Reconnecting With Mrs F - Mindful of the times we now live in!

Last week I managed to see Mrs F, as soon as lockdown restrictions were lifted. After shielding for the recommended twelve weeks, Mrs F felt it was safe to finally venture outside for the first time. Of course, it was good to see her, but I was and still am, sceptical about the lifting of restrictions so soon, especially for the most vulnerable in society. This deadly virus is still about  and isn't going anywhere soon.

Chatting with her, it was clear that she hadn't enjoyed her forced isolation. Like most older people, she spends a lot of the time on her own in any event, so the last three months of this pandemic have just highlighted her vulnerability. I sensed that she just needed someone to talk to, so took some time out from work briefly, to have a chat to her on her way home.

Mrs F is always a joy to talk to, with so many stories to tell and I always appreciate her company, so seeing her face light up, as I had a brief conversation was a joy to be seen. She explained that she didn't speak to family as much as she would like and always looked forward to seeing me at work. Of course working in a customer focused environment, you do come across many people on a daily basis and each of us who work in the department, have customers who come in just to see us, each day. We can and do take the time to speak with each person for as long as they need, and they value the small talk. During this pandemic I have seen many people who live alone, coming in for a quick tête-à-tête, while they pick up their essential shopping. This was a life line for many, and I am glad all of us were able to help create a feeling of normality at a time of crisis.

Last Sunday I phoned Mrs F, as I will later today, just to see how she is; I was able to spend a little more time than usual listening to her. Despite her only living a short walk away, I have said I will not come to her home, just in case I carry anything along I shouldn't. I am mindful of this virus at every juncture and continue to social distance, sanitize my hands and refrain from greeting in the usual way. When we talked a few days before, we stood the regulatory two meters apart, only elbow bumping briefly as she went about her day. This is hard for everyone, especially people like Mrs F, but it is necessary to ensure all of us are spared any heartache in the future.

I still remain unable to see my father and other family members but when the time is right I will see them all again. I no longer trust this Government or its motives - when they told us it was safe to socialise at a limited level, I continued to keep my distance, as I still do now. The way they have acted throughout this crisis is been reprehensible, moving too slow to shut down and too quick to reopen. I will continue to do what I consider to be right, even if it means I am following a different path to others.

I was recently contacted by a friend in Gran Alacant, Spain, where Darrell and I used to live, who explained the COVID-19 situation there. It seems that the urbanization has had an outbreak of Coronavirus and local residents are being asked to follow strict guidelines in order to bring any upsurge under control. I have no idea what is going on there on the ground, but it is a pointer as to what expect everywhere across the World in the future. We have done remarkably well in Portsmouth, keeping the virus at bay, but if we are not careful we will see a second spike and people like Mrs F will once again have to shield.

I will continue to do the right thing, probably until we have a vaccine in place to stop COVID-19. However, I am lucky to work in an environment, where I come into contact with customers and can maintain friendships and relationships with some truly wonderful characters. I am happy they are returning to normal life once again but always, always conscious of the threat that still lurks in the shadows. Every one of us should do what we can to stay close with our loved ones and look forward to a time, without the presence of Coronavirus in our midst! We should also treat this virus with the respect it deserves and avoid its manipulative path at all costs, keeping safe and staying as far away from others as we possibly can. Remember COVID continues to kill at an alarming rate and all of us are potential targets!

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