New Habits from COVID-19 and the New Normal

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.

@zep We live in a fairly closed little community. At last count 50 occupied residences, most with one or two people. The roads are 22 feet wide, so we walk 3-4 abreast and are more than 6 feet apart. Because there are so few of us, our roads have virtually no traffic, so it is quiet and we can talk.
Keep in mind - our core group numbers about 14, we have all been together since October, only 3-4 of us walk together at one time. We have been sharing daily activities and meals (not now though), we have been sheltered in place together since March 13th, only a few of us leave the compound about once a week for provisions. None of us have contact with newcomers except to chat from the road, don't use common areas like showers and pool, and the clubhouse facilities are closed except for mail & book pickup. We have an excellent cleaning crew who sanitize everything daily, and I use the laundry only immediately after it is cleaned. Because most of our people are older and have health issues, anyone who even has a sniffle immediately self-isolates, and we have even only had 2 cases of flu here back in early January.
When I go home, after I self-isolate for 2 weeks to be sure I didn't bring anything home, I will join my neighbors walking - but our neighborhood has a lot of wide little-traveled roads, so we will similarly be able to maintain distance.
Stay calm, stay safe.
Sue

Yes, @zeiracorp, interactions with people have a lifting experience - no doubt about that. What habit that you developed from COViD-19 that you would like to continue, @zeiracorp?

@sueinmn, you say that you struggle to stay positive. What helps you to get back to positive thoughts?

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?

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 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.

@zep We live in a fairly closed little community. At last count 50 occupied residences, most with one or two people. The roads are 22 feet wide, so we walk 3-4 abreast and are more than 6 feet apart. Because there are so few of us, our roads have virtually no traffic, so it is quiet and we can talk.
Keep in mind - our core group numbers about 14, we have all been together since October, only 3-4 of us walk together at one time. We have been sharing daily activities and meals (not now though), we have been sheltered in place together since March 13th, only a few of us leave the compound about once a week for provisions. None of us have contact with newcomers except to chat from the road, don't use common areas like showers and pool, and the clubhouse facilities are closed except for mail & book pickup. We have an excellent cleaning crew who sanitize everything daily, and I use the laundry only immediately after it is cleaned. Because most of our people are older and have health issues, anyone who even has a sniffle immediately self-isolates, and we have even only had 2 cases of flu here back in early January.
When I go home, after I self-isolate for 2 weeks to be sure I didn't bring anything home, I will join my neighbors walking - but our neighborhood has a lot of wide little-traveled roads, so we will similarly be able to maintain distance.
Stay calm, stay safe.
Sue

This article was posted on Mayo Clinic News Network
- Is COVID-19 the end of the handshake as we know it? https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-covid-19-the-end-of-the-handshake-as-we-know-it/

Dr. Gregory Poland, infectious disease specialists gives us a history lesson on the handshake.
"The whole idea of extending your right hand derives from mid-evil times when you showed that by extending your right hand, you were not harboring a weapon," Dr. Poland explains. "The reality of it is, in modern times, you may well be harboring a bio-weapon, so to speak. I think there are much more safe and culturally appropriate ways to indicate a greeting."

I believe the handshake may be one habit that changes for everyone post COVID-19. People with compromised immune systems or suffering from pain like rheumatoid arthritis may be happy to see the handshake become a custom of the past. For cultures where embracing and cheek kisses are the norm, that may change too.

What will be our new way of greeting colleagues, neighbors and friends?

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.