My partner left this shopping list:
- Whiskey
- Butter
- Chipotle Tabasco sauce
- Habanero Tabasco sauce
That’s all. While we have meat stocked in the freezer along with extra eggs and toilet paper, there are some essentials missing—like fresh vegetables, for instance. This list is a perfect reflection of our life in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With COVID-19 cases on the rise throughout the UK, we’re advised to stay home until at least mid-February, or possibly longer. A typical day during lockdown looks like this: we wake up and linger in bed. My partner reads while I jot down some thoughts and read a little. Our daughter jumps on FaceTime, then switches to Microsoft Teams for her schooling.
My partner and I eventually shower and slip into our “day pajamas,” which can only be described as teenage girl chic: oversized hoodies and sweatpants. We all sport these cozy garments, thanks to a great deal my partner found on Amazon. I usually avoid promoting Amazon due to the sheer wealth of Jeff Bezos, but these sweatshirts are pure comfort.
I brew coffee—sometimes my partner does. I feed the dog and send him out into our tiny garden, where I’ve stopped worrying about his bathroom habits.
Breakfast rolls around. My partner works from the kitchen, while our daughter attends her classes from her bedroom. Occasionally, I eavesdrop on her lessons, though not often. We used to be highly involved in her education, but now we just cross our fingers that the internet stays stable.
After walking and washing the dog, my partner goes for a run, and I write more. Lunch could be a simple affair, and today I chose to order Domino’s pizza. Other days, it’s leftovers, or I nudge our daughter to prepare something like carrots, cheese, and fruit. If she’s lucky, there’s prosciutto. When I’m not watching, she sneaks in chips and a chocolate bar, and I pretend not to notice.
I used to be the kind of person who folded laundry right after it came out of the dryer and fussed over leaves blown in through the front door. Now, I struggle to remember to pay bills, schedule vet appointments, or keep track of my daughter’s eye check-up—so many calendar events have all but disappeared.
With our daughter’s school operating online, we parents have taken on the role of classroom assistants. I often call my friend, Sarah, who’s also a parent at the school, for a quick summary of what we missed.
By 5 p.m., we stop working. My partner and I used to enjoy a glass of wine around 7 p.m., but now it’s more like cocktails by 6 p.m. (if not earlier). He has perfected his martini-making skills and found an old-fashioned recipe that deserves to be shared:
RECIPE
- 3 parts gin (we use Brixton Gin)
- 1 part vodka (we use Grey Goose)
- 1/2 part secret ingredient (Cocchi’s Americano aperitif)
- A twist of lemon peel
Before dinner, our daughter reconnects with friends on FaceTime. Sometimes she bathes; sometimes she skips it. I wash her hoodie every few days on the hottest setting. We cuddle the dog, play fetch indoors, and take him for walks around the block, pleading with him not to chew on the rugs or our laptop cords.
Occasionally, we tackle a puzzle together, while my partner strums his guitar. I remind myself how fortunate we are. And we truly are.
Sometimes I cook, or my partner takes the reins. Last night we feasted on mussels in a zesty red sauce with chorizo, garlic, onion, and coriander. Guess who cooked that? We play Rummy during dinner, which must count as family time, right?
After dinner, our daughter returns to her devices, diving into FaceTime and Roblox. I’m less concerned about her screen time now; she’s navigating another lockdown, missing friends and the school she loves, and there’s no sports. I want her to connect with her friends however she can.
My partner and I unwind with “The Durrells,” a show we didn’t watch much together before, but now it’s become our evening ritual. Sometimes we binge two episodes while sipping whiskey and soda. The dog curls up with us on the couch, completely ignoring our no-furniture rule.
“The Durrells” portrays a British family relocating to Corfu before WWII, living together in a chaotic home. Their antics provide us with laughter and perspective on our own somewhat disheveled lives.
Finally, we crawl back into bed, read, and switch off the lights, only to do it all over again the next day.
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Summary:
This piece reflects on the relaxed standards of a family navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. It shares insights on their daily routines, including homeschooling, cooking, and the adaptations they’ve made to maintain a sense of normalcy. The author emphasizes the importance of connection and making the best of the situation while also acknowledging the challenges faced during lockdown.