Thread: Four days in

Since I am at the age of highest risk for the virus I am in the requested isolation time totally (and forcefully) at the request of my sons I thought I'd share a few thoughts and the like on this the fourth day into mass isolation. I realize that there probably is a huge majority of people that are just now realizing what the life of a hermit/anti-social/loner/introvert (pick any of those words) might be like. I am a cross between an introvert (with great public coping skills) and a full-blown hermit and I must say that I am missing, just a little, of the freedom to come and go as I please. The first few days were a piece of cake. And then I realized that shortly I will need to replenish my perishables. One son has volunteered to be my grocery shopper and I fear, based on his appetites and attitude toward shopping I'd end up with at least a dozen of almost everything on the list (keep perishables in mind.) I'd have to be salad crazy for three meals a day. At any rate, I took stock of my larder and have launched a program to make meals from the goods that have a best by date based in the past. Tonight I had a remarkably tasty chili from canned beans, canned tomatoes, and sausage rescued from the dark recess of my freezer (no idea how long they were there.) Add a can of tomato sauce, a few spices, a healthy squirt of ketchup and a bowl with a cup of brown rice in it with enough left for a lunch or two and I feel replenished and hopeful that the next week and a half goes smoothly.

As for the shopping, I will ask my daughter-in-law to do the shopping since I know she has a better grasp on what a single person needs as well as the longevity of fresh items.

Also, as per previously stated adage of an older brother, a little liquor helps so be well, eat wisely and have drink or two.

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Since I am at the age of highest risk for the virus I am in the requested isolation time totally (and forcefully) at the request of my sons I thought I'd share a few thoughts and the like on this the fourth day into mass isolation. I realize that there probably is a huge majority of people that are just now realizing what the life of a hermit/anti-social/loner/introvert (pick any of those words) might be like. I am a cross between an introvert (with great public coping skills) and a full-blown hermit and I must say that I am missing, just a little, of the freedom to come and go as I please. The first few days were a piece of cake. And then I realized that shortly I will need to replenish my perishables. One son has volunteered to be my grocery shopper and I fear, based on his appetites and attitude toward shopping I'd end up with at least a dozen of almost everything on the list (keep perishables in mind.) I'd have to be salad crazy for three meals a day. At any rate, I took stock of my larder and have launched a program to make meals from the goods that have a best by date based in the past. Tonight I had a remarkably tasty chili from canned beans, canned tomatoes, and sausage rescued from the dark recess of my freezer (no idea how long they were there.) Add a can of tomato sauce, a few spices, a healthy squirt of ketchup and a bowl with a cup of brown rice in it with enough left for a lunch or two and I feel replenished and hopeful that the next week and a half goes smoothly.

As for the shopping, I will ask my daughter-in-law to do the shopping since I know she has a better grasp on what a single person needs as well as the longevity of fresh items.

Also, as per previously stated adage of an older brother, a little liquor helps so be well, eat wisely and have drink or two.

Richard my friend, I admire your posting of your situation.

Since you are the eldest member of this forum thank you for posting, I find it commendable that your sons have offered to take on the task to at least 'TRY' to bring you what you need.

I also enjoy that you have your daughter in law to step in with her knowledge of the reality of what you would actually need.

I would hope that you, your sons, daughter in law and all here will enjoy this presentation of how a shopping list can go wrong----



Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and Most of all--Don't Change--

Yes, I have made a few trips to the store since this thing began. Remarkably, I have mostly gotten what I went for, but milk and paper goods are always gone. Funny how you don't pull two paper towels when you need just one?
Found a gallon of milk at the local convenience store. Beer too!
Getting by just fine. Was tempted to buy a big case of ramen noodles. Could live off of those with some squirrel meat!

Look for places which allow seniors in early. Good place to meet women, Richard!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Look for places which allow seniors in early. Good place to meet women, Richard!

Funny you should mention early shopping for seniors. I just saw a notice on the TV this evening that the supermarket chain at which I shop (Publix) is instituting such a plan for Tuesdays and Wednesdays, beginning next Tuesday (24 March 2020). But the hours! 0700-0800!! Heck, sunrise isn't until 0718, and I'm sure not going to be riding my bike in the dark, amidst the early-morning rush-hour traffic, with all those sleepy-eyed drivers glued to their cellphone screens.

So, I'll forgo the "senior shopping" and enjoy sunlight and sleeping-in... and, as much as I appreciate age-appropriate women, there's something about the younger ones.

There was a wee blurb that I caught on the news, and I may be at work longer than 21 days. If the crews are in good shape, we may be voluntold to stay at the end of our shift. Some have young families and some did not pass the health screening questions in order to start their shifts and they may choose to keep us on. Pretty much the station is in lock down. Essential station business is only reason we are permitted to leave the facility, no one other than the duty staff is allowed on the base. We do not see the mayhem here, but everyone knows it is happening, over there, and most people here are isolating themselves. I’d like to think that it will stay over there, and hopefully it does. I went to the store today. Some items are being rationed, they are not on the shelf and you need to ask for them. All of the store staff are wearing gloves and spraying sanitizer everywhere throughout the day. Some people wearing masks. Not much movement of people. The road runs past the station and there has not been much traffic, even for here. My mind had wondered a few times to others living in lockdown, especially those living aLone. I’m glad to see the post, and to know that many are taking the plague seriously. Be well and stay safe!

I'm glad I caught this post. My partner is returning from Indonesia on Saturday and I'm picking her up from the airport followed by a 5 hour car ride together. At that point we agree I need to self-isolate with her. I've already booked the time off work and made arrangements for my oldest to go to my parents, but our toddler will need to stay and isolate with us too. Like most places supplies in these parts are hard to come by but I've gone about getting enough dehydrated, canned, and frozen food that we won't starve, even if we won't eat particularly well. I also got a beer for each of us for each day we're in isolation, plus a bottle of scotch just in case going from no wife for a month to locked together for 2 weeks takes a toll on the marriage. Good luck and safe health to everyone navigating these waters!

Thanks for starting this thread Richard.

I don't know what everyone else is doing locally but the two of us have not gone out since Monday or had anyone over. Even on Monday people in retail stores were wearing gloves and the hospitals and seniors residents were screening anyone entering and limiting those that could enter for visitation to one person. The plan is to only go out for groceries when needed or medical appointments some of which have been cancelled and not by us.

Hit a speed bump in that plan today when the 2 year old fridge decided it doesn't want to work and we had to call a repair person who hopefully will solve that problem today when they come. The person doing the booking at the repair shop did ask what are now standard screening question about our health and travel history before agreeing to book a repair person. Yup, life is changing for sure.

Even though we are trying not to have close personal contact with other people some of the social isolation that brings is eased by more frequent phone calls and emails to friends and family and of course being on the forums too.

Good luck and stay healthy to all during this upheaval as long as it may last.

Bob

Isolation? Meh

I have to weekly force myself to start my car and go someplace.
The Swiss Miss is a bit unhappy.

I am getting a lot of work done in the garage. Best to avoid unhappy wives.

Like others, we are using this time to clear the freezer. Found some tasty chili yesterday. I think it was left over from the last razor meet.

This is a good thread and i hope all of us are staying as safe as we can. Being the bread winner in my home im still working. Ive been training a new guy and that is starting to worry me. I can control my work area (truck cab) but when stuck in there with another person that i personally dont know...
I spent a lot of time in the garage working on projects yesterday. Last night i had a slight fever and headache and the wife freaked out. This morning (my monday) i didnt go to work. Just playing it safe. Im hoping work will take me back and not thing I got IT. A little headache this morning but no fever. I did do the shoping and went to 3 stores on wednesday. Scarry times.

I know the gas will slow down soon so i might not be working as much soon, but for now the gas keeps flowing. And i think im going to tell the boss that im not training any more until this virus stuff is over. Crossing my fingers he understands.

Wife and I are at our cottage with the grand boys. The week has been pretty uneventful, but the 7 and 9-year old boys are getting bored and the two seniors are starting to show some fatigue.

We have enough supplies to last quite a while and the small town we shop in hasn’t had the run on food and other essentials that seems to have happened in larger centres. It’s pretty easy to self isolate here, but the boys want to go back to their parents in a larger city and we haven’t been successful convincing them or their parents that it’s not a very good idea. Hope it works out for everyone.

Be well , be careful and be smart. Best wishes for everyone.