Today was a really sad day as schools across the country closed their doors. Little Boy who is 5 doesn't really understand what is going on and asked if he would still be allowed to go sometimes. He told me that he hugged his teacher and told her he loved her! We just have to pray that all these people that we won't see for months stay well and healthy.
After the school run this morning I headed out to look for some Calpol. I am part of a local facebook group that has been set up to assist everyone throughout the crisis so luckily I managed to get some in the first pharmacy I went to as I knew where to go. I felt guilty beyond measure for buying two bottles but as a family with four children what am I supposed to do? We now have a bottle of Calpol for each child so if they get sick that will hopefully be ok. The chemists have barricaded themselves behind barriers and only take contactless card payments and they all wear protective clothing and gloves.
I've found shopping really difficult to be honest. The supermarkets aren't nice places to be right now. Shelves are empty and tensions are high. Apparently supermarket workers are getting shouted at by customers because of restrictions and stores have had to close because of fighting but luckily I haven't seen any of that. As a large family I have been really conscious about what we have been buying. We definitely haven't stockpiled but I guess we have bought more than we would normally. I feel a huge responsibility towards my children, to keep them safe and well and fed and also to be a morally good citizen and not to stockpile. We have booked three online shops, each a week apart starting from next week but of course there is no guarantee that any food or essential items will be in stock then.
Home schooling Miss J was difficult today. She doesn't work very well without constant supervision and that is going to be difficult when the others are home. Her school has provided a very good bundle of work and login passwords for various educational apps. Little Boy's school has provided a little bit of work and as E is in high school hers is all online via their website.
We took a family walk this afternoon to pick up Little Boy from his after school club for the last time. We made sure to avoid anyone we walked past, although we didn't actually see many. When we got home we heard Boris Johnson's announcement that pubs, cafes, restaurants and leisure centres are to close. E headed to one last dancing class and we returned home fully prepared for the lockdown. I can't stress enough how surreal it all feels. We face months of not being able to go out, see our friends or live a normal life. We all know it is the right thing to do, but it is going to be so difficult.
We did have some good news though - our best friends called to tell us that they are pregnant with their first baby! I do feel somewhat sad for them, she has to self isolate for 12 weeks as her pregnancy makes her at risk and I've heard that maternity care is restricted to phone calls and essential scans and tests only. It's a scary world to be bringing a baby into.
Here are some snaps from our day as we tried to keep it light for the children. Children across the country are drawing rainbows to put on their windows in their isolation so we joined in with ours.
I didn't manage to get a quote from the children today so I asked the hubby for a contribution...
It is a bit worrying to see this country slowly starting to shut down. Public transport and pubs, clubs, restaurants, shops will be next and then we won't be allowed out of doors. I am feeling weirdly optimistic though as we are in a fortunate position that there is no one at risk in our household and the worst case seems to be that if we did get it, we would be ill for a while and then move on. Others of course aren't so lucky.
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