Housebound: Day 56
A Daily Log about dealing with COVID-19
May 11th
Locally: At noon on May 11th there were 31,815 cases and 2,242 deaths in Louisiana
Nationally: May 10th there were 1,300,696 cases and 78,771 deaths. (The CDC’s stats on national numbers are updated daily and close out at 4 PM the night before. *As of April 14, 2020, CDC case counts and death counts include both confirmed and probable cases and deaths. This change was made to reflect an interim COVID-19 position statement issued by the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists on April 5, 2020.)
Daily Commentary:
(I will not be editing these posts more than the basic one over. The point is mainly for me to simply reflect on what is working during this time and what might need adjusting. When I find interesting or beneficial information, I will also be sharing that as well.)
Escapism: the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.
In today’s world, the idea of escapism can be alluring. With all the virus still present, jobs threatened, the economy rather unstable and normalcy all but gone, who would not want to just get away for a little while?
I am not an advocate for losing yourself in grief or fear. Yet I do believe allowing yourself a chance to distance yourself from your worries and stresses periodically can be revitalizing. Today, my housemates decided to get away from our house and floated out on one of the canals in New Orleans known as Bayou St. John.
For several hours, we were able to enjoy nature and feel as if we were far away from our house where we have been quarantined for over fifty days. Listening to music, laughing and giving ourselves permission to relax was truly wonderful. In a very staycation style, we were able to enjoy our city while social distancing. We could breath fresh air and not risk contamination.
I think everyone should find some sort of way to unwind periodically. Maybe it is soaking your feet in a kiddie pool while reclining in a lounger. Maybe you take a walk through a park or find a comfortable spot in your home to close your eyes and simply listen to soothing music. Just allowing yourself to be mentally transported away for a few hours might be all that is needed to help you be ready to face the rest of your week. These are just my thoughts….
Until tomorrow, stay safe and stay well.
