Tuesday 31 March 2020

Social Distancing

This is what social distancing looks like here, and this has been cleared up somewhat!


Mick is working from home and has taken over my dining table. There are other rooms he could work from but it's always quiet here during the day so he sets himself up in the dining room and works from there. Archie's pleased, he loves having Mick at home. Our one form of exercise a day, which we're allowed, is taking Archie for a walk. We rarely see anyone else on our walks but if we do, we make sure we're a good distance away from them.

There have been financial measures put in place by the government for employees who are unable to work due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will pay 80% of salary for staff who are kept on by their employer, covering wages up to £2,500 a month. Although Mick is still working at the moment, all his company's factories have closed. We don't know if he will continue working for the duration or not. His company have said they're going to continue to pay their employees 100% of their salary for now, which is reassuring if the time comes when he has nothing to do, though we don't know if they'll continue to do this or not. Obviously, they're not obliged to.

Eleanor works in a hospital laboratory so she will continue to work throughout. I'm not happy about her having to use public transport at this time so Mick is taking her to work and picking her up. A round journey from home to her place of work and back again usually takes just under an hour and a half  but because there's so much less traffic on the roads, it's currently taking about forty five minutes.

Eleanor's boyfriend also works in a hospital laboratory, a different one to Eleanor. He lives in York, so they're unable to see each other for the foreseeable future. He comes from the Midlands but moved to Yorkshire in January so that he was nearer to Eleanor and consequently, has no family at all living close by.

Daniel and Jasmine live a long way from us, in Essex. They've both been asked to work from home, which is good as Jasmine is in the high risk group. At present, they're having to self-isolate as they live in a shared house and one of the other tenants, a nurse, is showing signs of having the coronavirus. It's worrying.

My dad is 87 and in bad health. We have no option but to help him out with shopping and housework but we're trying to limit who visits him and how many times they visit him. Mick's doing the majority of the shopping at the moment, simply because he's the driver of the family now that I don't have a car. It makes sense for just one person to visit the supermarket so that job has fallen to him. Consequently, he's the person doing my dad's shopping too and doing the lion's share of looking after him.

None of this is ideal but what can you do? We, like the rest of the population, are doing the best we can in the situation we now find ourselves in. I'm mindful that we're the lucky ones, our lives may look very different to how they usually do but at least we're all healthy and showing no signs of illness. My thoughts go out to all those whose lives will never be the same after this pandemic, those who have lost loved ones or who are fighting this illness themselves.

Stay safe.

24 comments:

  1. Glad things are going as well as they can.

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  2. We are the lucky ones, I watch TV and see so many countries having the same issues. Our friends in Spain have been in lock down for weeks, with no signs of it improving. Friends in America too having so many worries as they feel Trump is not taking the same measures as other leaders. At least nature is giving us a great show of spring.

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  3. My youngest son is a nurse and is working in the full outfit sometimes for hours, its not comfortable but hopefully will keep him safe. He's exhausted at the end of the day.
    Keep safe
    Briony
    x

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  4. I'm glad to hear you're all safe and well. It is a worrying time, and all we can do is follow the rules and make the best of it. That doesn't stop the odd wobble though, but I think it's ok to wobble, it helps to find balance (or that's my excuse anyway).
    Stay safe, take care
    xx

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  5. Sounds like you have organised things well under these very worrying circumstances. It's difficult not being able to see loved ones but as long as we stay in touch and help each other that's the best we can do.

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  6. I think this isolation is a small price to pay for the country to avoid going the same was as either Italy or Spain. We are both on 'Furlough' although i'm being paid 100% of my money next month. It will make a huge difference to DH money though, but the whole country is in much the same situation. I think you are wise to drive Eleanor, to work and I do hope Daniel and his girlfriend stay safe. We worry for our children whatever their ages don't we. Stay safe, we have to think that this won't be this way forever x

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  7. Yes, we do, what we have to do.

    Gentle hugs,
    πŸŒΈπŸ’œπŸŒΈπŸ’œπŸŒΈ

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  8. The logistics are all a bit of a nightmare. It sounds as if Mick is doing an amazing job, it's lucky that he is working from home and has a bit more flexibility. It's all a worry for you though.

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  9. It sounds like you and the rest of your family are muddling through, which is as much as we can do at the moment. To safe and well is what we all hope for. Take care. X

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  10. It's a scary situation, Jo. I was just saying to one of my daughters today - on Facetime - that it would be so much worse if we didn't have the internet. It just doesn't bear thinking about! Stay safe!

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  11. Definitely strange times & I expect we are all trying hard to come to grips with this & hopefully finding our own way forward. I feel at a loss as how to help, except keeping ourselves isolated, staying in touch with family & friends by phone/internet & doing what our government are saying. Keep your chin up Jo, stay safe & huggles.

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  12. I'm glad you are all ok, Jo. We are too. I haven't left our property for three weeks now. Like your husband, mine is doing the food shopping, going to the drug store, etc. The hardest part for me is not seeing my children or grandchildren. But I feel we are so very lucky compared with many. Stay healthy. P. x

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  13. These are trying times for sure, but it sounds like you are making the best of it and doing it in a thoughtful and safe way. Stay safe and well...

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  14. The wonders of technology keeping families together. These are trying times and you are doing the best you can. Stay safe and well.

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  15. I am glad to hear that you are all managing to stay safe. It is a worry isn't with not being able to see family and help them through this. It goes against all our instincts to not see family face to face, we are such a social species. We will get through this time, even though it doesn't feel like at the moment, we won't be the same at the end but I do hope some good comes of it.

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  16. Such difficult times, very worrying and lonely when we can´t see our family and friends, and worrying on their behalf too. Hope all your family keeps well and safe xcx

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  17. You seem to be making the most of a bad situation. It is the same here, everywhere I suppose. Sometimes it is difficult to comprehend the scope of this tiny virus. Stay safe!
    Amalia
    xo

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  18. It is hard Jo, but as many others have said, things could be much worse in this country. Best wishes to Eleanor who is very much in the thick of it. Thinking of you all. XX

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  19. It is a worrying time Jo. I'm glad everyone is safe and healthy. Hubs is working from home and has taken over the dining room table too. Take good care now.xxx

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  20. Lovely to read your blog Jo, take care x

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  21. Oh my gosh. I;ll pray for your family. You have a lot going on with a lot going on! Hugs

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  22. I think under the present circumstances you are doing well.
    Take care, stay safe and well.

    All the best Jan

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  23. Catching up a bit late this week, the laptop decided to throw a wobbly, all fixed now though ...well done DH and the techno know how.
    Sending warmest wishes, it's hard for all but essential we do the best we can for ourselves and our wider families.
    Take care x

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  24. My poor cousin took a job in Switzerland at the beginning of the new year and his intention was to stay there during the week and be back in London at the weekend. He's currently stuck in Switzerland... He had no choice really as that's where his work is.

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