A few weeks ago we were skiing in Switzerland – yodeling distance from Northern Italy. Switzerland had 7 reported cases of Covid-19. Our adopted home country of Spain had a few hundred. Today, Spain is reporting: ¨17,147¨, and Switzerland ¨3,438¨. Based on population density Switzerland actually has a higher incident rate than Spain.
This happened quickly people. The world shifted and we are left scrambling to adapt.
If you are not already in self-quarantine. At the very least, please be social distancing. This Covid-19 bitch is no joke. This means no gym, no school, no church, no pub, and no social gatherings. Do not get together with friends, not even in small groups. Stay home. We have to flatten the curve of this thing and protect our elderly, and immune suppressed. We also must help protect health care from collapse. In short: #stay the fuck home.
Stock Up
If you haven’t done this already. Get on it. This does not mean hoard. But you should fill your pantry with dry goods, and limit trips to the store. Better yet – try to the online shop or use delivery services. Here in Spain, farmers will deliver products and the local butchers will deliver meat. The bigger grocery chains will also deliver – wait times can be a few days. Pay with cc. Try to avoid touching money.
Pantry Items
Here are a few essentials that you should have on hand. Prepping for this felt a bit reminiscent of hurricane prep from our Bahamas days.
- Pasta
- Rice
- Sauces -tomato, pesto, etc.
- Hygiene items – not toilet paper! Soap, etc
- Canned beans, peas, corn, tomatoes, etc
- Frozen fruit and veg.
- Soups
- Peanut butter, jam, honey
- Eggs
- Oatmeal
- Meat to freeze, chicken, beef, etc
- Root vegetables – potatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, etc
- Butter
- Cooking oils
- Dried Spices
- Garlic, onion, ginger
- Lemons, limes, oranges
- Long-lasting milk product of your choice
- Bread wraps, and a bit extra to freeze
- Water – if yours is not potable
- Cheese
- Alcohol – for your sanity
- Prescription Medications – 3-month supply
- Flu & Cold Meds – just in case.
That’s it. No need to go crazy. Try not to take the last of any item off the shelf. If the supply is low – leave something for the next person. Remember your manners.
Things to Do
Now that you’re ready to stay home or have already been at home – you need to fill your days and keep your sanity.
Cook
Good food nourishes the soul. It also boosts our immune systems. Incorporate vitamin and nutrient-rich foods while getting creative in the kitchen. Try making stews, soups, and casseroles. They make great leftovers and are freezer-friendly. Roast a chicken and use the leftovers to make stock and soup. Play around.
The other night, I made Gordon Ramsay’s: Sheppards Pie. Delish and easy.
https://chefgordonramsayrecipe.com/shepherds-pie/
Bake
I don’t love baking. But hell I might even get it a go if this lasts long enough. Feel free to send me your favourite recipes.
Adopt or Foster a Puppy
If you’ve been considering getting a pet – this could be the time. You’re home and available to train them. This is not a casual decision though. Adoption is for keeps. If you can’t make a long-term commitment then consider a foster during your quarantine.
Take a Course
Loads of American Universities (Harvard, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania) are offering free online courses.
Paint/Remodel
Redecorate, and remodel a room (or several rooms). Never a better time for household projects and fresh paint does a world of wonder.
Practice/Learn an Instrument
This may make you really unpopular with your family or housemates. But if you live alone – go for it. If you happen to be any good – your neighbours might appreciate it. We’ve all seen the beautiful videos from the balconies of Italy.
Read
Read, read, and read some more! Take on the classics you never got around to. New York City Libraries are offering thousands of books for free. Tackle an epic novel like ¨The Stand¨, or if that’s too close to home – Lord of the Rings. Nasa has made its entire digital library publicly accessible and copyright-free. This is a good one for the kids too. Implement screen-free times for reading.
Exercise
Important to try and keep healthy. Loads of fitness Instructors are hosting online platforms for classes. Local gyms are also streaming workouts. Talk to your favourite local fitness guru about how to stay in shape from home.
Meditate
While we are blessed to have the internet – it’s important we don’t burn out on screens or let anxiety get the best of us. Here are my favorite meditation sites:
https://www.listenlightly.com/guided-meditations
Or try the 21 Day Abundance Challenge. Send me a message for details.
Practice Yoga
Like the fitness classes, many yoga instructors have moved classes to an online platform.
Connect with Family & Friends
This is a perfect time to reconnect with friends and loved ones. There are loads of platforms, i.e. FaceTime, Zoom, House Party, etc. Or go old school and pick up the phone. Your parents and grandparents are definitely going to want to hear from you. They are also looking for ways to fill their days.
Play Games
Not video games. Well you can play those if you’re inclined. But I’m talking about cracking out the Monopoly, Scrabble, and Risk. The epic games that last hours.
Play Cards
Hours can be wiled away playing cards. If you’re on your own – play online. There are sites for Bridge, Poker, etc.
Jigsaws
Another great filler of time. Crack out a 1000-piece jigsaw, pour yourself a drink, and puzzle on.
Learn a Language
This is a great time to take a beginner language course or fine-tune your intermediate, second, or third language. I’ve used Duolingo and Babbel. Both are easy and interactive platforms.
Journal or Blog
These are unprecedented times we’re living in. Write your thoughts down – you never know where they will take you.
Make Hand Sanitizer
When the hand sanitizer started flying off the shelves 3 weeks ago, I went on Amazon and ordered stuff to make my own. Super easy, and a good project for the kids.
Movie Night
Here’s your chance to catch up on the films you’ve missed. Netflix is offering: ¨Party Nights¨ where you can link in with friends and watch your favourite flicks.
Sexy Time
This is a perfect opportunity to reconnect with your partner or spouse. FYI: Porn Hub is offering free subscriptions in Italy and Spain – whatever floats your boat. 😉
Self Care
Take a bubble bath, and do your nails. Boys – grow and manicure a beard. Great time to play around with your look. If you get it wrong – you have loads of time to fix it.
Attend an Online Concert
Music artists around the world (Pink, Chris Martin, John Legend, Neil Young, Garth Brooks) are offering free concerts. In my community, ¨Rock the Lock Down¨ takes place on March 21st & 22nd.
Take an Online Tour
Palaces and museums around the globe are offering online tours.
Watch an Opera
The Met Opera is streaming to get you through Covid-19.
Be Crafty
Crafty I am not. But this might be a good time to learn how to knit or crochet. Or if you already know how – dust off the needles and make a blanket.
Create Art
Take an online art class, or bust out the paints and canvasses you’ve been ignoring.
Organize Pictures
How many times have you thought about this? Now is the time to get all your gazillion pictures sorted. Make some albums. Get some prints ordered online.
Take a Trip to the Zoo or Aquarium
Take a home safari as you watch webcams from zoos around the world
Hydrate
Although we’re in a Covid-19 pandemic – it’s still flu season. Drink plenty of fluids. Make some citrus water (a great way to load up on Vitamin C). Drink herbal tea.
Sleep/Rest
Take this time to get some rest and catch up on sleep. You might be surprised by how much you needed it.
Alcohol
This is the favourite go-to for most of us. Definitely mine. But keep it moderate. I know so boring, right? Just remember a heavy night of drinking will deplete your immune system. Also, alcohol can exasperate anxiety the following morning. Something to keep in mind. But by all means – do what works for you.
Purge
Go through your closets, garage, attic, and get rid of all your unwanted crap. Put it aside and drop it off at various local charities when this is all over.
Practice Gratitude
Remember, this too shall pass. We have much to be thankful for. However bad you think you have it – someone is having a rougher time than you.
Final Tips
Try to stay on a schedule – hopefully, your kids are able to do online school. If the online school is not being offered – Scholastic is offering free programs. Click here for maths links.
Get up at the normal time. Shower, work out. Do what feels the most like a normal day. Work from home if possible.
Remember, Anne Frank and seven others hid in an attic for 25 months. This is an inconvenient hiccup in the grand scheme of things.
Take care of yourselves, be smart and stay safe. You’ve got this. x
Some of My Favourite Online Posts
Let me know how you’re getting through your lockdown or quarantine. Would love to hear from you.
Thanks for reading!
Love, Kate ❤️
Keep reading:
Adios 2020 – You Won’t Be Missed
Brilliant Kate, could only have been written by someone with extensive hurricane experience. Most of us here are doing the right thing, especially me because I need no excuse to chill at home with a G &T. Keep safe guys.
As always thanks the feeedback. Who knew that my hurricane prepping experience would carry to Spain?!? Big hugs to you both. Keep well. x
Hi Kate, great read. Last week this time I played tennis and had coffee and we were all very relaxed about the whole Corona virus. Then two days later total lockdown. I think we can say that after a week we are doing just fine. Not been bored for one second and, like you wrote above, I don’t think we will be bored in the next few weeks to come. Thank God for electricity and wifi🙏. And when the sun comes back out …we are just so lucky we live in this beautiful part of the world.
Stay healthy, stay busy😅
Kiss Inge
Inge! Thanks so much for your feedback. Going to be a long road. But we all will manage. Keep well. x