The Virus

You've probably heard enough about Covid 19 by now but I am still going to tell you a few ways it has affected us here. As you will know we are in "lock down" but actually as far as I am concerned we have been in virtual isolation for the last fortnight. Guy Skyped us from Taiwan on Friday as he had read that the effects and consequent life changes had escalated over night and he was worried about us. However John soon allayed his fears when he said "your mother has been paranoid for the last fortnight, following every precaution recommended". I never thought I would hear Guy say "I'm delighted you're paranoid, mother".

Although schools and shops (other than food shops) are closed the municipal elections went ahead yesterday, with copious quantities of hand gel available. As John joked that this would be our outing for the month we took the opportunity to go to the small supermarket in the next village. Normally when we call in there is one other customer at most in the shop, yesterday the queue stretched from one end of the shop to the other. I particularly noticed that I was the only person in the queue who was trying to observe the 2 metre distance between people, but it was difficult without losing your place. We stocked up on peanuts and toilet rolls, which may sound a little bizarre but we had to laugh at other peoples priorities. The lady in front of us bought a large bottle of whisky, and she nearly forgot the cokes, "n" packets of cigarettes and several large tubs of roll you're own tobacco!!

We are fine at present and hope that our friends world wide are too. However the rumours that we may be in isolation for 4 months are not encouraging.