Quarantine ideas

We may be better prepared with our permaculture systems, but it doesn't mean that we don't like getting social. So, why not share some ideas for activities when we have to avoid most people?

Pornhub announced that they made their Premium account available for free in Italy, just so that people stay at home. That's one thing to do ;)

People often lost some source of income with many social activities being cancelled (permaculture teachers too), so it's understandable that they wouldn't want to spend money for access to films and stuff. Maybe let's make a list of content that is available legally for free? Movies, tv series, documentaries, games, recordings of various performances in theatres, operas and concerts?

Also, it's very important to keep our immune systems in great condition, because so far it's only our own immunity that can fight the virus. And one of the things that worsen our immunity is stress. So people should try not to worry too much about all the bad news, and also about their jobs. Yes, we should work online as much as we can, but it's also important to reduce stress and stay positive. To do this, we can practice stretching and breathing exercises, engage in some creative work, read books, etc.

I love doing some manual work while listening to podcasts - my current favourites are Levar Burton Reads, Star Talk, Fresh Air, Super Soul Conversations. Not updated anymore: Victoriocity, The Amelia Project, The Bright Sessions. All available for free.

And, perhaps it's finally time to try cooking these loong recipes, which take many hours and we never had time to do them! Many of them are also healthy, and it's so important to eat healthy food right now.

Any more ideas?

People seem to have the idea that social distancing (as opposed to strict quarantine) means that you lock yourselves indoors and turn turtle. I don't think that is necessary, or helpful.

We are already talking about things to do with our boys if their school's get closed. We are expecting to maintain some kind of school day routine. But will also do plenty of gardening, probably some trips to the beach and the woods, maybe camp a night or two. There are lots of options which don't involve mixing with other people.

Sure, it depends where your live and what you do. People with allergies should probably avoid camping just now, because their seasonal coughing and sneezing will freak everyone out... also, it wouldn't be reasonable to risk injury when hospitals are trying to cope with a pandemic.
Gardening and house cleaning are good activities too. I planted eight plants today! Although it was very windy, but a nice weather anyway. And I watched blue tits moving into their birdhouse, so there will be blue tit babies coming soon.

Talked to my nieces about this yesterday. They were sad about all the things being cancelled that they were looking forward to. BUT they were planning on maxing out their library cards and decluttering their stuff with the goal of only being left with things they loved, by the time they go back to school.

The sixteen year old also mentioned trying to train their neighbor's goldfish. ;)

Few things would make me happier than being told I couldn't leave my land for 6 months.  I could work on all the projects that I want to work on anyway, but don't have time for.

My wife and I have noticed the upside is the we are saving a great deal of money.  Well, a great deal for us.  It has really forced us to realize how expensive those trips to town are.

Here locally we are only up to the 'toilet paper panic', really no worse than what happens when we get a dusting of snow in the south...so far.

My husband and I spend most of our time at home in the yard and gardens and take some good hikes a couple times a week.  I doubt much will change for us?
We usually have all these wonderful National Park trails to ourselves over the winter and I suppose that could change and all for the better if more folks start hiking Out hiking or taking walks we can all easily respect the 'six feet distance, no longer than ten minutes' social distancing guidelines.

I already did the deep cleaning house work thing, just in case our long distance company still wants to come visit.

I'm not complaining either ;) but everything is shutting down quickly, causing chaos and some people are really scared. Others are abroad and their flights are being cancelled.

Flora Eerschay wrote:I'm not complaining either ;) but everything is shutting down quickly, causing chaos and some people are really scared. Others are abroad and their flights are being cancelled.

"some people are really scared"

People with compromised immune systems should take sensible precautions. But for everyone else following the recommended social distancing measures are all that is needed. The intention of social distancing is not to STOP the disease, but to slow it so that health services don't get overloaded. It is just a sensible pragmatic approach to stalling and buying time for the systems as a whole. Ultimately most people will get it at some point anyway, so isolating is about protecting the efficacy of the health services. It isn't the zombie apocalypse.

This weekend, I am making another Bulk Barn trip. I only have a couple of kilos of red lentils, and I want something other than just the red ones. I also want to bulk out my dried good stores with stuff like barley, more oats, and probably cocoa powder. I might also pick up a 5 kg bag of flour. I think I will also grab a few different types of pasta, just for shits.

I am going to stop for sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and lots of veggie, mushroom, and chicken broth. To that I will add canned tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, and probably some jarred sauce.

My stop tomorrow will probably include a visit to one of my favourite seed purveyors for more sprouting seed, as I am stocked with everything else I need.

I think that I will spend some time setting up trays of sprouting seed for immediate fresh consumption, and then just expand my normal seed-starting. I may have to string up some LEDs and heating pads for some, but I can't think of a better way to spend my free time right now.

To be clear, I am not actually quarantining. I will if it is called for by my employer or the Chief Medical Officer, obviously, but for now, lots of hand-washing and minimising face-to-face interactions at distances of less than a warehouse away will serve to minimise exposure.

When it's warm enough, I will see what I can plant where, and maybe my backyard will be a food oasis by the time this all blows over.

Good luck to all you out there. Be safe, and be good to each other.

-CK

If you're not in a high risk group you probably want to catch it, but you do NOT want to spread it to any one who may be high risk. The thinking seems to be that we're all going to get this this year or next or the year after, the idea is simply to keep the peak down enough to not overwhelm the hospitals.

As to what to do, there are very few "free" films or series to watch online, there are lots of people on YouTube who do excellent content but they are sometimes hard to find. The weather here is not conducive to doing anything outside, most wild areas are very soggy if not outright flooded, yesterday 50mph winds and hail. And it's way to early to be gardening here!

For those of us who sell vegetables this I think will be a boon if it carries on into season, yes the market will be shut (over 100 people rule) but I have a roadside stand so I will just need to advertise that.

Skandi Rogers wrote:
As to what to do, there are very few "free" films or series to watch online, there are lots of people on YouTube who do excellent content but they are sometimes hard to find. The weather here is not conducive to doing anything outside, most wild areas are very soggy if not outright flooded, yesterday 50mph winds and hail. And it's way to early to be gardening here!

Perhaps we need to start a "These youtube videos are worth a watch while in isolation" thread  :D

I think such a list made by permies contributors would likely have a lot of stuff I would want to watch!

Actually, your idea for listing  quality videos is pretty good .......of course, the list may already exist somewhere on this site.

John F Dean wrote:Actually, your idea for listing  quality videos is pretty good .......of course, the list may already exist somewhere on this site.

I think there are a lot of individual video recommendations scattered around, but not a list as such. Could perhaps be a useful wikipage?

A colleague just recommended this as a place for ideas to keep kids busy. https://www.mensaforkids.org/

Going to plant a big garden! Hoping to do a fair amount of fishing once it warms up.  And that stack of books I've been meaning to read...

Some more good ideas!

museums with virtual collections you can tour from wherever you are!

ideas of things you could take up during this time

live streams of classical music concerts around the world (many played to empty houses but still fabulous)

All of my part time income sources have dried up.  I am now going after the 1001 projects I have put off.  With the ground around here so soggy, I have begun digging holes for fence posts. I need to put in at least 4 new paddocks.  Thankfully, I already have the fence and fence posts bought.  Then there is the log splitter that bought and still have t assembled.  It came at a great price.

Michael Cox wrote:

John F Dean wrote:Actually, your idea for listing  quality videos is pretty good .......of course, the list may already exist somewhere on this site.

I think there are a lot of individual video recommendations scattered around, but not a list as such. Could perhaps be a useful wikipage?

Here you go!  Which Youtube channels do you like?

I probably have Asperger´s syndrome, so I don`t like getting social. Today I was told that a party I had to go next friday was cancelled and, frankly, that makes me happy. I allways try to avoid that kind of social "meetings" because is stressfull to me.
Being away from people for quite a few days would be relaxing. I plan to enlarge my vegetable garden, prunning a hedgerow, and read fiction books I love so much.

Flora Eerschay wrote:..... Yes, we should work online as much as we can, but it's also important to reduce stress and stay positive. To do this, we can practice stretching and breathing exercises, engage in some creative work, read books, etc. ......

Any more ideas?

I know that most here have just been waiting for that opportunity to dip their toes into meditation. :-) Could there be any better time?

The link:  https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/

The relevant clip:  "How to Meditate"

This meditation focuses on the breath, not because there is anything special about it, but because the physical sensation of breathing is always there and you can use it as an anchor to the present moment. Throughout the practice you may find yourself caught up in thoughts, emotions, sounds—wherever your mind goes, simply come back again to the next breath. Even if you only come back once, that’s okay.

A Simple Meditation Practice

1. Sit comfortably. Find a spot that gives you a stable, solid, comfortable seat.

2. Notice what your legs are doing. If on a cushion, cross your legs comfortably in front of you. If on a chair, rest the bottoms of your feet on the floor.

3. Straighten your upper body—but don’t stiffen. Your spine has natural curvature. Let it be there.

4. Notice what your arms are doing. Situate your upper arms parallel to your upper body. Rest the palms of your hands on your legs wherever it feels most natural.

5. Soften your gaze. Drop your chin a little and let your gaze fall gently downward. It’s not necessary to close your eyes. You can simply let what appears before your eyes be there without focusing on it.

6. Feel your breath. Bring your attention to the physical sensation of breathing: the air moving through your nose or mouth, the rising and falling of your belly, or your chest.

7. Notice when your mind wanders from your breath. Inevitably, your attention will leave the breath and wander to other places. Don’t worry. There’s no need to block or eliminate thinking. When you notice your mind wandering gently return your attention to the breath.

8. Be kind about your wandering mind. You may find your mind wandering constantly—that’s normal, too. Instead of wrestling with your thoughts, practice observing them without reacting. Just sit and pay attention. As hard as it is to maintain, that’s all there is. Come back to your breath over and over again, without judgment or expectation.

9. When you’re ready, gently lift your gaze (if your eyes are closed, open them). Take a moment and notice any sounds in the environment. Notice how your body feels right now. Notice your thoughts and emotions.