RTÉ Sports presenter and Kerry resident Joe Stack doesn't miss the long M7 drives to Dublin but, like most of us, he is desperate for a return to normality.
"My work routine has certainly changed an awful lot in the last six weeks. I live in Listowel in County Kerry but normally spend seven days a fortnight in Dublin. I'm now working from home full time, and though I desperately yearn for a return to sporting normality, I'm not missing the M7 too much just yet.
"I think us culchies are luckier than some of our urban cousins in that we've plenty more room to roam. I think I'm blessed to live where I do and I regularly - and quite happily - bore the backside off my colleagues at the sports-desk about the wonders of the Kingdom and Listowel.
"There are certainly lots of outdoor options here, the town has put a huge effort into creating walks around the town park and along the River Feale in recent years. So you can easily head out for an hour or so each day, and never feel like you are walking the same trail too often.
"I do miss the coast though, we are nine miles from the lovely beaches in Ballybunion and Littor, so I'm really hoping to get out there again before too long.
"If I'm honest, it's not just the family walks on the beach I miss. There is a little place called Ballybunion Golf Club that I'm a bit lonesome for too. I am a dreadful golfer and the game would make you cry at times, but it's a beautiful torture. I have now gone the longest I ever have without loosing a golf ball , although that's small comfort.
As for other exercise, I do manage a bit of a run a few times a week. Alas though, the effort is often made redundant by the "reward" afterward. Another symptom of the strange days we're living through is that the path to the fridge is as well worn as the running track.
"We have three lads at home, aged thirteen, eleven and nine. I think kids around the country are starting to find things tougher as the days go by. My fellas are missing their friends and just normality. I think the novelty of no school is long gone at this stage. I'd love to say their days are spent becoming artistic and sporting geniuses, but though guitars, ukeleles and sliotars have all become popular here, there have certainly been a few "debates" too about X Boxes, tablets and phones.
I wouldn't be a big fiction reader but I am a bit of a history fan. My grandfather served in the Munster Fusiliers in the First World War and a few years back I managed to research some scant details of his time on the Western Front. I've since been interested in how we are dealing with the hugely significant centenaries that have been occurring since 2014 and I'm re-reading Wounds by Fergal Keane at the minute.
"It's a fascinating look back at the events and after-effects of the War of Independence and Civil War around North Kerry. I think we've been handling these anniversaries very well, but remembering the civil war might be the most delicate yet.The fact that even talking about what are proper commemorations can still raise hackles, shows the ongoing effects of history.
"There's simply too much out there when it comes to TV and box sets, the Sky box is chock-a-block with stuff I'll probably never get around to watching and Netflix can be a bit hit and miss too.
"I thought Tiger King was way over-hyped, I'm quite enjoying Ozark, but if you are looking for a recommendation that isn't sports related, check out a series called Gomorrah that was on Sky Atlantic a while back. Its basically The Sopranos in Naples and it's almost as good.
"Other than that, I can't believe how much I'm enjoying the GAA classic re-runs on RTÉ and TG4. Last week's 2004 Munster Hurling Final was just brilliant, even if it does make you realise how much we miss sport at the moment.
"Music is a fair constant in the background, either at home or in the car. A friend of mine runs a pub called Mike The Pies here in Listowel that's become one of Ireland's top live music venues in recent years . Obviously that's all on hold at the moment, but I can always stick on a bit of Fontaines DC, Mick Flannery or the Franks and remember the good times.
"I think how much we are missing sport is surprising everyone. Like any other art form, it should be providing a much needed distraction at the moment. Now I think you could easily argue that the sheer volume of stuff available pre-Covid, has diluted excitement to a certain extent in recent times. Yet I think there's no denying either, that there is now a hugely important social and cultural craving that's currently missing from Irish society. I think it's leaving a chasm that can't be satisfied by anything else.
"I know it will all come back in time and that health concerns must supersede absolutely everything else, but I must admit I'm finding the waiting room a small bit lonesome."
