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Meriam Jelliti
Doha
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the world, many countries, including Qatar, have been encouraging people to stay at home to help limit the spread of the virus.
The spread of the new virus has forced many people to self-quarantine, including citizens and residents of Qatar.
While isolation can be unbearable for many, people are adopting different novel means to cope with the situation and are trying to adapt by working and studying at home to remain focused and active every day.
Studying online has helped students to stay on track.
Mahdy, a college student, has spent the past three weeks at home, doing his best to keep his brain stimulated.
“I have been quarantined for over three weeks now and it hasn’t been easy. I mostly spend my time cooking or just watching movies and YouTube videos. As for studies, I have earmarked two hours daily to work on my deadlines and revise lessons to keep my memory refreshed,” he said.
Amina, an IT college student, also shared her home quarantine routine.
She said, “Ever since I started the self-quarantine, I have been striving to meet my deadlines and engage in online courses. They are definitely keeping me busy. Today, I had a test early in the morning, but I have been struggling to balance the feeling of ‘home vacation’ and the fact that I am a college student.”
She added, “I miss the discipline that came with college. Now, it’s all mixed up. I still have two more tests and it hasn’t been easy, especially for IT students but I’m still very grateful for the online courses as they save the semester.”
Workers’ experiences are not very different from those of students as most employees are now working from home.
Hady, an employee of a private construction company, said, “Although it has been more inconvenient, we are trying to adapt to this new life of isolation. We still don’t know how long this will continue. So we have to take this burden in our stride.”
“Working is definitely helping. I have been doing my job the same way but only from home. I think working is one way to fill your time and I believe that under these unusual circumstances, one must consider to keep busy and healthy and not to give in to negativity and boredom. Work is definitely one way to do that,” he added.
While health experts are encouraging people to stay home, they are also emphasising the importance of additional indoor activities to keep the mind sharp and the body healthy.
Rawan has been staying home for almost a month now and she has been committed to staying in shape and good health by practising physical activities.
“Not going to the gym didn’t stop me from working out. I downloaded working out apps and I have been reading a lot about healthy food and I love it. I cannot deny it has been hard staying home this long but I am gradually adapting and hoping this doesn’t last longer,” she said.
She also explained how important it is for her to stay home.
“Staying home helps reducing the risk to others and it is currently our only responsibility towards each other and ourselves. We must consider everyone, especially the most vulnerable. By staying home, we will help defeat this virus soon,” Rawan said.
Some people didn’t allow the quarantine to stop them from celebrating important days in their lives.
Two days ago it was the second birthday of Salma. Both her parents were excited to celebrate their baby’s birthday at home.
“We baked and prepared everything together and we video called all our families and close friends to be part of the birthday party. We wanted to make this day as special as it should be,” the parent said.
Doha
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the world, many countries, including Qatar, have been encouraging people to stay at home to help limit the spread of the virus.
The spread of the new virus has forced many people to self-quarantine, including citizens and residents of Qatar.
While isolation can be unbearable for many, people are adopting different novel means to cope with the situation and are trying to adapt by working and studying at home to remain focused and active every day.
Studying online has helped students to stay on track.
Mahdy, a college student, has spent the past three weeks at home, doing his best to keep his brain stimulated.
“I have been quarantined for over three weeks now and it hasn’t been easy. I mostly spend my time cooking or just watching movies and YouTube videos. As for studies, I have earmarked two hours daily to work on my deadlines and revise lessons to keep my memory refreshed,” he said.
Amina, an IT college student, also shared her home quarantine routine.
She said, “Ever since I started the self-quarantine, I have been striving to meet my deadlines and engage in online courses. They are definitely keeping me busy. Today, I had a test early in the morning, but I have been struggling to balance the feeling of ‘home vacation’ and the fact that I am a college student.”
She added, “I miss the discipline that came with college. Now, it’s all mixed up. I still have two more tests and it hasn’t been easy, especially for IT students but I’m still very grateful for the online courses as they save the semester.”
Workers’ experiences are not very different from those of students as most employees are now working from home.
Hady, an employee of a private construction company, said, “Although it has been more inconvenient, we are trying to adapt to this new life of isolation. We still don’t know how long this will continue. So we have to take this burden in our stride.”
“Working is definitely helping. I have been doing my job the same way but only from home. I think working is one way to fill your time and I believe that under these unusual circumstances, one must consider to keep busy and healthy and not to give in to negativity and boredom. Work is definitely one way to do that,” he added.
While health experts are encouraging people to stay home, they are also emphasising the importance of additional indoor activities to keep the mind sharp and the body healthy.
Rawan has been staying home for almost a month now and she has been committed to staying in shape and good health by practising physical activities.
“Not going to the gym didn’t stop me from working out. I downloaded working out apps and I have been reading a lot about healthy food and I love it. I cannot deny it has been hard staying home this long but I am gradually adapting and hoping this doesn’t last longer,” she said.
She also explained how important it is for her to stay home.
“Staying home helps reducing the risk to others and it is currently our only responsibility towards each other and ourselves. We must consider everyone, especially the most vulnerable. By staying home, we will help defeat this virus soon,” Rawan said.
Some people didn’t allow the quarantine to stop them from celebrating important days in their lives.
Two days ago it was the second birthday of Salma. Both her parents were excited to celebrate their baby’s birthday at home.
“We baked and prepared everything together and we video called all our families and close friends to be part of the birthday party. We wanted to make this day as special as it should be,” the parent said.
