Finding Your COVID-19 Crew
Who would have thought six months ago when everything shut down to contain the growing health scare of COVID-19 we would still be here now. As we learned to adapt to remote working, watched summer vacations slip away, and see our kids starts school this year in their pajamas, we have fallen into to a new normal routine. As the world continues to spin around us, we are home more than ever. While this can be settling to some, there are so many people who live alone or are separated from family for fear of exposing their family or themselves to infection.
For weeks, after the stay at home orders where announced, we stayed home. Period. We ordered groceries online and disinfected them when they arrived. We did school and work remotely and the online video chats became our life line to others. The good thing was that everyone else was in the same boat. It was comforting. Again, and who would have thought something that became a topic of discussion last winter would bleed into this fall. We comforted ourselves with the idea this was only temporary.
As summer approached, with previous travel plans cancelled, the outdoors called. The patio was spruced up and a we landed a blow up pool that would likely last the summer but that would be all we needed. We thought about camping. A lot! Hours have been spent researching pop-up campers and travel vans. While we don’t have either yet. There is still the hope we will in the future.
As this all is going on around us, we start to long for face to face contact. We are warned of the dangers. Yet there has to be others that are practicing the same safety measures we have been to be cautious. With this thought, I began to develop my COVID-19 Crew. Here a few things I did to make sure if I were going to see people, these were my rules for doing it to keep myself and other people safe when gathering during COVID-19.
Assure you have the Same View on COVID-19
You know when you speak to people how they feel about COVID-19. There are those who have the attitude that even if it is real, it won’t have damaging affects on them. There are others that are so cautious, they are still do not leaving the house and cannot stock up on enough cleaning products. Being the balanced person I am, I fall somewhere in the middle. Most important though, I want to be sure we are protecting those that are most vulnerable so I practice caution myself.
Keep your Crew Small and Consistent
Sure you have lots of people you know and miss. The more people you come in contact with though the more risk you are to yourselves and others. Pick a handful of people who you are closest to, who elevate you, and share your same views. If they are friends with each other, even better. If so and you gather, make sure to keep it small, not more than half a dozen people at once.
Avoid the Desire to Hug
I will admit I am a hugger. Most people I know are as well. Pre-Covid, any gather entered was not without a dozen warm embraces and standard check-kiss. As hard as it has been, we have all become proficient at the air hug. The goal is to spend time with friends IRL and feel their warmth while still being safe. If we are going to do that, we need to save the hugs up for when it is safe.
Remember to Social Distance
Yes! While you have broken free of your home confinement, we are not out of the wood yet. Which is why, as humans that need human contact, we find a way to connect but it is still important to keep some distance between yourself and others. I have had a couple of my friends over for brunch or dinner and we spaced ourselves out where we are sitting across a long table rather than right next to each other. No matter how safe your crew is, we all could be exposed during a trip out shopping or at the gas pump or the mail and packages that come into your home. Don’t live in fear, just be careful.
All and all, practicing caution allows us to still be safe, still see those we love, and can keep us from experience cabin fever or loneliness that isolation that can create. With the holidays approaching there is no better time to develop your COVID-19 crew to assure small, intimate gatherings.
We would love to hear how you’re staying safe and avoiding isolation. Please share in the comments below.
