Surviving
‘Lockdown’
A Bedouin was once asked his secret
to crossing the hostile desert. The weather-beaten nomadic took a smooth stone
from his pocket, threw it a short distance, then walked to it. He picked it up,
threw it another short distance, and walked to it again.
“This is how,” he said. “One short
distance at a time.”
Bedouin’s also know what to prepare
for these journeys. They’re also guided by the sun and the stars and they know
where to find water.
This should be our approach,
day-by-day, living with COVID-19.
One day at a time.
But we also need to be prepared. Not
only with food and toilet paper. We need to prepare and plan daily activities
(especially if you have children), we need to follow the advice of social
distancing and hand washing, and prepare physically, mentally and emotionally
for tougher times to come.
Preparing physically. Only the
healthiest and the toughest will get through this. The rich, privileged and
politically powerful will not be spared, neither will the poor and
disadvantaged. While we’re all in this together, it’s up to individuals to take
responsibility for their own health and the survival of their families.
1.
You need a good immune system. Eat (ideally raw)
seasonal fruit and vegetables. Stop ordering take-aways.
2.
You need healthy lungs. Stop smoking and do
daily breathing exercises.
3.
You need energy. Don’t lounge around in bed or
mooch on the couch. Do stuff – clean, exercise (even if it’s only on the
patio), go for walks where you’re allowed to.
4.
You need a clear head. Pray before you say or do
anything.
5.
To avoid depression and ‘cabin fever’ start a
hobby. Do an online course e.g. learn another language. If you clean out your
cupboards, you’ll find something to do.
Your medicine cupboard needs more
than condoms and cotton wool balls. You’ll need an anti-pyrexial (to reduce
fever e.g. Panado or Calpol for children), bronchodilators (these help you
breathe – Vicks VapoRub is an ideal OTC standby) a thermometer and cough
mixture. Here’s my own recommended home-made remedy. You’ll need an onion and
honey. Slice the onion, pour honey over it and leave this to stand overnight. Pour
the juice off the next morning and use it during the day. One teaspoonful at a
time (PRN – when needed). It’s always worked for our family.
Finally, focus on the positive.
Here in South Africa, I’ve heard that notorious gangster mobs in the Western
Cape has turned to distribute food parcels instead of waging war on their
rivals, Spaza shops in townships are supplying their neighbourhoods with basic
foodstuffs. Broken families are reconciling, enemies are calling a truce,
churches are you-tubing services. While people have had to stop reaching out
physically, we’re connecting spiritually and emotionally.
And that’s good.
(Picture: 'Unsplash')
(Picture: 'Unsplash')
