As we, in the United Kingdom, enter our third week of isolation similar to countries around the world, we have also implemented the same isolation tactics for citizens in the fight against COVID-19. COVID-19 is spreading around the world, causing disruption to everyday life by shutting down businesses, crippling economies, and affecting everyday life as we know it. We, as humanity, have found ourselves in a global pandemic that this generation has never witnessed in their lifetime. I thought I would write how the 3 weeks of isolation have been during this tough period when the world is united in fighting against COVID-19.

Routine

During the first week of isolation, I started to get myself in a routine to make this isolation much easier so I had certain things to do. Working from home was implemented at work like most businesses during this time. I do not have to commute to work which means waking up later than usual. I got into a habit of waking up at 7am and do some daily exercises to keep myself active and then set up my laptop with the essential programs and websites that I will need to do my work. My day would consist of work and a few meetings. Between 12pm - 1pm, I would take my lunch sometimes in front of the TV or at the desk. After that just continue with work until the end of the working day. Sometimes I find myself working more than normal hours, however, eventually I would start to make dinner and then just have time to relax. Most of the time has been spent just watching TV, playing videos games or just browsing the web.

Weekends, on the other hand, would consist of many activities such as cleaning the apartment, workouts, cooking, watching TV, play video games, blogging, and reading. As the days go by, the routine becomes more important to keeps the days productive and ensures that I have tasks to work towards.

I realise that routine becomes more important than ever during a time when isolated so that when you wake up you have objectives for that day, otherwise you will find yourself just being bored. Without a routine especially in the first few days, I found myself bored and lost especially the first few days of isolation.

Physical Health

During isolation, it is important to stay active which I found easy to maintain with daily workouts which required no equipment. However, the implementation of isolation meant going out would be difficult. Even though you are allowed to go outside to exercise unlike other countries that enforced a total ban, which could result in a fine, I have opted to stay indoors throughout the period. I have made sure that the workouts would work all major muscle groups and that exercises would elevate my heart rate to maintain a healthy aerobic capacity. These exercises range from push-ups, squats, ski jumps, sit-ups, jogging on the spot, stretches and other exercises. Having a group of pre-selected exercises helped getting in a routine of working out much easier as I can just follow along.  

Mental Wellbeing

In any situation of isolation, it will have a huge impact on mental well-being due to not having physical contact with people throughout this time. The first couple of days I found myself okay with the isolation as I got familiar with the idea of isolation. During the week I would have some kind of interaction with family, friends, and colleagues via video chat but this doesn’t substitute physical interaction. This would come as a surprise as I am writing this blog, as I am an introvert and would be happy with everything to be digitised. Upon seeing a situation of isolation I have found an appreciation of physical interaction with people as we, as human beings, are built to be social creatures.

Going to the shop was also a weird experience. Normally the shop would be busy and loud with conversations between customers and shop workers, however, stores would be so quiet you could hear a pin drop. A couple of times I would find myself being asked to move away from a certain area so another person could get to an item while maintaining social distance. This would end up with the person shouting across so they can be heard. You could see from their faces that they were so scared and worried about the close interaction as it could result in the contraction of COVID-19. While moving around the shop floor you had a sense of tension and caution with customers and shop workers of the unknown virus. At the end of the shop, I felt the experience was so strange to a point I didn’t want to go back. However, overtime shopping would become much easier and stress-free as food stocks start to improve and many people start getting used to the idea of social distancing.

As the days of isolation go by, I start to find myself becoming more annoyed with small things as the isolation starts to take a toll on myself. I used work to keep myself busy to keep my mind occupied. Sometimes meditation would help as well to refresh my mind. However as the days go by, isolation is taking its toll on my mental wellbeing. This makes me think of the scene from I am Legend where Will Smith’s character lives in New York City all alone with his pet dog. Over time the character uses shop dummies as a way of social interaction, he even gives them names. Upon reflection, physical and social interaction have a huge impact on one's mental wellbeing.

Dedication to workers and community

As the world unites in the fight against COVID-19, it is important to recognise the hard work of key workers such as doctors, nurse, emergency services, police officers, fireman/woman, cleaners, bin men/women, shop workers, carers, delivery drivers, public transport drivers, civil servants, and many other key workers I may have forgotten. These people have continued to work during this time of uncertainty as they work on the front lines to ensure everything is running smoothly, whether it’s working directly with the fight against COVID-19 or indirectly to keep their respective country functioning to allow people to get to places and to maintain a semblance of a normal life. They risk their lives every day to ensure we can live the next.

There is also a huge applause for how communities have responded to looking after key workers and the vulnerable. Local businesses are also helping to ensure the key workers and vulnerable people are well fed or have the essential food supplies to keep going. Communities are coming together to ensure the vulnerable and people who are isolating have access to essential supplies. The sense of togetherness shows how even during tough times, everyone can pull together for one huge cause that affects everyone else. One act of kindness can go a long way.

Appreciating the small things

Every day the news agencies keep the public updated with the situation by posting figures of deaths, which has put life into perspective for many of us. The isolation has allowed everyone to reflect on what is important in their own lives from family, friends to appreciating the precious times with loved ones. Children are able to enjoy time with their parents whether going through schoolwork, playing games or talking which probably rarely happens. You hear stories of communities singing together either from their balcony or online, checking on people or a neighbourhood working out together.

The mass stockpiling of essential goods has made us reflect on the importance of material goods over the importance of family. The imagery of an elderly man trying to find his essential items in an empty aisle has hit many people on the kind of society we have become. The viral video sent by the nurse who was unable find the items she needed after her long shift on the front line has made us reflect on the sense of duty that we have to look after each other.

I am sure this situation will get us to relook at life in general and discover what is important to us.

Personal message

With the number of deaths passing 1 million worldwide, I first would like to send my best wishes to the families that have been affected by this deadly virus.

I would like to thank everyone on the frontline working directly or indirectly to fight against COVID-19. Your hard work, dedication, and sacrifices will be remembered forever. You are the reason why I am alive.

I would like to thank family, friends, and colleagues that have checked up on me during this time to ensure I am okay, have sufficient food supplies or whether I have gone crazy during the isolation.

I hope everyone and their families are safe and well. For those that are either isolating or have family that are isolating because of the virus, I send my support in your recovery and I hope you or your family get better soon.

Let’s continue to look out for each other and stay safe. We are united towards one common cause to defeat COVID-19. Only then can we as humanity defeat it. No individual can defeat this alone. We can be heroes as well, so let’s do our bit. Remember to wash your hands and an act of kindness goes a long way when the times are tough. :)