My Quarantine: Lessons and Observations

Everyone living under “stay-in-place” orders, formerly known as house arrest, shares in common a sense of isolation, but otherwise, our experiences are unique.

From old show tunes to classic American folk songs: they pop into my head, and I roar them out. Andrea Bocelli, step aside. silverkblackstock/Shutterstock

Everyone living under “stay-in-place” orders, formerly known as house arrest, shares in common a sense of isolation, but otherwise, our experiences are unique. While I live alone as the caretaker of my daughter’s four-bedroom home, which we hope to put on the market this spring, you may live with an abundance of relatives or friends. During my house arrest, I have tried to stay upbeat; like some of my friends, you may belong to the doom-and-gloom school. At any rate, here are some lessons I’ve learned and ways I’ve endured the CCP virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus.

Pleasures

Singing. I’ve discovered I can still belt out a tune. A house empty of most of its furniture nicely amplifies the voice, and as I putter about, making coffee, washing dishes, or packing up for the inevitable moving day, I sometimes sing. And I mean I sing LOUD! Old show tunes learned as a child from my mother’s record collection, songs from the 1960s and 1970s, the lyrics of some classic American folk songs: they pop into my head, and I roar them out. Andrea Bocelli, step aside.

Solitaire. A bout of solitaire a couple of times of day eases the mind and passes the time. I started two weeks ago with a deck of cards purchased from Dollar General, and that pack is now looking a trifle worn. The minor triumph of winning a game brings a smile.

Contacts and Encounters

Telephone. To break up the silence, I’ve spent more time on the phone, calling my children, my siblings, and a few friends. Though I never took any particular pleasure in talking by phone, it has helped keep me sane and in touch with the outside world.