Covid-19 questionnaire.

[tetsubinatu]

1. Are you an Essential Worker?

No, I'm on the Disability Pension.

2. How many drinks have you had since the quarantine started?

We moved house from 7 -20 February and I had a bottle of liqueur mead and 3 small bottles of cider  which were consumed during that period and soon after.

3. If you have kids... Are they driving you nuts?

I do, and no, they are good housemates. They're aged 17-23 and I feel lucky to have their company.  My Dad lives alone and is feeling very isolated, whereas I really don't live a terribly different life from before.

4. What new hobby have you taken up during this?

I am still unpacking boxes. Given that some days taking a shower uses up all my energy this is a long-term project.

5. How many grocery runs have you done?

Every 6 months I have an infusion of an immuno-suppressive medication, most recently on April 6th.  Since that time I have gotten a drive-through coffee twice and filled up the petrol tank once. Everything else has been home delivered or fetched by a kid. I do have to drive the youngest to their baking traineeship twice a week but I don’t get out of the car. 

I’m told that a ‘flu shot won’t produce antibodies for at least 4 weeks after the infusion, so I figure I should be super-careful for at least that period.

6. What are you spending your stimulus check on?

In Australia we're getting something similar  - in my case it will total about $1500. It's going straight into the bill-paying account but I have used the knowledge that it was there to fund a few luxuries like a weekly takeout chosen in rotation by us all. I am contemplating a new tablet at about $240. This one has only 3Gig of usable space.  

7. Do you have any special occasions that you will miss during this quarantine?

The one I am saddest about is my middle child's 21st. He wanted a party. 

8. Are you keeping your housework done?

See 'moving house'. We did have a bit of an issue with washing the dishes which was mostly solved by switching to a system where everyone is responsible for washing their own colour-coded crockery and for the pans they use on the night they cook. 

9. What movie have you watched during this quarantine?

None. I’m not really a movie watcher.  I read, listen to podcasts and do non-timed puzzles if I don’t have sufficient energy to move around.

10. What are you streaming with?

I haven’t needed to.

11. 9 months from now is there any chance of you having a baby?

No

12. What's your go-to quarantine meal?

I am currently having fun with tater tot casseroles. The last one was pretty good! I can’t eat gluten or milk products, and various household members can’t or won’t eat mushrooms, hot peppers and fish.  When the kids were living full social lives this meant that we ate curry on the night that one kid wasn’t home, mushrooms another,  etc, but we’re all home all the time now.

13. Is this whole situation making you paranoid?

No.  It is what it is.

14. Has your internet gone out on you during this time?

Not a lot. Having just changed providers, we had a few teething issues, but it’s been okay.

15. What month do you predict this all ends?

Hmmmm. It depends where we live and whether our Government wishes to pursue eradication.  Our numbers are low enough for it to be an option, as we live in an island nation.  Not in the next 6 weeks, where I live.

16. First thing you’re gonna do when you get off quarantine?

Visit my Dad. He lives a long way away and I fear for him. He’s in his 80s, and he lost half a lung to cancer a few years ago.

17. Where do you wish you were right now?

In my own home. We were forced to sell the property I owned in February (long story) and I can’t afford to buy a large enough property in the area I need to live in until youngest finishes school. I hate renting.

18. What free-from-quarantine activity are you missing the most?

Nipping down to the  shops to see what’s on special. I normally shop at outlet stores first, then fill the gaps at a major grocery. Right now, most of it is being delivered by the major grocery and it drives me insane to pay full price! Although I am grateful to have the delivery, under the circumstances, 

19. Have you run out of toilet paper and hand sanitizer?

No, I fortunately bought toilet paper and soap twice in a row when we moved. I forgot that I had already bought it! I felt pretty silly at the time, but we’re still going on that lot. I don’t usually use hand sanitiser, but I would now, if I could get it.

20. Do you have enough food to last a month?

Always.  My ex used to get paid monthly and he has budgeting issues, so I would go out and buy a month’s worth of groceries on payday, including long life milk.  It’s a way of life, now.  I buy a carton of crushed tomatoes, coconut milk, baked beans etc at a time.