The Port News is asking locals to share how they are adapting to changes and life amid the worldwide health crisis.

Kingsley and Vi have retired but maintain a busy lifestyle. Kingsley holds many hats within in the North Shore community while Viv still undertakes part-time work as a high school teacher.

The couple say they are keeping up with exercise regimes as best as possible to ward of the "isolation blues".

How are you coping with working and managing other commitments without leaving your house on a regular basis?

It has taken a bit of adjustment. Since we are both retired the work problem is not really an issue, however my commitment to the RFS as captain of the local brigade has meant we have had to change the way we train to an individual or maximum of two at any time.

Meetings and all brigade communications is over the internet or by phone and we have protocols we now have to follow when responding.

I am also president of the North shore Progress Association and again we have had to cancel any face to face meetings and use the internet and phone to communicate.

Viviane had to give up her exercise classes but the hardest decision has been to stop seeing our family and stop the babysitting duties of our grandchildren.

Who are the people/person you are spending majority of your time with now? How are the relationship/s holding up?

We are a married couple, and so far so good.

What do you miss most about not being able to be out and about anymore?

The social interactions. Interacting with the family and grand children and going out for drinks and dinner with friends.

What are your top three tips for keeping sane during this time?

We are keeping up the exercising to maintain our fitness levels and trying to keep up a routine while spending time being creative and keeping the mind active.

Is there anything you believe our community could be doing better during this time?

I believe we should be wearing masks when outside to help minimise the spread of the virus.

My opinion is that we should be shutting down now to allow us to cope and get on top of the virus before it gets on top of us.

I believe that taking action like New Zealand will result in a lot less pain in the long run than the "suck it and see" approach we are taking at the moment. I mean hairdressers still being open, for heaven's sake!

What do you hope will be the greatest changes when we come out the other side.

People will be more conscious of personal hygiene that's for sure.

As in the recent fires, I would like to think that as a country, we can come through this by all uniting and supporting each other and thereby create a stronger sense of community.

I think it is going to be a good time to actually stop the clock and reflect on the things that are really important to us and how we manage them, both socially and economically.

Of course, I also hope toilet paper drops in value.

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