Corona Cavern

[bramble]

As we are both over 70 we are on lockdown.
I miss going to the library, going into town to browse the shops, miss my walks in the park, miss going to church and of course missing my family especially my little grandson now aged 21 months.
No problem with OH as he had been retired for over 20 years.
It's hard to stay positive when there is no end in sight.

[nickdub]

I'm in a similar boat as far as not going out is concerned, but really it doesn't mean I've altered my habits much. I used to go out once a week to the bridge club which is of course now shut down, and once or twice to do a bit of shopping. I suppose being lazy helps, as I don't feel any inclination to do anything much a lot of the time - plus I don't like crowds or noise or traffic or towns :-)

Mrs Nick is however as predicted having to work from home, and she really doesn't like it much as she is pretty social. Out of self-preservation I am trying to keep a low profile....

[self-contained]

I want to get out in the garden and do some more work on my little patch. However, the children next door are all outside. I'm happy that there is no risk to them from me also being out in my garden (and I can largely be 2m away from them, and on the other side of a fence), but at this time of heightened anxiety, I'm not sure that their parents will feel the same way! Especially as there is a fair chance they may try and chat to me. So I am hiding inside and hoping they go in for dinner soon so I can go outside.

[nickdub]

I want to get out in the garden and do some more work on my little patch. However, the children next door are all outside. I'm happy that there is no risk to them from me also being out in my garden (and I can largely be 2m away from them, and on the other side of a fence), but at this time of heightened anxiety, I'm not sure that their parents will feel the same way! Especially as there is a fair chance they may try and chat to me. So I am hiding inside and hoping they go in for dinner soon so I can go outside.

I'm no expert on virus transmission, but I'd have thought being outside is a lot different to being inside, as the volume of air around you, the breeze and the fact that in your case there is a fence or hedge acting as a barrier, together mean the likelihood of transmission between people in different gardens doing different things is vanishingly small.

[Snoop Puss]

As we are both over 70 we are on lockdown.
I miss going to the library, going into town to browse the shops, miss my walks in the park, miss going to church and of course missing my family especially my little grandson now aged 21 months.
No problem with OH as he had been retired for over 20 years.
It's hard to stay positive when there is no end in sight.

It won't last forever, bramble. We don't know when it will end and it could last longer than any of us want, but it will end.

We're in very strict lockdown here. I haven't seen anyone apart from Mr Snoop and a friend up the valley in person since 9 March. My mum's in hospital and has at last got a tablet thanks to one of my brothers. She's not very good at using it - the picture is usually of the ceiling, and the sound regularly goes off - but at least we can stay in touch that way. I know how close you are to your family and how you must be missing your grandson. Are you able to stay in visual touch as well as by phone?

Big hug. Try not to let it get you down.

[veggiechicken]

Its much the same for me - over 70 (there, I said it!) and self-isolating. The only time I go out is every other day to give my Mum her lunch and I'm trying to stay safe for her. I can't ring her up as she's practically deaf, nor can she pick up the phone as her fingers are too clumsy.
I'm sorry to say that there are many people who are having difficulty coping with the isolation and lack of human contact. We Welsh are big cwtchers and we can't even do that now.

On a lighter note, the local postie has asked us to disinfect our knobs and knockers.

[self-contained]

I'm no expert on virus transmission, but I'd have thought being outside is a lot different to being inside, as the volume of air around you, the breeze and the fact that in your case there is a fence or hedge acting as a barrier, together mean the likelihood of transmission between people in different gardens doing different things is vanishingly small.

I am quite certain that the risk is virtually non-existent! However, I am concerned that people have been hyped up into such a state of anxiety that rational thought has somewhat gone out the window. I don't want my neighbours to hate me because they perceive that I am endangering their children.

I have been outside for a bit but had to come in for a short break as it's hard work!

[nickdub]

I am quite certain that the risk is virtually non-existent! However, I am concerned that people have been hyped up into such a state of anxiety that rational thought has somewhat gone out the window. I don't want my neighbours to hate me because they perceive that I am endangering their children.

I have been outside for a bit but had to come in for a short break as it's hard work!

I can see that, and yes we all do and think irrational things at times - none of us are robots after all.

[smallblueplanet]

I am quite certain that the risk is virtually non-existent! However, I am concerned that people have been hyped up into such a state of anxiety that rational thought has somewhat gone out the window...

Are you building a 5G mast in your garden?! #nuttersabout

[bramble]

Snoop, yes we receive little videos of our grandson and when he is not rushing around he waves and blows a kiss.

Didnt mean to come across as feeling sorry for myself as I know there are many others in the same boat or even worse.

I went through all the trauma ofceorrying about my mother for about 10 years so I know what it's like for both you, Veggichicken and Snoop.
We must just get used to this new type of life and hope for successful end to this tragedy.

[veggiechicken]

Just seen another bright side to this.

If I'm not going yellow sticker shopping, actually not going shopping at all (a friend shops for me) I''m not being tempted to buy things I don't really need. Which means that I'm not spending money and will be able to treat myself when this is over.

This is my list of Bright sides so far:-

1. Using up stored food in freezer and cupboards = may be able to turn off one freezer.
2. Not buying sweet stuff so may lose weight and be able to wear some of my "smaller" clothes again.
3. Doing more gardening - may get on top of it soon............may!!
4. Not spending money so will be able to treat myself.
5. Decluttering
6. Reading books I've meant to read for ages.

What have I missed?

[Containergardener]

Difficult snoop . Parents . Mil cant use her mobile phone in her care home , wont turn it on. We are trying to set up skype with the home. They are all required to stay in their rooms alone. My dads home they are having some.time with others and alot are dementia (dad is) .

SC I agree with you even though I'm in the vulnerable . So much hype has caused so much anxiety and no effect in others. I'm careful but I have been for 2yrs so nothing much has changed. I go out in the garden as much as I can as do my elderly neighbours. I go out in the car with OH to.walk dogs (nobody here).
In the time I was so at risk I was doing a lot of reading, gardening(what I could manage..not much) , online jigsaws. You adapt . One day at a time . Dont think about it so much or what you are missing . Daily structure and plans .

And so....

Been outside gardening . Eaten tea..film time

[Containergardener]

Well the weather says its going to be nice so il set out the garden chairs and brollies again.

Cuppa?

[Containergardener]

Well the morning was goin well and then the older dog didnt want her piece if crumpet..uh oh . Next thing she is sick in 2 different rooms. Clean up done . Hoping it passes.

[broadway]

Well the morning was goin well and then the older dog didnt want her piece if crumpet..uh oh . Next thing she is sick in 2 different rooms. Clean up done . Hoping it passes.

Oh dear I hope she is ok. First week of the lockdown we were at the vets twice!!