It’s official: Covid-19 is a global pandemic. As this scary, dystopian-like fact has stumbled into being over the last few days, I’ve been watching silently, knowing I best share my experiences. I can remember at the end of January, we were just hearing the news… I’m not an expert by any means, but with scary news we received on the 25th of Jan, Hong Kong has definitely had a head start with Covid-19. I first wrote about on February 18th–and the theme of that post was most definitely feelings of isolation and loneliness, so I know what some of you may be feeling as this virus is hitting your community. We are now in our 8th week with Covid-19 in our lives, and my family is in its 7th week of virtual learning and working from home. Yes, we’ve had a bit of a head start over here in Hong Kong. So if I can help any of you in anyway, I want to.
Normal Thoughts
First up, I’d like to support some normal thoughts that go through humans when put into this situation. Instantly, there’s an odd sense of a vacation. The truth is this new normal will be the weirdest break you’ve ever experienced. It’s similar to a vacation in that you are home and not working–at first anyway. You hunker in and have family time: playing games, baking, watching movies, that’s all part of the first bit. But then, a vacation normally ends, and humans crave routine. For me, the vacation bit lasted about two weeks. In fact, Kevin and I promptly booked tickets to Thailand in an effort to escape and left two days after receiving the news; we did come back to Hong Kong but only just. It was about a week after that when I immediately realized I needed to set up a routine and fast. (This will be even more important for children and students. Make sure they have a regular wake up time, give them some purpose to their days, have them–and yourself if I’m honest, create a project that they are motivated to complete.) My first project became baking. I was a baking fiend that first month. It’s tapered off, but I’m getting a hankering for some chocolate chip cookies while writing this. It’s been a while since I baked…
The sooner a routine formulates, the better you will feel. This odd time in your hands isn’t a vacation per se. Yes, it’s a time to slow down, but life will not be void of stress; rather you may be feeling opposingly very stressed out. And if you are anything like me, you will also feel scared. I was very lonely at first, and I felt very isolated. This too is a normal, human experience. However, at this point, the entire world is with all of us. Find the way to reach out that works for you. We live in a day and age where technology can help us: between FaceTime for staying in touch and Zoom for conducting online meetings, life can and will go on. My kids have been in school this way for seven weeks. They’re still learning! And, guess what? School still sucks! In fact, it’s reassuring that all the students within the first week of virtual school would have preferred being back in real-life school.
Panic will definitely occur. This is a scary time in the history of our lives. It’s what we do with our fright that matters. We can act calmly or join the masses in the creation of hysteria. Heck, we are guilty! I don’t know what it is about the toilet paper, but it was first to go over here too. Maybe Hong Kong started that mania–I don’t know. I do know that at one point we did pay $60 USD for a multi-pack of Charmin. That’s insane I know, but hysteria will do crazy things to a human being. Try your hardest to avoid the mania. We’re gonna be ok. We will be. We are resilient. And if we run out of toilet paper we have newspaper, rags, and a good old fashion shower bidet if need be.
New Norms
With a pandemic hitting your community there will be some new norms to adapt to and adopt. For example, over here in Hong Kong, if you’re not wearing a mask, at times you will not get service. I had to take Gigi to the dermatologist and for a moment my mask was around my neck. I was told immediately to put it back on. It’s looked upon as rude if one isn’t wearing a mask over here. We are now at the point where as a family we need to spread them out in order to have them last. A walk outside doesn’t require a mask; a walk through the grocery store definitely does.
Give people physical space–in the grocery store line, at the movie theater (Hong Kong has decreased their seating so as to not fill up the theater), walking through a crowd. (This is probably less likely for many of you who do not live in a crowded city.) As for all of us in Hong Kong, we are all giving one another way more space than we ever used to. It’s just more considerate. Amidst a very condense city this is easier said than done, yet everyone is on alert of allowing for physical space. This virus is spread through the air we breathe which is why it’s so contagious. This brings up social distancing…
Social distancing is a real thing. In my opinion though, and I am not an expert, it doesn’t mean social exclusion. Walking outside is fine. It’s actually the best air you are going to find, and this virus is spread through the air. If you have a friend that hasn’t traveled, feels well, and would like to go for a walk, go for it. The big party that was planned for someone’s 40th birthday, now that one has to be avoided. I recently read this Instagram/text post, and it helped explain the isolation circle that one should be trying to create.
Basically what I have found in the last two months during Covid-19 is to distance myself from people. During this time, space speaks like gold. Physical space makes all of us feel safer–just remember that. There are certain people that will feel ok with you closer to them than others; it’s your job to acknowledge and adapt to other’s space. Recently, I ran into the mother of my son’s good friend. I’m a hugger and wanted to give her a hug so bad. After seeing her, I texted her to say, “Could you sense how badly I wanted to give you a hug?” She sent me a GIF of a hug. We can still express our affection; it just can’t be physical anymore.
All Sources Are Not Created Equal
Heck, take this blog post for example. I’m only sharing what I have been through and what is working for me. I consider myself to be a primary source. I have many, many stories to share and tell since the onset of this virus for us back on January 25th. If you want to know anything, just ask. I’ve read about it, yet at the same time actually lived it. I don’t believe everything I read; I use solid, credible sources only, and I am weary of the folks preying on this pandemic. Sadly this is happening. Please, as you go forth learning about Covid-19, evaluate your source. If it is credible, go forward; if there is any doubt, close the tab!
Here are the sources I have been using to educate myself during this time:
Silver Linings
Believe it or not, despite the hardships we have been through in the last 8 weeks, there have been many silver linings that I have witnessed. The one that makes me the happiest is about Vincent and Gigi: my two kiddos are getting along better than they ever have before. No, it’s more like they are back to being best friends again like they were before. As young siblings, they were always so sweet with one another. I constantly reminded them that they were each other’s best friends. Lately, in their teenage years, it hasn’t been so easy for them to get along, but now, with this constant time together, they are back to being besties, and it makes my heart sing! In the grand scheme of things, truly they will be each other’s friends for life–more than any high school friend will be. As a teenager, this is hard to believe, but it is true. I feel so lucky to have them close again.
This will come across as a surprise, but I am rather introverted here in Hong Kong. I don’t have many girlfriends, and I usually have been alright with this fact. I work hard every day amidst teenagers, so I feel quite social all day long. At the end of a long day, I relish my alone time. Now, without student engagement each day, I find I’ve been craving a friend. I’m so proud of myself for reaching out to other females and in turn finding some friendships. I hadn’t realized how much I missed having a girlfriend or two until I tried to make some new friends. These new friendships wouldn’t have happened if the isolation I’ve been feeling didn’t push me to get out there and socialize.
Finally, I’ll end with some mini self motivated projects: like I’ve been reading so much more than usual. I figured I’d take a deep dive into Netflix but instead I’ve been catching up with books. I also have enjoyed cooking and baking so much more now that I’m not exhausted by the physical work of the day. And finally, I’ve been walking. Bit by bit I’ve been getting outdoors and returning to the wonderful act of just walking. I even went on a hike with the family a weekend ago. Fresh air really is the best air right now in more ways than one.
How can I help you?
I mean it. I feel like actually do know how you may be feeling right now. If I can do anything, offer you a FaceTime phone call, teach you how to Zoom, help you go shopping, or just be your friend right now, please let me know what I can do. If you don’t feel like commenting you can always email me at AnnKrembs at KrembdelaKremb dot com. I really do want to help you in any way I can.
Please take care. At this point, we truly are all in this together. And I’m here for you if you need me.
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