We Asked San Franciscans
As San Franciscans — and, now, the entire state of California — shelter in place until at least April 7, it’s safe to say there’s a whole lot of anxiety in this town (and the world).
None of us should be going outside — except for “essential tasks.” The other day I overheard an older gentleman yell from his second-floor Mission District window at a talking passerby, AirPods wedged in his ears. “You better have a reason to be on the streets, man,” he orated from his perch. “You’re risking someone’s life!”
Many of us have taken this forced time indoors to pick up long overdue self-made promises: check off reading lists, commit to any semblance of a yoga routine, maybe stop social-media stalking your ex.
We all are adjusting to this new normal, each of us finding our own ways to get over the fear, anxiety, and, often, depression that’s coming along with social isolation.
We checked in with some fellow San Franciscans to see how’re they mitigating their worries and securing whatever sanities they have left while hunkering down indoors in hopes that they may help you, too.
“As a millennial, I don’t feel too anxious about my own personal health or safety. I have my supplies of essentials and tons of gummy bears. However, I work for an organization that benefits seniors and people with disabilities in SF; so I’m more concerned about making sure I don’t become a carrier that affects their community.”
— Peter K.
“Even though I have no income coming in, I’m working constantly at home. As president of the SF Chapter of the Guild of Bartenders, we’ve been tirelessly working to find ways to support our community, whether drafting petitions or figuring out how to legally support the community. I’m still making time to binge some TV, use Houseparty (an online video chat app), play board games with my roommates, and read books. But for me, the well-being of our community, which includes myself, comes first. I truly believe that if we can support each other through this time, we will all be okay. Also watching the Monterey Bay Aquarium feed projected on my wall makes for a pretty cool experience.”
— Janice Bailon
“I’ve been making playlists both for the blog I write for and for myself and blasting them loudly between conference calls from my bedroom. Music is the only antidote available these days, it seems. I’ll talk about whatever balms I can get.”
— JD Bray
“I’m taking long walks and internet breaks so that the news doesn’t overwhelm us. I’m also face masking. By the time we get out of quarantine, my skin will be glowing.”
— Viola Chen
“Therapy via Zoom, all-staff meetings in my underwear, setting a regular showering schedule, and coronavirus memes. Lots of coronavirus memes.”
— Just Shannon
“I usually host a monthly short/long reads meetups with my friends. We send around what we’ve been reading, listening to, or watching and then meet up at Bean Bag Cafe to discuss. It’s kind of like show-and-tell for the content we like. Since sheltering in place, I’ve been organizing a collection of essays and articles I’m reading and lists of shows, podcasts, and movies that have previously been shared within our group, so that everyone has a bank of content that isn’t Covid-19 related to consume and friends to chat about it with during a virtual meetup. ”
— Julie Richter
“Since 100% of my income has stopped, I’ve been finding other ways to make rent. Luckily, I have two other drag performer roommates, Mary Vice and Gods Little Princess, so we started our own Twitch five days a week where we will be serving content till this whole lockdown is over. We’ll be streaming dance classes, talk shows, drag performances, and other variety shows in the comfort of our home. We’ve been getting good tips from it luckily, and we hope it at least gets us through the month.”
— Cash Monet, drag queen
“It’s a great time to jump on spring cleaning… while drinking boxes of wine.” — Tyson Lee
“Since I work in HR, I’ve been focused on putting together programs such as a working parents support group and virtual water cooler chats. We just sent around a Spotify playlist for everyone to collaborate on. I’m also trying to make sure that I’m staying healthy both mentally and physically — taking advantage of virtual yoga, meditation apps, and taking walks. I’m trying to stay positive and enjoy the moments in time that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.”
— Kaye Monty
“I’ve been working too much. Home and work life started blurring the first week, so I’m trying to set routines to keep them separate. I’ve been leaning on my online friendships a lot, playing online games with voice chat or video calling with friends and family. I’m also trying to set a fitness goal, spending an hour a day hiking up Potrero Hill, with proper distancing. My goal is to jog up the steepest bit without getting winded.”
— K. Kress
“Well, I just shaved my face for the first time in seven years because why the fuck not?”
— Michael Kasian
“It’s been important to limit my news consumption to three times a day, but most importantly, I’m focusing on keeping my social network strong. My roommates and I are currently drinking wine, cooking together, playing games, painting pictures, and taking the time to connect by creating new experiences together. I have a date set up to listen to a friend rehearse music while I garden. It’s pretty cool that we can use technology to help us show up for each other and tap into someone else’s world.”
— Rachel Nasim
“Every day since this started, I’ve been walking up to the top of Bernal Heights Park. It’s refreshing to look out over the whole city and see that it’s still here and that the sky’s still blue. That’s the best way I’ve found to cope.”
— Peter Clarke
“I’m seeing this as a good chance to realign my north star mentally and fiscally. It feels good not having to spend frivolous money and really align on what I love. As the editor in chief of Bob Cut Mag, it’s always been my number one goal to push the magazine, and when you’re doing the day in and day out, sometimes you lose your way. It’s good to look at what I love subjectively versus objectively. It makes me feel like wanting to fall in love with what I’m passionate about.”
— Anthony Rogers
“New information keeps being released daily, so I‘m taking this whole process one day at a time. Keeping self-care a priority by drinking plenty of water, tea, and keeping up with my skin care regime.”
— Danielle Wallis
“I’m not able to work from home but very fortunate that I’m still being paid, so I’m doing my best to create structure, routine, and goals for each day. I have things I must do each day: shower before a certain time, not allow dishes to build up in the sink, and workout once a day. My job is very social, so most of my anxiety comes from being so isolated from personal interaction.”
— Kevin Atkinson
“I spend my day trying to avoid TV and failing at it. All of The Wire is basically a quote-along at this point. I try to tackle all of those things I always promised myself I would get to if I had time, but this self-improvement sentiment usually lasts until around 1 p.m. when I become insanely bored. After the obligatory calls from family in conservative states asking me if I have enough toilet paper and if California is under martial law, I proceed to spend the evening getting drunk on Zoom hangouts with former co-workers and friends. Usually, I then polish off the rest of a six-pack of beer while watching The Wire until 3 a.m., promising myself I will be more productive and healthy tomorrow.”
— Jon Allen
“I’m keeping sane by reading and enjoying the incredible online content some of the bay’s artists are creating. The Booksmith is doing free SF delivery for books, so I’ve got a stack I ordered from them. And local illustrator Wendy Macnaughton is doing daily free drawing classes for kids on her Instagram, which is pretty cool… even though I don’t have kids. Drag performers like Mary Vice, Florida Man, Cash Monet, and Princess Panocha are performing on Instagram. So I’m watching and tipping them on Venmo.”
— Joe Wadlington
