Coronavirus: “Being housebound has brought us together,” says LA-based Aussie expat ad legend Siimon Reynolds

Home lockdown will probably soon happen in Australia and you won’t find it easy. The hardships will be greater, but trust me, the friendships and relationships will become deeper. Who’d have thought social distancing would actually bring us together.

By Siimon Reynolds

Australia has just begun to lockdown non-essential venues, yet it may only be a matter of days ­before Aussies are ordered to stay in their homes.

Over here in Los Angeles, our family has been in home lockdown for 10 days. Literally housebound, only going out for a short daily walk around the block, and when forced, going quickly to the supermarket to get vital supplies, wearing face masks and gloves. (It’s pretty weird to go into shops where every customer is dressed like they are robbing it.)

It’s not an easy life.

At first, it was fun to be in home lockdown — kind of like starring in a disaster movie. Lots of laughs with the family, and lots of games. But as the days go on, we find ourselves doing very similar stuff each day to entertain ourselves — and tedium is beginning to set in.

It’s a bit like going on a very long plane trip in business class. It’s very comfortable, but you’re still itching for it to be over.

The highlight of the day is the 20-minute walk around the block. When all this first started, strangers happily walked closely past each other. Now, 10 days later, when they see you approaching they walk to the other side of the road, so you don’t infect them.

When packages arrive at our door we wipe them with antiseptic before we open them. (it’s now believed coronavirus can last several days on objects).

With the isolation and the cleaning obsession, I feel very much like Howard ­Hughes, without the money.

Trying to work during home lockdown is difficult, with the kids screaming and racing around. I mentor entrepreneurs and much of my coaching happens by phone or online video.

So initially it was business as usual. But in the past few days I’ve had some clients cancel as their company has pretty much come to a halt during the crisis. Other business owners are desperately contacting me to help them switch from being a bricks-and-mortar business to an online or virtual one in a matter of days.

After I’ve helped put the kids to bed, I frequently work until late at night making sure this pandemic doesn’t leave their businesses on life support.

My kids used to go for play dates at their friends’ homes. Now they do FaceTime play dates on our phones to say hi each day.

Exercise classes have moved online too and since all schools are closed, the classroom meets online each day at 9am.

It’s all a bit challenging, I must admit. But there are some wonderful upsides to being in home lockdown too. Our family has never been closer, and my wife and I are having some truly memorable moments with the kids, picnics in our backyard for example. We’re speaking with friends more, too, and not talking about the weather. People are talking about meaningful issues — like the world’s health, family, love and safety.

Home lockdown will probably soon happen in Australia and you won’t find it easy. The hardships will be greater, but trust me, the friendships and relationships will become deeper. Who’d have thought social distancing would actually bring us together.

OMON co-founder Siimon Reynolds is an award-winning advertising creative, bestselling author and business coach: www.siimonreynolds.com

Pictured above: Reynolds at his home in LA on Monday with wife Kathryn Eisman and children Capri and Monet