Day Nineteen - 'Choose a future, Choose life.'

This morning I witnessed the sun rise and as that golden orb dispersed its rays across this waking world one renegade ray hit a bed of variegated wallflowers and the effect was almost Biblical in its beauty. A taster of the weather to come maybe..... It was uplifting. A most enjoyable walk.

I've had to mute the old schoolgirls WhatsApp group. The constant pinging as they bounce messages back and forth was getting to me. I think there were over 100 messages yesterday! It's much more than just a daily thumbs up. It's made me realise, though, how lucky I am that no matter how solitary I am I have plenty to occupy me. Reading some of the messages on there, there are a couple of people who admit to struggling during this time. Both live alone as far as I can determine. They talk of strategies to cope. I feel bad that I can offer nothing constructive. I would say to anyone whether you are on your own or not to give your day a structure but to do that in this situation sounds uncaring and I don't mean to be. I doubt I will have much to contribute to the group. I struggle as I've mentioned before on this blog with digital communication and 'finger fatigue'.  And I'm absolutely sure my sense of humour will go down like a lead balloon.

There were fears that this good weather would bring the idiots out and social distancing would be ignored. In my town, which is a seaside town the police have suspended all parking on the seafront in an effort to deter people.  I see a report from the police saying that there are some groups of people gathering but most folk are being sensible and keeping their distance. Not staying at home though? And a completely different story from Regents Park and Paddington Rec.  Cyclists and..... joggers. Who would have thought it? I wonder why it is that people participating in sports feel the protocols don't apply to them? I was berating myself for being too down on joggers. In fact I thought it was a touch of sour grapes on my part because  I can no longer jog or run and I was secretly resenting those who can. But chatting today with a friend she reports others echoing exactly what I've said.  No social distance, refusal to change course and even bumping into people rather than move. Something else that has been noticed, and this isn't just me by the way, there's a huge increase in joggers and cyclists. I've seen people who shouldn't be running, they're too heavy and they're putting their joints under too much stress. Perhaps it's an interpretation  of 'daily exercise'. I guess there are folk who don't see walking as a justifiable exercise.

I've been more productive this week. I know that with my wretched back I can't steam into chores like I used to. So I've rationalised that and accepted it and I do what I can do within a given amount of time, the mornings. I've almost completed  a thorough clean of my bedroom. I'm struggling with how to move the bed though because it needs a damn good hoover underneath. I'm always pleased with the end result. Everything clean and tidy. My plan is to do chores in the morning  then I'm allowed to read and write in the afternoon. If I get a good rhythm going without being in too much pain I'll try and keep it going after this is all over.

My friend who works for the NHS can make use of the dedicated shopping slots for key workers, the only advantage of her precarious employment. She asked me if there was anything she could get me. The supermarket she was going to is the only one that does a particular brand of cottage cheese, apart from my local health food store, so I asked her to get me one and if they had some strawberries, well.....  She did and delivered them this morning and we did some 'distant socialising' . One thing she couldn't get was a lemon. I had one which I was delighted to give her. But how? I'll tell you how. I threw it from my front door to beyond the gate! Her partner caught it. We all chuckled. It's the little things. When I unpacked the carrier bag she had popped a pack of hot cross buns in. Such a lovely surprise. It IS the little things. As of now there is only one left in the pack. What? I've been good! I deserve a little something nice.............

Two words. Immunity passports. Apparently there is a plan to issue people who have had the virus with a certificate making them exempt from the restrictions currently in place. Hmm. So I guess they can go out to pubs and restaurants, concerts and football matches, parties..... I guess they wouldn't  have to observe social distancing.  But, wait, how would you know? Someone comes bearing down on you  and then, as you hurl an invective of abuse at them, they flash their immunity passport at you.  Because of course we know everything there is to know about this virus, don't we? Those who recover are immune, right? No doubt about that? So what about the guy in China who contracted the virus, got better, got it again and died? Imagine if he had been given an immunity passport in the period between recovering and succumbing again he could have infected loads of other people. I think the government are still clinging to their herd immunity philosophy.  I'm sure they want to say, look we were right all along, see? I don't buy it.

Yesterday's lyric was from Tainted Love by Soft Cell. No participants. See what you make of today's. I'm considering making a new playlist as I've listened to nearly all the tracks on this playlist, some more than once when its been on shuffle. I might call it the 'apocamix'. I'll let you know.