Coping

The “lockdown” mandate will probably remain in effect through the month of June. Government policies in Hawai’i mirror that of the mainland empire. No original thinking here. Local police are handing out citations for “lockdown” violations, so being as incognito as possible is imperative.

Coping in a prison-like environment is difficult. There is absolutely nothing to do in the confines of the mausoleum at the “old folks home” in Waikiki. The only distraction is provided by the iPhone XR. Sitting can only be accomplished on the floor since there’s no furniture.

Every attempt has been made to minimize the daily cost of food. Currently, less than $10 per day is spent. Two bagels suffice for breakfast. Coffee is still procured at the fast food joint in town. A small energy bar serves as lunch. Dinner is exclusively a small Subway® sandwich and a can of beans. All locations of Panda Express® are closed down. Currently, the idea of purchasing “value menu” selections at the fast food joint in Waikiki for dinner on random nights is being entertained to cut costs further.

So far, the only pitiful form of engaged physical activity has been casual walks. Three weeks have elapsed since the closure of the gym, and signs of atrophy are beginning to appear. A brief set of daily push-ups will commence soon. So pathetic.

A haircut is overdue, but there has been some stalling about using the new hair clippers. Everything has been prepared for the new stint as an amateur barber, but there is much apprehension. A big mistake could reduce the ol’ lavahead to a laughingstock.

Aside from that, personal grooming and hygiene have increased. The second round of self-treatment of the three remaining plantar warts has commenced. Any other personal issues will be remedied during the hiatus.

After 7pm, there are few places open. Wandering around conspicuously in an empty environment only invites police harassment or mugging by Micronesian thugs. That only leaves confinement to the mausoleum in the “old folks home.” Who could have imagined that the short time remaining in life would be relegated to incarceration? The exodus has been mummified by the novel coronavirus.