A Month in Isolation

We’re coming to the end of a full month of self-isolation. Time flies when you’re having fun.

If I’m honest, it hasn’t been that bad. I miss the gym. I miss seeing friends. I miss coffee shops/restaurants. I’m not an extrovert so it hasn’t been as challenging for me as it is for others.

We’ve stepped out a few times for exercise (a run in the neighborhood or a walk or bike ride in the forest) and to pick up essential groceries. Otherwise, our lives have been confined to our building. I can run up and down the ten flights of stairs and go for a swim every couple of days. Priya and the girls have been doing these online instructor-supported workouts so thankfully we're all staying fit.

We heard that there was someone in the building that is positive with Covid-19. I don’t think it’s confirmed, however. We also saw an ambulance come in and out of the compound on a couple of occasions, which made us a bit suspicious. We do know that several families have been in full quarantine after travel and/or possible exposure. Even if there aren’t any cases in our compound, the government has confirmed that there are positive cases in our neighborhood. So it’s around us somewhere.

 We’re still reasonably impressed with the government response. They started slowly, like many governments, but they seem to be doing the right things. The day before yesterday the president announced a further lockdown on the city and other parts of the country. No vehicles coming in our out except approved cargo. The number of infections to date has climbed slowly but steadily to 158 as of yesterday. Obviously people are suspicious of the numbers but they seem to have been pretty transparent with the whole process of testing and doing contact tracing, including in our building. So who knows but as with other countries, you can run but you can’t hide. If you’re faking, it will show up at some point. 

Priya was sick over the weekend. As you might think, we were concerned since she’s not sick very often and she’s been the most exposed by going to the store every day or two to pick up groceries. But the symptoms weren’t consistent with what we know of Covid-19. Eventually she started feeling better and we’ve moved on. But every cough, sneeze or headache is suspicious nowadays.

This morning we’re hearing that a gaggle of Kenya MPs have come down with the virus - people who traveled and came back to the country with it. Supposedly some of them had a big party about a week and a half ago in a neighborhood adjacent to ours that pretty much infected all those who attended. I can anticipate the wry smiles throughout the populace as people will feel like the corrupt politicians are getting what’s coming to them. It does sound as though there has been some deadly irresponsible behavior. The sad part is that the people who work for those infected politicians are from the ‘hoods where hygiene and social distancing are far more challenging. It may well contribute to a spike in infections. This could get ugly.