Loneliness not a problem for flatmates

University of Otago students and flatmates (clockwise, from top left) Sarah Millar (21), of Auckland, Sarah Averill (21) , of Auckland, Olivia Hausmann (22), of Wellington, Eva Newell (21), of Auckland, Amy Hill (22), of Auckland, Aimee Murrell (22), of Taranaki, Lucy Todd (21), of Auckland, and Nina Foley (21), of Auckland, have a new-found interest in walking as a flat hobby. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY

When I was forwarded an article about a potential Covid-19 case in Auckland about noon last Tuesday, it did not cross my mind a country-wide lockdown was looming.

I (rather naively) compared the matter to the Auckland outbreak that happened around the same time last year.

While my Auckland family and friends patiently waited through the weeks indoors, I flitted around the South Island on my mid-semester break, silently giving my thanks that I went to university in Dunedin.

Well, coronavirus had the last laugh.

One of my flatmates flew the coop, the rest of us froze where we were.

That was a relief in many respects.

At a time many might describe as desperately lonely, I have seven chums to keep me company.

The Wi-Fi connection, now with more than 16 devices connected to it at most hours of the day, might not be so pleased with this decision.

There have been a few instances when my online lectures have appeared in stop-motion video form.

I appreciate the double-speed option available in my recorded classes if a lecturer is going a tad slow.

However, I fully back the school of thought that there is such a thing as too much screen time.

I miss the walk between lectures and the general social aspect of in-person classes.

Engaging over Zoom is not quite the same thing.

However, my flat’s interest in walking as a hobby has drastically increased.

It will always baffle me how it can be close to tropical temperatures outside in Dunedin, but on returning to one’s flat it is not dissimilar to entering a walk-in fridge.

I am grateful my flatmates are not anti-heat pump.

We made a list of things to do during lockdown.

We’ve already ticked off a few of them - long walks, baking, a flat quiz night.

Ongoing projects include keeping your plant alive and wearing actual clothes and not pyjamas for the whole day.

We were surprised to learn one neighbour likes to play the bagpipes, outside, bang on noon, every day, without fail.

While we are experiencing symptoms of talking-about-the-end-of-lockdown fatigue, every 1pm update brings hope, and there is relief with every confirmation that there are still no South Island cases.

I sure hope it continues that way. As much as I am grateful for my bubble of eight, I think we all thrive a little more with a little less time in the flat.