CORONAVIRUS - A Disease That Doesn't Discriminate. Self Isolation Day 6

On Sunday Queen Elizabeth broadcast to the nation, for only the fifth time in her 68-year reign. This was an historic speech, given by a Monarch, who has devoted her life in the service of her people and the country she loves. Like many others, I was glued to the television, despite feeling unwell myself. As a Monarchist, I have much admiration for Her Majesty and believe passionately in the work she and her family do. For Queen Elizabeth to give such a message to the UK and Commonwealth, the situation must be serious; her words were spoken at a crucial time, as the pandemic reaches its peak over the next few days.

The Queen's broadcast was emotional, poignant and historic; just what the country needs at this time. She praised the good work of key workers and spoke candidly about her own childhood. Appealing for unity and resolve, Her Majesty struck a chord with all of us who watched on Sunday night. I was personally left feeling comforted and determined to do what I can to help with the efforts, ensuring normality returns as soon as possible. If we were in any doubt of the seriousness of the situation, we were given a hard dose of reality by the time she concluded her words.

In times of national crisis it is important to hear from any Head of State. At 94 years of age, The Queen is vulnerable to COVID-19 and is in self-isolation herself, so her words were even more important than ever. Her encouragement and sense of duty, has been unwavering at this time and for those of us, not following the rules, still sunbathing in parks or browsing in supermarkets, this should be the wake up call to finally do the right thing. HM The Queen will remain paramount in the fight for hearts and minds, as this pandemic reaches new heights. Her words should be the focal point for the battles ahead; all of us should look towards our Monarch as the voice of reason and stability in these uncertain times.

Just as The Queen finished her broadcast to the nation, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson was taken to St Thomas' Hospital in London. His COVID-19 symptoms were getting worse, and he was no longer able to cope with them at home. The PM's office at number 10 stressed that it was a precautionary measure, while Mr Johnson undergoes tests. By early yesterday evening Boris had been taken to Intensive care, as his condition deteriorated further, and he was no longer able to breathe unaided. The crisis now engulfing Britain was turning into a national emergency, with the PM now unable to carry out his duties.

I watched the television in horror yesterday along with everyone else, as Boris was admitted to Intensive care. I can not remember a period where I have felt so scared for the future. It does seem like we are living in the middle of a nightmare, one that just will not end. Whenever I switch on the television set, there is nothing but death, doom and destruction, and I am becoming more and more depressed as the days go by. Life all across the World has been disrupted in a way, none of us have experienced before and I feel mentally drained every single day. None of us know for sure when this is going to end and each of us just exist day to day.

There is no protection for any of us, rich or poor, we are all equal in the eyes of this virus and everyone just has to do what they can to survive the next few months. Despite having my own symptoms, I still have no idea if I have had the virus or not. The Doctors I spoke to on the phone said I have COVID-19, but I just don't know for sure. That is what makes this journey so much harder, not knowing! I have become a slave to Coronavirus and whether it's washing my hands forty times a day, cleaning surfaces time and time again or wearing masks and gloves on every shopping trip, I am literally spending my life living in fear. This really isn't living, this seems like a bad dream, that I will never wake up from.

Not having my partner around at this time has made my life unbearable. He is phoning me every day, making sure I am OK, but it isn't the same as having him here. We have been together for 24 years, so being separated, in the middle of a pandemic, with Darrell in Australia and me here has been the biggest challenge of our life and believe me, we have had obstacles to overcome. It isn't until you lose something or someone close that you truly realise their importance. Together Darrell and I are inseparable and always working hard to achieve our goals, but with the World in lockdown, that has all but stopped. We no longer have the dreams we once had, we no longer plan ahead, and we no longer have the life we fought so hard to obtain.

My fears and nightmares are now at the forefront of my mind. I do not have happy thoughts any more and that is sad. This bloody virus has taken away my security, sense of belonging and thrown me into a soup of boiling turmoil. With no end in sight, each of us are trying to survive until tomorrow. With each passing day, we are becoming more distant from our friends and family and less willing to take the step back towards normal life. I feel tired, shattered and fatigued; I feel upset and angry at the loss of loved ones and the people who are shouldering the burden of life and death most and I feel directionless, drifting in a sea of worry and stress.

My hope is this ends soon, and we can all get back to normal living, my guess is it won't conclude for many months to come, and we will continue to live through this hellish existence. The support we give each other now, no matter how distant we are, is crucial to our well-being. Reach out to those in the greatest need - the old, infirm, ill and families of those who have died, and hold them closer than you ever have before (Not physically of course). Protecting the most vulnerable individuals in society is a mark of humanity and as institutions collapse around the globe, all we can do is grasp hold of what makes us all human; the good that keeps us as one!

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