Markus Juho Krepp and I playing Settlers of Catan
Since Covid shelter in place started nearly two months ago we, like most families, have had to adjust to remote working, schooling and community engagement.
These changes are minor in comparison to those who have suffered loss of life or are struggling financially. Thankfully our family and friends have remained healthy, but our hearts go out to those that have suffered.
Home Schooling
Our daughter Sofia (10) and son Markus (13) have both transitioned to online schooling. Our dining table has turned into a digital factory.
The teachers have to be commended for pivoting on a dime to deliver virtual lessons, digital curriculum and launching new tools for the students, administration and parents in record time.
Home Office
At work, my team has shifted from its usual work of just helping people locate businesses on Google Maps, to now sharing business temporary closures, curbside delivery and take out, as well as helping people find Covid testing centers, blood banks and food distribution centers.
Usually I would have a field force of over 500 people across the globe making sure our maps data is accurate, but currently everyone, me included, is doing this work from home.
To the left is our local Japanese restaurant which we used to visit regularly, now we are doing curbside delivery with GrubHub so that we can keep supporting our local businesses in this difficult time.
Sofia and Kaidi Sild-Krepp on the yoga mat.
Home Gym And Virtual Workouts
Staying healthy is more important than ever, so without our regular trips to the gym, the soccer pitch, the mountains or the ice rinks we have turned our living room, garage and driveway into makeshift gyms.
My sisters Karina and Melanie are both certified yoga instructors and have been holding family yoga from New York City and Hong Kong once a week.
Yoga is great, but the virtual connection with extended family in 3 countries (my mom in Canada doesn’t miss a session) is priceless.
Free-time, Lots of It!
With commutes to school, work, the gym, shops and for social gatherings gone, we, like everyone, have lots more time. We are only footsteps away from hanging out with family, picking up that guitar, doing that long delayed project or hoping on a virtual video call. In some ways I have been more connected to the people that matter most to me than before Covid.
I have been fortunate to collaborate virtually with friends across the world to hold a 50th birthday party, cooked new recipes with family, dusted off board games, sung with the San Francisco Estonian Choir over video chat, held a virtual happy hour with my West Coast Vironia fraternity brothers every Friday and even had a virtual e-Volber, which brought together for the first time the West Coast USA, Canadian, and Estonian chapters of Korp! Vironia.
Every cloud has a silver lining and Covid’s for me has been a re-alignment of what matters most. Moments are more precious than ever and I feel as though all of us are using them better.
From our family to yours, stay safe!
Earth Day project to create a hummingbird feeder from recycled plastic
