How are you surviving through COVID-19 hibernation?

We are touching base with our readers to find out what life looks like for them during the current situation.

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The first to share an insight into life during hibernation is Virginia Adlide OAM:

What are you reading? Emails, Twitter and Instagram posts (of friends), newsletters, health updates (I'm an old nurse!), pastoral bulletins from Bowral Uniting Church, a novel by Amor Towles: A Gentleman in Moscow - 'A book to spark joy', The Times.

I should also include Facebook news feeds, of interest - SHN, SMH, ABC news, membership groups, support groups.

Facebook reminds me of the 'village green' - where one catches up with others, etc. - particularly of interest when you live on your own (John died 10 years ago).

What are you watching? The Drum, ABC news, and my favourite: Q&A.

What music are you listening to? 1. Mostly calming classical. 2. John Denver and The Seekers - their music motivates me to be positive. 3. I am following with great interest a family friend and UK music polymath, Howard Moody, who is on a new path, asking his fellow musicians on April 4: "Who would be interested in recording a virtual PUSH! song? It has always been a dream for me that the casts of the different productions of PUSH come together but I never imagined this circumstance." Check out his bio! Interestingly, he has "never had time to do Facebook" - yet here he is embracing its advantages!

What are you cooking? I'm hopeless at cooking, so I am taking on the home-cooked meals from Mount Eymard's kitchen (retirement village) - delivered to the door - all proper hygiene, sanitation and social distancing procedures. Delicious lunches. I ought to include that I am avoiding grocery shopping; fortunately there's a young chap - Jeremy - who has put himself 'out there', includes dog-service, other errands - multi-tasking - as honest as the day - he shops for me and others.

How are you staying fit, both physically and mentally? Gardening (light duties), walking twice a day around the village; trying to do some of the specific at-home exercises that OnTrac has taught me. Mentally (in no particular order) - John Denver, The Seekers, reading, anticipating photos, loving Facetime from little grandson and his daddies, chatting at socially safe distance with other residents and staff here in Mount Eymard - and patting several dogs during my twice daily walking circuit.

What's the one thing keeping you sane? Reminding myself how fortunate I am, all things considered.

Are you working from home? If so how's that going, if not what's work like for you now? Working now involves keeping up-to-date with what's remaining (since Covid-19) of my community involvement (now in sleep mode) - sorting old files.

What's something positive you've witnessed or experienced since the coronavirus hit? I'm grateful that journalists seem to be avoiding the 'awefulness' and over-dramatisation of this Covid-19 pandemic. The facts are more than enough; melodrama doesn't help anyone.

What have you learned about yourself amid the crisis? That it's OK to slow down. The importance of family and friends.

What's your advice for others to cope with the crisis? If you don't have home, or family/friend (for phone support), contact any of the available pandemic support groups - Google.