Day 19 - Monday 6th April
I managed a solid 8 hours last night and awake feeling more refreshed. I've avoided the news for the last few days but catch up this morning. I'm dismayed to see how many people took advantage of the year's first sunny weekend to have picnics and barbeques in parks and on beaches, putting themselves and others at risk of transmitting the virus - deaths in the UK have almost reached 5,000 and yet people still don't get the seriousness of the situation. Our PM's pregnant girlfriend has revealed that she's been suffering from CV symptoms, and he's now been hospitalised. My daugher's (very recent) former employer Cath Kidston has announced that it is seeking the support of administrators. The new Labour leader, Kier Starmer, has challenged the government to reveal its exit plan for managing the return to normal life and business and the Chancellor has invited the newly appointed shadow Chancellor to a zoom meeting to discuss economic policy, which is an encouraging sign. The last thing we need in this crisis is confrontational two-party politics.
I have been reflecting on how I'm dealing with the current situation. I have had some mental health challenges over the past couple of years, including a spell on antidepressants while I dealt with anxiety and low mood. Surprisingly, I've found myself quite resilient. I had a wobble - quite understandably - when I was worried about the health of a close friend but in general I'm not finding it too challenging. For the first few days we were isolated I got sucked into the constant news updates but I'm more disciplined about ignoring them now. My approach is very much about controlling the controllables and I can't do anything about what goes on outside our home. I'm fortunate that I have the privilege of somewhere comfortable and safe to live, a well-stocked larder and a well set-up PC with good wifi. Because I work from home usually I don't feel my work practice has changed significantly, other than my meetings are now all online. I always tried to avoid unnecessary travel for work to reduce carbon emissions so I'm comfortable with online meeting apps (although I still hate seeing myself on video). I've also embraced all the other activities that have moved online and I engaged in more social activities this past weekend than I normally would. Embracing the old adage "an army marches on its stomach" I'm challenging myself to feed the family nourishing food that they enjoy - at the same time minimising waste and trying to do the best I can with what I can get/find in the cupboard or fridge. I haven't been bored at all, and I've only felt stir-crazy enough to go outside once. So, so far so good … but let's see how I feel a few more weeks down the line.
Our household is divided about The Daily Mash, a satirical news programme headed up by Nish Kumar. Hubby hates it so I watched last Friday's episode over a solo lunch … it was just as marvellous as I expected, skilfully striking exactly the right note. Given recent events, it was sobering to see again the press briefing where Boris Johnson cheerfully admitted to shaking everybody's hand on a press visit to hospital - even the CV patients. Following a debate over dinner (Saturday's curry re-hashed, since you ask) we debated the conflicting reporting of Boris Johnson's condition, bemoaning the inaccuracy of reporting from France and Russia which claimed he was on a ventilator when British press reports said he was in for tests … we hadn't even left the table when the news broke that he had been moved to Intensive Care. This was followed by the usual outpouring of bile on Twitter from people wishing him dead because they don't share his politics, something I abhor. Regardless of political persuasion, anybody suffering from this hideous virus deserves good wishes and the very best medical care.
I've been feeling a bit ropey today - a mildly scratchy throat and a little bit feverish. I often feel below par when I've not been sleeping well, and a persistent post-nasal drip often causes minor coughs and sniffles so I'm not seriously alarmed. My left ear still hasn't stopped popping after whatever I had a month ago so it might just be the legacy of that. I've not been within six feet of anybody I don't live with for well over two weeks, though, so I don't see how I could have caught even a cold. An early night will be a good idea, I think.
Tonight I am grateful for mental resilience.
I have been reflecting on how I'm dealing with the current situation. I have had some mental health challenges over the past couple of years, including a spell on antidepressants while I dealt with anxiety and low mood. Surprisingly, I've found myself quite resilient. I had a wobble - quite understandably - when I was worried about the health of a close friend but in general I'm not finding it too challenging. For the first few days we were isolated I got sucked into the constant news updates but I'm more disciplined about ignoring them now. My approach is very much about controlling the controllables and I can't do anything about what goes on outside our home. I'm fortunate that I have the privilege of somewhere comfortable and safe to live, a well-stocked larder and a well set-up PC with good wifi. Because I work from home usually I don't feel my work practice has changed significantly, other than my meetings are now all online. I always tried to avoid unnecessary travel for work to reduce carbon emissions so I'm comfortable with online meeting apps (although I still hate seeing myself on video). I've also embraced all the other activities that have moved online and I engaged in more social activities this past weekend than I normally would. Embracing the old adage "an army marches on its stomach" I'm challenging myself to feed the family nourishing food that they enjoy - at the same time minimising waste and trying to do the best I can with what I can get/find in the cupboard or fridge. I haven't been bored at all, and I've only felt stir-crazy enough to go outside once. So, so far so good … but let's see how I feel a few more weeks down the line.
Our household is divided about The Daily Mash, a satirical news programme headed up by Nish Kumar. Hubby hates it so I watched last Friday's episode over a solo lunch … it was just as marvellous as I expected, skilfully striking exactly the right note. Given recent events, it was sobering to see again the press briefing where Boris Johnson cheerfully admitted to shaking everybody's hand on a press visit to hospital - even the CV patients. Following a debate over dinner (Saturday's curry re-hashed, since you ask) we debated the conflicting reporting of Boris Johnson's condition, bemoaning the inaccuracy of reporting from France and Russia which claimed he was on a ventilator when British press reports said he was in for tests … we hadn't even left the table when the news broke that he had been moved to Intensive Care. This was followed by the usual outpouring of bile on Twitter from people wishing him dead because they don't share his politics, something I abhor. Regardless of political persuasion, anybody suffering from this hideous virus deserves good wishes and the very best medical care.
I've been feeling a bit ropey today - a mildly scratchy throat and a little bit feverish. I often feel below par when I've not been sleeping well, and a persistent post-nasal drip often causes minor coughs and sniffles so I'm not seriously alarmed. My left ear still hasn't stopped popping after whatever I had a month ago so it might just be the legacy of that. I've not been within six feet of anybody I don't live with for well over two weeks, though, so I don't see how I could have caught even a cold. An early night will be a good idea, I think.
Tonight I am grateful for mental resilience.
Comments
Post a Comment