It may seem like a strange thing to say, but during this time of social distancing, isolation and lockdowns make sure to rest. It is easy to think now that you are bound inside that you can get loads of work done, learn new things, and accomplish all sorts of things when the outside world was accessible. All of that is great, and I encourage you to challenge yourself, just so long as you take care of yourself as well. Keep washing your hands and stay safe.
Although you may be stuck inside, we are fortunate enough to live in times when we can still connect with one another. Maybe everyday take a moment to send a message to someone you haven’t spoken to in awhile, just to say hey. Cultivating connections will help us all get through this.
I hope if you are reading this now that you are safe and well and able to have everything you need to get through the next few weeks or months. Lockdown, quarantine or isolation can be pretty dreary, but luckily we live in times when we are all able to stay connected. Take care, friends and keep washing your hands.
Well, as the world is locking down and preparing for the great waiting out of the corona catastrophe, I once again am pausing March of Pigs to bring you a bit of history. I am not sure where this originated from, but one of my friends sent it along and it is too good not to share.
If you are reading this blog, I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well and that you have a comfy place to shelter and access to all that you need to get through.
Of course, we were warned that something like this was looming on the horizon. It was long the subject of board games, movies and conspiracy theories. And now here we are, many of us are confined to our homes for the foreseeable future while heroes are called upon to care for the sick and deliver supplies to the isolated. It is quite extraordinary. In the UK, if this week were a chapter of the story of the time of COVID, it would be titled “The Scramble.” It is the period of gathering supplies, fretting over school closures and transitioning large portions of the workforce from offices to homes while figuring out what to do about all the people doomed to lose their livelihoods while we hibernate from the invisible enemy.
However, there is hope. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Dr Larry Brilliant, an epidemiologist who helped eradicate smallpox recently said in an interview, this is an opportunity for humanity. It is ok to be afraid, but perhaps this is the giant push we need as a species to realise that there is more that unites us than divides us. Maybe this is our big opportunity to put profits and personal opinions aside and come together. Maybe, in the wake of the crisis, we will emerge to a world that is better than the one we are leaving behind.
Sometimes it is hard to keep to a safe distance. Take Pam, Angela and Ellen here for example – they are not keeping a llama distance apart! With the first day of spring upon us, it can be hard to not get out and about as the world comes back from winter.
However, The Haven Zoo has created an opportunity to spend some extra time with their menagerie! For $5, you can book an enrichment with the animal of your choice! The Haven will send you a video of our furry friends engaging in a special activity or treat, personalised just for you. They also have virtual tours and other opportunities for socially distant, remote activities during social distancing efforts, click here to book.
Social interactions are a little weird lately. The very few times I have ventured out, I have made sure to keep a safe distance, even from my good friends. These are simple adjustments we all have to make to stay safe. Social distancing supports your community and keeping that 2m or 6 foot distance will help stop the spread. We will all be able to share in an epic high five and hug eventually, but for now keep your distance and wash your hands.
So here we are. There are a lot of terms being used by the government and world science officials like “self-isolation” and “social-distancing” to describe behaviors we can take to limit the spread of coronavirus. As both require adjusting our social schedules and withdrawing from many group events it is easy to get both mixed up. Here is a friendly definition of both.
Social distancing refers to choosing to work from home whenever possible, refrain from taking unnecessary travel especially on public transportation, and avoiding public places like restaurants, cinemas and bars.
Self isolation requires completely cutting yourself off from the outside world. You might be asked to self-isolate if you start experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, or have close contact with someone experiencing symptoms of coronavirus. In self-isolation you don’t leave your home for two weeks and avoid all face to face contact with the outside world.
Both can be quite lonely, but try not to worry too much. This too shall pass, and there will be wonderful things on the other side.
It seems strange to keep writing little things and posting pictures of pigs and then goats, but here we are. I assure you, I fully intend to carry on; however, at some point, I may run out of photographs. So, please send me your goat photographs, pig photographs, and whatever else you got to goat.of.the.day.blog@gmail.com
That said, I have been told to limit all non-essential social contact for at least three months. It is really hard to have to stop going to work and doing a lot of things I love to do out and about and in the community, BUT maybe something wonderful will come out of all of that. Maybe, with all of the time I will create something beautiful, or develop a new skill, or read and learn about fantastic things. And most importantly, I will be doing my part to stop the spread of the coronavirus. What a time to be alive.
Goat of the Day 