With the first day of the curfew caused by COVID-19 life on Barbados has completely changed. Most business are now closed and the essential ones have reduced opening hours. This is bad news for the many who work by the hour or have part time jobs. However it is the only sensible thing that the government can do.

Here are some of my thoughts and recommendations on coping  with the restrictions of COVID-19 and the new way of life for all of us.

I am in a better position than most of my friends because about 3 weeks ago I realized that lock-down to try and break the COVID-19 virus cycle was a possibility, if not a certainty. This is just the first phase. Some form of COVID-19 lock-down will need to be in place for more than 3 months, possibly longer, to stop the spread of this virus.

So starting about 3 weeks ago I started implementing my COVID-19 plan, going to the various supermarkets and small shops and buying more and more food items that are not perishable.  No toilet paper! I now have about 4 to 5 weeks of food.  I also purchased a supply of vitamins as I figure that if I am healthy I will be able to recover quicker when I get it. Note I say when. This is not being pessimistic but preparing for the worst. There is a difference.

I also made sure my fuel tank was full and I have about 20 liters in storage.

I increased the size of my vegetable garden and in the next few weeks I will be eating Okra, Sweet Pepper, Cabbage, Egg Plant, Peas and many herbs (the legal variety) fresh.  I also withdrew some cash from the ATM.  All of these actions were done so as to limit my interaction with others once the spread of COVID-19 gets really bad.

So what will I do now and when a total lock-down comes into effect? Again I am fortunate in that I am a loner. I consider that an asset. So being alone is no big thing.

I have been hiking alone for many years. Yesterday (the day before the curfew came into effect) I went for an early morning walk from Barclays Park to Bissecs Hill, Fruitfull Hill, Dark Hole, back to Chalky Mount (I made a navigation error here and ended up exploring  the wrong gully haha) and back via Les Beholden and Cambridge.

This Morning (Sunday) I was sitting in my van at 6am and after listening to the news bulletin I went to Bath and walked up to Colleton  and back. This evening I will go into the garden and reap what I will be eating for dinner.

My advice is to use this time away from work to do things around the house that needed doing. Maybe clearing out that cupboard or store room.  Read a good book.  Turn off the social media and news channels.  Limit the time on the internet as most of the information on it is either depressing or wrong.  Right now I do not know if there are any more COVID-19 cases today or if there are any fatalities. I may check that tonight – or maybe not. Keep Positive.

Keep fit.  Until there is a total lock-down go for a walk around the neighbourhood every morning and evening. You will most likely have spent that time in a traffic jam going to and from work. Now is the time to lose a few Kg without gym fees! Dust off that old exercise machine that is now a clothes rack! Paint a road tennis court in the driveway.  Anything to keep active and the family from getting on each others nerves.