Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #14

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The U.K. death total passed 6000 yesterday, an increase of over 800, which showed how premature the calls of some had been for a relaxation of the lockdown rules. There is a light at the end of the tunnel but this is a very long tunnel. There were three deaths in Northern Ireland, bringing our own death toll to 73. Northern Ireland has a population of approximately 1.8 million people.

Fionnuala taught me how to bake flapjacks yesterday. These are oatmeal bars, sweetened with syrup and packed with raisins, nuts and chocolate chips. I was surprised at how easy they were to make, so as even an idiot like me can prepare them without setting the house on fire. Fionnuala and Hannah also baked a carrot cake. The Black family are not going to starve to death on lockdown, that much is sure.

We got caught up on Season 8 of ‘Homeland’ last night while the girls read for a while in the garden. There is even talk of them reading their Daddy’s book. They must be bored! I’ve promised to help Rebecca with any ‘big words’. I’m just awaiting beta feedback for Book 2 and then it is complete. Then I can start on Book 3. Fionnuala has already told me to hurry up as she is eager to find out what happens next. Although even I don’t know that at the minute.

Our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, remains in intensive care in a London hospital. He is very ill but, at present, not on a ventilator. I’m not a very political person but am willing him to pull him through. His fiancee, Carrie Symonds, is pregnant and their child is due in the summer. It would be a personal and national tragedy were he not to survive. The Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, is effectively running the country in the absence of Boris.

The Queen and Prince Philip are in isolation at Windsor Castle. They are aged 93 and 98 respectively so it’s paramount they are shielded from the virus. The Queen issued a televised address to the nation on Sunday evening, which was watched by over 23 million people. She only does this at times of crisis, such as during the first Gulf War and when Princess Diana died. Her son, Prince Charles, has now fully recovered from the virus and is out of isolation.

I’ll keep these updates coming so long as the lockdown continues. Thank you for everyone who is engaging with them. It’s interesting to hear all of your own experiences from around the world. I read a very inspiring post from a New York blogger this morning so it’s important we keep writing and supporting each other. I speak to many of you more than I speak to my neighbours. We are a community. Let’s keep that going. Stay safe everybody.

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.

35 thoughts on “Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #14”

  3. Thanks for sharing your perspective. The oatmeal bars should provide a nice energy boost for running. Sounds like the Black family is adjusting nicely to changes brought on by the pandemic. Stay safe and stay well.

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  5. Glad to hear the Black family is doing well. I am and will be praying for a full recovery for your Prime Minister. Great to hear the progress on Book 2; I’ve got a bunch of folks eagerly awaiting it as well!
    Blessings,
    Chuck

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  6. May you all continue to be well. I have a friend in Cambridgeshire who has been very ill at home. Her husband who also has it has been taking care of her. I heard yesterday that she is slowly getting better.

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  12. We lost someone in our circle yesterday. While we had been hyper-vigilant from the start to protect my 93 year old mother, it really brought it home to us. The man was in his 60s with no prior health issues. While I don’t wish this on anyone, I sometimes feel the idiots in my small community won’t really understand the seriousness of the situation until it knocks on their door. Thankfully, it is raining and miserable today, and that helps keep these dolts inside. I hate to sound snarky, but it makes me so angry and I am very, very slow to anger.

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