I left for my daily walk much earlier today, to avoid the growing number of people, that are now venturing outside. Despite my early start, it was clear others had the same idea and I spent a good proportion of my walk dodging 'lockdowners' meandering the length and breadth of the esplanade, along the beach front in Southsea. The weather was fine and there were plenty of sights to see along the way, much of which I have never seen before.
Most people like me were just taking a brisk outdoor ramble, but there were a few sitting on the beach, public benches and along the promenade. The laws have been relaxed to allow the public time to exercise and enjoy the early summer sun and as time moves on, I am sure others will take advantage of the less draconian rules that only allowed for basic physical activity.
I have spent a bit of time watching the news today, something I haven't done much of lately, preferring to live my life away from the constant Coronavirus bombardment, but this Sunday I wanted to catch up on just what was going on in the rest of the World. It does seem that there is a more positive outlook towards this killer virus. New blood thinning medications are being tried in the fight against this disease, Italy, once the most contagious country in Europe, is beginning to finally open up and Spain is also allowing much of the Country to return to the new normal over the next week. The most heartening news is Italy's daily death count had fallen below one hundred people a day, which all points towards a continent winning in the battle against COVID-19.
On a more negative note, all of us are being warned that COVID may well be with us for a long time, and we will have to live with its reach alongside other less destructive viruses for months, possibly years to come. As we also move towards a time when lockdown is relaxed, even more of us can start doing things we took for granted not that long ago, however we should all be mindful of the consequences of taking our eye off the ball. I must repeat, that I am carrying on very much in the same vein as I have been and will continue to social distance and take precautions. My biggest fear is people will relax too much, let their guard down and the infection rate in this country will begin to soar once again.
The one thing these daily walks are teaching me, is the nature of other people. Most are ignoring advice and not social distancing at all and ever larger groups of people are gathering against Government advice. I had considered stopping my daily exercise routine but have come to the conclusion that it is more beneficial if I carry on, although taking stricter measures myself, to avoid social contact. This is an easier task than I thought, I have rapidly gone off people over the last four months anyway and have never really had a problem with my own company. Blogging and writing is indeed my release, but it is also a great way of protecting myself from the outside World.
Of course in time, even I will once again enjoy the company of others, but that will be on my own terms and not forced upon me, by a public who just want to do their own thing, ignoring the feelings of others. I look forward to seeing friends and family in the future, and hope all of us can get back to the way we were. COVID-19 may well have separated us all physically, but it has instilled in me the importance of family life. Today those closest are closer than ever before because tragedy and disaster have made me rethink my whole outlook and given me the time to realise just what matters in life!
