A life outside: Q&A With Anna Keeling | Macpac – The Log Book

via A life outside: Q&A With Anna Keeling | Macpac – The Log Book

Covid-19 Decisions

The uncertainty around Coronavirus has been massive.  Scott and I both face a likely work drought in the coming months.  Right now I am supposed to be guiding in Iceland. The week after I was to be in Austria working on an Eastern European Ski Guide exam.

Hostsge release

Emma Bilous and I

When in doubt, go touring

Did Uli really show up?

Rubies with all time ladies

Ruby mountains. 2 weeks ago, feels like 2 months

Emma came and went

Gus came!

Finn eats where Obie recommends. Hector’s

More fun with your mum on her 50th

Hank Bilous – a break from the FWT to go ice climbing with Aunty Anna

Jackson with the Esther family

Powder pig Thurlow

Nya and Obie!

Another time.  Salt Lake City is on lock down and we are encouraged not to start gallivanting around the state.  Obie’s school is closed until the end of March, if not the end of the US school year.

We’ve been back from NZ 6-8 weeks.  As I returned to the US on January 28, I was somewhat anxious about this emerging virus and what the coming months may entail.  Peripatetic gang that we are, our doorstep has been graced by many Kiwi visitors since then.  The last two were curtailed by the 5.7 earthquake (what next!) to hit Salt Lake City yesterday but we got them away today. Come as a friend, become a refugee then leave as a hostage. They will return to NZ to quarantine for two weeks. New Zealand has 28 cases of C-19 so far, the US has 8313 and Utah has 65. I’m now charting it. The New Zealand border closed last night.  I’ll admit it in writing: I prefer to live in New Zealand.  I strongly identify with the land and it’s always been hard for me to be away from it for long.  The rapidly closing borders and threat of reduced trans-Pacific flights awakens a deep-seated fear for me – what if I (and my family) get stuck on the wrong side?

Fear is something we all must work through from time to time.  More than ever I look to my morning routine of self-care (hydration, stretching and foam roller work out and meditation) as a source of a calm start to the day.  Seeking facts is also important for me right now.  Since we must decide (extremely) soon whether to ride this pandemic out in Utah or in NZ, I follow several reputable media sources:  The New York Times, Radio New Zealand and The Salt Lake Tribune.  I also look to trusted scientific friends for information.  My good friend Esther Smith at Grassroots Physiotherapy sent this link on limiting in person interactions to help to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19.  Wise words.

In the meantime, we ski and walk and Obie skateboards. We help Obie with his school work.  We think of those who are really stuck – living paycheck to paycheck and those without support.

We are all in this together. Take it seriously. Wash your hands. Look after your kaumatua/elders – you are lucky to have them.  Kia Kaha.