What did
you do during the plague? Were you someone who thought that measures brought in
to control the spread of the virus didn’t apply to you? Did you stay at home but
whine about it? Or did you stay at home and follow the guidelines with the good
grace of an adult with a sense of compassion and community spirit?
Either way,
this virus caused all sorts of fear and panic. Death rates rising, stocks of
toilet rolls plunging. Different kinds of rhetoric heard daily on the streets
and on the TV.
Me? I was
lucky, in a way. I still went to work every day. Mrs Giant68 went to work every
3rd week, until she managed to dislocate her shoulder while playing
cricket on the school field, MiniGiant was furloughed on 80% pay and No.1 daughter
was furloughed on full pay.
Myself and
Mrs Giant68 were classed as keyworkers and put in a bracket just beneath
nurses, along with the binmen and shop workers. I don’t feel that we compared in any way to healthcare
professionals, I was just doing the job I was paid for. Yes, I am a little
scared of catching some virus that could kill me, after all, I am a 55-year-old
man with heart disease and diabetes. But if you let the fear take over you may
as well lock yourself away and never venture out ever again.
I am full
of good intentions. While I am still working, I have plenty of spare time on my
hands. We can't go shopping, or go out anywhere much, so what to do with all
that spare time? I can finally get to teach myself how to play that ukulele,
I want to learn Makaton, I can sign up for another online learning course….
4 weeks in
and, while the garden is now tidy, I have done none of the rest of what I had
so naively planned. But I have had video calls with friends far away and
nearby. I have watched Starlink satellites float past overhead and photographed
the moon and stars through my telescope, renewing my interest in hobbies surrendered
to lack of time. So while I have learned not a lot I am still happy that I have
come away with something. I reacquainted myself with the peace and beauty of
the heavens, the peace and tranquility of a garden on a sunny afternoon and the
pleasure of good book. I hope that you
have all gained something.
Although I
have seen and heard things that haven’t been so pleasant. I have watched
friends fall out over differing opinions, either scientific or political. It
seems that in times like this everyone becomes an expert, or knows someone who
knows someone who works with someone who…
Everyone
seems to know better. Everyone seems to believe the rubbish that is published
in the media, regardless of its source. I worry for friends when I see these
arguments and I hope that when this is over they will kiss and make up. Me? I
sit here and follow the guidelines given through official channels. I believe
only those things I know as incontrovertible
truths and I wash my hands and only go out for exercise and shopping. I will,
however, achieve my goal of the Couch to 5k. Started yesterday and today I am
buggered! But I will persevere.
Situations like this bring out the very best in some and the very worst in others. Ask yourself what its brought out in you. hopefully, it is the former and not the latter. Think Capt Tom rather than the Trumpster.
And it has brought out some amazing examples of the dark humour of the British. I have laughed quite a bit.
Look after
yourselves. Follow the guidelines. Socially distance. It will pass. Things will
get better and we will meet in the pub for a pint again. Stay healthy. Love you
all.
And I really hope that my friends, newly moved to Somerset, finally see a Starlink satellite...
Giant68 😊
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