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alexandrawilbraham · 4 years

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Can I take a break from the Corona virus?

I’m sure the coronavirus is past the point of needing an introduction by now. Town centres are eerily quiet, shops, pubs and theatres have all locked their doors and news of events being cancelled or postponed, from local quiz nights to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, reaches us every day. Self-isolation is a priority. Entire cities are under quarantine.

Covid-19, the coronavirus, has pushed ‘pause’ on our normal lives, muting the hustle and bustle of everyday business, resulting in unavoidable changes to people’s routines.

This is difficult for anyone to manage, but for people on the autistic spectrum, the loss of a well-known structure can be particularly difficult to manage.

To be fair, in my case, quarantine couldn’t have been declared at a better time. Seeing as my days were spent working from home, leaving the house for exercise, shopping, theatre and friends. So, routine-wise, I was set for self-isolation.

What I’m struggling with is the lack of a timeline, the delay. The fact that plans, for the time being, seem pointless as I don’t know what I’m working towards. When can I put a new event in the calendar?

It has been hitting me especially hard this week. There have always been times when all I wanted was to live in the bathtub. Lights off as I curl up with some soft blankets, comforted by my ability to control this confined space, to switch off an overcrowded mind.

Normally, I feel like this for a couple of hours, a few days at most. Once I take the time to recover, the gears start turning again.

But this is not normally. This is a constant bombardment of change. All I want to do is wrap myself up in a blanket, jump into the tub and skip forward to the point when this is all over. Impossible. And as the number of cases rises every day, new rules and recommendations are put out on a regular basis, and supermarket shelves are left devoid of products, I am finding it harder and harder to distract myself from the uncertainty this situation brings. My anxiety has skyrocketed, and my energy is low.

I’ve been looking up information and tips for autistic people online, but most resources are targeted at children. Which, with the normal support services falling away and the struggle of fitting home-schooling into your daily routine, I can fully understand.

So, with no sign of this situation slowing down, or rather no sign of the curve flattening, I have put together a list of tips and media I have found helpful.

ON THE SPECTRUM – HOW TO COPE WITH COVID-19

This list is based on Purple Ella’s video Autistic How To Cope With Covid19 Pandemic, which can be found on her YouTube channel and for which I will provide a resource link below. Another resource I used was the National Autistic Society’s Tips for autistic people and families on their Coronavirus advice pages, also linked below.

1. Create a new structure for yourself

Planning out short increments of time makes the many unknowns of this situation a lot more bearable. You can lay out a structure for a week, for a day, for half a day, whatever you can manage and feel comfortable doing. I am trying to give myself half an hour in the morning to write out my structure for the day. That way, creating a structure becomes part of my structure. Then I always pin the plan on my wall as I like having it visible, but you can put it in a Word Document or write it in your diary or your phone. Very importantly, your structure can be flexible. I tend to have a to-do list to hand, organised by priority and with estimates of how long each task will take. This way I don’t overcrowd my structure and can easily work in time for exercise and relaxation. Give yourself constants around which you can shift your structure. Specific mealtimes for example. Who doesn’t like planning their day around food?

2. Write lists

As mentioned above, I have a to-do list. But putting down in writing any kind of information that is crowding your head and possibly causing you more anxiety as you try to remember all of it will help lift that weight off your shoulders. For example, are you unclear about behaviours and rules you must follow to protect yourself and others from contracting and spreading the coronavirus? Make a list of them. That way you know where to check and aren’t looking them up on the internet, which will put you at risk of being bombarded by tonnes of coronavirus headlines.

You can make a list of ingredients you have in the house and ideas for meals you can use them in. This also gives you a good base for writing a shopping list. Once you’ve used up necessary items, add them to the list for the next shopping trip.

Talking of shops, since many of the big supermarkets have changed their opening hours, check the current hours of your local store. I have found a good overview in the Independent, which I have also added to the resources below. It includes priority shopping hours for the elderly, vulnerable and key workers which you might be able to make use of if you fall into one of these categories.

3. Limit your time checking news and social media

Social media is currently one of the main ways of remaining in contact with friends and family, but it can also be the source of a great deal of anxiety around corona. It can be easy to try and consume as much information as possible and thus become overly focused on the topic. Try to build social media and news into your daily structure. Perhaps you prefer to check the news in the morning or the afternoon. What I wouldn’t recommend is trying to catch up right before going to bed, as that isn’t the time you should start absorbing and processing information. Make sure you use a reliable news site or go directly to the government updates. This also gives you the opportunity to save a link to read during your allotted time or to re-read when you need to.

Something I have found useful is listening to podcasts, uploaded from news sites, which cover current events, or podcasts which cover infectious diseases. This way I limit the time I spend consuming updates. For me it is also easier to process information this way, particularly if it has been a challenging day.

One podcast I can recommend is This Podcast Will Kill You – a six-part series on Covid-19-Anatomy of a Pandemic, from the biology of a virus to the mental health impacts.

You can find the series here: thispodcastwillkillyou.com/category/covid-19/, and they provide timestamps, transcripts and resources for each episode.

4. Don’t put yourself under too much pressure

Last, but not least, you don’t have to push yourself to be more productive than usual during this time. Yes, you might feel the need to use the extra time to make an impact, but this crisis has dumped a lot of extra tasks in people’s laps. Childcare, managing work from home, applying for temporary jobs or unemployment benefits while your workplace is closed or has made you redundant. There is a huge amount to get accustomed to. If all you can manage in a day is taking care of your basic needs, that’s OK. Just make sure it doesn’t become your routine.

Think about activities that help you focus and give yourself time to take that break from corona.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Purple Ella - Autistic How To Cope With Covid19 Pandemic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIpvdMVnfGs&feature=youtu.be

A list of free, online, boredom-busting resources!

https://chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/list-of-online-resources-for-anyone-who-is-isolated-at-home?fbclid=IwAR2I6AlBHze0MHgIK-l-RXWxY4KFvcG5zcTQX9BSeTcfqrmxRdkSN0VPOlE

21 boredom-busting websites that will entertain you forever

https://inktank.fi/most-entertaining-websites/

Coronavirus: What are the supermarket opening times?

https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/food-drink/supermarket-opening-times-hours-coronavirus-tesco-asda-morrisons-a9433841.html

Which supermarkets have delivery slots available?

https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/food-drink/supermarket-delivery-uk-tesco-asda-sainsburys-online-shopping-coronavirus-a9424346.html

National Autistic Society – Tips for autistic people and families

https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/coronavirus/resources/tips.aspx#

National Autistic Society – Coronavirus

https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/coronavirus.aspx

#autism #autistic community #anxiety #autism and anxiety #coronavirus #isolation #disability #disabilties #hidden disability #article #articles #blog #blogs #People & Blogs

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dailykhaleej · 4 years

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Coronavirus: UAE residents get creative amid COVID-19 outbreak

Joseph Terterian, 32, is releasing a canopy model of Toni and I’s chart topper ‘Dance Monkey’ utilizing exerts from everybody’s self isolation experiences. Picture Credit score: Equipped

Dubai: UAE residents are remodeling their properties, balconies and dwelling areas into makeshift work and leisure modules in the course of the coronavirus pandemic and are sharing their concepts on social media for the good thing about all.

The music video

Joseph Terterian is releasing a canopy model of Dance Monkey utilizing footage from everybody’s Keep Dwelling experiences for the music video Picture Credit score: Equipped

Armenian expat Joseph Terterian, 32, is releasing a canopy model of Toni and I’s chart topper ‘Dance Monkey’ with Bulgarian producer Stoyan Stoyanov Storn.

“The undertaking was really recorded in January and a music video was purported to be shot in March, nonetheless as a result of present COVID-19 scenario and the UAE authorities measures to curb the unfold of it, the track now’s being performed – let’s say – a bit in a different way,” he stated.

“In assist of the marketing campaign, ‘Keep Dwelling, Keep Secure’, Stoyan and I made a decision to shoot a music video utilizing clips of individuals in their very own properties. The thought concerned having folks within the video who had been to participate on this constructive and enjoyable undertaking.”

“It was heartening to see how UAE residents supported me on this initiative. They’ve all volunteered their time to make this undertaking come to gentle. In some ways this can be a testomony to solidarity and the way the neighborhood is coming collectively as one giant unit to battle COVID-19.

“Now, in a scenario like this, I really feel the have to be linked with music much more.”

The balcony marathon

Colin Allin and his spouse Hilda ran 2,222 laps of their 19-metre balcony in Meydan to finish a 42.2-km marathon Picture Credit score: Equipped

South African expats Collin and Hilda Allin even ran a 42.2-km marathon over 2,222 laps of their 19-metre balcony in Meydan final Saturday. They streamed their run on Fb stay to 7,000 folks around the globe and now plan to do extra such runs with the participation of others worldwide to attempt to elevate funds and consciousness for coronavirus, notably in poorer nations.

“We began at 6am within the morning and it took 4 and half hours of precise working,” stated Collin.

Initially he had feared there could be complaints from neighbours as a result of music at that hour, however he was pleasantly stunned.

“Folks had been making music requests, cheering us on and even becoming a member of in,” he stated.

“Since this virus, there was an increase within the sense of neighborhood. Everybody looks like we’re on this collectively, and we will survive this collectively,” he added.

“Turning round was a giant battle. You run, then you definately cease, flip after which speed up once more. Think about doing that over 2,000 instances, it’s such an unnatural motion in your physique. We additionally received rained on early within the morning at round 7am. The entire balcony turned an ice rink, we had been slipping and sliding in every single place. Then by noon it turned extraordinarily scorching and we received sunburnt.”

The house DJ

Golf equipment are shut however DJ Karim Barkouki continues to entertain listeners over Instagram Picture Credit score: Equipped

Thirty-five-year-old Egyptian expat and DJ Karim Barkouki has taken to Instagram to get his music throughout to listeners now that the golf equipment are shut.

“Since Dubai is a multicultural society I attempt to please each side of the group,” he stated. “I play all kinds – Hip hop, Rnb, old fashioned, afrobeats, lure, oldies/disco, home music, reggaeton, reggae, dancehall and Arabic music for weddings, company occasions and upon request. It is very important preserve hopes up and keep constructive so I attempt to herald humour into the entire thing. I placed on a scary masks, crack just a few jokes and play alongside. Positivity has to come back from inside and one should unfold the cheer far.”

The distant quizmaster

Ross Crist is holding quizzes from house in the course of the downtime Picture Credit score: Equipped

American expat Ross Crist, 33 – a lecturer who doubles up as an occasion host and presenter – has been internet hosting quizzes from the confines of his house.

He, like Joseph and Karim needs to achieve out to folks, preserve them busy, away from all of the worry and anxiousness over COVID-19.

“It’s a good time to get each one’s thoughts off the coronavirus,” he stated.

To maintain folks engaged, Crist has tied up with a restaurant in Palm Jumeirah, Bidi Bondi, to provide away prizes for quiz winners. Crist anticipates Monday will see a giant turnout because the final quiz he hosted whereas in self-quarantine noticed 100 folks logging in as contributors. “It went rather well and seeing the success of this, I’ve determined to host one other one.”

The balcony pool celebration

Beatriz Meirelles with canine Bella on the balcony she has transformed for one-person pool events Picture Credit score: Equipped

In the meantime, Brazilian expat Beatriz Meirelles, 30, a relationship supervisor for a Dubai lodge, is upholding her love of pool and seaside events regardless of the ‘Keep Dwelling, Keep Secure’ marketing campaign.

“To distract myself and my buddies from the present scenario the world goes by way of I’ve created a “seaside membership” proper right here in my balcony with a tiny inflatable pool, a music system and my canine Bella’s toys. We [Bella and me] get pleasure from some solar proper right here within the security of my home. Throughout a self-isolation time, it is very important preserve your self busy in the best and constructive approach. Discover issues to do – whether or not it’s figuring out, studying books, listening to music or doing one thing creative. For me it’s about doing issues round the home for the good thing about my canine and me.”

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shadesofhue · 6 years

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“Prelude”

Him: What’s yo name, anyway?

Me: ...Hue.  

…and that’s how it started.

I was sitting in my favorite coffee shop. Juggling ideas in my mind, while not being able to be still enough to enjoy the inspirational article I was reading. My brain was everywhere, from which one of my crystals I should grab, to when I’d finish that last section of the 4 agreements. I’m an artist, and at times I need to be centered and grounded into one train of thought at a time… and currently, that’s my biggest issue. Between self-submitting to acting roles, to researching fashion, and utilizing my degree in sociology to help change the world through advocacy… i’m a mess in this coffee shop. But understandably so, that’s okay… we all are.   I’m in my 20’s. My peers usually resort to the idea of “figuring things out.” If you let me tell it i’ve got many things figured out. It’s just the matter of surrendering and allowing them to flow, without control. I pay attention to myself and all of my contradictions. Not only is my Sun sign of air, and my moon in fire, the two are the exact opposite of each other… Libra and Aries. Not to mention, my Ascending is Scorpio. Which is a whole other ball game. I’ll talk about that when i’m much more comfortable. LOL comfortable… that’s what he said.

“Do you mind if I plug this in, here?”, he asked with certainty that the way he was looking at me would seduce me into giving up any outlet i’d have available. “Not at all…”, I replied. FUCK! I should have said no pun intended… now he’s gonna think he can get whatever he wants. Had I said it, he would have thought I was some witty ho, though. Thanks, Universe! Damn he looks good. He’s wearing this black nike track suit with his hood on. He looks like a boxer… that type of competitive nature excites me. Psh! let somebody try us while we’re out! Wait, why is he my boyfriend already? See, that’s my problem. So here’s what happened:

I just finished my grande pike “with almond milk, and like… 8 pumps of vanilla.” I got to my last sip and realized I hadn’t had ANY water today. Until… this tall glass of it walked up and made me realize how thirsty I actually am. He looked at me, I looked down. Do you rub the back of your neck when you get nervous? I know I sure do. He walked to the register and returned to his table with a large iced water and a banana. He wasn’t going to sit there at first, but it was better than the bar area, I supposed. Either that or he wanted a clear view of all this greatness. LOL What am I talking about? I look like a college Junior who is over the bullshit, mad at my fraternity because they’re racist in other chapters, and recovering from the result of last nights mistake in the form of a hangover. At least I twisted my hair last night. I wonder if he uses shea butter too -jots in notebook of things to pop quiz him on, on our first date.- Anyway, after he sits down, I get up to use the rest room. I can tell he’s an alpha male, and that type of energy is a lot to take within the first few minutes. I noticed something about him though… he doesn’t spend much money. He has an iPhone 5, a Dell laptop, and he didn’t order a drink. He looks like a hustler and that he’s on his grind. He’ll understand that our first date would probably need to be over coffee… and I understand that it’ll probably be “on me.” But I don’t mind, we're both men. I’m just gonna need for him not to get comfortable, because I am certainly the type that requires courting.

Him: “Do you mind if I plug this in, here?” Me: “Not at all.”

As he kneeled down to plug his charger in, I noticed that he didn’t bend over… RESPECT! LOL. I observed him, as he observed my table. “What you readin’?”, he asked. “The 4 Agreements”, I replied. “Yo, I heard about that book! Is it good?”, he followed. “Listen… this book changed my life. I’m just refreshing because I didn’t really finish it. I started over from the beginning yesterday, and left off at the same place as last time. I’m going to start there and finish it today.”, I replied. “That’s what’s up. I gotta get into it!”, he said. I ended up telling him that he should. When he sat down, I could still feel the depth of his voice vibrating through my ears, to my heart, and to places I dare not to mention. He looks like Joe Budden to me. I’ve always had a crush on Joe Budden. Was all that time wasted watching Love & Hip Hop just a visual for my manifestation of this specimen sitting before me?

He reached for his banana. The one he ordered… and I saw that his knuckles had scars on them. I instantly wanted to nurse his wounds and rub his back. He seems gentle at heart, but this physical roughness that i’m getting from him is something else.

Him: You seem like the type to drink tea. Me: …but i’d prefer coffee. Him: I’m a tea, guy. You wanna be my honey-dip Me: lol, you silly. Him: You like cookies? Me: Yeah… and YOU BETTER NOT! Him: I like brownies, can you bake? Me: Not perfectly. Him: It’s okay. Success in life is all about effort, not perfection. Me: I like that. I thought you had some sick joke. Okay. I see you, philosopher. Him: Yo, That’s my name. Me: STFU. That’s not your name! Him: Yes, it is. I swear! Me: -smirks in disbelief- Let me guess. Yo daddy name is Christopher, and yo momma name is Phillis? Him: LOL Nah, It kind of happened like when parents name their sons “Sir” or “America” I guess. Me: LMFAO… NO! It’s not. Him: LOL Man… whatever. Don't be baggin’ on my name. -licks lips and gazes into eyes” Me: DON’T… Do that! Him: Do what? Me: That whole… LL Cool J, Lip thing you just did, then stare into my soul. Don’t do that. I have to keep things… cute. Him: But you are cute. Me: Thank you. That’s really brave of you to say… in this… coffee shop. Him: Look, just because i’m all masculine and manly, doesn’t mean I can’t be open. I dig you. You’re different. Me: …You’re right. Touché. Look I need to finish my book. As crazy as this even sounds to myself to say, I have a rule. NO DISTRACTIONS while i’m working. That involves and primarily consists of… MEN! Him: Aight, my bad. My bad! Dang… All that neck movement, you gon’ drop yo crown. -winks and goes back to seat-.

I wasn’t sure if he was acknowledging my royalty, or saying I was queenin’. Either way… he could be my king. I sat still after that to read the rest of this book. I would look up every so often and he would break his glance at me and smile like he got caught doing something wrong. I smiled, to let him know it was everything right. God, I don’t mean to question you… but YOU KNOW i’m trying to focus! Why you send this man up in here today to play with me, knowing I ain’t in the position or space to entertain. I quickly heard a voice say “TRUST ME. That’s all you have to do…” I looked up at the ceiling in disbelief, thinking God was up to something. As I looked back down Philosopher said “You hear me?”. “No, sorry. I was day-dreaming. What’d you say?” I replied. “Nothing! Aren’t you supposed to be reading? lol What you day-dreaming about?”, he said. “My attention span is very short…” I rebutted. He replied with “ahhhh… that’s very telling!”, to which I yelled out a “HUSH!… Look I got 3 more pages, then I gotta get out of here. I’m starving.”

He looked like he was wishing he could join me for dinner. Little did he know, I was going to a home he isn’t welcomed to, to sauté vegetables. After I finished the book, I made my way over to his table, where he gave me one final scan and bit his bottom lip. Giving a flirty smile, I said:

“…just promise me you’ll read it and return it within the next 3 days.” Him: How about I meet you here tomorrow at 7:30pm. With a full review. It’ll give us something to talk about. We can talk perspective and application. Me: …what are you trying to do to me? Him: Bruh, let your guard down. I’m not gonna hurt you… I don’t bite. You can trust me. Me: -rubs back of neck- I don’t trust anybody…  Him: Do you rub the back of your neck, when you get nervous? Me: You’re observant. Him: Look… Let’s make a deal. If this book moves me in anyway, and we meet back up to talk, I promise I’ll change your life.   Me: Oh, You’re GOING to give it back… My mentor bought me that book, and it costs $13…but how so? Him: You’ll never have to worry about a single thing again, as long as you’re alive…   Me: Just because I let you read a word. Boy, BYE! What makes you so certain? Him: I’m not… but i’m willing to take a chance and risk it all to make you happy. I see your glow underneath this sweat suit that’s way too big for your little body. Wait… do you got a boyfriend? You GOTTA have a boyfriend. Them yo nigga’s clothes aren’t they? Me: Haaaaaaa… You don’t know an ounce of me. Him: I just have to ask. You fly! Got a nice smile. Sweet spirit. Good vibes and energy. I mean You look comfortable as hell! And although you got a big head… with your frame, neckline, and shoulders… I can tell you don’t wear a triple X in grey sweat suits. Me: First of all, this is heather… and these are a Medium in pants. They just run big. It’s a XXL TOP… ONLY! Him: No pun intended! Me: Look at youuuu… with your sense of humor. LOL Him: heather… grey… charcoal. It’s all the same! Me: No… it’s not actually. But umm… I have to go, Phil. I reFUSE to call you Philosopher. LOL Him: HAHAHA. Jokes… Aye! Me: -turns around, scrunches up left sleeve, and ruffles through hair- Yeah? Him: What’s yo name, anyway? Me: …Hue.

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