Hey there! So I've not written a post in a while, but now that I've got some time off I thought now would be the perfect time to start writing again.
Firstly, the state of the world at the moment is quite worrying, at least according to the Mass Media coverage of the ongoing situation. The confirmed infected numbers keeps rising daily as does the unfortunate death toll brought about by this virus. However one thing that isn't getting as much press is the number of people that are recovering from the virus, and that is what we need to start giving us hope. Don't get me wrong, the warnings and scare tactics used by mass media to keep us updated I think also adds some unnecessary drama to an already tense atmosphere.
Hope, ingenuity, hard work, and above all common sense will get all of us through this and out the other side. But spare a thought for the hardworking retail clerks, NHS staff and all the others classed as essential that have to be at work to try and keep society running and avoid falling into ruin. Most of them are just as worried as all you guys are, but they still have to go into work and provide food for you so it's there on the shelf for you to buy. The delivery men and women making sure your online purchases are getting to you as timely as possible. Show them some respect if you have to wait. It's not their fault! They're just doing as they're told and informed, to keep themselves and you as customers safe, so they can STAY OPEN and you can have the privilege of buying the essentials that you really need.
So what have I been doing while all this has been going on? Well, I work for an independent local hardware retailer and the decision was taken after the announcement on the 24th March that we would close for the 3-week period set out by our government, even though we're classes as an essential business. Our reason for this? We're being responsible. Our main customer demographic falls into the one of the most at risk categories. The over 70s.
After the first wave of closures, for bars and cafes, our footfall increased dramatically, which is good for the business, however while the shop isn't small, it isn't as large as one of the large superstores and as a result the guidelines on social distancing were becoming an issue. We were worries that this wasn't going to be safe and for either colleagues or customers, and we always try to do our best for our customers and that is what brings them back again and again.
So getting back to that question, "What have I been doing?". In all honesty, not a lot. The shop has been shut for a week and other than going out once shopping for essentials, mainly just been loafing around the house watching movies, playing video games, and doing a couple of tiny pieces of DIY. I can't go and visit family as my parents are approaching 70 (don't kill for that) and my sister works for the NHS, and they all have some form or other of a heart condition, so I dont want to take any risks. Not that I may catch it from my sister, but more that I may have it and dont want to pass it on. Another week and the supposed 2-week incubation period will be over and if I dont have it by then, great. But, that doesn't mean I can't pick it up and still pass it along. So isolation it is.
I've taken part in a Facebook Live video Pub Quiz, participated in a quiz with my friends over Zoom where we each conducted a round of questions; inspired in part our favourite Film Quiz Master, talked a lot more with my flatmate; as we normally don't see a lot of each other, and that's about it. (Sorry for the long sentence!). Oh, and completely messed up my sleep pattern, but that's normal for me when I'm not working. And to top things off, our fridge freezer has decided to stop keeping things cold, however our amazing landlord has bought us a new one and its being delivered tomorrow (the old one was already here when we moved in).
How are we coping mentally? I'm probably a little better off than my flatmate as I'm more used to isolation and not doing a lot, most of the time, whereas he is more used to being out and doing something every day. But his is starting to acclimatize. A couple of times a day I walk around outside in our enclosed carpark, just for a bit of fresh air and sunlight as we dont have gardens in an apartment block, but the weather has turned cooler recently so it's not as nice. But going out at night is the strangest thing! We're in the middle and relatively close to two major routes in and out of our city center, and a railway line runs along the border of the property (for some context) and it is eerie. It is so quiet! Completely minimal or nonexistent motor vehicle noise, only one or no trains pass by, and they usually stop here at the property because of signals don the line, and no aircraft flying over to the local airport. Just silence. It's like being in the countryside but without the insects and country noises.
But we have entertainment, food (thawing as we speak), fresh clean water, electricity and a roof over our heads so in the grand scheme of things there isn't really a lot to complain about. Luckily/unluckily I don't have a partner or children to care for, or to entertain so really I only have myself to keep busy, which to be honest is not a difficult thing to do. You never know, I may even FINALLY get around to continuing to try and write the book that has taken me so long to get together, but who knows.
There is only one thing that keeps me pacing the halls, and that is waiting for the delivery of my copy of Final Fantasy VII REMAKE. Waiting for that email to pop into my inbox to say "Yes, we've shipped it, it's on its way to you!", but as yet, still nothing and I lie in wait of the day it arrives and I can play it. But more on that in another post.
Hoping anyone who reads this is keeping ok, not going stir crazy with cabin fever, that you are well and healthy and looking after yourselves. Follow the guidelines and use your common sense, only go out IF you have to and above all be kind to one another.
Catch you later!
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