Sheltering at Home: Day One Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Yesterday San Francisco Bay Area counties ordered everybody to shelter at home. But Jon and I have been in self-isolation for two weeks now, and I have to tell you, it’s no fun. We’ve cancelled social engagements, dropped our paint store search for the perfect stain for our new front door, called off the guys who were about to install the new doors to our (half-finished) deck. But worst of all — no trips to the gym. No Zumba. No yoga. No Spin. And for Jon, no safe and comfy exercise bike.

I can feel my muscles losing tone and going flaccid by the minute. And my spirits? They’re doing the same.

Why this self-imposed sheltering in place? Because two weeks ago, Jon and I, after a fun weekend of partying in Southern California, came down with colds — or something. When we started showing symptoms, we decided to play it super safe. We followed the recommended guidelines and stayed home. For two weeks now, we’ve been keeping our microbes pretty much out of public spaces.

Our symptoms don’t resemble the coronavirus (no fevers, no windedness), but we haven’t wanted to take a chance. We’ve stopped going to the gym. We make infrequent trips to the grocery store. And we refused a very tempting invitation to dinner from friends up the street. For a while, it felt great to be taking charge of a scary situation: we were keeping our mystery microbes to ourselves. Good for us.

Self-Isolation, Social Isolation

But now, two weeks into this self-isolation, I have to say that I’ve gone from self-congratulation, to boredom, to, well, depression. It’s the social isolation, of course, that is getting me down. But that’s only part of it. Of all the things I’m doing without right now, it’s my Zumba classes that I miss the most.

What’s a life with no dancing in it?

More dancing at “How to Sweep the Kitchen Floor.” Also, “Wedding Wear — The Aunt Wore Black.”