Corona Diaries

Juliana “Until this happened, I hadn’t realised just how big a part of my life work is, and how much I miss it. I miss

interacting with people and the banter in the office, and although I keep in touch with my teammates via

phone and Zoom it’s not the same. I worried that people might think I wasn’t working, and so I, found

myself glued to my workstation all day”.

Background information Female, Aged 55-64, Employed at Higher Education Institution in South Wales, White, Married to newly retired Husband and Grownup Son 31.

29th April 2020 – First entry This is my sixth week of working from home. Until this happened, I hadn’t realised just how big a part of my

life work is, and how much I miss it. I miss interacting with people and the banter in the office, and

although I keep in touch with my teammates via phone and Zoom it’s not the same. Being new in my job, I

miss being able to ask someone a question. In the early part of the lockdown, I worried that people might

think I wasn’t working, and so I, found myself glued to my workstation all day. I’m a lot better now and I give

myself time away from the computer for lunch and to make a cuppa.

Remotely installing new systems was an ordeal but then it taught me that I could do it myself rather than

relying on others.

The University choir meet via Zoom every Wednesday lunchtime, which is something I really look forward

to. Not just for the singing, but to see and speak to my choir buddies.

At home, we’re together for far longer than we would normally be but we’re getting on alright. My son is a

key worker so he works partly in the office and partly at home. My husband retired a few weeks

ago. I’m sure he was looking forward to quiet days but now finds himself sharing space with two

others. Luckily, we had a workshop built in readiness for his retirement and he is very happy in there

pottering away, upcycling furniture.

My son and his fiancée can’t physically see one another but they chat for hours on Facebook. They do fun

things like having remote drinks and snacks, and play D and D online with friends from all over the UK and

Europe.

In my downtime, I’ve sorted out the loft, and the garden’s looking better than it has for a long

time. There’s still lots to do but I’m not worrying about it.

Of course there are days when I’m low is spirits but I’m trying to counteract that. I’ve started working out

which might help lessen the damage being done by the extra biscuits! I’m studying for a project

management qualification. Now seemed the ideal time, but I’m not a hundred percent convinced of that

now!

We’ve had a few minor disasters like my husband accidentally getting white paint onto our new black

sofa (which came off), a flat battery on the car and the cooker temporarily not working, but if that’s all we

have to worry about then we’ll be fine.

We are also using the time to plan for the future. Thinking about where will we go on holidays, or away for

the weekend when all this is over. Making lists of jobs that need doing like retiling the bathroom.

Late May 2020

This is now the tenth week of working from home. Work wise I’m pretty busy helping to prepare for an

internal audit and annual review. The general consensus is that it will be quite some time before we return

to the workplace.

Even though I totally support the lockdown I am missing going out and about. It will be great when we can

move about more freely and see our relatives and friends. Today (29th May 2020) the Welsh Parliament

have announced that from Monday 1st June, we in Wales, can meet people from a different household in an

outside space such as garden, park or beach within a 5 mile radius, and that vulnerable people can go

outside for the first time in months.

Politically the UK is in turmoil.

Throughout this pandemic, the governments of the four countries of the UK have updated their advice in

a three week cycle. Up until now, they have more or less been in line with each other, using the slogan –

Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save the NHS. That was until May 10th 2020 when despite the death toll still at

over 600 people a day, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that in England, people can drive

wherever they like; meet with people in an open space, encouraged people to go back work from the next

day, and changed the slogan for England to Be Alert. This has caused confusion as people from England

thought the new rules included Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The three countries have had to issue

warnings that they are not open to visitors. There are images in the media of packed tube trains, buses and

beaches. People are worried there will be a second wave of Covid19.

In late May it came to light, that in March (and possibly April), the chief government advisor, Dominic

Cummings travelled to see family in Durham and was seen at Barnard Castle, a local beauty spot. His

actions were defended by Boris Johnson which made things worse. Dominic Cummings held a press

conference to explain his actions. He said that both he and his wife had shown symptoms of Covid-19, and

due to childcare issues, decided to make a 260 mile journey from London to Durham where they could

isolate in an empty cottage on his parents farm, and be supported by family members. He went on to say

that prior to returning to London, and in order to test his eyesight, he drove with his wife and young child, 30

minutes to and from Barnard Castle. On the way back from the castle the child wanted to go to the toilet so

they stopped in woods, and then decided to play there for a while. It is widely believed that this whole story

is fantasy, and in fact they went to Durham for a family celebration. This has caused uproar not just

amongst ordinary people but from MPs of all parties, doctors and religious leaders, who are asking for him

to be sacked or resign.

Locally we have a Coronavirus testing centre at the local football stadium which is quite a sobering

thought.

One of my brothers lives in rural South West Wales where until recently Covid-19 seemed to be something

happening elsewhere in cities and other urban conurbations. His nearest neighbour has now tested positive

for coronavirus which has shaken the whole community. The gentleman works in Manchester during

the week, and is believed to have contracted it there.

Sadly, we recently lost a childhood friend to cancer. Because of Covid-19 only immediate family could

attend his funeral. Some friends living closer to him lined the route to pay their respects. He was only 61.

His wife died in July last year so their three sons have lost both parents in less than a year.

Giving blood during the lockdown has been a new experience. I normally give at my place of work but I was

asked to attend a special session in a theatre. It was a bit surreal and I had a brief glimpse of what it must

be like to be in a coronavirus ward in a hospital where everyone is masked and you can only see their

eyes. It was odd being distanced from my fellow blood donors. The staff were so welcoming, and I’ve never

been thanked so much for giving blood.

On a positive note I’m spending my spare time making a miniature wedding room for my future daughter in

law. Due to the lockdown we haven’t seen her since March, so I think it will be a nice surprise for her. So

far, I’ve made the room itself, a wedding cake and stand, a sweet cart and sweets, and two topiary

trees. I’ve still got to make the bride and groom from dolly pegs, a flower arrangement and some

decorations. I’m really enjoying it.