On surviving COVID-19: Taking an 'i' out of isolation

By Melissa Seifert, AARP Michigan

I just received a message from our CEO that we are extending our work from home 'til June 1st. What that means for me is more homeschooling, a backyard preschool graduation and a lot more virtual meetings with my colleagues. The Governor has also extended our stay at home to May 28, so how are you going to stay connected while self-isolating? I am here to provide you with some things our family does to stay connected with loved ones while social distancing.

I am going to assume that many of you reading this are not familiar with Zoom, or Skype, or FaceTime, or Instagram, House Party and Messenger Kids, and so on. But let me tell you, if you have heard of these words they are your window to the outside world! Listen, I am not suggesting that booting up your computer and getting on Zoom or FaceTime is the same as talking to your kids, grandkids or friends in person. I compare this to making zoodles, which is peeled zucchini that loosely resembles pasta. Then I top it with meatballs and spaghetti sauce pretending it’s real pasta. It scratches the itch and keeps me from gaining the Covid-15. So in this new time, I encourage you to go to our AARP Michigan Facebook page and to WWW.AARP.ORG/MI to learn about ways to stay connected virtually, and other tips on how to deal with isolation.

During this time we are hearing a lot of folks who don’t have the option to connect with family and friends through the internet. So how do you take an “I” out of isolation? AARP is doing all we can to provide you with resources so you aren’t just sitting at home watching the news, which isn’t helping anyone’s mood. My father, who lives two hours away from me, struggles with the internet and overall technology, so we do all we can to find other ways to stay connected. We have reinstated pen pals! My Dad sends letters to the kids and we send letters back! We have family members read the kids bedtime stories, a win-win for us!! Your phone and your mailbox are also a window to the outside world! Also, AARP started a Friendly Voice Call Center where you can request a call to speak to someone. The number is 1-888-281-0145. Again, these are all zoodles, but I guarantee they will help you get through this long-lasting quarantine.

If you are able to, get outside! As our untrustworthy Michigan weather begins to get nicer, take a walk, and get moving! You will most likely see other people taking advantage of outdoors and our constantly changing snow, then rain, then sleet, then sunny weather. In our neighborhood, people have been putting chalk on sidewalks and decorating their windows and doors with colorful painting and pictures. It’s another way to stay connected!

Finally, remember the time before all this technology when we had to use our personalities to have meaningful connections? NEWS ALERT: WE CAN STILL DO THAT! Start a book club. Libraries have an online website where you can rent books, movies and music! My friends and I used to get together once a month for a supper club where we cooked great food, talked about the cooking process, and, of course, gossiped. YOU CAN STILL DO THAT! Call your friends and send out assignments, drink a glass of wine and use the personality you forgot you had! I just recommend not serving zoodles.