Tips to Survive the COVID-19 Shutdown

This is a scary time.  Schools are closing. Public gatherings are banned.  Events are cancelled.  Hand sanitizer, toilet paper and disinfectant wipes are nowhere to be found.  You may find yourself wondering, how do I stay sane amongst the chaos.  

Here are a few tips to help you out, especially if you have a family.

Get some fresh air.

Just because we are in the midst of social distancing doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors.  Fresh air and sunlight are natural disinfectants according to an article looking at the 1918 Influenza Pandemic.  Get outside and enjoy the weather as the days are now longer and the coolness of the air turns into a warm, blossoming spring.  If you have a yard, take the time to weed your flower beds in preparation for spring planting or play soccer or tag with the kids.  Take a walk around the neighborhood or visit a local nature trail.  Most of these places will not be packed with people so you will still be able to maintain your “social distance”.

Stock up on fresh foods and staples.

If you haven been to any type of grocery store or warehouse club recently, I am sure you have witnessed long lines and empty shelves like this.

Yes, toilet paper is important as well as bottled water, however, there are other basic necessities tt you will need to survive at home, especially if you have kids, for 2-4 weeks. 

Make sure you have your fresh fruits and vegetables for the short term.  The nutrients will help build up your immune system which you will need if you happen to come into contact with the Corona virus. 

Be sure you also have basic staples such as flour, sugar, oil, rice and potatoes.  While you are at home, why not cook?  Try some of those home-style recipes that you never have time to prepare in your busy life.  Granted, since these foods aren’t loaded with a million preservatives, it will go bad pretty quickly, so it’s a good thing you will be at home to eat it.

While at home, use soap, not sanitizer.

I completely understand the importance of a good alcohol based hand sanitizer.  We use it regularly when out and about to reduce the likelihood that we pick up “the bug”.  However, while you are at home, there are bathrooms accessible.  Wash your hands.  It is still the best way. Save the other stuff for when you can’t reach soap and water.

Set a schedule.

Being at home, you may get the urge to sit in you PJs all day and let the kids play games and watch TV.  While it sounds like a great time, it definitely is not productive and after a few days, you will be driving each other nuts.  

The best way to make it through each day is to set a schedule.  This sets an expectation of what will happen each day and keep everyone on track.  Get up everyday and get dressed.  Have a specified time to get moving for daily exercise. Maintain wake up times and bedtime so that you will not have a hard time readjusting when life goes back to normal.

Here is an example of what we will be doing in our home.  This, of course, will be altered based on the ages of your kids.

Spend time with your family.

Put down the electronics and pick up a board game.  The longer you sit and scroll the news sites or social media, the more panic and boredom will set in.  Use this opportunity to eat meals together, tell stories and jokes and play as a family.  Let your kids see that you are more than just a cooking machine or a suit that sits in a board room and says no all the time.  Let down your hair and have some fun.  This is will be a memorable time in all of our lives, so make those memories happy ones.

Pray.

There are plenty of examples of times like this in the Bible. The plagues in Egypt.  Leprosy that ran through the land.  Famines.  Yet the people of God endured because of their faith.  Isaiah 41:13, NIV says “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear.  I will help you.”  Do not let this fear take control of your life.  Now is the time to exhibit your faith and show the world why we are not so normal.