As documented in a previous blog that I wrote, although lockdown is not compulsory here it is recommended that people over 70 should self-isolate. I would dearly love to say that I am not in that age group but then my nose would grow, and then grow some more. So for once in my life I decided to be sensible and am doing the right thing by myself and others.
Up to Day 16 I had only been out for my flu jab and to pick up some milk but then I got an SOS from my friend who lives just over the road from me and whose self-isolation has been in the same time-frame as mine, asking me if I would go for a drive with her in her car as she needed to get out of the house. She had two reasons for wanting this. One reason was that if she didn’t drive now and then she felt that she would lose confidence in her ability to do so. The other reason was that her adult son who lives with her was driving her crazy. Previous to the virus outbreak he was very involved with lots of things, all of which are now no longer on the go, so he is spending far more time in the house than he normally would. I did ask had it got to the stage where I should come and remove all the sharp knives in the house.
I never thought I would say this, never in a million years, but for once I am almost glad that during this time I am living on my own – though I do say ‘almost’. The only person I can argue with is me, the only person who can annoy me is me.
I did go for that drive with my friend on Day 16 but once again I was happy to get back home.
I had put a book on hold at the Library but it was taking them so long to get it that I got fed-up waiting and bought it online, albeit with an Australian company. When it was delivered the man almost threw it down and made a hasty retreat. It must be very worrisome for people delivering goods. I wiped over the packaging and then over the book – I wondered if I was being a bit paranoid but no, this is what we have to do. I didn’t know who might have handled the parcel before I got it.
On Day 17 my oldest son came (he lives about an hour’s drive from here) to make sure I really was okay. I keep telling them all that I am but knowing me as well as he does, and knowing how independent I am – or at least try to be, he wanted to see me face-to-face to put his mind at ease. We did the right thing, sat outside under the carport (I had to wear a thick jacket because it was coldish) and kept our distance. No hugs. He had brought me some yummy goodies which was really nice of him.
The thing is that his wife suffers from MS and although she manages this well her immune system is not that great, and so he is doing everything he can to avoid the virus, hence us keeping to the distance suggested. Of course, this was for my sake as much as for his.
To be quite honest I am getting very used to this isolation and think I will find it rather strange when we can all mingle as we did before. I mustn’t get too used to it though as that could cause problems. For instance, I might lose the ability to talk to people and to me that would be disastrous – though might be a relief to them.
Up to Day 16 I had only been out for my flu jab and to pick up some milk but then I got an SOS from my friend who lives just over the road from me and whose self-isolation has been in the same time-frame as mine, asking me if I would go for a drive with her in her car as she needed to get out of the house. She had two reasons for wanting this. One reason was that if she didn’t drive now and then she felt that she would lose confidence in her ability to do so. The other reason was that her adult son who lives with her was driving her crazy. Previous to the virus outbreak he was very involved with lots of things, all of which are now no longer on the go, so he is spending far more time in the house than he normally would. I did ask had it got to the stage where I should come and remove all the sharp knives in the house.
I never thought I would say this, never in a million years, but for once I am almost glad that during this time I am living on my own – though I do say ‘almost’. The only person I can argue with is me, the only person who can annoy me is me.
I did go for that drive with my friend on Day 16 but once again I was happy to get back home.
I had put a book on hold at the Library but it was taking them so long to get it that I got fed-up waiting and bought it online, albeit with an Australian company. When it was delivered the man almost threw it down and made a hasty retreat. It must be very worrisome for people delivering goods. I wiped over the packaging and then over the book – I wondered if I was being a bit paranoid but no, this is what we have to do. I didn’t know who might have handled the parcel before I got it.
On Day 17 my oldest son came (he lives about an hour’s drive from here) to make sure I really was okay. I keep telling them all that I am but knowing me as well as he does, and knowing how independent I am – or at least try to be, he wanted to see me face-to-face to put his mind at ease. We did the right thing, sat outside under the carport (I had to wear a thick jacket because it was coldish) and kept our distance. No hugs. He had brought me some yummy goodies which was really nice of him.
The thing is that his wife suffers from MS and although she manages this well her immune system is not that great, and so he is doing everything he can to avoid the virus, hence us keeping to the distance suggested. Of course, this was for my sake as much as for his.
To be quite honest I am getting very used to this isolation and think I will find it rather strange when we can all mingle as we did before. I mustn’t get too used to it though as that could cause problems. For instance, I might lose the ability to talk to people and to me that would be disastrous – though might be a relief to them.