I cannot remember a time as we are currently living. The media keeps on talking about that there hasn’t been a medical crises like this in a generation. Well I looked up how long is a generation: the consensus seems to be 30 years. That would take me back to when I was in my late twenty’s’. The only thing that I can think of that was the the AIDS campaign back in the early eighties, but in all honesty the two just do not compare.
I, like at least 1.5 million others am in total lockdown. This means that I am not advised, and in fact as Michael Gove reiterated in yesterdays Coronavirus Downing Street briefing, am Instructed not to leave the house at all. I would not have thought that it would be so bloody tough.
One of the toughest things that I am finding is the lack of human contact. Up until yesterday, I had not set eyes on let alone speak to, another person. Even if I opened my door to get a bit of fresh air, the streets are deserted. It is a very surreal situation, one that is difficult to cope with whatever your situation and yet cope with it we must. The thought of not coping with it is just too awful to even deliberate upon. The more people do not isolate, the more people will die. I saw a clip on the television the other day that really bought it home to me. I’m not sure where it was, that is in fact irrelevant, but a police officer was encouraging people to go home. They were ignoring him, until he got out his taser, pointed it at them and told them in no uncertain terms “you are killing people by not going home”. Wow! That really hit home for me. I have absolutely no understanding of people who are ignoring these instructions that are there simply to save lives.
Another thing that has struck me and this is on a completely personal level.
I have, on occasions contemplated taking my own life. I have also done things inadvertently to achieve this, like stop taking my medications. It took a therapist to point out to me, that this was an extreme act of self harm. But now that we are all in the same situation, where if we are not careful then death is possible, I am doing everything I can to prevent it! I was talking about this to my therapist during our last session via a video call, strange in itself! She asked me why did I think that I felt like that. I had to give it very little thought. It is a matter of control. I have no control over this pandemic, not really. If I want to end end it all, then I want or even need to be in control of that. It has to be my decision, not that of a microscopic organism.
One other thing that I want to mention and this is just an observation. The medical authorities in the United States have stated that it is advisable to wear a face mask during this crises. Whether you think that is sound advice is irrelevant to my point. President Trump has stated, that it is very unlikely that he will will adhere to this advice, he more or less stated that it would make him look silly if he wore one in the Oval Office. Who does the man think he is? He is the leader of the worlds most powerful and arguably the most influential nation. It is his duty to follow what the medical advice is. Ultimately it does not matter if it makes any difference or not. It cannot do any harm. Does he think that because he is President that he is automatically immune for the virus? I know that I am not American and I hope that my comments does not offend any American who reads this, not my intention. It is as I said just an observation.
I shall stop here. Keep well and keep safe.
Vince's weight loss and life as a survivor! 
Hi Vince, I was very glad to read your blog as you hadn’t written one for a little while and I was wondering if you were ok. We are going through the same , often slow realisation, here “down under” that this is actually serious! I was talking to my mum a couple of weeks ago, just before her aged care home went into complete lockdown, and she compared the current crisis to when WW2 first broke out. (Fortunately at least without the air raids!). It’s particularly hard on my Mum, who’ll be 90 this year, as she’s essentially bed-ridden in the aged care home and her highlight of her week is weekend visits from the family. I received an update from the home last week confirming that the lock-down had been extended from the initial “15 days” to “indefinitely”. They also urged all family members to get a Flu Vaccination ASAP since, even when the lockdown ends, we will only be allowed to visit if we have proof that we’ve had a Flu Vaccination. I agree that, whereas the fast majority are taking this seriously, there are still one or two numpties who just don’t get it. (I think Trump is finally understanding that this is not actually a “Hoax” or just about him, but I’m not still convinced he fully gets it! His supporters must be confused by his rambling (and dangerous) nonsense he persists with (including one fruitcake pastor who insists on holding normal Easter services for his 1800 member congregation, even though live-streaming is available!). I understand how isolated you must feel and hope you find ways to manage this. I am thankful that my wife Kate is also working from home with me (although that comes with its own set of problems!😂). We also have a young student from Bhutan staying with us. We reluctantly ventured out to do a massive shop yesterday and now have enough supplies for the next 3 or 4 weeks. We went through a de-sterilisation process when we got home, including a complete change of clothes, shower and placing all the shopping “in quarantine” for 3 days before touching it to ensure any potential virus is dead. Very strange days indeed! Take care and stay safe! If it’s any consolation, we’re all in isolation together! I think that when people’s lives are at stake we have no choice. Malcolm
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I recall my gran, who was born in the late 1800s, talking about the “Spanish” flu of 1918/19. No nhs then. My gran caught it and no one expected her to live. But her older brother came home on leave from the army and forced whiskey into her! They always swore it was the whiskey which cured her 🙂 And so I am here 🙂 So when this pandemic was heading towards us like a run away train I treated myself to a bottle of Southern Comfort. My idea is that if I get ill I can have some and feel connected to all those who have travelled the path previously. Anyway a hot toddy is always a good idea 🙂
I am blessed here to have a garden. I really can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to not have that luxury at the moment. I feel the govt should have asked councils to arrange some sort of rota for use of outside spaces by people who are totally trapped but not required to completely self isolate.
My heart goes out to all those on the most at risk register. But, if we all continue to isolate properly, the vast majority will be fine. That doesn’t of course remove the fear 🙁 But following all the hand washing guidelines etc does reduce the fear.
As ever Trump is an embarrassing idiot!
Keep posting!
Hopefully we will soon be out of the other side 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
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