New Habits from COVID-19 and the New Normal

Hi, @sycamore1209, I agree. Smiles and simple courtesy are free and easy to share. We never know the impact they may have on a stranger having a particularly hard day. Reminds me of what our ele. schl prin. said a lfetime ago to our faculty just before the first day of the school year: "Always be kind. You never know what troubles another may have just experienced before meeting him or her" I have never forgotten him nor those words. Smiles are much like other forms of kindness. We never know what ripples of comfort they may unknowingly spread.

Hi Sue. Are you saying that you go on daily walks with your neighbors? If so, what distance do you keep? Can you converse at that distance? The reason I ask is that I would love to do that too, but have been afraid.

Hi, @parus, Interesting how our isolation is causing us to react differently. While I like to smile and be helpful, too, I find not seeing others out and about in my neighborhood distressing. I agree that much of our world is upside down now and am feeling intense anger and frustration that our "esteemed" TX gov is considering "back-to-work-orders" in the next 2 weeks. Our state is reported to have the 10th largest number of virus cases per capita nation-wide and this bloke's "reason" is that "Texans like to work hard". Huh??? Really??? I'm off for another early stress relieving morning walk.

I can understand your concern as well as your frustration, @fiesty76. Can I assume that walks and smiles might be the habit that you would like to keep after COVID-19 ends?

Hello everybody! So far, being in 'lock-down' has suited me just fine. I am a homebody by nature and have plenty of projects to do around here. My spouse and I are living separately because he will not stay home or practice social distancing. We are fortunate that we have two homes to be in, and I was able to make that call. I am living in total peace now and am considering making this a permanent arrangement. I do worry about him contracting the virus, but there is nothing I can do to make him change his behavoir. It has been nice to get things done around here such as: cleaning out cabinets and closets, organizing the pantry and the freezer. I have interior wall painting to do, pest control spraying, and gardening. Once all of the 'chores' are done, I will hopefully get back into my art. I have two large scale paintings that I have been meaning to do. This covid virus has made me even more determined to grow a large garden and learn to can food. I may even get a few chickens for eggs. My goal is to have a more self sustaining food source. I am not lonely, as I have many friends that I visit through social media and of course, my friends here on Connect. So, that is how I am doing. Anybody else want to chime in?

@fiesty76 Exactly why I do not listen to the news or much in the way of the media which is designed to keep the viewers in some type of emotional state. Hope your walk was calming.

fiesty76 I am a Texan, too. I share your bewilderment (to put it politely) at our "Honorable" Governor. I hadn't heard the per capita statistic. There goes a tiny shred of calm.

@sueinmn.. My friends and I feel the same way, especially since we are older now, we want to spend what's left of our time as much as possible with our families and friends, doing things that we still have the energy to do. I have given up hope of going to Canada to celebrate my brother's 90th birthday this summer. I've been in solitary confinement for a month now, some days I don't know what day of the week it is. I video chat with my kids every week and talk with my friends, but nothing beats a big hug, especially with my only grandson who will turn 2 in July. My son sends videos and it just breaks my heart not to be able to give him a big squeeze and kisses. I am missing so much time with him. I hope there's a light at the end of this long tunnel.

There are 100 cases so far in our city. The statistics says 3.5 cases per 10,000. So, who is the 0.5?

Hi Terri - I too have a noncompliant spouse, but only one house! He continues to work sporadically though he should be retired, and we can do without the money; it's not worth getting sick or dying over. He is an electrician and considers himself essential. To folks whose AC or freezer has gone out because of an electrical problem, he IS essential, and I understand that, but I think every other kind of job should go by the wayside. Consequently, I am a wreck, trapped here, waiting for the virus to strike him, and then me. I do go out very infrequently when I can't avoid it, to get food, and of course, masked up, and distant. I would move to my small outdoor art studio, but it has neither bathroom nor kitchen, plus I want to continue to cook, etc, for him. To think that we might both croak because of his stubbornness is a hard pill to swallow. (just a thought - you might want to consider putting off painting and spraying for bugs, in consideration of maintaining optimum lung heath...) I'm happy for you that you can separate yourself from the stress, that's great.