Tuesday 7 April 2020

A different atmosphere.



Exactly like a week ago, yesterday I went early to do my 'two weeks' shopping.  I was queueing outside their door at 8.30 am.

Normally I enjoy my trips out in the car, but yesterday the atmosphere seemed to have changed. There was a feeling of depression in the air, and the roads were even more empty than usual.

As you can see by the trolly park, no-one was there. The car park was almost empty, and what few people were about were either masked or looked miserable. I should add that there have still been no instances of COVID-19 in the area. 

There was no shortage of anything (other than hand sanitiser), and people avoided being close to each other, as if they stank of BO.


On a normal Monday morning, the place would have been buzzing, but people are really becoming scared, and are staying home. I shall now do the same for the next two weeks; other than maybe a quick visit to our tiny local market on Saturday, for bread.

Suddenly Coronavirus has become extremely serious.

48 comments:

  1. Here because of the holiday there is a real curfew, take care Cro.

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    Replies
    1. I was just reading about your total shutdown in the paper. I'm sure it's for the good; if it saves lives, it'll be worth it.

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  2. "Exactly like a week ago, yesterday I went early to do my 'two weeks' shopping."
    Does that mean the rules have changed and now you are only allowed to shop fortnightly?

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    Replies
    1. No, I follow the government's advice, and stay at home. Many, unfortunately, don't.

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  3. For years I have been told that we need far fewer people on our planet. They unwashed have gone quiet now they realise one of the fewer may be them.
    We are powerless to defeat nature but we can but try to ameliorate it's worst effects.
    Do your level best to survive but do it with a smile and a song in your heart.

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    Replies
    1. I do listen to 'experts' on the matter, and they seem to be in agreement about one thing; that the virus is NOT going away. As long as we can stay virus-free until an effective vaccine is developed, then it's best to stay home. Having said that, we are way out in the countryside, so here, at least, we are safe (singing and smiling).

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  4. Replies
    1. Up until yesterday I had the feeling that people were vaguely amused by the whole business. Wearing their comical masks, and making jokes. Yesterday, it seemed very different. People are becoming paranoid, and frightened.

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    2. p.s. Did you ever see so many trollies waiting to be used??

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  5. Glad to see they really are taking it all seriously even in your area where there are no cases yet. Greece is doing well so far and our area too is virus free. People are still out and about more than they should on the island. Our neighbours son goes down shopping every second day. Some people just wont understand what stay at home means till it taps on their door
    Hope all remains calm and everyone is healthy

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    Replies
    1. You are in a good position to close your borders. Surely they could ban all visitors to the island? You could remain virus free.

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  6. There were a couple of French military helicopters flew 3 corona patients to Salzburg the other day. I thought that was a bit strange. My neighbour does my little bit of shopping for me and I leave it in the shed for 2 or 3 days before bringing in house. Fortunately the cans of beer are sealed in plastic at the brewery so untouched by human hand. That's a relief!

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    Replies
    1. We had a parcel delivery yesterday, and the van driver left the package on the lawn. It's becoming surreal.

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  7. Especially so now that our PM is in intensive care here.

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    1. This is so dreadful. I really hope he recovers. Just when we have a PM that really looks up to the job, he gets ill. That's the last thing we want. Get well soon Boris!

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    2. These are not normal times. The NHS like every other health system outside of communist China is feeling the strain. The doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff are the worlds best.

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  8. Our borders and airports have been shut for sometime in New Zealand and we have been on total lockdown for two weeks. I went to the supermarket today which wasn't busy and reasonably stocked although there is no flour or yeast to buy.

    I work at the hospital so I get out most days, and for me life is much the same as normal.

    Julie

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    Replies
    1. Let's hope it remains that way. The only sure method is to close all ports of entry, but sadly for most countries, action came too late.

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  9. One only has to read our small circle of blogs to see how people think so differently about what self-isolation means in the UK. I see and speak to nobody and keep out of the way.

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    Replies
    1. In the four weeks since we've self-isolated, I've been once to market, and twice shopping to the supermarket. Up until yesterday I felt 100% safe, but that seems now to have changed.

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  10. Do you remember when, occasionally, I'd tease you about you casually dropping names (say, Kennedy)? Well, my dear Cro, beat this if you can: A couple of days ago I (together with everyone else in the country) received a letter from

    10 DOWNING STREET
    LONDON SW1A 2AA

    THE PRIME MINISTER

    He then proceeds a good one and three quarter A4 pages imploring the populace to stay home, god dammit (unless you have to go out - a get out clause I use for my own purposes).

    What worries me more than anything else in the letter is his signature. It bears little resemblance to that a few years ago.

    U

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, he, the poor man, is unable to keep away from people; unless he lets the country crumble around him. Someone has to do the hard work, and unfortunately he's now paying thwe price. I really hope he gets through it OK.

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  11. My best friend is faced with the unenviable task of arranging her father's funeral (90, natural causes). That will be a quiet, stange affair for them - very few allowed to attend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We wouldn't be able to attend a funeral, even if it was just down the road at the local cemetery. It's a horrible situation; one we never imagined.

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  12. This is SID20 (Self-isolation day) for me so I haven't been in a shop of any sort for 20 days. Oddly I have not missed it. But then I have friends who work in each of our two supermarkets so get my supplies delivered. I'm one of the lucky ones.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've been restricting our sorties for 4 weeks, and have done quite well. However, unlike some, we are not restricted to four walls; we go where we like for walks etc. Many don't have that liberty, and it must be very hard.

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  13. I haven't been into town now for a couple of weeks. My husband does the once weekly shop as only one person per household is allowed to enter. Like you, I am lucky enough to live out in the sticks so can get out for a short walk without meeting people. I cannot imagine how it would be in a flat in town.

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  14. here in Hampshire the numbers are high, our local hospital has loads of cases and sadly deaths, so it's close to us, but you are correct, it does feel a different place. The sunshine is a cruel trick, but we are staying home our garden is calling.

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    Replies
    1. How was he allowed to travel across? Are there no checks at either end?
      Selfish idiot.

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    2. They have been warning second home owners to not go to their houses in Yorkshire as well. We are all still at the stage when somethings have not been addressed by law. Here I mean movement around the country, but it is a bad show to move from country to another.

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    3. I know from personal experience that people are travelling around with hardly any checks whatsoever. If they are going to announce new rules, they should enforce them!

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  15. There are a lots more corona deaths in France than UK. Maybe up to 40% more. You should tell him that and then he’ll return home.

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    Replies
    1. France had about 2500 more deaths than the UK as at Sunday night, yes, almost above 40% more.

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    2. Still mostly in the East, I think; but that doesn't mean it won't come here.

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  16. That photograph - are the cars keeping a social distance too?

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    1. Some of the most inventive parking takes place in that car park. Right next to me was a man who'd over-shot his space and therefore occupied two spaces. I've also seen people occupying four spaces, as well as people parking sideways. Every combination is there!

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  17. Today marks 3 weeks since I was last in the office - the province went into lockdown that day and no one expects that to change any earlier than May 4th and even that is beginning to look optimistic. I have been to the shops twice - last time was a week ago. I do not intend going back until at least the 21st as the next two weeks are to be when the city hits the peak of the virus. I live in an apt. with no balcony but I limit my walks to the twice a week when I take out the garbage & recycling - just add in a 20 minute walk around the neighbourhood. It seems more like months than weeks.

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    1. Looks like you may have to take up Home Exercising. Left leg out, left leg in, etc. I watched a woman yesterday on TV, demonstrating. Better than comedy.

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  18. I heard that we in the US will have more deaths than seven wars put together. The government acted too late even though they knew the threat. We are in disarray not knowing what to believe. Most of us have locked down including our stores and businesses, but still idiots are out their doing what they want and spreading the virus. It only takes one person with Covid 19 to spread it to thousands.

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    1. Don't forget that the Spanish Flu of 1918/19 killed up to 40 Million. I imagine that it all started with one person, who then spread it to lots of others.

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  19. 1,300+ total and 64 new cases today in our state. Yet there are so many people acting like it’s nothing.

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    1. People are still not taking it seriously. I know people who are still saying 'it's just Flu'. Crackers!

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  20. The rolling wave of death is sobering.

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  21. It is all quite depressing. I suppose one day things will become normal again but I am not sure if we will ever know what day that is as it will be a slow process.

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    1. If we are ever to behave 'normally' again, we will all need to be vaccinated, and pray that the vaccine works. The virus may be with us for ever.

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