Day 2 - Friday 20th March 2020
A sad start to the day - a call from my daughter to say that they are putting themselves in isolation because my one-year-old grandson has developed a persistent cough. Immediately my relief at having all my family safely in our home town is undermined by a new threat. He has been getting over a recent bout of strep throat so the cough isn't necessarily anything new or sinister, but the fear in her voice is palpable. She's worried about his health, but also the challenge of keeping a very active toddler entertained indoors for 14 days. I remind her that they can go outside as long as they don't go near anybody, and reassure her as best I can. It's worrying enough being a new-ish mum without this added, invisible menace.
It's a normal working day for me as I work from home running a couple of businesses and volunteering for a couple of charities. Our trustee meeting this afternoon will be the first I have chaired online but we manage to get most of us connected. Business as usual has been waved aside in favour of finding the most appropriate ways to serve our stakeholders in this new reality, but we manage to achieve some clarity and find a way forward that aligns with our purpose. As it's not realistic for me to be of practical help outside the home, it feels good to be able to contribute from behind the scenes.
On a personal level, I have decided to focus on helping maintain morale by sharing positive stories - a strategy I already practice for climate change. I allow myself the odd rant - I'm particularly exercised by the panic buying that has seen supermarket shelves stripped of all essentials and people who are socialising in pubs and bars as if nothing has changed - but I try to keep the vast majority of my social media activity positive and optimistic. Fortunately there are many wonderful stories to share of helpful resources, free online entertainment and acts of kindness.
This afternoon's press conference by the PM and his team finally announces the forced closure of pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants, plus an additional raft of measures to help those who will be impacted economically by the crisis. I'm not a fan of this government but I have become grudgingly impressed by the efforts they are putting in to protect people from the economic shock of the virus. The chancellor of the exchequer - young, inexperienced and in post for mere weeks - is showing remarkable leadership which contrasts starkly with the chaotic ramblings of our PM. Asked whether he would visit his mother on Sunday (Mothers Day) he responded that he hoped to, only minutes after begging people to socially isolate for the safety of those we love.
Today I am grateful for the online businesses that have allowed me to arrange for my Mum to be honoured on Mothers Day without a personal visit. Had this virus occurred only 30 years ago, it would have been so much harder to get on with things.
It's a normal working day for me as I work from home running a couple of businesses and volunteering for a couple of charities. Our trustee meeting this afternoon will be the first I have chaired online but we manage to get most of us connected. Business as usual has been waved aside in favour of finding the most appropriate ways to serve our stakeholders in this new reality, but we manage to achieve some clarity and find a way forward that aligns with our purpose. As it's not realistic for me to be of practical help outside the home, it feels good to be able to contribute from behind the scenes.
On a personal level, I have decided to focus on helping maintain morale by sharing positive stories - a strategy I already practice for climate change. I allow myself the odd rant - I'm particularly exercised by the panic buying that has seen supermarket shelves stripped of all essentials and people who are socialising in pubs and bars as if nothing has changed - but I try to keep the vast majority of my social media activity positive and optimistic. Fortunately there are many wonderful stories to share of helpful resources, free online entertainment and acts of kindness.
This afternoon's press conference by the PM and his team finally announces the forced closure of pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants, plus an additional raft of measures to help those who will be impacted economically by the crisis. I'm not a fan of this government but I have become grudgingly impressed by the efforts they are putting in to protect people from the economic shock of the virus. The chancellor of the exchequer - young, inexperienced and in post for mere weeks - is showing remarkable leadership which contrasts starkly with the chaotic ramblings of our PM. Asked whether he would visit his mother on Sunday (Mothers Day) he responded that he hoped to, only minutes after begging people to socially isolate for the safety of those we love.
Today I am grateful for the online businesses that have allowed me to arrange for my Mum to be honoured on Mothers Day without a personal visit. Had this virus occurred only 30 years ago, it would have been so much harder to get on with things.
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