ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — For the majority of people in this province, it’s the longest time they’ve ever had to spend at home.
As government and medical experts continue to stress the importance of physical distancing and staying isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic this past month, many residents have either been forced to work from home or have been laid off.
Whatever their situation, it seems people are getting creative with their additional spare time.
“I’m not one for staying idle and I was really bored at first, so I figured I had to do something to keep me from going crazy,” Denise Howlett of Mount Pearl said, displaying photos of her gallery-painted French doors.
“I haven’t done it in 20 years and after seeing pictures on Facebook with everyone doing their windows, I figured my French door could use a little something.”
Howlett — who works full-time at Akita Equipment — also decided to try her hand at playing a music instrument.
“I picked up my guitar and accordion,” she said. “Figured it was as good a time as any to learn something new.”
Music is also a big part of Mark Hiscock’s daily routine. As a member of Shanneyganock, the band’s 2020 shows are being postponed and their new album is being mixed, but Hiscock is using technology to continue his teaching lessons. Using FaceTime, Skype and Zoom programs, he’s helping kids around the province learn to play the accordion.
“It was a big challenge at first. The delay while playing and talking was a bit of a challenge at first, but it’s working out great,” he said. “The kids are loving it.”
Local musician Darrell Power has picked up the banjo and is working on learning a claw-hammer picking style. After that, he plans to try his hand at knitting.
“It’s a great skill. Besides the ability to create something, people who do it and do it a lot find it really therapeutic," he said.
“Mom had six kids. When Mom picked up her knitting, I think she needed to,” he said, laughing.
Power said he plans to start with dish cloths, “the kind I remember receiving from nans and friends, who hand them out like tick tacks.
“Don’t expect sweaters or socks,” he said. “But think the little 4x4 dish clothes are doable — 43 stitches, change direction and come on back.”
Power, a former member of Great Big Sea who plays with Timber, said having to stay home is just something everyone has to accept.
“The ones accepting it seem to be doing a little better,” he said.
“Some people say it’s a gift. It’s a chance for everybody to slow down and do something you’ve always wanted to do.”
Michelle Scott, a student assistant from Paradise, has been doing puzzles for the first time in decades.
“I’m loving it. My son is the puzzle guru now,” she said. “We just finished an ‘80s one and going to tackle a 1,000-piece one now.”
Rose Baldwin-Crawford of Carbonear is spending much of her time cooking and baking for her family.
“It’s my thing, but for the past 10-plus years I haven’t had much time to really enjoy it,” she said. “Now I am.”
St. John’s lawyer Patricia Kirby is also baking more than she ever has.
“I’ve gone through five bags of flour,” she said.
But she’s also done something she’s only done once before. The brunette with thick curls decided to shave her head after an experiment to dye her hair blonde went wrong.
“It really didn’t go well,” she said with a chuckle. “I can’t get in to see my hairdresser now, so one day my husband took out the clippers to give himself a haircut. I took the scissors, cut off my pony tail and said, that’s it, I’m doing mine, too.
“It feels greats. All the damaged hair is gone and my showers are at least five minutes shorter.”
Andrew Parsons, the province’s minister of justice and public safety, has been enjoying his time home with family, but admits he has his hands full trying to juggle government duties and helping keep his two young children occupied.
“I don’t know if there’s one word to describe it. It’s been stock full of emotions. It’s been trying at times. It’s been wonderful at times. It’s been educational at times,” he said. “It’s been frustrating, and depending on what’s going on.”
In between conference calls and responding to emails, he said, there’s been plenty of board games, Lego building, family walks, movie watching and catching up on sitcoms.
Parsons said getting frustrated is inevitable, but his advice is to try to stay busy.
“Everybody is finding their own way, but try to stay occupied and stay sane,” Parsons said. “Sometimes perspective helps a lot. When I have a moment, I think about how lucky we are because it can always be worse. So many people are worse off.”
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