Is going home the responsible thing to do? Coronavirus thread No. 168

[Username Taken]

@KFH Did you get a flight out ? And what sort of reception did you get in Australia ?
Hope it all worked out.

As an aside, a friend/ aquaintance sent me a message today that he is stuck in the Philippines for at least two weeks with the lockdown. No way out apparently.

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[Kung-fu Hillbilly]

@KFH Did you get a flight out ? And what sort of reception did you get in Australia ?
Hope it all worked out.

After four cancellations over three days I'm supposed to be out at 7.20pm tonight.

[SternAAlbifrons]

Never fear. Here are nine things you can do, in the comfort of your own home, to celebrate your lockdown.

Bake.
Nothing gets me in a holiday mood faster than firing up the oven to create something that looks beautiful, smells delicious, and is full of empty calories. The Kitchen has loads of great recipes, from cakes to candy.

Get your craft on.
Sometimes, just making something pretty with your hands is enough to get you into the spirit. Consider making some tree decorations, sewing something, or making a wreath for your front door. Chrismas, or is it Easter, is just around the corner.

Wrap something.
Oh, isn’t this everyone’s favourite way to feel the luurve? Whether you’re into simple brown paper or modern printed ones, there’s a way to put your stamp on... something. Oh, and if you have papers but no gifts, there are other things you can wrap.

Decorate.
I have a friend who loves lockdowns so much that she keeps some festive-hued cushions and accessories stored away for 11 months of the year, and brings them out just for plagues like this. That might be taking things a bit far (or maybe not!), but change is good for us, and any excuse works. Move some chairs around or simply throw up a garland or two; whatever your decorating style is, indulge it.

Have a movie marathon.
Elf, Miracle on 34th Street or Love Actually? Not a holiday I want anything to do with, that’s for sure. But you have all day so make it happen anyway - you might be surprised.

Throw an imaginary party.
Entertaining doesn’t have to be a chore. Keep it casual and invite some imaginary friends ’round for cookie decorating, anything. All you’ll have to do is throw on some imaginary tunes and open some real bubbly.

Cook something different.
You know you crave anything that isn’t roast veg, cheese or wine? Remember that time you first tried Thai, Indian, or Mexican. Go make that meal now; whether it’s a tasty curry or bright stir-fry, your tastebuds will thank you.

Do something useful.
So this one isn’t so fun, but it makes sense: you just know you’re going to need to tackle a million home-improvement tasks, so why not get a head start? Take an afternoon to scrub out your kitchen cupboards, defrost your freezer or throw out all the odd socks in your underwear drawer. This post has some great practical ideas.

Plan a holiday.
Slightly strange to stay at home in order to plan to leave it, but I find the dark days of lockdown are fantastic for plotting your next escape. Even if it’s just armchair travel, dreaming of warmer climes and exotic tastes can make the cold, gray days seem automatically sunnier.

..or crawl up the walls

[Doc67]

May I add another one... exercise.

While you can't go to the pub for 2 hours a day, take that time and do some sort of work out. Push ups, sit ups and stretches, the improvement curve and benefit is great at the start. Get a couple of pairs of dumbells and go online for a 1001 different ways to use them. There isn't much you can't train with them.

I am in lockdown know, have two pairs of dumbells and have stopped drinking. I intend to emerge in far better shape than I went in. Make the best if a bad situation...

[Marty]

A "friend" on Facebook suggested it irresponsible of me to return home as I'm likely to run a higher risk of contracting coronavirus via terminals, planes or travel in general. After manufacturing a small voodoo doll in her image and subjecting it to all manner of inconvenience, I considered she may have a point.

Should one stay put where they are if traveling for the potential of greater good?

Yes.

[Duncan]

Throw an imaginary party.
Entertaining doesn’t have to be a chore. Keep it casual and invite some imaginary friends ’round for cookie decorating, anything. All you’ll have to do is throw on some imaginary tunes and open some real bubbly.



I like that idea. Do you have to smoke something beforehand .?

[siliconlife]

Travelling for any reason that is not absolutely necessary is clearly irresponsible in the middle of a novel pandemic.

[Marty]

Travelling for any reason that is not absolutely necessary is clearly irresponsible in the middle of a novel pandemic.

That is the best observation yet!

[Khmu Nation]

Don’t understand the need to return home. It lacks logic and is quite selfish as well - travel on a plane 1000s of km is a small space when everyone else is staying in.

What happens if you get it travelling and give it out back home?

There’s no place like home there’s no place like home

I mean really

[Clutch Cargo]

Don’t understand the need to return home. It lacks logic and is quite selfish as well - travel on a plane 1000s of km is a small space when everyone else is staying in.

What happens if you get it travelling and give it out back home?

There’s no place like home there’s no place like home

I mean really

Well you might want to return home for the better health care and hospital standards. Many tourist and expat travel insurances don't cover you for pandemics.

Do they have enough chinese virus test kits here? Do they have enough ventilators in hospitals?

I take your point that in the short term you expose yourself to added risk by flying back but let's face it, this thing could drag on for 12-18 mths until a vaccine is found and then there are issues of cost & availability.

By the way, I've decided rightly or wrongly to stay put so I don't have a barrow to push to return home but understand why some may do so based on their own personal and health circumstances.