My 12th lockdown blog. In a way the time has flown by, in other ways it drags interminably. Today is grey and chilly. The weather forecasters predicted a warm weekend and there were fears people would leave their homes and flaunt government instructions to stay at home. Hopefully the cooler conditions will dissuade anyone from being so selfish and irresponsible. It’s sad people still put their own needs first at a time of national emergency.
There are now 56 dead in Northern Ireland and over 4300 across the United Kingdom as a whole. Over 700 people lost their lives yesterday and the experts say the peak is still 7-10 days away. Some predict it will be Easter Sunday which would be a very symbolic date for many. Before all that, though, there will be many more deaths, many more grieving families. I am hopeful but there is still a very long way to go.
Some are already looking forward to lockdown conditions being relaxed. I personally believe it is much too early to think of that. We are in this for the long haul and cannot underestimate this virus. Give it an inch and it will take a mile. It shows no mercy, offers no parley. It is a relentless, indiscriminate killer and nobody is safe from it. Black, white, old, young, gay, straight, whatever your political or religious beliefs. It cares not.
I’m going for a run with Adam later, if he ever surfaces from his bed. Fionnuala is rearranging the kitchen with the radio blaring. Rebecca has been taking Charlie for his daily walk while Hannah occupies herself online and pottering about her room. We have a routine in the most extraordinary of situations. We are a family and the five of us will come through this together, stronger than before. Stay safe everyone.
Black Thoughts 
Bad reason to remember that it’s time -our friend and our enemy – that brings people closer together. There’s no worse reason to tend to love than this horrid virus that leaves the dead in ice rinks, allowing only 10 to a funeral service. But why wait to pay respects to the end? Let this virus teach us one thing: love is all that matters, not only in the end but from the moment we’re born. Love separates us from all the forms of life including viruses. I don’t think there’s a form of flu to flu love but it does remind us to love our people. Be kind, be mindful, be generous not hoarders, talk instead of shopping, dance instead of catching the train or forcing ourselves to a spin class (yuck imho). Or think. We have less time to think than as a species we’ve ever had. I’m certain creativity and innovation will spill out of our doors with us when we are truly ready to emerge and see the light of day through more empathetic and loving eyes.
“I’ve seen all good people turn their heads each day so satisfied I’m on my way” from an old Yes song. Let’s look at this as a very ugly fire drill. I don’t believe this will be the last of the viral infections gone wild. It’s a beautiful day when you HAVE time to wait for one of your kids to go on a run outside, isn’t it?
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Thank you very much for you words 🙂
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Oh, the value of routine. I am not opposed to some spontaneity and do truly enjoy trying new things. But the past three weeks have really shown me how much better I am working within the constraints or predictability of a routine. Some disruptions do produce wonderful results, but too often I let the lack of routine be another hidden weight upon my shoulders. We will get through this.
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We will. I am enjoying the lie ins, though 🙂
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I couldn’t agree with more, regarding obeying the shelter-in-place orders. I am from the United States, and I am so thankful the governor of my state (Ohio) respects the word of scientists and looked at the models of countries that started down this horrid path before us. Governor DeWine, and the head of our state’s department of health (Dr. Amy Acton) are an amazing pair to have at our helm right now. I am just so thankful.
Be safe over there. Praying for entire world.
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Thank you. Same to you. Glad you have a wise governor guiding your state through this troubled time.
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Yes, very thankful. Take care!
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I agree with you. People need to stay home. I still need to clean out my closet in my room. I just haven’t had the energy to do it today.
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Hopefully you got there in the end 🙂
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We too had disappointing weather here in the North West of England although Sunday improved later on. I’m with you, there’s no relaxing of the rules anytime soon. I believe they may Tighten the restrictions before they relax them.
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Thank you Bob. I agree.
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