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In early Spring 2020, I watched with growing alarm as a novel coronavirus (Corvid-19) emerged from China, spreading around the world. In Europe, it hit Italy and Spain during February and their health services were overwhelmed.
Many years ago, I worked with microbiologists and virologists, so I knew some issues around pandemics. I’d also worked more than 15 years in a medical faculty handling communications, events and marketing for health researchers. I started updating my twitter lists for experts in the epidemiology, virology, public health and reading scientific papers.
I had long talks with My Chap during February and early March about what might happen particularly if the government were slow in their response. I said we would need to prepare which we did. We are both clean freaks so that helped – regular hand washing. I was very uncomfortable going on public transport to work – it definitely increased my anxiety. We cancelled plans too.
I spent most of late February and early March convincing my mother (in her 80s who lives down south) that she needed to cut down on going out and stock up on food. I couldn’t convince her to get online supermarket or milkman deliveries For a long time, she didn’t consider she was at risk from Corvid-19, she’s healthy just a dodgy knee from when she was 20. It was only when I pointed out who would look after her if she got ill, how likely it was she would get a hospital bed and pointed out the death rates in over 80s, that she started to change her behaviour.
National response
The Government were SLOW, INCOMPETENT AND DISORGANISED. Following a herd immunity policy, not instigating a firm lockdown early was a massive mistake. Also not testing, contact tracing or quarantine (especially people from abroad) has led to many more deaths. Big sporting or cultural events weren’t called off like Cheltenham Racing Festival, European football fans travelling and gigs. Lack of support from the Government for the NHS, its staff, nursing homes and care staff has been appalling. The situation was grim elsewhere in Europe, so there was warning
As of late May, the UK has over 35,000 confirmed coronavirus deaths (person needed a test); this is more than 10% of the world figure. Many people died from coronavirus without having a test, often at home or in a nursing home – so the excess deathrate for this time of year (averaged over past five years) is more than 50,000. 35,000 is over 10% of the world’s total deaths from Corvid-19.
As the month went on more large organisations made their own risk assessments. Britain started to close down whether businesses, theatres, football clubs, sporting organisations took matters into their own hands.
Note: I wrote this blog post late May 2020 as I didn’t want to forget what I thought of the situation, our personal response and what we did to occupy ourselves during the pre-lockdown and the early weeks of lockdown This post covers 1 March to 23 March 2020.
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This post was also prompted by the meme going around.
What was your last photo doing normal life ‘pre-lockdown’?
March 2020
I was being exceptionally careful, wearing gloves, pressing lift buttons etc, as little as possible. Washing my hands for at least 20 seconds regularly. I still am.
Yoga at work – Tue 3 March 2020
I went to free lunchtime yoga as usual (it’s arranged by the facilities company). It’s in a huge room so there was plenty of space.
I can’t find this yoga teacher online as I don’t know her business name. I hope she has managed to pivot to online.
Women’s Institute – Cottonopolis WI Meeting – Tue 3 March 2020
I left work early, caught the tram back to my car and then drove into Manchester city centre. Usually, I would go straight from work on the tram, but I’d be packed on like a sardine. Far too risky.
I had pizza before the meeting with my pal, who I’ve known for about eight years. We talked about our work and online learning too. Rudy’s was busy as ever.
- www.rudyspizza.co.uk
Rudy’s are running a takeaway service via Deliveroo or pick up from Ancoats.
This was the last time I ate food with someone else other than my Chap and the last times I ate food cooked by someone else.
Our meeting
We are a small Women’s Institute based in Ancoats, just north of the city centre in Manchester.
Our hall is large, so we had plenty of room to learn a Syrian Wedding Dance. I had a lovely time and it was good to see everyone.
Plenty of discussion about the coronavirus – I warned a few people that I thought lockdown was coming soon.
Women’s Institute and me
I’ve written often about the women’s Institute and what a difference it’s made to my life. I’ve been a member for over seven years and a founder member of Cottonopolis WI in 2015. I’ve reclaimed my creativity at the Women’s Institute. Read more:
Worsley Woods Parkrun – Sat 7 March
I don’t run any more, as my arthritis pain in my hips and toes is too much. My Chap encouraged me to go, as Parkrun was celebrating mass participation on International Women’s Day weekend. My Chap ran his usual speedy 21mins and ran back to support me. I walked and ran short distances; finishing in 54 mins 20secs. I was the 500th person to finish and wasn’t at the back.
I last did a Parkrun in 2013. I wonder when my next one will be?
Bec holding ‘This Girl Can’ sign at Worsley Woods Parkrun #IWDparkrun
Supermarket shop – Sunday 8 March 2020
I’d warned My Chap that we would need to stock up as I wanted to avoid going for food shopping until the end of the month. We bought more tins than usual, a big pack of toilet roll, and more food for the freezer. I wish we’d bought some dried yeast and a pack of bread flour. My Chap had a small supply already and began a new sourdough starter. I put extra food in the food bank box and made a cash donation when I got home.
We went in wearing running buffs, there were others doing the same.
We haven’t been to this supermarket since then, as the aisle aren’t particularly wide.
Jodrell Bank with Cottonopolis WI Sunday 8 March 2020
Cottonopolis WI was part of the Girl’s Night Out event as part of International Women’s Day. We were running a cake stall raising money for Emmeline’s Pantry (a food bank in Manchester).
There were about 150 people spread around the site, listening to talks doing hands-on science experiments and looking around the discovery centre.
I kept away from everyone, as I was feeling mentally frazzled.
Lovell Telescope at Jodrell bank in the evening light – 8 March 2020
Jodrell Bank Observatory is a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the Lovell telescopes and radio astronomy research. They are running science experiments from home for school children and young people. Jodrell Bank is part of the University of Manchester which went to online learning in mid March.
Yoga at work – Tuesday 10 March 2020
Noticeably fewer people in the class. Fewer people around the buildings and locality where my work is based. More people eating food outside, not in canteens.
Work – a weekend conference cancelled Friday 13 March – Sunday 15 March
It was postponed earlier in the week (Wed?) but I saw on social media many delegates still went to the town as they had hotels booked. I wasn’t going to the conference but five colleagues were. It all became more serious this week at work, with more action from management.
I was following many scientists on twitter; many big scientific conferences over Easter were cancelled or went online.
Worsley Woods Parkrun – last one – Saturday 14 March 2020
This is the last parkrun My Chap attended; he had his best time of the year too. There were 450 runners.
Parkrun UK suspended all parkrun’s worldwide in the following week.
Making Silver Clay – Sunday 15 March 2020
We had arranged to make silver clay jewellery together weeks before. My pal has a busy schedule and small children, and little spare time. I thought about cancelling but my pal works from home so I knew she hadn’t been out much.
My pal sat at the other end of the table and we washed our hands often. No hugging obviously.
This was the last time we had someone visit our house.
Wilmslow Half Marathon – Sunday 15 March 2020
My Chap had a series of races planned through the Spring. The race was postponed earlier that week.
Many race companies were taking the decision to postpone races to keep participants and volunteers safe. There was no guidance from the Government at this point. Most race companies were postponing events to Autumn 2020 at that point. He was receiving more updates, organisations were waiting for updates inc Manchester, Brighton and London marathon.
It was clear to us that everything would be postponed until after the Summer. Cancelling so many running events, also has a huge impact on charity fundraising.
Working from home – Tuesday 17 March 2020
On Monday afternoon, I warned my colleagues to take home everything they needed.
The nation told to work from home if they can do by Johnson on Monday evening.
Fortunately, I have a good set up at my house for working from home and have a printer too. We were only allowed to work 7 hours per day and reminded no to work in evenings. There were two zoom meetings a day as check-ins for the HQ team, as the younger members of the team were struggling working at home. Part of our team are regional development officers so are home-based anyway. We had a great deal to re-arrange or postpone.
I’ve worked from home in previous roles. don’t mind
Daily walks around my neighbourhood
I started daily walking around my neighbourhood for about 45minutes. It definitely helped my mental health. I kept well away from anyone.
The hawthorn tree blossom along the canal looked beautiful (header photo). Spring was on the way
I enjoyed not having to get up earlier for a commute and more time in the evening. All in all, WFH was a massive relief for me.
Meanwhile, there was panic buying in the supermarkets including toilet roll, hand sanitiser. We were very grateful we’d had stocked up on food (v far from panic buying in this house).
Haircut – Thursday 17 March 2020
I had a pre-booked haircut at my local salon which is spacious. I wasn’t sure whether or not to go, I was there for half an hour in total. I was already overdue a haircut – so I decided to risk it.
Spring Equinox – Friday 20 March 2020
After work, I spent time in the garden with My Chap planting and tidying up.
Furlough scheme announce – Friday 20 March 2020
The Chancellor announced the job retention scheme (Furlough)
Schools shut – Friday 20 March 2020
Restaurants, Pubs and many businesses shut – Friday 20 March 2020
No opportunity for planning – it was very chaotic. School’s had to scramble to support their students and staff. I’ll write more about this next time.
Around Monton – Saturday 21 March 2020
I bought stamps, got money out the cash machine and bought birthday cards from one of the small shops.
Lockdown day – Monday 23 March 2020
Prime Minister gave a televised address – lockdown measures
My thoughts on lockdown
The Government had been inept. I’ll write about though on the next post covering lockdown day (23 March to 30 March).
Personal situation
I worked hard on the things I could influence. I ramped up my mindfulness activities, yoga and relaxation.
Commuting
I have a 20-minute commute on the tram to work and can work flexi-time so can avoid the rush hour.
I was getting increasingly stressed about travelling to work on the tram. I was extremely careful to wear gloves, not touch buttons and stand well away from anyone else. I am fortunate that I can travel to work at the end of rush hours and have flexitime in work. It was noticeable that there were fewer people on the tram, and around the business district where I live, on the last week, I was in the office.
At home
I was happy to be working from home, as I’d done it before in previous roles. I had plenty to do as we were busy postponing activities. Others in our organisation, struggled to work at home as they needed office routines and people around them. There were many zoom meetings.
Gratitude for our home and garden
We are very fortunate to have a small garden and house. We like gardening and spending time outside, we can cook and have savings. We don’t have children and although I have long term health conditions, daily exercise helps with my mental and physical wellbeing. We’ve also done yoga for a while and have plenty of hobbies. Last and not least, we like each other and are happy.
My garden and my home are my safe place.
I am well aware of this privilege – so many people lost their jobs or were furloughed in lockdown, have insecure housing, homeschooling and have health conditions which Covid-19 is a risk.
A huge thank you to all the front line NHS staff, social care workers and other essential workers.
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Follow my views from life in lockdown
- views from lockdown – week 1 – 7 April 2020
- views from lockdown – week 2 – 14-April 2020
- views from lockdown – week 3 – 21 April 2020
- views from lockdown – week 4 – 28 April 2020
- views from lockdown – week 5 – 5 May 2020
- views from lockdown – week 6 – 12 May 2020
- views from lockdown – week 7– 19 May 2020
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The lockdown rules from 23 March 2020:
Everyone must stay at home as you can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms. Do not meet others, even friends or family. You must:
- only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you can’t work from home)
- stay 2 metres (6 feet) away from other people at all times If you go out
- wash your hands as soon as you get home
You can go outside for exercise once a day.
Physical distancing:
Physical distancing measures are steps everyone should take to reduce the social interaction between people. This will help reduce the spread of coronavirus.
They are:
- Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (new continuous cough, fever or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste (anosmia))
- Stay at home and only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you can’t work from home)
- Stay 2 metres (6 feet) away from other people at all times If you go out
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home
- Do not meet others, even friends or family – if parents don’t live together, children under 18 can be moved between their parents’ homes as long as no-one in either household has symptoms
- Avoid non-essential use of public transport – when possible, alter your travel times to avoid rush hour
- Work from home, where possible – your employer should support you to do this
- Avoid gatherings with friends and family – keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media
- Use phone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services
Hand washing and respiratory hygiene
To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like coronavirus, you should:
- wash your hands more often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitiser
- wash your hand when you get home or into work, when you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food
- avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- avoid close contact with people who have symptoms
- cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin and wash your hands
- clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in your home
Accessed from Scottish NHS (25 May 2020)
The Scottish Government
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