Corona Diaries

Sally “Still using what’s app to stay in touch with family and friends, we are so lucky to have technology, its being able to see people which is great.”

Background Information Female, aged 55-64, working as a Property Steward, South West of England, White, Married to Gordon, 2 grown up children.

May 2020 Well things have started to improve, thank goodness for the continuing good weather. Boris speech on the 10th May has seen a relaxation, but my unrealistic expectations was for more. Thursdays clap for carers, everyone is still out some with instruments and pots and pans. We had a VE day celebration in the back lane with neighbours, all socially distanced, it was a great afternoon. Two of our neighbours are 90 this year, they came out we set up a table and chair outside their back gates, they loved it. Sandwiches, cream tea, and a gin. My brother’s mothering law was 90, it was lovely we had a video call they'd set her up on a chair outside in the garden of her flat friends and family popped by. she had a lovely day. Not what they’d planned, also my sister-in-law was 65 at the end of the month so another lockdown birthday. Gordon took the week ending the 15th off. It was nice to spend time, although I’ve been busy whilst he’s been working it has been long days. So glad that I have had a routine getting up with him in a morning not lounging around, I do need structure, to stay positive. Whilst he was off, we’ve got up early and done some projects in the garden had a daily walk. We also went to B&Q wow!!! first time out of Falmouth in 7 weeks. We collected some compost and pasties, and went to Bea’s, who I video call every day. She was delighted with the compost. We sat in her garden ate pasties we took our own drinks. then went for a walk and came home. It was good for all of us even though we slightly broke the rules!! Gordon was delighted to get back playing golf, on the 13th, he really enjoyed it. Video calling is so good we chat to Elizabeth in Australia, although they are in lockdown, they can get out. She is struggling for money, so we care keeping her going, from bank of mum and dad. Have had some good walks this month, as have met up with friends, however it’s been bit painful as plantar fasciitis has started again, I know it’ll go as quick as it came. Had some bad news about my auntie, she is in hospital, they are not certain what’s wrong, my cousin Rachel is struggling as her mum is in Manchester and she is in London. She wouldn’t be able to visit

anyway, but it’s hard for the family knowing she’s poorly, at the moment she’s not well enough to ring. She has an aneurysm, and a virus in her sinuses. She is in the right place. Had a webinar with work, they are good at keeping us updated. My job in the shop, Jessica is fine and has set up online which is going well. Bea has been over for lunch at the end of the month we sat in the garden she came in the back gate, all very strange but great to be together. Naomi who is teaching I speak to most days, it's all very full on. She is worried about the children who are struggling at home. She has dropped by with work and collected from for those that don’t have computers, she’s even bought colouring things for some. It highlights the haves and have-nots. Thank heavens for Chris Evans radio show, it’s so upbeat. Still not watching the news as its upsetting and makes me uptight!!! Actually, I have lockdown Tourette’s when it’s on.

June 2020 Well, what a month a few Birthdays mine included, with my friend Bea’s we are both the 8th. We had cream tea at another friends in the garden very strange, no hugs, but a lovely day. This month we celebrated 34 years of marriage, we had a what’s app call with the girls. My auntie Dany’s birthday, who’s in hospital, more positive news, she has turned a corner but will be in a while and has video called my cousins. She was moved three times each time had to be isolated when she went to a new hospital. She has nothing but praise for the NHS. I’ve been helping Jessica at the shop which has been good to be doing something other than projects at home. I’ve carried on with weekly litter picks around my area, so amazed at the rubbish??? Have visited a couple of National Trust gardens: Glendurgan and Godolphin. The pre booking worked well and good to see the gardens, they’ve worked hard through lockdown to maintain them. We visited St Ives on Saturday 27th June, took some great pics, but will never sit on our local beach again in June with just 6 people!!! Contacted my cousin after 30 years it was his 65th, was good to chat, and we are going to keep in touch. Still using what’s app to stay in touch with family and friends, we are so lucky to have technology, its being able to see people which is great. A great end to the month being unfurloughed on the 29th, have attended a few webinars, and have done covid training online. Went in for a training on the 29th, certainly felt confident with everything that is being put in place for staff and visitors, it will be a very different experience, but great to be back. I have 16 shifts for the moth and 4 shifts in the shop for Jessica. A little apprehensive, but it’s good to see things moving forward.

Naomi has decided to come down for the summer she is going to have a week in Bristol when she finishes school do some prep for September then down in Cornwall from the 28th of July.

July 2020 Well wow the number of visitors after the 4th of July has steadily built. It’s amazing how quick I’ve got used to quieter roads and streets, that now everything is building, and by the end of the month, the calm pleasant feeling had gone, seems to be more impatience and lack of tolerance. There are still a few people on furlough at work some are shielding, quite a few colleagues were struggling at first. The fact that visitors had to pre book and then not all the sites being open, some visitors were quite put out and angry. A few comments at work and the shop Didn’t think there was a problem down here I've come away to get away from all that corona virus just a few comments. The majority of people were so happy that they could be out and about. I understand frustrations but it is a worldwide pandemic. As the month wore on the social distancing was getting less as people relaxed. Chatting to visitors about their lockdown experiences, has made me grateful for living by the sea, and having such great walks, and having a garden. I’ve been very lucky. Have managed to meet up with a few friends and kept up video calling with Bea daily and have had a few calls with my auntie so good that she is recovering, it’s going to be awhile, but she’ll get there What’s app is my favourite thing. My brother is doing ok, considering retirement, he’s realised that life is good and there’s lots to do, corona has had a positive there. It’s been a busy month getting back into routine, so glad I continued to get up with Gordon, and had good structure to my days. I've carried on with my litter picks and still amazed at how much I collect, now its face masks and gloves!!! The weather has been fabulous, how lucky are we. So lovely to see Naomi, she arrived the 28th, Gordon hasn’t seen her since Christmas and me it was February. It will be great to video call with Elizabeth the 4 of us together. Elizabeth has got job so don’t have to send any more money to help, she’s planning road trip, she can take holiday at her job, but will be staying in Perth for foreseeable. Face coverings mandatory, have a collection in my bag it’s so alien, but we must do it. Greatest day of the Month having my hair cut, very strange temp check on entry, masks etc but great.

August 2020 Well, what a month the town was sooooo busy, social distancing ???? the town had keep left but it wasn’t happening. Work was at capacity very day, still a few not happy about it. Loving being back at work, it is very different but still feels very safe. We are kept up to date about any changes. “Eat out to help out”, found a few places that are doing it really well. There are some that aren’t, but they got visits from the council.

Had a few incidents at the shop where customers were quite put out that they couldn’t try on clothes, we had few times where they’d said another shop in town was letting them try on, both Jess and I had a couple of aggressive people, as were alone in the shop felt quite vulnerable. We mentioned to the town council, and there was a reiteration of what was allowed, and we had no more incidents. it has been difficult for business, but some have done it really well. We had some days out with Naomi, I’m loving this pre booking and time slots. She had a great time beach, walks and chilling. She is worried about September, and what procedures will be in place in school, she’s had a few video calls and has spent quite a bit of time planning. August brought a few challenges with wet weather days, so many people camping. Jessica put her closing down sale posters up, the lease is up, so she’s going all online. Less hassle. Shopping is ok with the face-masks Sainsbury’s has the best system locally, Lidl it’s a bit of a free for all, so not going there. It does seem strange though, but if it helps then it must be done. My auntie is home from hospital, and we had a few video calls, it’s going to take time but fantastic news. Have managed walks and catchups on my days off. It’s still strange not having a hug from some of my friends. Met up with Julie who I’ve not seen since March… it was good. Gordon is out on the golf course and managed a few competitions. He’s had a few issues at work with colleagues being complacent about face coverings and social distancing. Think he needs some time off. Thinking about getting ahead with Christmas, have written lists, and have started a few craft projects. Heard from Monday craft club they are looking to starting up again after October half term, not sure how it will work yet, but looking forward to it.

September 2020 Well, its quieter at work still a few holidaymakers about, more than in previous years. Still people on furlough, it’s so hard to see what the future will hold. Worked a lot this month, as people have left, and they are not recruiting. Rachel my cousin came down, we had a great few days, lots of coastal walking, we had lots of laughter. A great catch up with my auntie by video call. It was her birthday whilst she was down, and it was Gordons the day before she arrived. So, we had pasties on the beach and birthday cake. Had my eye test which I'd put off from March, a bit of a different experience but very well organised. Needed new reading glasses. Managed to meet up with a few friends over the month for coffee, we are thinking it’ll be more difficult over the winter months. It’s very concerning the R rate rising, but the country can’t afford another lockdown. I was going to visit my brother, but they are in a local lockdown. I’m worried about the winter but just have to take it as it comes.

Bea and I are still video calling daily, it’s great. Looking at work, we are going to weekends only till February, have requested a couple of shifts a month. It will be good if there are some shifts as I think it’s going to be a long winter. Overall, I've remained positive throughout these last few months. It's been tough at times; I’ve struggled most with not seeing people. Every so often I have a wobble, what if I got corona?? or Gordon got it. I do know a few people who have had it, they’ve all recovered differently two people have had a slow recovery but are ok. I’m optimistic for next year, still think we’ll be living with masks and social distancing, but it will get better. I’m more appreciative of where I live, and love being with friends and family, so will continue to make time. I will continue with letter writing/postcards and video calls to stay in touch. I will continue with litter picks. I’m concerned that world hasn’t learned enough is enough and we need to do things differently. The news service is so negative and has an impact on people, as does social media, I’d like to think that we can change that for the better. I’ll continue to Listen to Chris Evans in a morning cause the positivity is great. What I'm most sad about is that the collective being kind didn’t continue, that intolerance seems to show quite frequently. I’ve found keeping small notes about my month, good to look back on and I’ll continue to do it.