Life During COVID-19

 

In my 53 years, I have witnessed the advent of AIDS, the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger, the end of the Cold War, three major recessions, and 9/11.  Along with those momentous events, the COVID-19 pandemic will be remembered as a defining moment.   For those of us who will have grandchildren (I won’t), it will doubtless become the subject of “where were you when” questions.

COVID has received virtually non-stop coverage on the news.  Even though it has brought a lot of personal inconvenience, including having to cancel a planned vacation in Mexico, I have been fortunate, so far, in that there have been no COVID related deaths in my immediate family – although so-far three friends of mine have lost family members to the pandemic.  

My spouse Daniel was doing contract work out of state which ended in March.  We mutually decided he should cool his heels before seeking another job – which is in health care and entails increased risk.  So there has been some reduction of income but we’ve been able to weather it.   

To the best of my ability, I do my part to prevent the further spread of COVID:  I consolidate my shopping trips, wear a mask in public, avoid high risk areas – particularly bars, and per my employer’s mandate, have been working from home since late-March. 

During my first few weeks working at home, I felt rather lost.  In time, I learned that replicating my normal work routine as closely as possible brought structure to my day.  Waking around 6:30, I have coffee, walk the dog, then catch the news until 7:20.  Then I shower, shave, and dress – more casually than for onsite work, but usually with a work-branded shirt to remind myself I’m on company time.

One of my many Progressive shirts.

Mason patiently awaiting the end of my work day.

Following the end of my work shift, I focus on home related tasks – which can range from house work, to yard work, to trimming my dog’s nails.  Since I am home virtually 24/7 (meaning the use of my car has dropped dramatically), I decided to move several home renovation projects to the front burner.  The first of these was having the roof fixed over the house’s extension.   

That done, I decided to address a dual issue with the house: the lack of proper back patio space, and with that the lack of a back entry area that could serve as a mud room – in particular the latter has been a problem especially during rainy or snowy weather as dirt and mud are tracked into the house.  The patio was completed two weeks ago – along with much needed tuck-pointing of the house’s chimney.  The additional area incentivized me to repair some old patio furniture I’ve kept stored in the garage for several years – nothing major, just two chairs and a small table.  So far, the two chairs have been “de-rusted”, cleaned, and painted.  The table, which has a marble top, will be more of a challenge.  But even though the table isn’t fully restored, it’s useable. 

The mud room is something I’ve been wanting to have done for several years – I first drafted preliminary plans and went over them with my father (a civil engineer) before he died in 2016.  (I also drew up plans for a smaller front foyer, but have decided to hold off on that for now.)  When you have a 78-year-old house and have no intention of moving, you tend to think long-term.  I expect work on the mud room to start in August.   

That will probably take care of home renovations for this year, and will be the last project that does not fall under the umbrella of maintenance.  But I will doubtless find other ways to keep myself busy until restrictions are lifted.