Week 1 - April 6, 2020

Covid Stories – reaching out from isolation

A series of stories from around the world, detailing the lives of people in isolation

BY G P Kennedy

 Fair to say that this whole thing blew up quickly. At the start of March most of the world was aware of something called ‘Coronavirus’; memes were bouncing around social media about the famous Mexican beer, while some parts of Asia were being forced to take things all together more seriously. Here in Texas we took Spring Break – a week off from school or college – and life went on somewhat as normal in the first week of March. Country by country, community by community, swiftly came to realize the clear and present danger posed by the virus. Covid-19 was here to stay, for now, and was not playing.

 Lockdown orders of varying types and severity were ordered. I started to hear from friends in different states, and then in countries around the world. I worried about the First World Problem of, ‘Would my summer vacation happen’. The people started dying, day after day. Everywhere. Then life as we now it went away. No hanging out with friends. No trips to you favorite bar. Eating out shutdown. Then the local store became a place of threat. More and more people shopped for life sustaining supplies – and way too much toilet roll – with masks covering their mouth and nose. Hell! Bandanas became not a fashion statement but medical equipment.

 Access to the outdoors was restricted as people were forced to stay home. For many insult was added to injury as small businesses, corporations, governments laid off workers either temporarily or for the long term. Governments everywhere tried to clear their heads from the whiplash of events, most of them embracing socialist-type recovery packages, yet economies cratered and lives crumbled for the lack of work and pay. Stay indoors. Stew on this. Save lives.

This is my take. I am mostly okay, right now. Yes, I have not been paid for any of my writing gigs published in March. I teach English too, at a local college, and for now that job is secure. I have transitioned to teaching my students online though most of the time it is pastoral support more than education that students seek. I can do that. Every morning I put on my big boy pants and meet the day, with the immeasurable support and comfort of the love of my life beside me…well, in the next room at their desk. I have a dog who is as affectionate as he is large, to offer succor, too.

 How is the rest of the world coping? Beyond news headlines and social media posts how are people really coming to terms with the new reality – of a life squeezed and squashed from a ‘big wide world’ to a capsule existence? I reached out to friends, and their friends, and some old college folks I have not seen in a real long time. Many of them are eager to share their experiences.

 We are eight people, spread from Texas to New York City, USA; London, England; Istanbul, Turkey; Lagos, Nigeria; Karachi, Pakistan, Tokyo, Japan; and Perth, Western Australia. These are their stories – reaching out from isolation. Every week we will commune in this space to share updates, to stretch hands across a globe screened off for now but not closed.

 Daniel – New York City, USA, the white-hot center of the virus in North America

I'm a musician and filmmaker, living in NYC and Amsterdam. I've spent much of the past three decades working on the administrative side of healthcare, but now it's all about the, uh, art. Before all of this I worked as a musician, filmmaker, and photographer. Now I have almost no work at all. If there end up being benefits for unemployed freelance workers, which we’ve been led to believe there will be, I will claim them.

 In New York all non-essential businesses are closed and people are encouraged to keep six feet of distance from other people when outside the house. The government has also advised that everyone wear masks when out of the house.

 I live with my wife, Julia – the two of us, no pets. On an average day before this I would wake up 7:30, eat, then attend to emails. Run. Then, if I have a shoot or job, head out to the site to do it (typically once a week). Otherwise, I work at home, so I sit at my desk and work on whatever paid film/photo/sound project I’ve got going at the time. Now my days are not a lot different, although the only work I’m doing is personal work. So my shoots are within a block or two of my apartment. The tasks I’m doing are essentially the same.

 With time on my hands I still listen to BBC6 Music during the day while I’m working (unless I’m working on music, of course). In the evenings, we’re deep diving into various movies and shows -  Better Call Saul, Ozark, Better Things, Sento Sake Sunshine, Curb Your Enthusiasm while sipping margaritas, my lockdown drink of choice We’re eating well. Here again, life isn’t that different than it usually is (aside from the fact that we don’t go out for dinner, which is something we’d be doing twice a week in normal times). I suppose the biggest difference with food is that we’re doing a large once-a-week shop as opposed to going twice a day (there’s a great market 50 yards from our front door). To stay healthy I’ve always been a runner and continue to run everyday. Right now it’s four miles, but I may bump it up. To stay sane I am making things – this has kept me very occupied and brought a lot of joy. I make short videos every day that I share with a few people. I’m working on musical collaborations - via email - with friends I’ve long wanted to work with. These are all projects that I wouldn’t allow myself the time to do during a normal workday. The greatest thing I’ve learned about myself since this thing started is that, among many of my musician peers, I’m a bit more compulsive than most. As a kid, I never finished anything, never sat down to actually do the work. But I’m really noticing (right now) how important it is to me to follow through on things, to complete things that I’ve begun. I’m sure I’ll learn more as time goes on.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world…

 Espe - just outside of Perth, Western Australia

I am a 47 year-old female living in Jarrahdale, a semi-rural town. I live on a 1-acre property with my husband and two children, aged 10 and 11 yrs.

I work fulltime at the local school as an Education Assistant- Special Needs.  I enjoy my work and seek to enjoy a balanced life with my family and friends.  My interests are gardening, drawing and sketching, home renovating, researching for fun (thought-work, special needs, the mind-body connection), I try to live in the present moment and eat food that agrees with my system. I like to do on bushwalks, bush runs, taking the dogs for a walk and bush cycling.  I feel blessed to have a great life.

 Due to lack of test kits for Covid19 the doctor advised me and my kids to self-isolate for fourteen days after I became sick with mild flu symptoms. Right now I am using all my sick leave owing to me. Not sure of what may happen next. I will have to go back to work after the school Easter holidays.

 I am home schooling the kids as my top priority, guiding them through the use of digital technology as the schools have closed and now education is shared through the school iPad. This is steep learning curve for our little family.

 I am watching a lot of news on the development of the pandemic, mixed with music videos, and family shows. My lockdown drink of choice is a cup of tea. I am finding comfort in eating bread as we have now gone back onto gluten and it is so yummy and easier to access now.

 My exercise routine involves bike rides around our 1-acre block and short walks with the dogs, while tending to my garden helps me stay balanced. Since this all started I have learned just how important connecting to other humans is to my level of happiness. There is never enough time even when you have the time, something (important) will always take up the time you have.

 Gül - Istanbul, Turkey, the gateway between Europe and Asia

After graduating in Journalism and Public Relations, I worked as a journalist and editor on national newspapers in Turkey. After several years living in the UK working as an art programmer, I moved back to my home-city and work as a freelance art programmer now. Things were already difficult in the last two years due to an economic crisis in Turkey so it was difficult to find some freelance work recently.

 The Turkish government advises that people aged 60+ shouldn’t go out but there isn’t a complete lockdown due to lack of economic resources.

 My husband, who is English, was working part-time and I was out everyday to see friends, visit exhibitions or attend an event. We were out almost everyday. We haven’t been out since 8th March, my husband had gone to the local market for a couple of times but he’s not going out now at all. We do online shopping. My husband has to move around the house every 15 minutes, as ordered by his doctor.

 I’m not really able to concentrate on anything to read or watch seriously. I’m watching news both Turkish and world news to try to catch what’s happening about the virus. I try to watch some episodes of some series on Netflix everyday, just to clear my mind. We have to drink water and soda as there’s no alcohol delivery. My husband misses his beer. At least I have time for a lot of home baking.

 We know it will pass. We’ll go through this. Knowing everyone has to stay at home, not just us, it’s a bit reassuring. I didn’t know that I’d be more patient being at home. It used to be so boring being at home when I’m not well. Luckily as a couple we like being together. The good thing happened to my husband is that he started doing his classes online and learnt how to do it. He’s not a techy guy but learnt a lot to do his work.

 We cross over to Asia to check in with friends in Pakistan and Japan.

 Tassy – Karachi, Pakistan

 I am 50 years old and have not lived in any one place for more than a dozen years at a time. I am of Pakistani origin and my nationality and home is Singapore. I have 2 children in university in North America. I am a Chartered Accountant, although I am working as a yoga therapist, and an artist. I love to travel, cook, entertain and read.

 I am still working as a yoga therapist. I am self-employed and have my yoga studio in my house. I have started giving some of my students yoga sessions on Zoom. We have been under lockdown since March 18th. The lock down has recently been extended to 14 April. The only shops open are supermarkets and pharmacies. Karachi is not a walkable city. It has a population of 20 million people and is built up. I am fortunate to have a large garden at home so that’s the only green space I have access to.

 I live with my husband who is working from home because of quarantine restrictions. Currently my younger daughter is living with us as her university in Canada stopped physical classes. She flew home to us and will be with us until her college resumes hopefully in September. Our 10 year-old Shihtzu, Mario, lives with us, too.

 An average day for me used to start early in the morning with my yoga and pranayama (yogic breathing) practice.  I would then have up to 4 classes during the day where I provided individualized yoga therapy sessions to students. In between the sessions I would go to my gym and work out. I would meet a friend or two for a coffee or a quick lunch. I spent a couple of hours a day running errands, seeing parents etc. I went to a meditation class in the evening. Weeknight dinner would be at home with my husband or a social engagement.

 Now I wake a little later than normal. I have a long 2.5-hour yoga and pranayama practice of my own. I work out on my own for an hour. I am doing a little housework as I have stopped my part time cleaner from coming in. I spend a couple of hours baking with my daughter daily. I read a lot, and then I watch a couple of hours of television/Netflix. I am chatting a lot with friends from around the world (usually via WhatsApp video).  I am continuing with my meditation classes through Zoom. I have started to journal. After several months of not picking up my paintbrush I have completed a large painting and have one on the easel that I’m working on at the moment. I have a couple of students who have requested my yoga classes on Zoom so I do that as and when.  

 I have numerous books that I am reading including, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, The Energy Medicine Yoga Prescription by Lauren Walker, and The Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith. I am watching movies I have been wanting to see; just watched Jojo Rabbit and Pain and Glory. I am listening to podcasts like The Daily Breath, and Dhaani. I watch one hour of news CNN or BBC during the day.

 The greatest thing I’ve learned about myself since this thing started is that I always saw myself as a people person constantly wanting to go out and meet friends. I have surprised myself by really valuing and treasuring my own company and time to myself.

 All the way east across Asia, almost 7, 000km/4350m, we find our Anglo Japanese friends…

 Ian and Minako – Tokyo, Japan

 Hi, I’m Ian – born and bred in Liverpool, U.K. I worked as Computer Analyst/Programmer at Liverpool University, retiring 2003. I founded artinliverpoool.com the art listings and blog website in 2004. Hi, Minako here. I was born in Tokyo, grew up in Saitama. Also lived in Seoul, Florida, Hong Kong and Liverpool. We moved from Merseyside, U.K. to western Tokyo in 2016. We are vegan and love cooking, reading, art, music, nature and walking. We publish articles and photographs relating to our area on a council-run website aimed mainly at English-speaking visitors.

 The Japanese government is about to declare a state of emergency as numbers of infections increases. Actions have been at a municipal level rather than national. Tokyo has had voluntary lockdown for past 2 weekends but not during weekdays. The authorities don’t actually have legal powers to force people to stay home or close their businesses. They can only “request” and can’t penalize.

 Typically we have been living a relatively quiet life, working from home, enjoying the local parks and neighborhood. Occasional trips to various parts of downtown Tokyo, exploring galleries, museums, shops, etc. Meeting up with friends and family. Our routine now is similar but staying at home or local and not meeting up, daily exercise is walk in the park (on our doorstep) and walking to shops for essentials and very occasional take away food. We are avoiding public transport, crowded places and we are wearing masks. We are hunkering down without a TV or Netflix and reading a wide range of e-books.

 We escape the house every day for a 2km/1.3m walk around the park. Sometimes we walk the 4km/2.6m to the town center and back. Enjoying and appreciating a simple life, and the community live in, has enabled us to adapt well to this strange new world.

 Africa is all too often thought of as ‘the forgotten continent’ as it is missing from many mainstream news narratives. We have the distinct honor of having one of the continent’s foremost creative entrepreneurs weighing in each week on our reaching put from isolation stories,

 Peace - Lagos, Nigeria

 I am the Founder and CEO of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) I live in GRA Ikeja, just outside Lagos. I still have my job, but I’m restricted in making official meetings. We are on total lockdown; people are not allowed to move around.

 In the past I typically got up around 5: 30am, starting my day with prayer, checking mails, taking a shower, have a coffee, have meetings, come home, eat, chat, sleep by 12pm. Now I rise at 6:30am, and I am able to follow my daily routine in the main before sleep at 11pm. I find time in the mornings to exercise and catch up with local and international news both online and TV.  You might find me in the evening drinking Coke and enjoying a bowl of peppersoup.

 The firm belief in the power of the Chi, which my father has raised me to, sustains me in difficult times. I now have a better understanding of the spiritual part of me. I meditate a lot. I actually like working, and I miss the interaction with people.

 We finish up in one of the great cities of the world, a place in crisis today as the Prime minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Boris Johnson, lies in intensive care, gravely ill from Covid-19.

 Sally – London, England

 I am a freelance camera operator, new mum to an 11-month old, and live with my long-term partner James. The whole of the media industry shut down, I lost all my work in my diary from now until the unforeseeable future, the next job booked is in September, but who knows if that will even happen? My partner is in the same situation as me.  As it stands I am one of quite a large number of people that the government has yet to arrange an emergency package for, director of a one-person limited company so the only way I can get money is to sign for universal credits which is a form of benefits. Also we rent and as of yet there is no help for renters.

 We live in the suburbs of London and we are advised to only leave the house for shopping, the doctors, work, if you can’t do this from home or our one walk/form of exercise a day. 

Before the lockdown my day, if it was a work day (as the baby is so young and my boyfriend and I are both freelance so we took it in turns to work), I would get up drive to work and be out the house for 12-14 hours a day. If it were my boyfriend’s day to work then I would have the baby all day and we would go to the park, the shops and to a baby class or swimming. 

 Now we get up early as the baby has decided that 5am is the best time to start the day...feed the baby, put her down for her morning nap, have dinner, put the baby down for her afternoon nap, go to the park with my boyfriend and the baby in the pram for a long walk, go to the shop if needed which involves queuing up outside the shop at 2 meter intervals, wiping down the trolley with detox, buy essential bits whilst panicking that people are too close or worrying that the shops have sold out of toilet paper, bread, eggs etc. give the baby her tea, watch a bit of children’s TV, give her a bath and put her to bed, eat our tea, drink a beer and watch a bit of TV before going to bed to do it all again tomorrow!

 When I get some me time I enjoy a Malibu and Coke or beer or jasmine tea, which washes down the crisps and chocolate I am finding comfort in. Family and friends are keeping me sane, along with the technology that connects me to them right now. I have made an online photo album called The Isolation Diaries, which is a set of photos of the baby doing things by herself.

 That’s all, folks for now. I hope that you derived some interest, enjoyment, escapism, and found something in our friends’ stories that speaks to your lockdown experience. I hope, too, that our contributors found an escape from the shackles we are all in temporarily. I will be checking in with these guys at the end of every week and will have a fresh post for you each Monday.