In the time of the virus: day 63 (Monday)

What an extraordinary turn of affairs.  I can’t move on without saying something about it, so skip the next paragraph if you’d rather not read this bit – I quite understand.

Like you, within my own circle of family, friends and acquaintances I’m aware of some dreadful, difficult moral dilemmas that people have had to face (frankly considerably more dreadful and difficult than was described to us today).  Every single one of them without fail has taken a brave and difficult decision within the rules we have all been given for the protection of us all.  I’ve seen good thoughtful people in tears this weekend, after the decision of the Prime Minister and other government Ministers to rally round to support You Know Who, dramatically undermining all the public health messages of the past few weeks.   We’ve been collectively treated with contempt.  I hope that’s the worst effect, and that we don’t see a loosening of willingness to abide by the rules, leading inexorably to even more deaths and suffering.

Moving on, as we must.  It’s been a Bank Holiday weekend here, and I decided that  would keep to that myself: to make this Monday different from other Mondays.  So no Monday morning planning meeting – that will happen tomorrow morning instead.

Today we were able to enjoy a glorious summer’s day (even though not yet officially summer), out walking and sitting in the garden.  We set out early this morning (well, not that early – 8:30), to take advantage of the cooler hours and also avoid being out when more people would be out.  We took a flask and sat on a bench admiring the view and the birdsong and the buzzards wheeling around, then we walked back home again.

After lunch I spent time sitting in a shady spot in the garden, with some knitting and another R4 play and a cold drink.  I watched the blackbird coming and going, continuing to work his way through the mahonia berries.

The icing on the cake this afternoon was another long call with my friend in Denmark.  It was both reassuring and distressing to hear how well the virus has been and is being managed there, in sharp contrast with here.  Their schools have returned safely – very small groups, and schools expanding into additional local spaces (village halls, churches, community halls) to allow more space for the children to keep to safe distances.  Shops reopened, and everyone (including very young children) routinely using hand gel before going into each individual shop.  Cafes reopening, with social distancing built in.

After supper this evening, there were more coffee eclairs.

As always, I hope you’re well.  My blood pressure may well have come down by tomorrow, when I’ll see you again xxxx