Yesterday, in addition to writing my letter to Dear runners and cyclists, I managed to get some work done. And last night, at 8pm on the dot, I opened a front window to cheer the NHS, and everyone working to keep up safe and enabling us to survive.
And today? It’s not be a great one.
I slept well. But I woke up tired and I’ve been feeling tired all day. I got out for my daily bit of exercise, a walk where at various points I throw in some knee lifts and lunges. I ran into a few people I know so we chatted from a distance.
But there’s an undercurrent of anxiety I’m not used to. Then again, I’ve never lived in the midst of a global pandemic.
And I’m worried, not just about me, but about family and friends, and their family and friends. I’m worried about all those people really struggling at the moment. I’m worried about what work I’ll secure over the coming months as a self-employed person.
So I walk around the park with anxiety sitting under my skin. It didn’t help that I saw some folks hanging out, perhaps they were all from the same household but I have my doubts. There’s also been a big uptick in people driving. Can all these people be essential workers or needing their cars for groceries? The traffic seems similar to what I’d expect to see on the weekend pre-lockdown. This worries me as the Met Office predicts that Sunday will be a sunny day with a top of about 20 degrees which will be the warmest day this year thus far. I know I’m not the only person worried. Government keeps telling us to stay at home – one trip a day for exercise from home, otherwise only essential shopping, essential trips like going to medical appointments – that’s it.
The numbers are getting bad. Today, another 684 deaths, bringing the total to 3,605. And it’s going to get a lot worse.
So yep, I’m finding this shit hard. But tomorrow is another day. I’m doing a bit of voluntary work. The weather is getting warmer. And on Sunday it might be time to have coffee with my neighbours again. We make our own coffees, and then chat from an appropriate distance on a front stairs. On the plus side, I’m getting to know my neighbours well.
So that’s it for Day 11. Stay safe, stay well, and stay home!