How To Survive 28 Days of Quarantine
In a recent move to Vietnam, we had to follow strict Covid-19 protocols
which meant 14 days of being quarantined in two hotel rooms with my wife and two children.
On Day 11 we were told we would be forced to complete 21 days in the hotel because of a recent outbreak. No problem, safety first. After 21 days we were told we would have to do another 7 days in our apartment.
I'm happy to tell you after 28 days and 4 covid tests later we are healthy, happy, and excited to play on a playground.
Here's a list of how to survive a long quarantine abroad:
1. Come up with a plan or plans to survive. Don't just go into a quarantine trying to wing it every day. There's only but so much Netflix and Hulu a person can watch.
2. Pack a big ass bag of snacks for you and your family. Not a backpack, a suitcase. Everyone's favorite snacks must come. Packets of tuna fish, peanut butter and jelly, crackers, cereal, candy and make a couple of sandwiches to take with you on the plane. Fill that bag til it’s full to the brim and tips the scale at 48 pounds.
3. Pack things for your children. Toys, tablets, learning activities, and ballons.
Yup...got damn ballons. Something about your hot breath floating in the air that kids can't get enough of. It was actually therapeutic to hit the balloons. Who knew?
4. Pray with each other.
This was the most important thing on the list. My wife and I prayed for 21 days straight at that hotel. We prayed for ourselves, family, friends, happiness, world problems and so much more. Every prayer was necessary.
5. Random Angels. Our first random Angel was Sarah G. who found out we were in the hotel and running out of snacks. She sent a big box of goodies. Not once, not twice but three times. It was needed too. Remember we packed for 14 days and had to do 21. If you have children then you know kids wake up looking for a snack. Our second angel was our friend Nhi who randomly did some work for my family to make us comfortable as soon as we got out of quarantine. Thank you, Angels.
6. Give your children undivided attention at least twice a day. Look, an hour straight of you playing with them wears them out.
There will be days where you just let them play on their tablets all day and that's okay too.
7. Bring books for everyone. Get your read on. Keep your brain power and positivity going.
8. Support your friends.
I literally watched all my bros play overseas basketball. Called them or texted them after and talked about the games.
9. Watch a TV series you never watch before from the very beginning. I'm now addicted to Brooklyn 99. My son Wolf is too.
10. Showers. When the children are asleep. Take long showers. Sometimes quarantine can be stressful and you have to relax and let the elements of H2O do it’s job.
11. Exercise. You and the family have to move that body. Let the children jump on the bed and you work on the ground.
12. Remember you and your family are healthy and well. Remind yourself of this.
Quarantine makes all of us feel like we have covid-19. But we don't. Every country is trying to protect its citizens in the best way they know-how. This is new for everyone.
Vietnam is doing a great job keeping its citizens healthy and living a life of normalcy.
So if your family is anything like mine and is traveling abroad during this time of uncertainty. Respect the guidelines and protocols of every country you go to.
Y'all Know The Rules...
Howl Before You Eat