Beer gardens

It's Tuesday. What's happened since Friday? It feels like not much but the reality is that it's a lot. Joining the ranks of the famous and infected - Matt Hancock, Chris Whitty, Dominic Cummings (unsurprisingly as they were all knocking around with the Prime Minister), and Placido Domingo amongst others.

I left the house for the first time in ten days yesterday. Chris and I walked to Withington via Whalley Range to collect some planters then came home via the petrol station for chocolate supplies. There was a security guard in the petrol station. I waited outside.

Our neighbour Mary has just left the house again. She goes shopping at least twice a day. Chris told her off last week but she's still doing it - only now she wraps a scarf around her face.

Dad called me out of the blue yesterday to talk about his wishes for when he dies. It was quite disconcerting if I'm honest. He told me about an old, large tax & VAT bill which he'd paid four years ago which his partners hadn't contributed towards. He doesn't expect to see it again and frankly I don't think he's bothered. Naturally I won't ever mention it because it's not my place to do so but there's something about the fact that he's been living in a crappy rental house, scraping money together for the last few years which makes news of this debt stick in my throat.

Robert and Nat have moved house over in North Yorkshire, I thought it would be postponed but it seems they went ahead with it anyway. Not heard from Matthew recently, I must catch up with him.

I've started to crave normal things now, like a pint of lager on a hot day in a beer garden, and going for pizza at Croma with Chris to eat a meal that I haven't had to cook myself. I wondered if Croma were still doing takeaway but it seems not. I think Mint Lounge, the Indian restaurant at the other side of Chorlton, is still doing deliveries so hopefully tonight will be curry night.

One week

Today will be one week since I left the house - and what a long, weird week it's been.

Boris Johnson has this morning tested positive for Coronavirus, yesterday it was Prince Charles.

There's a cynical part of me that wonders if these announcements are part of a public relations plan to engender support in a 'we're all in it together' scenario. Surely if the Prime Minister and the Prince of Wales could acquire it, suffer mild symptoms like gentlemen, and recover then it would make the rest of us feel less scared of the virus and less likely to panic buy (too late) or act as an unruly mob going on the rampage and rioting. But that's the cynic in me and thankfully that side rarely rears its head these days.

In these, what is referred to increasingly in the media as unprecedented times, folks are up to all manner of things to get them by. Social media, much derided by many people, has come into its own this week. It is not only a tool to share news and keep in touch with others during the period of lock down, but it's helping pass the time in more creative ways than I've seen before.

For example, I'm in a Facebook group called Club Solo which is essentially a virtual nightclub where people share music, post live streams of themselves DJing, make up stories of what's going on in the club and generally invent the funniest nightclub that ever didn't exist.

A friend shared an Instagram post from a local food company who are selling boxes of butter, eggs, rice, cheese and so on as a way to get by and I'm just waiting on the delivery now.

Last time I spoke to my brother he was doing baby yoga with his wife and four year old. And so on.

People are using the time as an opportunity, where they can, which I suppose is all you can do other than loaf around all day.

National Emergency

The Prime Minister essentially put the country in lock down yesterday referring, at the end of his 8.30pm message, to a moment of national emergency. We are allowed to go out for essentials such as food as infrequently as possible, for exercise once a day, for medical needs and travelling to work if this is essential and can't be done at home. There are to be no public gatherings of more than two people excluding those that we live with, and all social events including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies - excluding funerals - are all banned.

It's a pretty strange state of affairs that's for sure. Yesterday afternoon there were 6,650 known cases of Covid-19 of which 335 people had died, today's figures had gone up to 8,077 cases with 422 deaths. Understandably the news about it is everywhere, TV, online, press and social media are awash with messages and stories and opinion, the Government even sent a text message to everyone today, it's quite overwhelming at times.

I find watching the news stressful and then, like this morning, every little cough or tickle of the throat, I think is the beginning of the virus. And of course because we went out on Friday night, and Chris went out on Sunday, we're still within the incubation period. I have to rationalise as best I can by saying that the risk is still relatively low and if I do get it, for most people, it's a mild illness. But those figures are sobering, especially when you look at the rate of change day by day.

Mary, our elderly neighbour, seems not to have any awareness of the situation. She's been out to the shops twice today as far as I have seen. I've asked Chris to send a text message to her sons who seem to be absent.

We're planning an online get together with the six of us that were due to go to the Lake District this weekend which should be fun. These online video link services are proving incredibly valuable already.

Mother's Day

Today is Mothering Sunday in the UK, it's a beautiful Spring day and everything feels calm as it often does at this time of year. Obviously this year is different than before. Chris has elected to not see his mum today which I think is the right thing to do. Traditionally one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants, this year they all lie empty. It's all very sad.

I was chatting with Alison earlier about the things that have changed so quickly and the markers in everyday life that have had to happen differently: kids not celebrating the end of their school career, birthdays, weddings, funerals, all sorts of things.

We're planning on getting married in July, we have the reservation with the register office and we'd started planning a party. I'm not sure how this is going to affect it but thankfully our only financial outlay to date is a forty quid deposit and the way we're doing it means that it's very flexible and we can scale up or down quickly and even postpone relatively easily if needs be. Not so for those poor couples who have spent thousands of pounds and months, sometimes years, planning and ordering and buying. Still, the most important thing is obviously their health.


Chris began coughing last night, over and over again. He said that his chest hurt when he coughed too. Even something as innocuous as that scared the life out of me. There were no other symptoms though and after getting him to sit upright and covering himself in vapour rub it eventually improved. This morning it's there a bit but not like yesterday. In fact I have a bit of a cough too which is no doubt the same thing and to know what it feels like is a comfort. I feel like I'm overreacting with every little thing, and I'm not an overly dramatic person, but it's scary reading the headlines and seeing the news then wondering if it could be us next, trying to get seen at a hospital. We're both pretty healthy as it stands so if or when it does happen I think we'll be okay. I hope so anyway. In the meantime, all we can do is stay at home.

Chris's cat friends have come back to see him. They're definitely too well looked after to be stray and I'm 90% sure they have a home somewhere. I suggested to him the other day that we foster a dog for a few months from the dog's home but he doesn't seem interested.

We, just this minute, cancelled our Lake District trip next weekend. Sarah and Steve are struggling with childcare as Steve's folks are quarantining themselves, Chris and I had decided we shouldn't do it anyway and Kaz & Paul are in agreement. It's such a shame because it was the start of the celebrations for Kaz's 50th birthday but needs must and all that. Must let Dom know we won't be needing the house now.

The Country Steps Up a Gear

Yesterday felt like an historic day. Despite the recommendations from Government to avoid bars, theatres and other social spaces earlier in the week, the PM yesterday officially ordered all pubs, cafes, restaurants, gyms, cinemas and so on closed. Almost inevitably people went out for one last hurrah and as we walked through Chorlton to the pharmacy last night just before 7.00pm there were people in lots of the places that remained open. The Thirsty Korean was busier than I've ever seen it, there were folk in The Font, and a queue at the chip shop.

The pharmacy was a bit awkward with people trying to keep their distance from each other, that being said one cretin walked through the door coughing without covering his mouth and got a few looks thrown his way. Of course nobody said anything to him. I saw hand sanitiser on sale for the first time in about a month but didn't buy any as I thought £4.99 for 50ml was a bit steep.

We went to Charles and Paul's last night in lieu of going to the theatre, which of course had been cancelled earlier in the week. Right up to the last minute we were questioning whether we should go or not but decided to as it was a small group, everyone had been working from home all week, and it felt a relatively low risk. We didn't do the usual hugs and kisses when we arrived or left which felt unusual but I think everyone accepted it for what it was.

We had pizza from Double Zero which a few of the group went to pick up, there were people eating in the restaurant apparently but it wasn't full which, considering you have to book well ahead of time for a mid week table, is unusual in itself. Of course, like everywhere else, that was their last night of being open.

It'll be interesting to see who manages to ride this out. I expect there'll be a lot of restaurants and bars which just don't open again when this has all ended. The world will be a very different place that's for sure.

There are key events in the world which change everything, the one that springs to mind immediately is the attack on the the World Trade Centre which changed travel forever, and I suppose locally the terrorist attack on Manchester Arena in 2017 which has had implications for mass gatherings of all kinds since. I daresay that these will pale in comparison to Coronavirus when it's all over.

This is a truly global crisis. I looked at a map yesterday of countries in the world which had been affected so far and there were, as far as I could see, only a few countries in southern Africa where there were no reports. I wonder if that will change. There's no escaping this thing.

I spoke to my dad this morning and told him that I wasn't going to see him after all. I just think that getting on a tram and a grubby train and then walking into an elderly man's house is asking for trouble. Besides I don't know if I picked anything up at last night's gathering. Probably not but you never know.

My cousin Natalie has been a superstar. I put a message on Facebook yesterday asking for people's opinions and advice on going to see dad and she saw it and offered to help. So today at 4 o'clock, she's taking him a pork casserole and coffee cake then going shopping for him. It's a big relief for me.

I spoke to my brother Matthew today too, he's in isolation for a fortnight with Falak and Micah. Micah, who turned four a couple of weeks ago, has been poorly and developed a fever. Unable to get through to their doctor Falak eventually called 999 and a paramedic came out. He's improving but they've been advised to self isolate in case they have Covid-19. Like everyone though, they'll probably never know if that's what it was.

So today is our first Saturday at home. We contemplated going to the street market in Chorlton which Chris said is still on but decided against it. The decision was helped somewhat by our hangovers.

It's mother's day tomorrow. I'm not sure what Chris is planning with his mum, if anything. It feels weird to write this but I'm glad my mum doesn't have to go through this.

The other side of the dining table

Today I am working from the other side of my dining room table, just for a change of view. This is the third day that I've not worn shoes and I haven't left the house, other than to poke my head out into the back garden, since I went to the post office on Tuesday. My face feels puffy and I'm achey from lack of exercise.

I spoke to dad yesterday as it was his 70th birthday. I didn't realise but there were some crossed wires somewhere and he was expecting me to go and see him. I told him I was hoping to go on Saturday but I'm not really sure I should. I feel terrible that he spent his birthday on his own.

I'm a bit concerned because he can't get a delivery slot from the supermarket for three weeks and he's housebound. His cleaner goes in every day to make him some breakfast and leave him a sandwich for later, and Uncle Philip goes most days with a few things, but I'm still concerned. And it's difficult when I live so far away and don't have a car.

I've been looking at some home delivery services for hot food so I'll have a chat with him and see if I can get that set up.

We're due to go to the lake district next weekend for a couple of nights with Sarah & Steve and Kaz & Paul. At present we're all still up for it - we decided that as long as we're not officially restricted from travelling and we're all well then we should still go. I've got the number of the local pub so I'll see if they're still open, but even if they're not it'll be great to just get outside and get some fresh air in my lungs. I dare say it's easier to isolate yourself in the countryside.

Schools Closing and Lockdown Rumours

The Prime Minister announced yesterday evening that all schools in England would close on Friday, falling in line with announcements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The fact of the matter is that they won't completely close as they're charged with taking in kids of those in front-line services such as medics, or the police, but for most children, they'll be at home for some time. Exams will be affected of course but there'll be contingency plans in place for that.

Just heard now on the rumour mill - a friend of a colleague who works for the army - that there's due to be an official lock down tomorrow night which feels unsettling to me. It's funny how we take our liberty so much for granted. Of course it could just be that the increases troops at barracks are there to support the country, rather than restrict us, but time will tell.

Chris went out last night to get some supplies and came back saying it was eerie. People were steering clear of each other, the roads were quiet, the bars that were still open were empty.

I'm feeling worn out and run down. Tired and listless. I'm surprised really given that I'm barely leaving the house, and this has only been a week. My shoulder and neck hurt which is usually a sign of stress for me but it could just be that I'm spending so much time sitting down.

Work carries on of course, and as miserable as it is doing it at the dining room table I'm grateful.  Corporation Pop's products and work are all online thankfully and so far all work carries on as normal. We all come together every morning on a video call which gives me some outside contact.

Chris has nothing work-wise, football was one of the first things to shut down so that work went, then he got a call about his tutoring being cancelled and now he's looking for things to do around the house.

Looking on the bright side, the press are reporting a turning point in China, some three months since they started battling this. No new local infections. I dare say we have some way to go, it could be June at this rate, but a lot has been learned in Asia and I'm hopeful.

Toilet Paper

Closures continue all over the place, restaurants and bars by far the biggest hit at the moment. Public transport in London and Birmingham are reducing, or have reduced, their services partly in response to the continued rise in cases of COVID-19 and partly simply because fewer people are using them.

I went to the post office yesterday to send my dad's birthday present which I'm hoping will be with him tomorrow though I have definitely decided that I'm not going to go over. Robert is going for a night which makes me feel a bit better. He and Nat are due to move house next week which is going to be interesting.

After the post office we went to Morrisons, the shelves are still empty of pasta, loo paper, painkillers and flour but most things are still available and the place was busier than I expected.

Chris rode to his parents to see them while I was working, took them round Waitrose, and a few hours later brought them back here to see the garden and meet the cats that keep coming round. They brought with them a bunch of goodies: pies, soup, cleaning stuff that we don't really need, and a nine pack of toilet paper.

This obsession with loo roll is weird. It even affects us because with the shelves being empty, and being on your last four pack, you find yourself scanning shops on the off chance you can get some more before you're left without.

I have to say Maureen seemed quite blasé about the whole thing. She's 80 and Brian about 83 or 84, and she'd marched around the shops with Chris and came here without, it appeared a care in the world. They really ought to be locking themselves away for a few weeks already given Government advice. I'm a bit concerned that Chris has a cough, has been out and about, and is still spending time with them, especially as they're quite susceptible to colds and the like, and usually have a couple of bad ones each winter.

I cancelled today's meeting at Levenshulme Old Library because I'm being quite cautious and it would've meant a trip on a bus and being in what is essentially a community centre just after a social session. I was due to meet Scott, the director of my play in December, to check the place out as a venue but I've switched that to an online Zoom meeting to go through the planning and finances with him. There's plenty of time and lots of stuff that can be done at home.

Tesco are delivering this afternoon, though what I'll get is anybody's guess. I logged on yesterday to check something and nearly a quarter of what I'd ordered wasn't available so I had to change it all. Andrex is back in stock it seems - but you can only have two packets. It appears I've become an unwitting hoarder!

Lockdown diary or Coronavirus takes hold

Yesterday the Prime Minister urged the British public to avoid all non-essential contact with others.

While at present it feels a little over the top I'm confident that in the near future we'll see this as sage advice and suspect this is just the beginning of a long haul.

I've been working from home since Thursday as it is after advice at work to not come in if we showed any signs of flu or cold-like illness, and as I had a sore throat and a grumbly cough I acted on that advice.

We did go out on Saturday to see friends. We joined John & Peter as their dinner with Rose and Sylvian came to a close. We drank wine, ate cheese and caught up with them before heading to Croma on Clarence Street for dinner and champagne which Chris had won in a St Valentines day competition. After dinner we met David and Claire Dunne at The Refuge to celebrate his birthday with a couple of drinks. Needless to say we were quite drunk by this time!

The tram, restaurant and bar were obviously quieter than usual, which given different circumstances might have been nice, but generally it was a relatively normal night out.

The difference between Saturday and today (Tuesday) is marked. Plans to go to the Kings Arms to see Mike Heath's new play have just been thwarted as he's taken the decision to pull the rest of the run, after just one night, on yesterday's advice. As well, plans to see Night of the Living Dead Remix at HOME this Friday have been cancelled as they chose to close, along with all theatres, for the foreseeable, I've just had a Whatsapp conversation with Alison and Nicola about them coming here on 4th April and it looks like that's off now too because it involves public transport.

We've been invited to Charles & Paul's in lieu of our zombies on Friday and to John & Peter on Saturday as they've had to cancel their Paris trip. Phil & Charlie who have had to cancel their holiday to Lanzarote will also be there. I'm playing it by ear.

It's dad's 70th birthday on Thursday and despite the fact that he's only left the house once since March last year, and that was to be admitted to hospital after a fall, I was hoping to go and see him at some point though I suspect that's not going to happen. How miserable to be all alone on your birthday. Thankfully he doesn't put much stock on birthdays these days. I'll pop out shortly to post his birthday present and try to pick up a packet of loo paper which continues to be as rare as hen's teeth.