Monday 27 April 2020

CORONAVIRUS START OF WEEK 6


Not a bad week all in all... We are still in Lockdown but we are aware that Italy and Spain are looking to start slowly easing restrictions.  Spain let children be allowed out for one hour (having been in for 6 weeks).

We also are aware of other countries not observing Lockdown in the same way as the UK, namely Sweden and USA.  Time will tell if it makes any difference to the rate of infections and death rate.  It is interesting to compare the cultural differences of these 2 countries, and, of course, their health care systems.



Iain played for the neighbours again. We all agree that it gives us a wonderful boost!  (To be fair, people are very good about social distancing.  Even our teenage neighbour sits on his lawn while his pal stands on the street keeping his social distance.)


There is a lot of talk, e.g. TV and radio, friends and neighbours, about the fact that we are all enjoying nature more as the skies, the roads, the parks and city centres are all quiet.

And our garden is no exception.  


Here is Iain in the garden as the evening sun on the garden was disappearing up towards the park edge. The lime tree is now coming out in its early spring green.  Each day the leaves get bigger.




And then as the last of the sunlight moves up the garden it finishes on the top of the neighbour's fence where I caught these two doves billing and cooing.


Violets on the garden path


* * * * * * * *    A Final Thought * * * * * * * * 

COVID-19 Kids – what if?

When people say kids are going to be ‘behind’ I say, behind what?? Not each other- they’re all in the same boat. Only ‘behind’ the age expectations of a curriculum that currently has limited context due to these extraordinary circumstances. In front on so many other more important fronts I say.
What if instead of “behind” this group of kids is advanced because of this.
What if they have more empathy, they enjoy family connection, they can be more creative and entertain themselves, they love to read, they love to express themselves in writing.
What if they enjoy the simple things, like their own backyard and sitting near a window in the quiet?
What if they notice the birds and the dates the different flowers emerge, and the calming renewal of a gentle rain shower?
What if this generation is the one to learn to cook, organize their space, do their laundry, and keep a well-run home?
What if they learn to stretch a dollar and to live with less?
What if they learn to plan shopping trips and meals at home?
What if they learn the value of eating together as a family and finding the good to share in the small delights of the everyday?
What if they are the ones to place great value on our teachers and educational professionals, librarians, public servants and the previously invisible essential support workers like truck drivers, grocers, cashiers, custodians, logistics, and health care workers and their supporting staff, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now while we are sheltered in place?
What if among these children, a great leader emerges who had the benefit of a slower pace and a simpler life, who has a fine sense of empathy and care and concern for fellow humans.
What if he or she truly learns what really matters in all this…

[Source: Words from a School Principal [?American] from Facebook page ‘Mums Advice’ April 20, 2020. ] 





Sunday 12 April 2020

CORONAVIRUS (START OF) WEEK 4

That's us at the end of 3 weeks of being in 'lockdown'.  

We are both well and so are Mairi, John and children and Alastair and Co.

I go shopping for necessities (just food or to the butcher or fishmonger who are both small shops in Milngavie village centre).   The shelves are pretty well stocked; the gaps appear to be pasta, toilet paper and paper towels.  Early Scottish strawberries are in now (M&S).  Lovely, as usual!

The have made 8 am - 9 am a slot for Seniors and Front Line Workers.  I went early on Thursday and heard the sound of oystercatchers, a bird I associate with the shoreline of the West Coast of Scotland.


We are going through good in the cupboard, e.g. jam, chutney.  However a crisis this week:  I have finished the bottle of 'everyday' whisky that sits in the cupboard for when I need the occasional pick-me-up.  It means I have to bring out the Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottles.  They are very expensive but, hey  ho.. needs must!


Whisky and gin distilleries are making hand sanitisers. 

[I see that it is basically: Combine in a bowl,
2/3 cups rubbing alcohol (99.9% isopropyl alcohol)
1/3 cup aloe vera gel
Stir. Decant into a soap or pump bottle
Give it a good shake every now and then.
]

David W told me to try some very nice wine from Lebanon Chateau Nusar.  




Letter received in the post from Boris Johnson asking people to Stay at Home:



I have been in the garden as the weather has been really very pleasant. 
While weeding out in the front garden people pass by me as they take their daily allotted one hour of exercise 'near their home'.  A young teenage girl was walking her labrador dog and also her little 3 year old sister who was pushing her dolly in a pram. We fell into conversation.  They live in around the corner and mentioned that they occasionally have used 'The Secret Park' behind our house.  I said to the little girl "Maybe I have seen you there, or perhaps your mummy."  Without missing a beat the little girl replied  "My mummy's dead; she died of a brain tumour."

Here is a 5 year old who is the same age as Ellie and same personalityand singing voice!



And lastly another one which made me laugh:   about resuscitation.











Friday 3 April 2020

CORONAVIRUS (START OF) WEEK 3

Iain playing the pipes as we Clap for the NHS. This is a 'still' photo of the video. 

Go to the caption underneath this photo to open up the whole video of 1:34 seconds.  It opens with a little voice in John's car asking "Is it going to be loud?"!!!


Double click on  this  (which shows the link and then click on that) in order to hear all of Iain playing the pipes in front of the house.


John then put this video on his Facebook page.  Great fun!!!  He got a huge number of Likes and also Comments.  Furthermore, because of the number of 'Shares' we were able to enjoy comments from people we haven't heard of for years... That, and hearing the pipes out on the street proved to greatly lift our spirits (and that of our neighbours!)  in this time of 'lockdown'!

* * * * * * 
So another week has gone by.  One day is much like the next as we obey government guidelines to Stay at Home (except to buy food, exercise in the neighbourhood or attend to a medical emergency).  

The number of new cases plus the death toll continue to rise pretty well in the manner that was predicted in the epidemiological model. The curve on the graph is rising but not as steeply hence it may to take longer to come out of this. (A flat curve means it goes on longer but reduces the load on the NHS.)

Basically everything is the same as last week but more emphasis is being placed on the necessity of washing hands and social distancing, for example:

- Social distancing of 2 m still in force. It is repeatedly included in news reports, radio programmes, the weather report etc.
- Can't go out to the countryside, e.g. Mugdock.
- Police have been given powers to warn, then issue penalties if person disobeys social distancing instructions.
- No gathering on street outside your house (or anywhere else).
- Shops and supermarkets have tape on the concrete entrances or till points indicating 2 metre separation for those queuing.  In our area, largely obeyed.
- The coup (garbage dump) is closed and the bin collection has been reduced. Not sure if this is because of illness of bin men.
- Our postman continues on his rounds.  Says that they already work spaced out so no real change for sorting the post.  He says there are less parcels these days as delivery vans doing the online delivieries (which have increased a lot, apparently).
- Local shops open are the butcher, fishmonger (who is now selling vegetables and pasta and bread); post office, newsagent. The big supermarkets are all open as well as the petrol stations.  Also I see buses and trains running but no one in them.
- Horiticultural industry is at stage of delivering plants, flowers for spring planting.  Garden centres are closed.  I hope some arrangement can sort this out.  Daffodil producer in Perth has a field full of yellow daffodils and no market.

What am I doing to fill the time at home?
- Piano practice, which is a solitary activity by its very nature,  has been quadrupled.  I set myself tasks and also explore stuff I do not know.
-  Spend some time looking at Photoshop tutorials.  I am currently putting together a brochure for June printing so am trying out some different stuff (to do with images).
-  Work in the garden but only when it is warm.  
-  Reading "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.  Very enjoyable!

Finally, I have signed up to sew scrubs for the NHS. Haven't heard anything yet (re. fabric, elastic etc). It will be interesting to see where this goes!  How did I find out about it?  Can't remember; it must have Facebook, perhaps a pop-up 'sponsored ad'?  I am impressed with the people setting it up.  There seem to be a lot of 'machinists' e.g. kilt makers etc, garment makers in this country... of all ages.
      


From the web:  Since being posted last night, [it] has been met with a tremendous response, as Glaswegians try to do everything they can to support our NHS heroes.
The Facebook group was set up by Mirka and Maja of Kirkcaldy's Mirka Bridal Couture to help meet the demand. [They] say: "This group is created to help contribute and make scrubs for NHS Scotland staff who are facing a shortage of the necessary work wear."