COVID-19 // Mate Liz Karamavros // Chatham, MA

Hi Everyone, 

What interesting times we are in. It doesn’t feel real. I am no longer living in Newport, RI and have transplanted to Chatham, MA. I am self-quarantined in effort to not contract COVID-19, and listening to every real facts podcast, and article I can get my hands on. I recommend “Ologies Podcast '', “Joe Rogan Podcast '', and “The Daily” by the New York Times as all extremely level-headed and realistic places to get information. I’m also keeping up with the new season of ‘On the Wind’, Andy’s sailing podcast!

Locally, Cape Cod’s first COVID-19 patient was diagnosed yesterday. This pushed me to fully adopt the home quarantine thing. While I am healthy, young and have good nutrition, my asthma technically makes me “a party at risk”. I know I would be fine If I were to contract the virus, so my thoughts are with my two grandparents. I see my grandparents regularly and love them very much; one of which has a predisposition to bad lung health. I’m so grateful to have the privilege of a lifestyle that allows me to stay in my clean safe home. I’m sending out thoughts, prayers and good energy to all that have been affected! For now, I’m taking the CDC and other international world health recommendations.

In my spare time, I’m ordering boat parts (always something to do for the boats), reading, watching Netflix (mostly the Great British Baking Show, which has subsequently inspired me to bake), listening to music and podcasts. I feel very blessed to have access to a calm and healthy space. When I do see family members and friends I do practice social distancing - a minimum of six feet as recommended! I went to the grocery store yesterday; no toilet paper in sight! I stocked up on frozen vegetables, rice, and beans, though I doubt I will need if for an emergency.

Many of you know I make my living on sailboats. We are set to start sailing on April 28th, en route to Bermuda. I am hoping my flight does not get canceled as far away as April 25th, right now it’s a waiting game. After we cross the Atlantic, the countries we are sailing to may still be in quarantine when we get there - I’m not quite sure we’ll even embark on this passage. SO, that brings me to the projecting anxieties phase. Will this make me unemployed? How will I eat? How will I grow my business? How will Andy and Mia eat? Does insurance cover this? 

I teach yoga when I am home, but out of precaution of spreading Coronavirus, the studio I work in is closed. This may pose a problem income-wise, as I teach series-based classes specifically scheduled in the times when I am not sailing. Additionally, I’m working on planning a yoga retreat in South America to take place in November and hoping this won’t impact my first big business move adversely. “Do I need to look for a temporary job here on land?” is an anxiety I project as well.

I know that everything will work out. I know that money always comes but that doesn’t mean my feelings are stable. Something I am grateful for, other than my health, is that I am able to separate my head and my heart. The KNOWING from the FEELING. Projecting anxieties or “worst-case scenarios” is human. I assume it is evolutionary for survival. That doesn’t mean those anxieties have to take over my thought and reasonable actions. It’s a scary time for everyone and we all want this to just go away. Let’s stick together, self-quarantine if you have the privilege, social distance as much as possible, keep calm and move forward. 

Another note: I am spending as much time outside in the beautiful spring weather as I can to keep my spirits high, moving my body with my home yoga practice, and regularly call my loved ones because I live alone. I will live another day and so will you. Be well everyone and see you on the high seas!