Day 13: 28 March 2020

The outlook for the next few weeks is still not positive. The news keeps comparing the outbreak  diagnosis to the trends in Italy, which means the US has not yet peaked for the number of cases.

Given that we cannot continue to wait around each day, we decided this weekend to try to get some projects completed. Starting with repainting the basement.  We haven’t attempted this for a few years. Not because of any particular reason, just because it was the last room on our list.  Since we are putting our house up on the market, it makes sense to keep things clean and freshly painted for perspective buyers.

It certainly makes the day and the weekend pass quicker, when you have a project to do. And this project is certainly going to take more than a few hours to complete.  If not for this sheer volume of wall space that needs to be painted, but also for amount of furniture we need to move to do it...  including a treadmill, small refrigerator, and a heavy, but not too large TV unit.  

Day 7: Sunday 22 March 2020

Today was not as productive as the earlier part of the week, nor was it as chaotic. We seem to be settling into a "new”norm”, being at home. Together. As a family. Thankful for when the kids find something else to do except being on their phones to “text” or “chat” or worse... the mindless scrolling. Even though they're both in high school, they found great fun in just painting on canvas and coming up with great stuff.

It's hard to believe it’s just the first week.

We're already learning from the media and local schools, that some are already starting to extend their original 2-3 weeks of school closings.

Day 6: Saturday 21 March 2020

 It hasn’t quite been a week, but it feels like an eternity.

 Despite warnings in the media, people still find themselves wandering outside at stores and gatherings. Today, I drove to do a few errands before we anticipate to be under a lockdown starting at 9 PM tonight, of nonessential stores.  The best way to stop the spread of this virus is to self isolate, so that healthcare professionals can treat those affected.

Aside from running errands, we need to have more structure in the day-to feel more productive.

Day 5: Almost first day of Spring

Today was a nice reprieve in the weather, from the cold and blustery temperatures we might typically experience in March. Plus, with the warm weather, it gave many people a reason to leave the quarantine of their homes and get outside for a walk, some exercise or to just feel the warm sun on their face. 

With temperatures today reaching close to 77° in the northeast, it was if it was the start of a new year. And instead of making good on their New Years resolution by heading to the gym and working out, people were outside walking in pairs or as families and pushing baby strollers enjoying the warm weather. 

Tomorrow will be about  20° cooler, but glad to have a chance to take advantage of the weather and getting out to run today. I’ve referred to these short windows of time and exercise as “walking the yard” since it still feels as as if we’re all still confined and restricted in our movements. While it’ll only get more rigorous in the next few weeks as the virus is peaking in the US, running in the warm sunshine is a great and welcome outlet. So, I look forward to more opportunities to “walk the yard”. 

Day 4 of Work from Home: Coronavirus

Day 4 is first day of rain we’ve had in the northeast since last week. Up until now, we could at least get outside. We could take a longer walk with the dogs to break up the monotony or kids could ride bikes or play basketball.

As much as the schedule is getting to be routine, it’s still chaotic and unsettling for my kids. Two very  capable and smart kids, who are now having to learn to manage different scheduling and deliverables of assignments. Since I’ve been worked remotely on occasion many times in my current role, this is not so much a stretch. But I am having to take more time during the day to check-in with my family.

New adjustments still to follow. We’re not even 1 week into this yet.

Day 3

Can’t believe it’s Day 3.
Feels like a week already and it’s only Day 3, with arguably many more weeks to come.

First day in stores trying to find basic essentials since the weekend. A little less chaotic and fewer people in the stores. While many main staples are sold out, like toilet paper, meats, water-some stores are doing better then others to restock.

Forced myself at the end of the day, to finally get outside for a run. It’s wasn’t much, but a run is a run. No matter how long the distance. Now I just have to plan my schedule better, to do my work, help the kids and to get it in earlier. In the meantime, I have to get into a routine for getting outside to run, so that it doesn’t become the same as “walking 20 minutes in the yard”.

Day 2: St Patrick’s Day

Here it is DAY 2 of quarantine and self-isolation and not much has changed in the world or at home.  We’re all still restricted here (New Jersey, US) and required to work from home and kids are getting started with remote learning for their schools. Curfews are starting to come into play, closing businesses still operating for takeout orders earlier and get people off the street by 8pm (vs closing at 9 or 10p).

However, today is also St Patrick’s Day! ☘️
And while my days of dancing a reel or closing the bar after a few pints 😎 are long gone, I feel for  the small business owners and family owned taverns who are losing a tremendous business opportunity today. Makes you wonder if they’ll plan to reschedule all of the parades and events. I guess only time will tell.

Restarting Running in a Panedemic

With the current pandemic of COVID-19 or Coronavirus, restarting anything in our lives or even continuing with some level of normalcy is difficult. The new norm forces us into more independent activity almost isolation. Far less gatherings and events or social occasions, making it even more challenging to self-motivate or inspire others. 

Based on all these changes that we are undergoing, it’s a reminder for all of us to focus on what is important  - so not only will we get through this together, but we become stronger and more unified as a result. 

DAY 1

First day for work at home and remote learning. 

A good trial run, but really no time to get out and run. Have to try to better juggle my scheduling to start to make this part of my day, since I no longer have a commute or need to drop kids at school or pick up. 

Too much to “set up” today and expecting this to be the new norm, at least for a while. The goal is to set up my new training plan this week, so I can start to take advantage of no commute and the (hopefully) warming temperatures.