The essential situation

Welcome back)). In this entry I want to get through a few different things, so that I have the chance to drop the topic of the coronavirus for the next few posts. The reason for that being because I’m sure that everyone’s starting to get frustrated about the fact that all that’s currently being discussed in detail is the virus. I, for one, most definitely am. Alright then, let’s start our way through).

What’s happening here in Pattaya?

Yesterday, I experienced all the pleasures of struggling to unclog a sink. Upon discovering that I lack a necessary liquid, I left the house to go to the store for the first time in three days. Honestly, I can’t say that there was a difference worth noting in the occurrences of the outside world. Yes, there is a bit less traffic then usual, but otherwise, everything seemes very much normal.

It was when I arrived at my destination, however, that I began taking notice of the little, almost negligible details. There were a few changes in the rules at the store:

- To be allowed inside, you have to wear a mask.
- Temperatures are checked before every individual enters.
- There are intermittent announcements about keeping your mask on at all times when inside.
- Most workers wear the so-called ‘face shields’ (basically, thin layers of clear plastic that cover the face and serve as a protection from direct splashes).
- All shelves that do not contain products that could be classified as essentials are removed (well, more like covered up, but, you know, same difference).
- For the first time in a while, all the cash registers are being utilised.

What measures are being taken?

As mentioned in my last entry, most public places (such as parks) have been closed down. As well as that, there have been restrictions made on going to the beach from 8pm to 6am. Social gatherings are advised against, as well as is leaving the house unnecessarily, although there still isn’t a functioning lockdown, nor a curfew. Social distancing is also encouraged; most strictly at hospitals, where every second seat is taped over, and at the immigration.

My personal thoughts

Unlike a selected group of people, I do not find the lack of restrictions to be very problematic. I do
agree with the fact that enforcing a lockdown would allow a higher chance of the spread of the virus to come to a quicker halt. Nevertheless, if I were the one making the choice, I would rather keep the freedom that there has been so far, because I believe that if people use their common sense, the end result will still be the same.

Ideas about what to do when staying at home:

- If you’re a bookworm like myself, then reading is always an option :)
- Little exercises here and there, because those don’t harm anyone.
- Personally, I’m taking this time to focus more on studying.
- Have a go at pursuing a new activity. It can be absolutely anything from coding, to drawing, to doing stretches once in a while. For example, I started this lovely blog, and honestly, I’m enjoying every minute of it :)
- If you have puzzles, you know what to do ;)
- Video call (or voice call) your friends and find ridiculous things to do.
- Find topics to debate on and call up a friend. Time will fly by.
- If you have an oven, now’s the time to bake)).
- And of course, now's also the time to watch all those movies and documentaries you've been wanting to watch. You do, however, need to watch out that you don't overdo that particular activity :)

This is a tiny teddy bear holding a stack of notecards on which I like noting down quotes that I find striking. The quote in the picture says, 'But if you tell me a lie, I shall know it, because a lie between you and me can't be hidden' - Arthur Winslow, 'The Winslow Boy'.

Now, I know that there is a plethora of other activities to engage in, so in order to have a larger gathering of them, please leave some of the things you have been doing down in the comments. In other words, my question for you today is: What have you been doing while staying at home?