If your compound isn’t locked down, you’re one of the lucky ones. Yours truly, on the other hand, is not quite as lucky.
Earlier this week, in the middle of the day, my compound announced that we’d be locked down “for a while”. It’s been two days already and we still haven’t been told how long we’d be stuck at home. But that’s not the point of this post…
As soon as the lockdown was announced, residents were notified in any way they could be reached. A quick call from the community management company to inquire about whether there were elderly residents, pregnant women, anyone who might need special medication, or pets, and the door was officially closed.
So, as I buckle down for an unknown period of time at home, here are a few lockdown essentials that have helped me give me a relatively relaxed time at home.
Noise Cancelling Headphone
Get yourself a pair. With a toddler who’s constantly running around and screaming at home, it gets pretty difficult to concentrate on work. These have really come in handy recently.
Streaming Services
Whether it’s learning how to use iQiyi or Pumpkin Movies, get yourself some good entertainment. A WeChat service called MyPengYou can hook you up with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO without you having to use an overseas credit card. They speak English and payment is done over WeChat.
To get in touch with MyPengYou, add them on WeChat at MYPENGYOU1
Delivery Apps
Lockdown doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t have access to things outside your apartment. In the case of my compound’s lockdown, waimai and kuaidi deliveries are still coming in. So to make it easy on your stress level, learn to use the delivery apps so you can get all your favorite foods and essentials.
Recipe Blogs
I’ve been finding myself cooking more than ever. And why not? I’ve got plenty of time on my hands. Why not take advantage of it and attempt all the recipes I’ve always wanted to but didn’t have time to. My personal favorites are www.tastesbetterfromscratch.com and www.recipetineats.com where food blogger Nagi shares a ton of simple recipes that are easy to follow. Most of them have videos.
Workout Videos
To counter all that newly found love for cooking, find a few workout gurus with videos you love. Beijing’s very own Diva has classes on KEEP and also has plenty of workout videos along with inspirational videos on her WeChat Channel. Find her channel by searching FitnessWithDiva.
Diva’s also got free workout sessions every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. Scan the QR code to add her on WeChat so she can tell you how to join.
If you’ve got a spinning bike at home, YouTube channel GCN Training makes amazing spinning classes for every level.
Stay Informed
Finally, don’t get caught up in the rumor mill. To keep yourself well informed, join one of the Safe & Sane groups where you’ll get fact-checked Covid-related information on the situation in Beijing. And for your own compound, be sure to join a WeChat group that’s started by the management company where you’ll be able to see the official decisions relating to your compound firsthand instead of hearing from a neighbor.
Add TBJButler and request to join a Safe & Sane group.
Images: Diva, Mina Yan, Pexels
