Staying Home: Day 1

Until yesterday, although coronavirus was a growing threat, the UK had largely carried on as normal. Last night new measures and recommendations for social distancing were announced, including working from home where possible and avoiding as much social interaction as possible. People over the age of 70 and those with certain underlying health conditions have been advised to be particularly strict in following the guidelines, and it seems probable that from the end of this week they will be expected to stay at home for up to twelve weeks. I have been asthmatic for ten years and have been struggling with something viral / post-viral since the beginning of the year; M was recently diagnosed with asthma and has compromised breathing due to scoliosis. That means both of us will be staying home.

Twelve weeks (or more, or less - who knows!) without any of our usual activities or social events will be quite a change. The extent of the change will vary for each of us. I went into work this morning to collect some stuff that will allow me to work at home for the duration (so in truth not quite a staying home day). As an archivist working at home isn't easy, as I can't bring actual documents home with me, but I have managed to sort out enough constructive and useful things to do to keep me busy for the two days a week I normally spend there. Over the last couple of years the freelance work M does at home has taken off, and I work with him on it for probably a day to a day and a half a week on average. That isn’t likely to be significantly affected by the coronavirus shutdown, so we will both have at least some work to do while we are home.

M will be taking leave of absence from his work with the NHS 111 service. That simply cant be done at home, and being in a busy call centre with lots of other people for several hours at a time wouldn't be sensible for someone in his 60s with slightly dodgy lungs. He feels a bit guilty given the pressure the service is now under, but it is what it is. Currently schools are still open, so teen daughter will be in school until either the Easter break or when they decide to close, whichever comes first. Student daughter will be home on Saturday, as universities are switching to online classes. She is very close to the end of her course and it seems likely she won't need to go back much if at all, except to collect her stuff. Having her home means we can rely on her to do errands and shopping for us, so keeping away from other people will be easier.

To "celebrate" Day 1 of the new regime we bought dinner from the mobile fish and chip van that comes to our estate every Tuesday, thinking it may well be the last time it would be here for a while. In fact, being outdoors makes it much easier for customers to keep their distance and they hope to keep running. I hope they can. M and Teen Girl went and he waited in the car while she bought the food and ran into the local shop for milk.