Landisa: My husband is a police officer on the frontlines of SA's lockdown

A new norm is for my hubby to get home and hold out his hands as I am waiting at the gate with sanitizer. He immediately takes a shower as I sanitize the car door handles and interior of the car, writes Michelle Naidoo.

Life under lockdown has been very challenging for me thus far. The 26 March 2020 was a day I appreciated my President more than ever. I was truly a proud South African knowing that my president had called for South Africa to be under lockdown taking into consideration first and foremost the lives of South Africans against this deadly disease. The invisible enemy called coronavirus. I had decided that I would be a law-abiding citizen and follow all the lockdown regulations, respecting my president and all government rules.

When coronavirus made an unexpected appearance in China and began spreading in other countries I was fearful from the very beginning. Telling friends and family that we too in South Africa are going to be victims of Covid-19 but most assumed I was overreacting. However I did not allow that to distract me and began purchasing gloves, masks, sanitizers and handwash, which helped me escape the price-gouging because I was prepared well in advance.

I have not left my home for days following the lockdown. I am petrified, terrified and anxious about Covid-19. I live in fear daily knowing that this unknown enemy may somehow find its way to me regardless of the precautions I take. 

Being married to a policeman makes this an even more stressful situation because there is a possibility that he may unknowingly pick up the virus and bring it home to us. Coronavirus somehow brings about some level of insanity in me. 

A new norm is for my hubby to get home and hold out his hands as I am waiting at the gate with sanitizer. He immediately takes a shower as I sanitize the car door handles and interior of the car. 

Coughing and sneezing is something I really do not want to hear, you would find me running in that direction shouting, where did you cough or sneeze, did u use your face towel? When I am not being crazy about Covid-19, I am doing household chores, cooking, baking or making a treat. The day is never long enough. 

Being under lockdown has also turned me into a news addict. I have learnt to appreciate and respect journalists and the media. Working daily in dangerous places putting their health and lives at risk just to bring us the latest updates and breaking news whilst we are relaxing on our comfy couch listening attentively as they keep the world connected from out there in the rain, sun, wind and sometimes threatening environments.                                                  

I believe that everything happens for a reason. I may be wrong but this has always been my belief. I have realized that we often take things for granted. The air we breathe, the beautiful world that God has created for us to live in. Simple things like appreciating family and caring for each other. 

There have been really amazing changes in the lives of people close to me. My 38-year-old brother, a father of two boys has found that he doesn't actually need to depend on his six-pack of beers daily. He has quit smoking. These are significant positive changes which, under normal circumstances, may not have been possible for some. 

- Michelle is a stay at home mother, and lives in Pietermaritzburg.