Alone, together: Isolation in the name of health is familiar – Coloradoan

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My home office during COVID-19 isolation.(Photo: Kevin Duggan/Fort Collins Coloradoan)

I went to work wearing sweatpants this morning. Ill do the same tomorrow and the next day and the next and you get the picture.

And so it goes during these strange times of social distancing aimed at slowing the spread of the dreaded coronavirus. Like many employers, the Coloradoan and its parent company, Gannett, directed employees who could work at home to do so.

The entire office newsroom, advertising, business operations packed up and left to set up makeshift offices in basements and dining rooms across Fort Collins and beyond.

This could go on for several weeks, potentially months. Newsroom staffers are keeping in touch through group video meetings, online chats, email, texts and phone.

We talk about the usual stuff:breaking news, photo assignments, deadlines, long-range projects, our dogs and cats. Its not a great system, but were making it work.

Its a strange way for us to operate, especially when trying to respect the concept of social distancing and avoiding direct contact with people. Thats not in our personal natures nor does it mesh well with traditional journalistic practices.

I like people. I prefer interviewing them face-to-face rather than over the phone or by email. But I cant do that at this time, for reasons beyond company directives and the thoughtful advice of public health experts, including my wife.

I fall into a couple of categories of people who really dont want to be exposed to this coronavirus. Im older than 60, and my immune system is compromised. If I were to get sick, it could be very bad news for me.

So, Im staying home. When I wander outside for a walk or to make a run to a store or the recycling center, I keep a safe distance from other people even as I nod and smile at them and ask how theyre doing.

Ive been through forced isolation before. About year ago, I underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant as part of my treatment for multiple myeloma, a cancer of blood plasma cells. The procedure wiped out my immune system.

Share your story:: Alone, together: We want to hear what your typical day looks like now

After a 15-day stay in the hospital, I was sent home with instructions to strictly limit contact with people for at least a month to avoid catching a cold or something worse. Being isolated was a drag, but it passed.

This time is different, of course. Im much healthier and feel pretty good. And many people across the state, country and world are in the same position. And it could go on a long, long time.

But Im doing OK. The house is well stocked with food and supplies. Im not worried about running out of toilet paper.

Since I cant go to the gym, Im trying to include exercise in my daily routine. I take walks, stretch, randomly pick up and put down heavy objects, although not too heavy.

Work keeps me busy during the day. I try to unplug from the news and relax at night. There are plenty of books, videos, gamesand music around the house to keep me entertained, although I do miss baseball.

I also miss seeing friends and hanging out with colleagues. However, Ive always relished time with my immediate family, so I dont feel bored or lonely.

As long as they dont care what I wear, and we all stay healthy, I think well be all right.

Life as we know it has changed in the blink of an eye businesses, restaurants and gathering spots have shuttered physical locations, places of worship are turning to virtual tools to foster community, and schools are moving to distance learning.

And while we may be physically alone, we are all in this together. We want to hear your stories. What do your days look like now? How has life changed? How has the pandemic affected your life, your family, your job? How has your business innovated and evolved?

We want to hear all the stories from the uplifting to the mundane to the gut-wrenching.

Help us bring the community closer together, while staying safely socially distant.

Submit your first-person essayathttp://bit.ly/alonetogetherco

Kevin Duggan is a senior columnist and reporter. Contact him at kevinduggan@coloradoan.com.Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

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Alone, together: Isolation in the name of health is familiar - Coloradoan