Sheltering in Place: One Day at a Time

Dear friends, 

Whether you are reading this from the United States, Romania, or somewhere else, chances are that your life has been affected, in one degree or another, by the COVID-19 pandemic. The degree to which we are each affected varies, just as our locations and lifestyles vary.

I've been surprised a few
mornings this week to find a
coat of freshly-fallen snow
when I open the blinds. It
melts quickly, as the high
temperatures have been
in the 50s (F).

I’ve been wanting to write an update for a couple of reasons: First, to let you know that I am well, and Second, in the hope to offer a word of encouragement in these unprecedented days. For the past few days, I have been pondering what to write. This morning, as I started my day, I realized that the best way I can accomplish both of these goals is not simply to repeat what countless others have already stated, but to simply offer you a glimpse inside my life while I’m sheltering in place.

So, here we go: what a day looks like for me during the COVID-19 pandemic:

I set my alarm for 6:00 AM every morning. I don’t necessarily get out of bed exactly at 6:00, but that’s when my day starts. After making a cup of hot tea, I sit down in my favorite chair and have my quiet time with God – reading Scripture, praying, and reading from a Lenten devotional book. Before checking the latest breaking news or even connecting to the internet, I need to get myself centered for the day. This dedicated time sets the direction for the rest of the day. Without this start to the day, I end up stressing about everything that's going on in the world.

Next, I eat my breakfast. While eating, I normally watch a news broadcast on YouTube from the previous evening or read news reports online. How fast is this virus spreading? What new restrictions are in place? It's important to stay informed, but I can’t emphasize enough the difference between being well-informed and panicking.

It's become common to see apartment buildings,
as well as public spaces, being disinfected.
Photo: Municipiul Sighisoara Facebook

Here in Romania, at the time of writing this, there have been 2,738 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 267 recoveries and 116 deaths. The “hot spots” have been in Suceava in the northeastern part of the country, and in Bucharest, the capital and largest city. There are 38 confirmed cases in Mureș county where I live. For over a week, several military ordinances have been in place, each with its own set of restrictions. The most noteworthy restriction is the stay-at-home order which allows only 10 approved reasons why a person may leave their home (such as going to an essential job, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, or taking a short walk near one’s residence). Whenever going outside one’s home, each person is required to carry their ID and a signed and dated affidavit which they can print from the internet, which states which of the 10 approved activities they are doing and the route they are taking. People without such documentation or abusing it are being fined by police. Romania’s government is trying to do everything possible to flatten the curve so the healthcare system is not overwhelmed.

After shaving, showering, and getting dressed (and yes, I try to do all 3 each day, to keep up a normal life rhythm), I get to work for the day. Each day is a little different. Some days, I focus on regular activities like answering emails and planning for upcoming EuNC courses. Other days, I work on one of my many long-overdue projects. (In fact, I have enough projects that I could stay busy for the next few months…but let’s hope this virus doesn’t stick around that long!!)

Last week, for example, I spent several days combing through fundraising records trying to find the source of a discrepancy between my personal records and the official figures. (This is definitely among my least favorite things to do. It took a while, but I got everything to match.) Let me pause here just to mention that as I reviewed every donation from the past 5 years, I have been reminded of every individual and every church that has contributed to support me in Romania. I am filled with gratitude for your generosity. Even though it is looking very likely that I will need to cancel my home assignment scheduled for later this spring, I have a healthy balance of support funds already in my account as well as a group of dedicated individuals and churches who support me on a monthly basis. Thank you!

It's been ages since I last
made a hot beef sandwich!

Each day is a little different than the one before or after. There are some days when I choose to cherish the distraction-free time and spend the day reading a book. On Monday of this week, I went to the grocery store (with ID and affidavit) to buy food not only for myself, but also for a few others who aren’t able to go out right now. Since I now have a fully-stocked kitchen, I’m finding some recipes that I haven’t made in a long, long time. Yesterday, I took a walk up and down my street (again, with ID and affidavit). Maybe a dozen cars passed by and even fewer pedestrians. People are taking this stay-at-home order seriously. Today or tomorrow, I plan to start my spring housecleaning.

I am grateful that I have the “luxury” of being an introvert who is recharged with time alone and who can work from home. I know that not everyone has that opportunity, and I’m especially aware of those whose jobs puts them at risk and of those who now find themselves unemployed.

EuNC class meeting via video-conferencing

During this time of social distancing, it is important to stay connected. During the course of each day, I check in with at least a couple people, either on the phone or video-conference. Like in many other places, church services here have moved online, with each of our 3 churches in Romania using some form of social media to stay connected. Last week, a new EuNC course started. We’re not able to meet together in the classroom as originally planned, but we are using (as we’ve often done in the past) videoconferencing technology to continue with the class. Be sure to check out my Facebook page where I've posted a few brief updates in the past few weeks.

At various parts of the day, as I check Facebook, I am grateful for the people who create and post amusing memes and videos to find humor even in the seriousness of the present circumstances. Check out my favorite videos here and here and here and here and enjoy the laughs.

By the time evening comes, I feel like I have accomplished something meaningful during the day. As I eat my supper, I sometimes watch a movie or a TV show from my DVD collection, which I just recently dug out from a drawer where it’s been for the past couple years. It’s important to have some form of entertainment without binge watching shows all day.

And then as I go to bed, I aim to end the day the way it began: in time devoted to God. I have found one prayer from The Book of Common Prayer to be especially meaningful in these days:

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work or watch or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.

I admit that what I’ve outlined here is the ideal day during these unusual circumstances and that not every day is so perfectly structured. (In fact, as I write this, it's early afternoon and I’m still in my pajamas.) And that’s OK. But, as I said at the beginning, I share this both to inform you about what is happening here, and also to encourage you. My hope is that something I have written here can help you during this time as you seek to find some normalcy in these unusual days.

I'm doing well. If you'd like to send me a note (or your favorite coronavirus-related meme or video) I'd be happy to hear from you

Blessings to you. Stay healthy and safe!

Jonathan