Six Simple Strategies for Social-Distancing and Sanity

In epidemiology, the idea of slowing a virus' spread so that fewer people need to seek treatment at any given time is known as "flattening the curve." In this regard, one of the most important risk mitigation strategies in combating the rampant spreading of Covid-19 around the globe is social-distancing. On Monday, March 16, 2020 Malaysia’s government announced a 14-day Movement Control Order from March 18 to 31 nationwide to curb the spread of the Covid-19 infection in Malaysia. The Movement Control Order is imposed under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and well as the Police Act 1967, which cover a range of activities. 

Officially, I am now working from home. In my household there are four (4) family members, this is my wife and I and our two daughters. Our son is alone in Toronto. 

Our 11-year-old daughter will be off school until mid-April. She will be having classes online using Google classroom and other online educational platforms.

For work my arsenal of tools now includes Zoom, Teams, Telegrams, etc. We are divided into two (2) teams, that is, Team A and Team B. Physical contact is strongly of each team should be avoided as far as possible.

Since the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a global emergency on 30 January I have been thinking about the how I would cope under stricter social distancing requirements. Whether we are introverts or extroverts, we all need to have human interation. Yesterday, a friend of mine posted the following on #Facebook "Imagine a time when you are compelled to cease all comings and goings and find stillness in yourself. Could you?" 

This was my response to his post:

I submit to my own vulnerabilities and weaknesses. I want to believe I have a fair degree of mental fortitude to cope with 14 to 30 social distancing. However, like all human beings there is some limit to my capacity to remain sane. Well, that is, assuming that I am not insane in the first place. Frankly, if you know me well enough, I would not fault you for thinking I am mad crazy……..(expletives, expletives…my roots is Jamaica!)

How do I plan to get through 14 to 30 days social distancing?

1. Meditation – every morning at about 5.45am, I mediate. I am forever gracious for another day on mother earth. I am happy for another day to gives me an opportunity to continue making a difference in our world. What is my purpose during this current Covid19 crisis? For a start I can abide by the social distancing rules. If I am not infected by the virus, there may be no need for a hospital bed for me. Equally, important if I am infected and I am asymptomatic by staying at home I minimise the risk of infecting others.

2. Daily exercise and physical activity – Exercise is a great way to de-stress from any stress associated with Covid-19 and social distancing. Physical activity is also a good way to keep your immune system in tip-top shape to mitigate risk of infectious diseases and viruses such as Covid-19. I am an avid hiker, cyclist and occasional runnerAs long as I am permitted to go outdoors and will not violate any laws or curfew, I am planning to go hiking, cycling and running. These are activities are I can do alone, and thus avoid contact with others.

In addition, I also enjoy yoga. My wife and daughters are my yoga teacher. We have yoga mats for all four of us to participate in our home yoga class.

As a matter of fact, I am slightly overweight, and therefore physical activities will help with my weight management.  

3. Reading – reading is nutrients to the mind. I am stocking up books. These are three (3) of the books at the top of my reading list: (i) Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind and (ii) Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari, and (iii) The World Beneath Their Feet: Mountaineering, Madness, and the Deadly Race to Summit the Himalayas by Scott Ellsworth.

What books do you plan to read? Please feel free to such your top three books for 2020.

4. Work - Working, whether paid or unpaid, is good for our health and wellbeing. It contributes to our happiness, helps us to build confidence and self-esteem, and rewards us financially. At the @SEACEN Centre, I work with an amazing team researching and training young central bankers and regulators from 19 central banks and monetary authorities in the Asia Pacific region.

Work keeps us busy, challenges us and gives us the means to develop ourselves. Work gives us a sense of pride, identity and personal achievement. Work provides other meaningful benefits such as it enables us to socialise, build contacts and find support. 

Working from home means we have to be creative with how we engage with SEACEN’s stakeholders. We are doing more Podcasts, Webinars, short videos, etc.

How are you planning to engage with your clients?

5. Set boundaries – I dress for work. I will have a dedicated workstation or space. I will take my tea and lunch breaks. I will sign-off from work. What are your boundaries?

6. Spent extra time for family - Given the stress associated with social distancing and fears of Covid-19 I will make an extra effort to ensure that I do in fact have more family time. It is funny how we can be present but have not presence. We are more connected, yet we know so little about the fears and joys of each other. My family and I have planned a number of family group activities such as playing scramble, snake & ladder, etc. 

Please share your ideas for family activities at home.

How do you plan to get through 14 to 30 days of social distancing? Please share your tips.