Yamba local, Cameron Pilley, moved to Greenwich in Conneticut in AUgust last year. As the Director of Junior Squash at Apawamis Club in Rye, New York he is a full-time coach and also plays on the professions doubles tour.

Lynne Mowbray recently caught up with him to find out how he is coping with COVID-19 in the United States.

Describe what it’s like where you are due to the impact of Covid-19 at the moment, how is self isolating impacting on you and how you are currently spending your day?

We have been in self isolation for 5 weeks now. I am not doing any coaching or playing because of Covid19, so the days are very boring! I have a wife and two kids under 3, so most of the day we’re trying to keep things interesting and fun for them. A typical day might look something like this: Wake up around 8am, long breakfast, my wife will workout/run, we’ll go for a long walk, lunch, I’ll do some admin work followed by my own workout, dinner. In any spare time, we’re entertaining the kids!

Is there anything different in your country’s environment, are you living under martial law? What is allowed and what’s not allowed?

Although I work in New York, which has been the hardest hit state in the USA, I live in Greenwich which is about 45 mins from NYC. I’m taking the usual precautions everyone is taking – staying at home in self isolation, social distancing, only going out for essentials/exercise – plus now wearing a face covering (bandanna) when I go to the shops to buy food etc.

Any message for family and friends back home?

Be sensible and follow the governments recommendations on self-isolation (things will go back to normal quicker if people isolate properly). If you are struggling mentally with isolation, try structuring your day and give yourself things to do or mini goals you want to accomplish for that day or week. This has helped me get through 5 weeks so far. Plus make sure you are exercising daily!
Oh and also, g’day!

Read about how others are coping around the world with COVID-19  in this series:

Donna Lobban: www.clarencevalleynews.com.au/donna-lobban-expats-take-on-covid-19

Morgan Pilley: www.clarencevalleynews.com.au/morgan-pilley-expats-take-on-covid-19

Leon Gulaptis: www.clarencevalleynews.com.au/leon-gulaptis-expats-take-on-covid-19