Nature's Revenge

23 March 2020 - Karen and I got back from Europe last Thursday. (I described the adventure in my other blog here.) 

Now we’re three days into a fortnight of self-isolation. No symptoms so far – other than general decrepitude.

I need something to do, so I’m starting this new blog, Cooped.

My 1973 Shorter Oxford English Dictionary defines coop, the verb, as: “To put or confine in a coop; hence to confine within a small space...”

That’s us.

Living in a high-rise condo complicates self-isolation. People who live in houses can open their front doors and go for a walk or a bike ride without the risk of infecting someone else – or being infected – as long as they keep their distance. Not so simple for us.

To get out of the building, which we haven’t actually tried to do yet, we have to push elevator buttons, or turn a door handle to get into the stairwell. We can use our elbows to push buttons and the door openers downstairs – which is what we did when we came in on Thursday – but what if someone wants to get on the elevator we’re on?

Tough to stay six feet apart in an elevator.

I, apparently quite stupidly, suggested we could stop people getting on and offer to get off ourselves and wait for the next elevator. A friend wrote:

“Welcome home. Nothing like getting on an elevator that has been voluntarily exited by someone who explained why they are self isolating. I sure wouldn't hesitate.” He kindly included a link to this helpful video.

Fair point. Funny guy.

So can we stick it out in our coop for two weeks? It’s a 1,100-square-foot apartment – not tiny, but not huge either. Being retired, Karen and I are used to rubbing along together. Just not all day every day.

We’ll see.

I’ll report on how we’re coping, what kinds of routines we’ve established. I hope to discipline myself to take photographs every day (see bottom of post) – although there’s not a lot of scope for photography in a coop.

I might try a little proselytizing for my favourite time-filling brain exercise, cryptic crosswords. I think I could teach anyone how to do it. And being an aspiring puzzle setter, I could even share some of my own clues as samples.

Oh, what fun, eh?

Or maybe this’ll be the first and last installment of Cooped. Who knows?

They're building three high-rise towers across the street from us. When built, they will almost completely block our view and most of the sunlight that streams in our living room windows now. Building, apparently, waits for no virus.

Office building across Dufferin Street that houses local RCMP detachment, among others. Our building and 1930s federal building reflected near middle of frame.

Social distancing in practice. Notice the person on the right who is veering off the sidewalk to avoid the guy coming towards them.

Taken during what would have been rush-hour this morning. Tells a story.