“You can’t fail at this - there is no roadmap, no precedent”*
Two months ago coronavirus was something that was happening far far away in Wuhan, China and like most people I don’t think I thought it was going to affect us. Four weeks ago social distancing and lockdown were things that were happening in other places, here, we were still going about our everyday business as normal – I remember my last run with my running buddy before social distancing measures were put in place – an unremarkable run on a beautiful sunny day – so pleased that spring seemed to be finally on it’s way after such a wet few weeks.
By the end of the following week I was working from home and my running buddy and I were running two metres apart and all we talked about was coronavirus, no sweaty hug at the end of the run. The same weekend the boy played what turned out to be his last match of the football season – the boys elbow fived at the end of the match and I think there was a feeling amongst the parents that we wouldn’t be seeing each for a while. The Premier League had already been suspended and grass roots football was to follow soon after.
By the end of the next week the three schools my children attend were all closed except to children of key workers and homeschooling had begun, followed closely by lockdown.
I know that lockdown is different in each country, here in the UK lockdown means you can only leave home for the four following reasons:
Shopping for basic necessities such as food and medicine – shopping trips should be as infrequent as possible
One form of exercise a day – this should be done alone or only with people you live with
Any medical need or to provide care or help a vulnerable person (this includes moving children under 18 between their parents’ homes
Travelling to and from work, but only where work absolutely cannot be done from home
We have now been in lockdown for two weeks and there have been so many ups and downs and bumps in the road along the way. There have been more tears than I can shake a stick at (I admit I have hidden in the loo more than once and just cried)– the craziness of the situation can creep up on you and take your breath away – the life we took for granted has just disappeared almost overnight. And I think it is that the boy has struggled with so much – there was no warning, no getting used to it, it all happened so quickly and so suddenly that the change has been totally overwhelming for him.
We have found huge positives though:
Facetime and Zoom are the new going out – the kids have had playdates, we have done quizzes and I have even been to the theatre via Zoom! (No need for a designated driver or a dash to make the last train home!)
We have been out to the park and played frisbee as a family every day – and the dog has wallowed in the same smelly muddy puddle every day. We are not getting any better at frisbee but our excuses for being so poor are definitely improving
I kind of like the queuing surreally around the Sainsburys car park with everyone at 2 metres distance – it feels like I am in a scene from Shaun of the Dead – somehow the calm sunny plane free skies make it feel even more bizarre (I am naturally an introvert so if there is some way to make everyone respect the 2 metre rule once this is all done count me in!)
The clapping on our street on a Thursday night for the NHS and key workers is so overwhelming and bloody emotional!
We have tried hard to find something positive everyday and we try really hard to concentrate on what we can do rather than what we can’t do. And we have found things to laugh at in amongst the craziness too.
And on that lighter note I watched “Contagion” last night – anyone else think it was a good idea to watch Hollywood’s idea of what life would be like during a global pandemic? Nice try Hollywood but I found myself watching and saying out loud “no it is not like that!” Please make more Tiger King – that is just so car-crash but so hilarious!
It is now Easter holidays here and I know it will feel very different to normal school holidays but we have lots of staycation activities planned. I would love to hear how you are staying sane during the lockdown and your suggestions for keeping the kids occupied, oh and Netflix suggestions gratefully received!
Let’s all take this one day at a time and please please please #stayhome
Stay safe and much love
Jane x
*From an article by Margie Donlon