It's business as usual for RTÉ's Teresa Mannion in Galway but there is still time for a few chords as she learns how to play the ukelele - there are many strings to Teresa's bow.
"Working as a reporter still requires being out in the field, but Covid-19 has understandably curtailed traditional news gathering. I set up stories in my kitchen and record interviews on Skype and WhatsApp as a 'needs must' option. However, I continue to work outside with a professional crew where possible, and we adhere to social-distancing and hand sanitising and wiping kit.
"Then we use microphone stands instead of holding any equipment. It's time-consuming but essential for the protection of ourselves and others.
"The fact that I'm not in the office and not travelling long distances means I bump into my husband Dave, and sons Cian and Tom a lot more often! It's nice to have coffee and company at home, but we each like our own space and voluntarily self-isolate as well. Cian is an avid musician and loves the acoustics in the kitchen. I love the light in my new workplace so we are trying to find a way to compromise. I'm hoping to pick up a few chords from him and I am learning to play the ukulele too!
"I'm not a gym bunny but I like to walk the Salthill prom and do some Pilates during normal times. Now I've got a little bit of home exercise going on which helps lift the mood and energy levels.The garage is normally packed with students, so I'm using the space to hop on a very basic stationary bike for a few weekly half hour sessions. There are hundreds of YouTube tutorials to choose from.
"I also have a rebounder. It's a kind of mini trampoline which is loved by toddlers and middle-aged women! Seriously, it's the fastest way to get the blood flowing and the heart rate up. Even just ten minutes a day is beneficial and there's no impact on the joints. I bought a fairly decent one online and it was worth the money. I stick in my AirPods and bounce away to a Californian instructor on YouTube. Or else I just bounce to my own tune.
"When I'm not in the humour for cycling or bouncing, I might pour a glass of vino and read a book or watch Netflix. Like everybody else I've been getting stuck into Tiger King. It's entertaining and sensational and attention-grabbing.
"My sister gave me a book at Christmas called The Choice by Edith Eger and I've only got around to reading it now. Dr Eger is an acclaimed psychologist who survived the Holocaust and she personifies the capacity of the human spirit to heal. It's a remarkable book and worth a read during the current pandemic.
"My son Tom is studying Eimear McBride's book, A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing and I've been picking it up and struggling through the unconventional grammar and prose. It was her first novel that took years to get published and it broke all the rules and she was hailed as a genius and compared to James Joyce. It's set in rural Ireland with a lot of dark themes and makes for a difficult read. I'm glad I don't have to analyse it for college!
"I'm one of a family of seven and we're scattered around Ireland and abroad. Zoom was made for us and we've been hooking up twice weekly to talk over one another! It's good craic and a welcome relief from the daily reality of Covid-19.
"When all of this is over we will no doubt return to many of our previous ways but hopefully with a new sense of perspective and gratitude for the small things in life that give the greatest pleasure."
