37 days of isolation. Although we have contact with most of the people we love, we miss the hugs. David came with our grandchildren on Monday afternoon. They sat on the wall in the front garden whilst we stood at the front door. It was lovely but just not the same. I also popped to Mum’s yesterday to take the clean washing back and also took a squirty cream for her strawberries which she loves. Her cupboards are full of food. It includes a fantastic selection of ready meals. Jenna the carer came while I was there and made a coffee for mum and prepared her lunch. Jenna and all the other “girls” are great. Seeing her working,  one can appreciate the risks they are taking visiting several homes a day with just a mask and apron for protection.  We hope they all stay safe for as long as this crisis continues.

They are all heros and heroines in my eyes. Especially as the powers that be, don’t really seem to care, particularly in the case of shortages of Personal Protection Equipment. This morning on the tv there was a company that had offered to make and supply the NHS and has heard nothing since, from anyone. He is still manufacturing the equipment but is supplying all he makes to Eire. And we rely on a delayed plane load from Turkey. Pathetic. When this is all over, heads should roll.

Coming home from Mum’s I noticed that Lidl was open. There was no queue and hardly anyone in. So I did a quick random shop for essentials such as bleach, bread, milk, kitchen roll and some food such as ham and beef and a steak pie which we are having today with cabbage, carrots and roast potatoes and gravy. (Jenny has been baking so there will be pudding too). Other essentials included peanuts, chocolate covered raisins and biscuits. It was not a panic buy as I only spent £26.

The weather continues to be bright and sunny although there is a cool breeze. We get out for a daily walk which would be difficult if the weather was poor. We are even having to water the few plants we have managed to put in the garden.

We have heard of our first two corona deaths that are “close”. One was Davids immediate neighbour. He was 74. The other was my cousins Uncle, her mum’s brother, who was 90,  we think. We had met him and he did have an underlying medical condition. A really nice chap and it is sad to think that only a handful of family will be allowd to attend the funerals.

Yesterdays death toll was a disappointment after two “good” days. The experts view is that the situation is plateauing. We shall see.

UK deaths  Monday 20th April                449

UK deaths  Tuesday 21st April                 828

UK deaths  Wednesday  22nd April        763