Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #3

Posted byFractured Faith BlogPosted inA Fractured FaithTags:, , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s Day 7/14 of our enforced self isolation. Fionnuala and Hannah are recovering well while Adam, Rebecca and myself continue to display no symptoms. As the schools have closed, our kitchen has turned into an online classroom, where the girls busy themselves with coursework forwarded by their teachers. Adam has been busy in our garage, which has been converted into a gym, focusing on his rehabilitation from knee reconstruction surgery last November.

Yesterday we phoned through a grocery order to the village shop who delivered it later in the day. It felt weird, imprisoned in the house, as our order was left on the doorstep by staff wearing latex gloves. We are very grateful, though, for their kind gesture in caring for those in the community unable to visit the shop in person at present. Only a week to go and we will be able to venture out into the world again. But there are even tighter restrictions in place now.

Last night, our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, made a televised address, announcing new travel restrictions which many refer to as a ‘lockdown.’ People were instructed to stay at home unless they were shopping for food or collecting medical supplies; they are allowed to exercise outside once a day and only travel to work where ‘absolutely necessary’ and work from home where possible. Social gatherings are to be restricted to no more than two persons.

All stores selling non essential goods are to close. Legislation is being rushed through Parliament giving police the powers to enforce the above restrictions if required. This followed the idiotic behaviour of thousands at the weekend who flocked to markets, beaches and parks despite strong advice not to do so; they put their own selfish pleasure before the greater good. We will never know how many were needlessly infected because of their selfish, thoughtless behaviour.

My workplace has closed to the public with only a skeleton staff in place to deal with urgent matters. Staff are being placed on a rota to attend the office as required. At present, given the nature of my specific role, I’m being asked to remain at home. I will be contacted if needed, it is the weirdest of enforced holidays. I’m occupying myself on helping with household chores, home schooling the kids, promoting my first book and working on edits for its sequel.

The crisis is bringing out the best in people…and the worst. The doctors and nurses in our National Health Service (NHS) are performing heroics as are other essential key workers. Local communities are uniting to help their elderly and more vulnerable members. Many are making selfless sacrifices although the core message is a simple one. In order to defeat the virus, protect the NHS and save lives we must stay at home. It’s as simple as that. Keep inside and get caught up on all those box sets you’ve always meant to watch.

Published by Fractured Faith Blog

We are Stephen and Fionnuala and this is our story. We live in Northern Ireland, have been married for 17 years and have three kids - Adam, Hannah and Rebecca. We hope that our story will inspire and encourage others. We have walked a rocky road yet here we are today, together and stronger than ever. We are far from perfect and our faith has been battered and bruised. But an untested faith is a pointless faith. Just as a fractured faith is better than none at all. We hope you enjoy the blog.

50 thoughts on “Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #3”

  2. Hope things keep moving in the right direction for you. I’m glad that BBC have added some more to iPlayer because not everyone is going to be able to keep affording paid subscriptions to other services.

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  5. You and your country are not alone.
    I live in Canada and most places are also in lock down.
    Only essential services are allowed to remain open.
    It sounds like you have things under control within your family.
    Keep the faith and carry on!

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  9. There’s a total lockdown in Italy until April 3. All quarantined. We can only go out for the essentials and only in our hometown. We’re lucky we live in the country so we can go out. And same here, if two weeks ago people didn’t go skiing and to the beach perhaps the virus wouldn’t have spread so much. You all keep safe.

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  11. You are certainly right in that this situation is bringing out the best & worst in people. There are 2 distinct sets of people, the selfish and the rest of us who have a community spirit and trying to save the NHS.

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  13. Take care of yourself, I live in Pennsylvania and schools will stay close until at least April 14, if not longer, my husband’s job had to closed he works in the state of New York, this is serious. My oldest who is chronically ill will be tested on Friday. My prayers are with everyone battling this terrible virus

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  14. Pingback: We each bear our own burdens – worry-less-journey

  15. I am happy to see you all doing well.It’s pretty much the same in the United States. Everywhere is on lockdown with outing only allowed for food or medicine.

    On Tue, Mar 24, 2020 at 10:24 AM Fractured Faith Blog wrote:

    > Fractured Faith Blog posted: ” It’s Day 7/14 of our enforced self > isolation. Fionnuala and Hannah are recovering well while Adam, Rebecca and > myself continue to display no symptoms. As the schools have closed, our > kitchen has turned into an online classroom, where the girls busy thems” >

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. Stay safe. Here in Kenya, it’s pretty much the same. School and universities are closed as are non essential businesses. Restaurants only offer take away and delivery, and social gatherings have been banned. Many church services are streaming online as funerals are restricted to only 15 immediate family members. Public service vehicles must carry 2/3 of their normal paasengers. We are preparing for a 7 pm to 5 am lockdown as from tomorrow. I ask myself the same question you do. Why are people so stubborn ? Some people refuse to self
    quarantine and and act recklessly. A priest in a Kenyan province recently travelled to Rome, and came back , ignored quarantine and proceeded to officiate a mass and burial. He later tested positive and people he came into contact with are being traced. Humans are just stubborn.

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  23. Thankyou for such clear portrayal of the current situation there. It is also encouraging to know how people are coming together and putting effort to fight together. All payers and good wishes to you. 💕 Also Ireland has been a dream destination for me, wish to visit someday.

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