Corona Diaries

Megan

“When the post arrived today I was shocked to receive the thermometer I'd ordered from eBay a few

weeks ago. I thought if it was coming from China, we had no hope of getting it. Where it came from I

have no idea, but it arrived.”

Background Information

Female, aged 55-64, Retired Teacher, South Wales, White, Married to George, with 2 older sons living away from home, Alan and Phillip.

Late March 2020 to beginning of April 2020

Sunday 22 March

Mothering Sunday in the UK. What a strange one! Due to coronavirus that is sweeping the world,

our government has asked that we do not mix with our elderly relatives, as they are the most

vulnerable ones from this disease. Nick told me a few days prior that he wouldn't be coming home

today, he has to protect himself from us due to his health problems encountered over the past two

years. When he said he wouldn't be coming it upset me but now I know it's for the best.

He spent today surfing in the Gower and called at our house on his way home, standing at the front

door and not entering the hall and placed Mother’s Day present on floor. A lovely gift it was too - a

blue snood (neck scarf) from the shop Fat Face. I had two lovely cards from my sons with lovely

comments. I'm so lucky.

Monday 23 March

This morning I had a GP appointment which was booked a few weeks ago but the GP surgeries are

now closed due to the virus and Doctors are telephoning patients at their given time. I have an

ongoing stomach problem and have been prescribed a course of tablets. How to obtain them? The

GP emailed the Pharmacy, and I was told to collect them later today. I have a feeling that a

lockdown won't be far away as this has been seen in China, where the disease began, then Italy and

Spain.

George and I drove down to the Pharmacy only to find people social distancing themselves and

queuing outside the pharmacy. How strange this seems. We decided to go home and return after

5pm in the hope that the queue would be smaller as people would be going home for tea. When we

returned it was quite the opposite - a much longer queue. We had no option but to joined everyone

and wait our turn. The pharmacy had its door open which a board at wait high with a counter and

only a small opening where the dispenser placed the medicines for you to take. This sort of thing up

to now was only seen at banks. There will be a daily briefing at 5pm from the Prime Minister, Boris

Johnson with a daily update on the Covid-19 virus.

Tuesday 24 March LOCKDOWN ANNOUNCED

n announcement to all citizens of the UK via an interrupted TV announcement that a lockdown would begin with immediate effect. The last few days saw pubs, restaurants and leisure facilities close down and a 2 m distancing from each other to be observed. Those living in a household should not have physical contact with friends or family in another household.

What is permitted thought is an essential visit to the supermarket for provisions or to

the pharmacy for medicines and a once-a-day exercise with a 2 m distancing from

those you encounter.

At 9.40 this morning Phil had an MRI at the Hospital. On arrival his temperature was taken

to check if he has coronavirus. Anything with a temperature over 37 degrees denotes a

positive result. He had a negative result, so the procedure went ahead.

Making the most of the weather George has started painting the garden fences and

painting the feature wall in Phil's bedroom, whilst we wait for the bedroom furniture to

arrive. I baked scones and corned beef rissoles.

The post arrived this morning with an official envelope address to me. When I opened it

there was a fine of £70 for driving in a bus lane in the City Centre 21 March. As Phil's car is

registered in my name, it was to me that the fine came despite the fact that it was Phil's

error. We immediately paid the fine, which was reduced to £35 if paid promptly.

We're told there will be no daily briefing at 5pm today but an announcement at 20.30 tonight

by the PM. Seems as if a lockdown is imminent and that's exactly what was announced via

the nation's TV tonight.

Later that evening and following the announcement George received an official email from the

Land Registry, telling all employees to remain at home.

Wednesday 25 March

First full day of lockdown. Yet again a beautiful, sunny day. This morning I washed all the downstairs

windows and polished the surrounds and George continued to paint the fences.

Steve posted a very kind note through the letter box with an offer of help from Macie should we

need it. Phil is remaining in Cardiff and has been working from home for 7 days now. Over the past

few months - December to mid March we've seen terrible flooding in many parts of the UK

but now that we're in lockdown the weather has changed and we've got a beautiful, sunny

day with a temp of 16 degrees. Typical.

Making the most of the weather George has started painting the garden fences and painting

the feature wall in Phil's bedroom, whilst we wait for the bedroom furniture to arrive.

New Zealand begin their month lockdown from midnight on this day.

Thursday 26 March

After finishing painting the shed today, George and I decided to go for a walk up a local

Mountain. There were a few people up there but plenty of room to keep apart. We spotted some

familiar faces in the distance and then who should be chasing our tails but Aimee and Joe.

Unable to walk with them, I phoned her to say we really do love them but at this time unable to

walk together. We walked to the trig point overlooking the village and retraced our steps on the

return walk. The Health app on my phone recorded 14,310 steps walked and run out of battery

by the Church.

The daily PM briefing asked this afternoon if as many people as possible unite at 20.00 tonight by

standing on doorsteps and clapping to show the dedicated NHS staff, who are facing extreme

difficulties in this crisis, to show the nations appreciation.

George and I together with our neighbors stood united on our front doorsteps to thank the NHS

for the wonderful work they are doing. The sound of clapping and shouting could be heard in

streets all around us. Images of people in flats, homes around the country were shown on

the 22.00 BBC News later that evening.

This evening Phil was to celebrate his 24th birthday to see Planet Earth Orchestra Concert

which was cancelled due to the situation which is ongoing.

Friday 27 March

Twenty-four years to this day Phillip was born. Although last nights concert was cancelled last

week, he planned on spending his birthday with friends at their

lodgings in Cardiff with a meal. Unfortunately, that can't happen

because of the lockdown. What a birthday! Spending it alone in his

home with only one housemate as the Italian flatmate went back to

Italy yesterday and the North Wale-an gone back up north. Such a

weird birthday. With just cards and a few presents he spent the day

alone. But with good friends supporting him he received a pizza that

evening delivered from 2 friends. If he couldn't go to theirs for dinner,

they sent it to him. Ahh, a nice thought.

The weather continues to be sunny and spring like with lawn

mowers and hedge cutters being used by people all around us. The

refuge collectors weren't happy this week with many garden refuge

bags put out for collection.

Saturday 28 March

Today was slightly windy, overcast but dry. We decided to walk up Penbar Road, along past

Thean Golf Club then turning right on the public footpath leading to the very top of Rosiel Park,

walking along the footpath behind Lexdaner Road and coming out onto Penbar Road. We met a

friend and her partner along the walk. From near the Golf Club, Sandy Bay was visible and

Bumble Pier. In a field

before entering Rosiel

Park housing estate, a

good view of Llan Major

and Thean were visible

over the River Thean. As

we came back into the

village a man had cut

down a willow tree from

his front garden and we

asked for a few

branches to bring home.

Sunday 29 March

Today was very cold and windy. No walking for us today. Continuing to do household jobs, George waxed the staircase. I didn't have a good night last night and have quite severe stomach pains today. We enjoyed a roast beef lunch before sitting down to watch TV. An eventful day really. Spoke to Phil who is coping quite well. He's keeping occupied by painting.

Monday 30 March News Headlines this morning.

It could be 6 months before normal life is resumed. Boris Johnson has been isolating due to

contracting Covid-19 for several days now as is Dr Harries, chief medical officer. Today Easy Jet has

grounded the entire fleet of aircraft due to the virus. Many countries have forbidden entry of non-

residents. There are several people stranded around the world, unable to return to their native

country because of no flights and borders which have shut. 20,000 retired NHS staff return to work

to help Doctors and nurses.

British Airways staff who have been laid off have been invited to assist medical staff. Make shit

hospitals in leisure centers, sports grounds have been adapted in preparation for more casualties

of the virus. A race still continues to produce more breathing machines with many firms stepping in

to make them and also PPE - personal protective clothing for medical staff. Over the weekend

three senior consultants have died. School children off school are finding ways to keep themselves

busy by drawing rainbows and placing in windows and teddy bears for walkers to see as they pass

by.

Alan has been working from home since lockdown in New Zealand last Wednesday. He's set up an

office at home and manages his staff from there. He's often said that George should retire from his

two day week with the Land Registry but we received a text this morning saying that he now

understands why he is semi-retired and won't finish. Alan is hating being at home and would

rather be in the office or flying around New Zealand to the offices around the country. His favourite

cat, who is deaf sits beside him and follows him everywhere and now she's even taken up

residency on a blanket on his office table.

On line headlines March 30

Tuesday 31 March

George went to Marks and Spencer for the fresh food shop. It was very organised with a one way

system displayed on the floor and 10 people allowed in the shop at one time. Yet again it's a

glorious day so we decided to go for a walk, avoiding people, and went up the Mountain. Instead

of our usual turn left after the rocks we turned right. We'd never walked that way before and what

a treat it was. We were walking through farmers fields and parallel with Forest Glas and over

towards Shor and the Purple Mountains, Sandy Valley, Stormy Hospital, DVLA, South Gwyr,

Bumbles, Bryn Porth, Thean and Llanbryn. This was a perfect 360 degree view. Superb and no

one around. In total we achieved 17,400 steps. I'd made leek and potato soup the day before so

we sat down, tired by now, and enjoyed the soup. We are fortunate to be able to walk into the

countryside and get out for the governments rule of 1 form of exercise per day.

Wednesday 1 April

Today George went to the Pharmacy to collet my prescription of which the GP prescribed over

the phone a few days ago. The queue wasn't too bad according to George and he got home

quicker than I thought he would.

When the post arrived today I was shocked to receive the thermometer I'd ordered from eBay a few

weeks ago. I thought if it was coming from China, we had no hope of getting it. Where it came from

I have no idea, but it arrived.

George decided to start preparing the lounge to paint it-ceiling to floor. Upheaval, so

everything was moved into the dining room.

At 4pm Terry and Francis skyped us. What a fabulous, jaw aching 2 hours we spent on Skype

chatting to them - or Terry chatting to us. We love their company, and we had such a wonderful

afternoon. We played 'Who Lives in A House Like This?' as they gave us a tour around their

mansion, 5 bedrooms would you believe. Of course, we could not return this event, so we too

took to a house tour. I hoped my rooms were as tidy as theirs. At 6.05, first time I'd looked at the

clock since we began the chat, I was shocked to discover we'd been on line for 2 hours and as we

love our food, I politely asked if they'd mind if we'd go to put the casserole in the oven. Wonderful

afternoon.

Thursday 2 April

This evening marks the second Thursday of people standing on their doorsteps at 20.30 and

applauding the NHS for their wonderful, dedicated work. This time I decided to take a saucepan

and wooden spoon to make more noise and to save my hands from being red. Yet again it was

me and our same Neighbors, Hilda joined in too, but I couldn't see her as Phil's van obstructs my

view of her doorstep. George decided to video the event from an upstairs bedroom window.