host’s)
– Gatherings should be 2 hours or less
– Those with symptoms must not attend
– Those at high risk of severe illness strongly encouraged not to attend
– Singing, shouting, chanting, cheering, or exercising strongly discouraged

See guidance for gatherings and holidays.

So, we could have a family Christmas gathering within specific parameters; however, I expect if we have one, it will be very, very small.

What I do not understand, and I would think this way even if I was much younger, is a failure to realize that this is not about me, but about us, meaning the good of everyone.  I wonder if this is a characteristic of the American culture, this rugged individualism and selfishness.  Do other countries experience this defiance of the collective for individual “rights” which endanger every other person?  I expect so, but it seems that a failure to show consideration for others is more and more in the public eye, from the self-aggrandizement of “leaders” to ICU nurses bragging about flaunting safety outside the workplace.

Whatever the situation, we – my household and extended family – will embrace these restrictions for our own good and the good of others.  If we stay healthy, we help others stay healthy.

Adaptation

Technology is taking over so much of our lives during this whole Covid-19 pandemic. Some of it is great, some is not so great. We won’t get into political meddling and hacking here, which really is fake news anyway! Instead, let’s look at how technology is at least keeping us all from living in isolation and ignorance, like troglodytes in a cave.

First off, let’s look at teleconferencing and meetings and phone calls. Being retired at just the right time, I don’t have to deal with converting classroom materials into online resources for free, that is, being expected to write curriculum on my own time. Many teachers I know are doing this, and the truth is, the amount of time they put in would cost a district far more than they would want to pay – that is, in the K-12 arena. While I am a proponent of in-class and in-person teaching, this virus precludes it from being realistic. Sadly, not everyone and every place has good internet connections, and not everyone can afford a computer or tablet, much less parents who can help. It’s just not realistic. But in the private realm, the TV-like qualities let us see family and friends face-to-face and enjoy their company. It helps, but does not replace in-person contact.

Besides phone calls and virtual medicine, I am entering into the new age with signing up for a virtual classroom this fall to continue the pastels class which was interrupted by the lockdown across the state of California. I have no idea how well it will go. The instructor struggled with the overhead projector, so I hope she is getting good training for the class. I know I would need it as I really don’t like that kind of stuff, particularly if I am expected to learn it on my own without pay. This was a hallmark of my school – you should be happy to donate your money and time to our students! (Yes, I was actually told that, but as an hourly employee, I expect to get paid – salaried would be a different story!) Back to the classroom. Other people I know have done this, and the results vary from person, teacher, etc. I’ll give it a shot.

Next, if you cannot teleconference, or don’t want to, you can meet in person. Social distancing does work, and it also helps to relieve the sense of isolation that builds with not having valuable time with people you like face-to-face. 3D is very important when it comes to people, I think! I like being around people. So, I am taking a chance and meeting up later this morning for a portrait drawing class in a park, on picnic tables, wearing a mask, bringing my alcohol spray and wipes, and settling down 6 feet apart. The weather is fine this morning, a bit misty, but is should burn off by the time class begins. I don’t think the risk is greater than going to the market.  How people behave will determine if I go again.

However, not all education cannot be held outdoors or online! Where I live, outdoors is more do-able, but in the heat of the Arizona desert or in the blizzards of Frostbite Falls, MN, not so easily done. As we move along in this new world, we will find new ways of doing things. It is challenging and creative, as well as annoying and dispiriting. Human contact is important, and some of us need more and some need less. As a retired person, my world is now severely limited and human contact is usually going to the market. It is creating a level of mild depression, and that is not something that is easily dealt with at times.

This is why I am taking the risk of an outdoor drawing class – an activity with others, others with a shared interest. Before the pandemic, I had rejoined my photo club and weavers guild, started pastels and pencil portrait classes, and so on. Then, a screeching halt. A few months of isolation is okay, but months and months begins to wear you down. We all need to decide how to adapt to our new times. We take classes, connect outdoors with those we love, exercise, whatever – but in the end, I really believe we all need face-to-face human contact. At least I have that opportunity and access to good technology (and an IT guy for a spouse to help), and a willingness to try new things. And a willingness to risk it with sensible precautions.

Isolation, Boredom, and Depression in the Time of Covid-19

Jolly title, don’t you think? But, it is stuff we all need to think about.

Once more, here in California we are back to shelter-in-place, places being mandated to be closed, and keeping contacts to a minimum. It’s no hoax, this coronavirus, and we have no desire to tempt fate, or virus gods, but by the same token, where do you draw a line? If the virus doesn’t kill you, isolation, boredom, and depression is probably killing some and may kill others.

It is important to acknowledge the negative effects all these have on others and yourself. From there, devising and working at strategies to counter all these is vital for survival and, hopefully, returning to a sense of thriving. A failure to acknowledge these negative effects, avoiding them, does no one any good as it is a perpetration of a  massive lie and denial of reality.  Facing these awful things gives us truths, and from there, actions to change the effects of these realities.

Life is not returning to normal, no matter what we are being told, or would like to believe. It may never return to the previous status quo – how can it? Our federal government is not doing much to help. There are daily lies and threats. That is depressing. It is also frightening. Fearful of our futures and fates, what can we do? It breeds a sense of helplessness, and that leads to all sorts of trouble.

It’s not like there is any fixed goal, such as vanquishing a tangible enemy, but rather an insidious, invisible foe. While we do not have children and aren’t out of work, I cannot but wonder how families are coping with home schooling and working at the same time, how people are coping with a lack of food, money or places to live. The US has few safety nets for people, and our culture of the rugged individual against the world is uncharitable. Self-reliance is important, but mutual aid is equally important, especially in troubled times. Now, we are isolated to stay healthy, and what few communities we may have are being taken away from us.

I admit it: this isolation and lack of social contact is taking its toll on me. I am depressed. I am bored. I am beginning to stay at home far too much; some health issues are preventing outings for now, and a number of my friends are ensconced in their own health and family issues. Texting is not a conversation or connection. A phone call is a rarity these days – it seems no one makes phone calls and has conversations like they used to do. Seeing a close friend or family member isn’t happening, and if it does happen, you wonder about the consequences. These daily intimacies, so taken for granted, have been removed from our normal lives. Finding fulfillment is difficult at this point.

This, to me, is what it must have been like to live in the uncertain times of WW2, or as a family who had members overseas fighting one of America’s stupid wars. Anxiety about loved ones. Fear about the future. A lack of accessibility to material goods. Not seeing the ones you love as they die alone in nursing homes. Wondering if you will end up in the hospital without access to medical care. These deprivations are not the norm for most of us. Doing without is the new norm, and while certain physical deprivations can be handled, the fear and isolation of normal human interactions preys upon the mind and spirit in sneaky ways. This is where self-reliance and introspection are necessary; making decisions to do something or not do something is an investment in yourself and others.

Writing about the effects of isolation, boredom, and depression helps me clarify what is going on in my murky emotions. Thinking about these and giving them names takes away their nameless horror. From there, yes, I can work on changing the nature of my daily life. I will get out of the house more, make a phone call to those who enjoy talking with me and ignore those who don’t seem to care, or let go of those who do not have the ability, such as a friend who is critically ill right now, and whose company I dearly miss. Valuing what I have and taking action is far better than wallowing in the fog of not thinking about the truth of what is my reality.

Yep, very self-centered. Understanding the inner world is vital for acting in the external world. Aimless actions and mindless reactions do little for me. I don’t feel my way around life, but try to find my place and the place of others within the context of my own reality. Then, perhaps, I can be of some help to others rather than a depressing blob of hopelessness.

The Lonely Road

Corona virus and social isolation! In Northern California, 6 or 7 counties around San Francisco have issued “stay in place” orders. The only exceptions are to go grocery shopping and for medical appointments. Maybe some exercise. And, of course, keep your distance. It could be a crime if you get busted.

Where I live, there are similar, though not as draconian, edicts. Starting today, a few stores are offering special hours for those over 65, pregnant, or disabled, which can help those who might have a problem getting things. The rules here in Ventura County are that anyone 75 or older must stay home. People 70 and older must stay home if they have special health issues which put them more at risk. I am not in any of these categories, but can creep in for special hours!

So, for social distancing, going for a hike is a great option. Peaceful. People won’t be out so much. I went a few days ago, X100V in hand, and tried it out in various ways. One thing I did end up with were a lot of blurry pictures. Realizing that, I upped the iso and dropped the f/stop a tad. Little things like that are all part of learning a camera. And the 23mm focal length – equivalent to 35mm – is a bit of a learning curve, too.

Photography is a great way to get out of the house and enjoy the isolation!

Quarantine!

We are not there yet, but could be. We are now under national, state, and county emergency declarations. Local schools are closed. The grocery stores are swamped. We have essentials, and we have TP! Our freezer is full of veggies, fruit, meat, and film. We have electricity and running water. We have yarn. We have fabric. We have art supplies. We have a neighborhood where the houses – and thus the people – are more than 6 feet apart, so we can go for a walk or out on a hike. We have computers, board games, dogs, and Netflix. We have old DVDs. We have a garage full of stuff to be cleaned out or worked on. Housework, too.

I think we can stay fairly well amused in face of these emergencies. While it may seem I am making light of the situation, which has been poorly handled in a country our size and will most likely result in unnecessary deaths and debt, it really is important to think of the “what if” situation. For instance, toilet paper is being bought up in alarming rates.

I heard from a woman in line at the market that her son in Japan cannot find it anywhere. So what do you use? Google it and you can get some answers.

As well, people with kiddies (and adults) in diapers are being told to make sure they have enough on hand. That makes sense – but when the disposable supply is low or gone? Cloth is your friend, then. I remember all too well the diaper pails and the washing of diapers, sometimes by hand if the electricity failed, on a washboard.  And the smell of ammonia.  Modern conveniences, when they disappear, have alternatives.

So far, where I live, there are about 4 cases in the county. However, schools are closed, and other public places. My husband can work from home quite easily. The last true emergency I can think of is when we entered WW2. We will learn from this situation, but there may be a high cost because of those who have destroyed government resources for such times.