If you’re new to this blog series (and/or you live under a boulder) and don’t know what’s happening with South Africa’s 21-day lockdown, my first post  has all the details. Or read all my lockdown journal entries.

It’s Day 4 of lockdown and I’m running out of interesting things to photograph.

As of today there have been 1326 COVID-19 cases and three deaths in South Africa. I’m feeling encouraged these numbers aren’t climbing very quickly, comparatively speaking. Let’s hope it continues that way.

Thoughts on today:

1. Except for the garbage man I waved to yesterday, I haven’t seen or spoken to another human in four days. It’s a super weird feeling.
2. Eight years ago I wrote a silly blog post about baking bread using pre-made bread dough I bought at Spar for R10. I have never baked a single loaf of bread before or since. Over the past week, that post has become the most-read post on my blog (other than these COVID-19 updates). The whole world has gone bread-baking mad! And I totally get it, as I’m craving fresh-baked bread myself these days. Does anyone know if Spar is still selling that dough?
3. I know this series is about the lockdown in South Africa. But I need to talk for a minute about the dire situation in the United States, especially in the New York Metropolitan area. I’m so afraid for my home country and all of my family and friends. This morning I listened to today’s episode of This American Life, which was filled with personal stories about how the pandemic is affecting New York. It was utterly terrifying and heartbreaking (a word I’m using too often lately.). This is one of the best podcast episodes I’ve ever heard — I’m sure it will win awards — but while listening I cried harder than I have for a very long time. Please listen to it but have a box of tissues ready.

Lockdown Journal

5:55 a.m.: Message from Xolani: “Morning Heather it’s time to wake up.”

6:08 a.m.: Video call from Xolani. This man takes his job very seriously. I don’t answer.

6:09 a.m.: Message from Xolani: “How many skips are you doing today?” Okay okay. I get up. Make coffee, read news, social media.

6:55 a.m.: Run 20 laps around the house, which is exactly 1.6 kilometers or one mile. Do 1500 skips — as promised to Xolani — counted out in sets of 500.

7:55 a.m.: Complete Xolani’s workout as outlined on Saturday. Feel triumphant.

8:30 a.m.: Coffee, muesli, bath, podcasts. Sob while listening to This American Life. Feel hopeless.

10:00 a.m.: Skype therapy session (highly recommended for lockdown sanity).

11:00 a.m.: Work on computer for the rest of the day. I am extremely fortunate to have steady freelance writing work right now. So many of my colleagues have lost all their clients and I’m grateful to still have one.

6:00 p.m.: Eat pre-made Woolworths macaroni and cheese. Don’t worry, I added vegetables.

Today was a pretty average day for a lockdown.

Today’s Worthy Cause

This is not really a cause, more of a mutually beneficial exchange. I am pleased to announce Xolani — Coach X — has launched his Lockdown Personal Training business.

You have seen the descriptions of my lockdown workouts with Xolani, both above and on Saturday. These workouts have been the highlight of my lockdown so far.

I’ve been training with Xolani for several years and I can’t say enough about his skills as a boxing coach and personal trainer. He is always coming up with new and ever more challenging exercises. Also he is one of the most pleasant people I know, and has a great sense of humor.

Also: Xolani, like all personal trainers in South Africa (and most of the world), abruptly lost all his business when the pandemic hit. Also: Xolani’s lovely wife Patricia is about to give birth to their first child in April. Probably during the lockdown. They’re having a lockdown baby!

So please give Coach X a try. For R100 ($10 for international clients), you get a week’s worth of virtual consultation and workouts. I promise you’ll be fitter and happier at the end of that week. Contact Xolani at the number above or ask me for more details.

Happy lockdown, y’all. Only 17 days to go.