Virus = a submicroscopic infectious agent

Corona = Latin for crown

There is absolutely nothing royal about COVID-19 Coronavirus.

We have been sent to our rooms to think about who we are, and maybe, just maybe, what our future world looks like.

MoD and I were sent a little earlier than others.

We had some Aussie visitors, some extended whanau if you like, plus we travel frequently.

(Turns out lots of New Zealanders travel frequently).

After our latest visitors left, MoD became symptomatic.

My boss had stood up an Incident Management Team at the end of January, so I knew the risks the symptoms might pose to her and the team trying to keep things right for the citizens of Christchurch.

Still, I felt a little silly, maybe a little over the top staying at home. I visited the Doctor with my story, including my lack of symptoms. She didn’t wash her hands once when examining me and yet put the house into isolation. Interesting….

I felt even sillier when I went to the pharmacy to get some Ventolin (my real reason for the Doctor visit), and they didn’t have hand sanitiser on the counter. Nor pay wave. I physically recoiled.

Over the preceding weeks we had joked about our little work team becoming total germophobes. I haven’t touched a lift button since January. I’ve sang so many happy birthdays while washing my hands I’m waking up with the song running through my head. Surely my waking moment song could be something a little more uptempo like Blinding Lights.

Sometimes when I’ve been in shops my hands have disappeared into my sleeves to accept change or packages, even though, yes I felt silly at the time.

I don’t feel silly now.

Five days after our own personal ‘house arrest’, NZ was put into lockdown.

Apart from essential services, we are only allowed to leave our bubble if we are going to the pharmacy, buying groceries, or ‘getting fresh air’, in our local area.

We officially came out of our own 14 days isolation and I went to the supermarket yesterday. A nice person stands at the door, directing you when to come in and making sure you sanitize. As I duly did this, a man, about my age, came right up beside me and started to sanitize. I was mortified!

What part of 2 metres don’t you understand mate?????

There is no way not to be obsessive about this global crisis.

We are trying to find distractions.

Trying to find a way to cope with not feeling useful or purposeful.

Trying to work from home when most of my work just isn’t there anymore and accesses can be challenging.

Trying to create a routine and add in all those jobs I haven’t had time to do for so long.

Trying to take time out to keep healthy. Take time out for frequent walks.

On the plus side our pup Frankie is the happiest dog in the world especially when we are finding new and amazing walks that are only 1-2km’s from the house.

We are taking numerous bike rides around the neighbourhood.

Yesterday, I have to say, far too many cars were out.

Les Mills, whom I have been annoyed with at times for what I see as their focus on money rather than people, have provided all their members with 60 days of free online classes. With about 700 classes to choose from, if we are motivated, we have no excuse to not continue a good exercise regime.

Motivated being the operative word. It’s interesting trying to do a pump class without bar bells and weights. And yet, amazing what thinking outside the square can produce.

We are enjoying skype coffee meetings and cocktail parties. That’s the new thing.

Kissing our grandson over the phone. Our first call, he may have smooched the screen.

Helping our neighbours with their shopping. Their first order? Tip Top Boysenberry ice cream.

This is our new reality.

One that I think will last a little longer than the four weeks initially tabled by the government.

It’s an interesting life we are now leading.

But it could be a whole lot worse.