Not leaving the house and garden became a routine thing. I didn't have to go shopping: Sainsbury's emailed me very early on saying that shopping slots would be available to me (as a disabled person) before they were released generally so I had a fortnightly delivery and a cousin fetched fresh food for me between times.
I quickly learnt how to made zoom calls and updated my iPhone so I could use Facetime with various family members. I had a regular list of people to call on behalf of the church as well as personal friends. I wrote letters. Each week I went outside to "Clap for Carers" and indeed, the neighbours still go outside weekly to catch up on street news together.
I was never able to "bubble" as everyone I knew had family members with whom they were bubbling. At first I felt like a Billy-no-mates but I soon got over that.
Eventually Jack could come and sort my garden but we stayed at some distance from each other and he didn't come into the house. When the school summer holidays arrived Annie-The-Home-Enhancer was able to come and sort me out before restrictions were again imposed in the autumn.
And so the long year of 2020 stretched out. Wasn't it fortunate that it was a good summer! I was able to get outside but I also decluttered in the house, sewed, knitted, and did a thousand and one little projects which I'd never got around to.
I'd hate to have to go through anything like that again but, on reflection, I didn't do too badly.
Loneliness was a big issue for many people I think. We set up a 'triplets' system at church, allocating everyone to a group with two others, with whom they connected by phone regularly. Those with cars could collect prescriptions etc for the less able. And if there were special concerns for a group member, they could contact the Rev of the pastoral team, Afterwards it was great to see those friendships continue.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it was. I know the people I rang regularly really looked forward to the call and one lady mentioned it just a couple of weeks ago.
DeleteI've yet to meet someone who enjoyed lockdown. I hated it and it seemed to go on for ever.
ReplyDeleteActually, Chris, in some ways I enjoyed it. Even in normal times I am alone for a lot of the time and suddenly the world became adapted for people like me. I feel very selfish saying that and no way would I want it back, but for that year the eternal cry of "Stop the world I want to get off" seemed to be satisfied.
DeleteWe shared delivery spots with our daughter, her son George is disabled so she had regular spots, we got deliveries with another supermarket when we could. Daughter would drive to our house, we would leave her shopping on the door step and she would swap, then once she was back in the car we would come out and see Will and George, we looked forward to her visits. Our neighbours at the bottom of the garden both worked for Tesco, they shouted to us and took note of what we could not get, mainly bread flour and yeast. The garden was our saviour, the beautiful weather kept us outside for hours each day. Video calls we perfect to keep in touch with family.
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