The Covid Chronicles

Good morning. It is 11.23 am, Tuesday morning, 24th March 2020. I am reclining on the sofa with my cuppa (no not wine, well in a week or two, maybe) of coffee, and watching Holly and Phillip on television. ‘This Morning’ they tell us has been declared essential in these trying times. The sun is shining, soon I shall go out and collect the bins. I heard the binmen come earlier and that is about all that is normal in this unprecedented situation.

Last night at 8.29 pm Boris Johnson, our PM, made an announcement. He explained the dire Coronavirus situation and desperate measures of isolation which must be taken in order to save lives. We already had restrictions in place, working from home where possible, self -isolation, public places where peeps socialised advised to close, parks and open spaces staying open for exercise, but we must stay two metres a part. Sadly, we have idiots in our community who decided to see the pleasant weekend as a holiday. They rushed to holiday spots and got as close to each other as they could. So now, we are in lockdown. Pretty soon, I guess most countries will be in the same situation. Some already are.

As many of you know I am a night owl. I rise late and am awake until the small hours. So, it was 10.30 am when I, on autopilot, strained myself to get out of bed. I walked into my library and looked out onto our little street which by this time of day is normally a car park. Today, just residents’ cars. No cars on the distant Tesco car park and very few vehicles on the road. At last peeps have heeded the warning and are forced to conform. Once dressed I visit the computer for email and games on FB. Was there a life before social media? Where would we be now without it?

Then, I staggered down the stairs, something which is getting harder with age. Breakfast time, turn on the downstairs television and iPad. The first thing I do and have done for a week is look at the updated number of Coronavirus cases locally. Depressing and frightening. Today, it’s 31. What will it be tomorrow?

Before the second cuppa I decided to go out of the back gate of my property and bring in the bins. I looked down the street and someone was taking the opportunity to clean her car but too far down to engage in conversation. Then another vehicle came round the corner, an opposite neighbour. Apparently, he had been out for essential items like milk and found it extremely difficult to find any. One of the supermarkets had an unimaginable queue of peeps clinging to trolleys at a safe distance apart. He eventually bought milk from a corner shop. Yes, we had social intercourse but were two metres apart.

After the second cuppa I returned to the library and worked at the computer while admiring the outside world. It was like being in that parallel universe I talk of frequently. So few vehicles. I observed two buses pass by, both without passengers. I guess the usual ones are senior citizens with passes and they are all in self-isolation.

Later, I came back downstairs and opened up my porch/conservatory for the summer. During the winter months I use it as storage. Soon, it will be full of beautiful plants with room for a chair so that I can sit in it and enjoy our glorious summer which will come at the end of this insanity.

For the rest of the day, I have played games and watched television. I made one phone call. Part of my survival programme is to phone one person each day. I predict the telephone will make a comeback and peeps will talk as opposed to texting. Right now, I’m watching a rerun of ‘Midsomer Murders’ with a glass of wine. As of yet I have not succumbed to the chocolate but tomorrow who knows?

Soon, I’m going to enjoy a bubble bath before retiring. Hey, we’ve survived day one of lockdown and to quote Scarlett O’Hara, tomorrow is another day.

Day 2,

Good morning! The sun is still shining. First things first, do I have a temperature or cough? No, so thankfully I have not yet succumbed to this virus. Thank you Lord for sparing me. If you remember, peeps, I lost my insignificant other to Cancer last September. He was a medium and I recall what he said after the 911 terrorist attack. It was the beginning of many bad things, there would be more attacks, floods, and disease. It was going to be like the plagues of Egypt all over again and when it’s over the world will be a better place. Is this the last of the ‘new plagues’?

Breakfast time and I check the local number of cases, it is still 31. I guess that’s some good news for now. The breaking news is that Prince Charles has contracted the virus, even royalty is not immune. I wonder what would be on the news if there were no Coronavirus.

My plans for the rest of the day? First, second cuppa. Still no wine at breakfast time but I did finish off a bottle last night. Then, I’m going to get the car out of the garage and clean the interior, maybe the outside. That depends on how energetic I feel. Later, I shall continue repotting or taking cuttings from my plants and put more of them into my summer conservatory. Yes, I’ll be watching television and on the computer. I shall also make my daily phone call. Have made a list and will phone Shirley, someone I met on hols a few years ago. I have decided to plan each evening for what I intend doing the next day. I may not stick to it but it’s worth a try.

As a writer I am used to solitude and self-isolation so you would think this lockdown would be easy for me. No. The difference is one of choice. My freedom and freedom of choice has been taken from me. In one sense we are being treated like prisoners. Loss of freedom through no fault of our own or if we are suffering new plagues maybe it is our fault for choosing materialism over humanity during the last decades. We have become selfish and greedy people as opposed to considerate human beings. Just look at the empty supermarket shelves.

I’m now thinking about prisoners. Are they thinking, now you know how we feel? Anyway, we must all stay positive and united through this madness.

Here I am again. It is 7.15 pm and I’m watching ‘Emmerdale’. The day has gone pretty well, all things considered. The car has had an interior clean and the surplus grime has been removed from the exterior. Full wash? Too energetic and not essential in these trying times. Yes, more plants are sorted and looking pretty in the conservatory. The birds have been fed.

I made that phone call and, I think, I brightened the day for someone. She seemed to think it was a good idea. I have another victim ready for tomorrow.

Today, we have all been aware of the best and the worst of people. Over 400,000 have answered the Governments call for help. At the other extreme there’s profiteering and those trying to steal NHS workers identity badges to get priority at supermarkets. On a positive note it does seem that the message is hitting home. Fewer people congregating and more staying at home.

Somehow, we will get through this. I have plans for tomorrow.

Day 3,

Good morning peeps,

It’s about 11.00 am and I’m enjoying breakfast while looking at the sunshine. It’s not raining and that’s something to be thankful for. Each morning and actually throughout the day I’m checking my forehead. Am I feverish? Now, I had a slight cough before this pandemic. Like most things I put it down to old age but each time I cough I ask myself the question, Is it a dry cough? Then I check my forehead again. So far, I’m fine. I’ve checked the local casualty list and that’s not so good. It has gone up to 50.

Hey, positivity is a must in these situations. Firstly, staying at home means staying at home but your home includes balconies, gardens, drives and patios! Also, we are luckier than in previous decades because we have television and social media. Think back to the days of bubonic plague.

What are my plans for today? Enjoy it, make the most of it and get through it. I will be spring cleaning, carrying on potting plants, washing up and I will be doing a special blog for tomorrow. Next weekend my little booklet, ‘LIFE IS…’ will be on free download. The book designed to cheer people up. Later today I will make the daily phone call and at 8.00 pm I shall be applauding our NHS workers.

Stay safe and well.

Day 4,

Well, hello new day. It’s great to be alive and I’m still fine. The sun is shining and brightening the day, the fourth day of lockdown. Last night I clapped and applauded our front line workers along with the rest of the country.

Also, I succumbed. I switched from wine to port, but it was not enough. I ate my first Easter egg. I know… shame on me.

Yesterday has disappeared. My day went according to plan. I guess I was lucky. I was appalled to hear of a man who was being arrested actually coughing over the police officers hoping to infect them with the virus. As a result coughing in such circumstances is a criminal offence and could result in a jail sentence. The world is a peculiar place.

I have seen several buses pass by but not one has had passengers. A further observation, there are fewer people on the roads. Peeps are taking doggies for walks, but not engaging in conversation and keeping apart from others. In fact, it is quieter outside than on Christmas Day.

What are my plans for today? Right now it’s 11.10 and I’m in my usual place with coffee and tv. Later, I’ll do a little spring cleaning and continue with the plants. Yes, I’ll make a phone call. A couple of days ago my victim pointed out that it was possible to phone on Messenger these days as opposed to using the actual telephone. Isn’t modern technology marvellous once you master it? So, last night I had a long chat on Messenger with a relative which was illuminating. A new idea born from the current situation.

Breaking news, Boris Johnson has tested positive for the virus. I’ve just made my daily check on numbers. Locally, we are up to 65. Another 15. Globally, The UK is now in ninth position with 11,000+ cases. America is in top place with soaring numbers. Chaos prevails.

Everyone is fighting this virus, but will the world ever be the same again? I do not think so. It is a kind of war that we are fighting, and we all know that life changes after a war.

Another thing that I am not sure about. Does the number of cases include all of them or just those tested positive? There are many saying they have it and are self-isolating, but have they been tested or just have possible symptoms? Are there really hundreds more cases than we are told about? Now, that is scary.

Second cuppa time. Enjoy the day whatever it brings. Back later.

Day 5,

Well hello!

Yes, I’m still here although I confess to being a little down yesterday and decided to take a nap in the afternoon. Went back to bed and said goodbye to the cruel world. The sheer numbers are now horrifying, and yesterday it was announced that Boris and other ministers have tested positive. So, a sick man is running our country. Depressing.

Further, yesterday I heard that Birmingham airport is preparing to be a temporary morgue. Now, I like that airport. I have been through it many times to foreign shores, but I am thinking will my next trip be to that morgue? Scary. As a person living alone I’m not in confinement with a family who could be driving me to insanity but if I succumb how will I survive alone? And worst scenario… I could be here for weeks and eventually just my bones found. The rest of me decomposed. So, I’m leaving my Will on the desk, easy to be found. One has to think about these things.

On a brighter note last night I retrieved the Scrabble set and played a solo game. I have decided to have a solo competition by playing many games through this crisis and each time trying to beat my score. Last night it was 500+ and I managed to get 50 points for putting down all seven tiles on one word. Just an idea for both families and singletons. Board games can make a comeback.

Also, last night I ticked three things off my list. So I retired feeling pleased.

Right now, I’m on my second cuppa and it’s 1.28. Yes, really late even for me. However, I have been out this morning. I followed Government guidelines; I was doing my once a week trip for essentials. We all know my essentials are choc, wine, bubble bath and candles and I needed to replace the Easter egg I devoured on Thursday. First, I needed to prepare for the event. That meant gloves, scarf, and First Defence. Now, that First Defence is designed to block the nasal cavities from colds and flu. Does it work against Coronavirus? No idea but what have I got to lose?

Anyway, hit the road Jack time. I passed the Aldi store with an overflowing car park. Forget it. Drove on to M & S and Boots at a local retail park. No queue. Fully stocked shelves. Polite, smiling staff. Boots was an interesting experience. A smiling manager greeted me at the door asking why I was visiting. I said for bubble bath, we have to have luxuries in these uncertain times. She directed me to the correct aisle. I observed that half the store was cordoned off in accordance with the law. Cosmetics etc are not essential and could not be purchased. At the checkout there were crosses on the floor, they looked about a metre apart, where you stood waiting your turn. However, there was only one person in front of me. So, no problem. The whole adventure lasted for less than an hour and it was easy. Forget large supermarkets with queues and empty shelves.

I’m back again and it’s 6.21. I’ve made my afternoon phone call to a pleased victim and had a long chat. I’ve spent time watching television and playing on the computer. It is still light and normally I would be celebrating tonight because the clocks go forward on to BST, and I’d be looking forward to Antonio and ice cream. Dream on! Although, I do feel better than yesterday because I have been out of the house and had a short drive. A change of scenery. Depressing scenery but still a change. Weird for a Saturday. I understand why we are allowed out for daily exercise. I may even do that next week and take a short stroll.

However, with my usual positivity I am thinking of the advantages to this situation. We are under lockdown rules, so no one is visiting. There is no need to wash or dress. Stay in bed all day? Or dress but just wear the same scruffy clothes every day. Who cares? No need to clean up or wash up. No need to wear makeup. Hmmm.

Watching the news. We are looking at a deserted Brighton in contrast to crowded beach last week. It seems that peeps have heeded the warning albeit late in the day. I have checked locally and there were no new cases in the last 24 hours but as a nation we have passed the first thousand mark for fatalities and we have over 17,000 cases. We are also 8th globally. The thought that we could make it to the top is frightening. The USA hold that post with over100,000 cases. Italy has had over 10,000 deaths. It seems that there is no correlation between the countries in relation to fatalities. Germany has over 56,000 cases but only 403 deaths. We have more than twice that number but only 17,000 cases. That should confuse analysts. I also find it interesting that when one person tests positive and self-isolates with the family the family do not automatically catch it. It’s not like Chicken pox or Measles. Is it that some peeps or cultures are more immune than others?