Coronavirus Diary

Last modified on February 14th, 2021

COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

The correct name for the current Coronavirus is Covid-19. But like many other names, the correct name has gone out the window and Coronavirus has stuck! This is just my ordinary joe bloggs story of my experience of Covid 19 and how things have unfolded for me…

The Start…
February
March
April
May

References:

December, 2019.

The Beginning…

I first became aware of Coronavirus when it was on the BBC News back in December / January. I wasn’t too concerned. I had seen these things before, on the news and in various articles. However, I am aware nature has a habit of correcting things, (and the world population is growing)…

The Holiday…

January, 2020.

My wife and daughter had already booked a holiday to see my eldest daughter in New Zealand, where she is working. I wasn’t going, because I suffer from ME and wouldn’t have coped too well with the trip. However, because they were travelling, I paid a bit more attention to what was going on in China. The virus had now broken out of China and was on the move.

February 7th, 2020.

The start of the holiday for my wife and youngest daughter. The week before they were about to travel, I checked the news to see what was happening with Coronavirus? I wasn’t overly worried, I just advised both of them to be aware of the people around them and to wash their hands regularly. They were flying from Birmingham in the UK to New Zealand via Dubai.

As The Holiday Progressed, the Cases Started to Rise…

February 24th, 2020.

Coronavirus cases Outside China (Top 5) 1:

  • South Korea 833.
  • Japan 144.
  • Singapore 89.
  • Iran 47.
  • Thailand 35.
February 25th, 2020.

Coronavirus cases Outside China (Top 5) 1:

  • South Korea 977.
  • Italy 229.
  • Japan 157.
  • Singapore 91.
  • Iran 61.
February 26th, 2020.

Coronavirus cases Outside China (Top 5) 1:

  • South Korea 1,261.
  • Italy 374.
  • Japan 164.
  • Iran 139.
  • Singapore 93.

The Return From Holiday…

February 27th, 2020.

I was due to pick up my wife and youngest daughter from Birmingham airport on the Saturday (the 29th February). I once again checked the news to see what was going on in the world with coronavirus? Italy had isolated several towns in the north, to try and stop the spread of the virus, and the number of cases (in Italy) was starting to climb. They were going to be flying from New Zealand, via Sydney, Dubai, and arriving in Birmingham on the 29th. I noted infections in Iran, Bahrain and Kuwait were also increasing.

Again, I wasn’t overly worried. I just advised my wife and daughter of the increase in cases, to be aware of the people around them, and to wash their hands regularly.

The First Visible Signs of Coronavirus (or Covid-19)…

February 29th, 2020.

Coronavirus cases Outside China (Top 5) 1:

  • South Korea 3,150.
  • Italy 888.
  • Iran 593.
  • Japan 230.
  • Singapore 102.

That morning, I travelled to Birmingham with my son to pick up my wife and daughter from the airport. I waited at the arrivals hall for them to appear. My daughter texted to say my wifes bag hadn’t appeared, so they were delayed. We were stood waiting at the barrier, eagerly awaiting the first sighting of them.

We started to notice people arriving wearing face masks. This was an unusual sight for us. People with backpacks, ski’s wooly hats. People in shorts and tee shirts, more people with face masks and gloves?

Whilst waiting, you’re looking for something to do. So I read the arrivals board. Dubai, India, Ireland, Turin… Turin, isn’t that north Italy?

There was a slight upwards slope from the arrivals pasagway. A lady seemed to be struggling up the slight incline. I noticed her just as she was stood next to us. Then she let out this cough to clear her throat, which at the same time was a forced exhale! Great I thought, thanks for that. I could also see several people around me thinking what I was thinking..!

After 45 minutes, my wife and daughter appeared. It was great to see them. I then proceeded to tell them about the lady who had coughed whilst exhaling, the plane from Turin and the unusual sight of face masks worn in public in the UK…

Some of the First Coronavirus Cases – Our Friends!

March 4th, 2020.

Coronavirus cases Outside China (Top 5) 1:

  • South Korea 5,328.
  • Italy 2,502.
  • Iran 2,336.
  • Japan 284.
  • Germany 240.

My wife receives a message from our friends. Her husband has been diagnosed with Coronavirus!

He had been skiing in Italy, and had returned back to the UK on the 29th of March (the same day as my wife and daughter). He had started to feel unwell. His wife got him tested. He had a positive result. He was then one of 32 cases diagnosed in the UK that day. The total UK cases now stood at 85 2.

He immediately self isolated along with his wife and stepson.

My wife had been in New Zealand, so we hadn’t had any recent contact with them. My wife had asked if they wanted to see the New Zealand photos, when they replied with the news..!

I have to go to the Doctors…

March 11th, 2020.

Coronavirus cases Outside China (Top 5) 1:

  • Italy 10,149.
  • Iran 8,042.
  • South Korea 7,755.
  • France 1,774.
  • Spain 1,639.

I’ve not been feeling well… But luckily, I didn’t have any Coronavirus symptoms. Something hasn’t been right for the last 6 or 7 days? I’ve tried to keep out the way of people (just in case) and had checked the advice online (for Coronavirus).

My symptoms developed further, and I started to feel slight numbness in my face. I used the NHS online service to check my symptoms. It said I needed to contact my GP.

I phoned the health center where I am registered. When I phoned, I was pleased that they questioned me on the following…

  • Have I been to any of the level three countries (These are China, Iran, South Korea, Italy) 3.
  • Have I been to any of the level two countries (Japan) 3.
  • Have I been in contact with anyone with Coronavirus.

My answers were all no. I explained that I knew someone with a confirmed Coronavirus diagnosis (but had no recent contact – over 14 days) and that I had been to the airport next to passengers from Turin. They opted for a telephone consultation with a doctor. This gave me great confidence that they had everything under control.

After the telephone consultation with a doctor, it was suggested I need to see someone and be examined. I again explained my tenuous possible proximity to Coronavirus (even though I had no actual contact) to make absolutely sure, (I.e. I disclosed all the facts).

An appointment was arranged for 16:30. On the way into the health center, I was confronted with numerous signs telling me to stop! The signs asked a series of questions, to ensure you were not bringing Coronavirus into the health center.

Whilst in the waiting room, I noticed this gentleman in his mid forties, early fifties come marching into the health center. He took no notice of any of the stop signs, didn’t bother with the antibacterial handwash, and went straight to reception. He then went to take a seat in the waiting room.

Before sitting down, he then decided he needed to use the toilet. As he passed by, he proceeded to rub the palm of his hand across his mouth and nose and then immediately put the same hand on the door to the toilet lobby.

What an absolute numpty! He hadn’t got a clue! What the…

I was then called in by the doctor. He examined me, but there wasn’t anything obvious? After numerous questions, it was suggested that I could have a mild bit of bell’s palsy.

Panic Buying Starts…

March 12th, 2020.

Went shopping at Lidl and Tesco.

No shortages in LidL, other than anti-bacterial hand cleanser. The shelf was completely empty. I spotted a couple in their late forties, early fifties wearing cold weather gloves inside LidL. When they got to the checkout, they had to take their glove off to use their credit card. Put their glove straight back on afterwards. Kind of defeated the object of the gloves, as the credit card machine was probably the most touched item in the shop?

Tesco, various shortages spotted. No paracetamol, no antibacterial hand cleanser, low on toilet rolls, there had been a run on various tinned goods, long life bread goods (part baked rolls etc) were depleted. One staff member said there had been a run on Vodka (it contains alcohol!). There was also a lack of prepared chicken pieces, though that may have just been a late delivery?

One of the checkout staff told me two staff had refused to come in to work. Two had started wearing face masks.

Recovery…

March 14th, 2020.

Our friends are now out of self isolation… Yay!

Coronavirus cases Outside China (Top 5) 4:

  • Italy 17,660.
  • Iran 12,729.
  • South Korea 8,086.
  • Spain 6,023.
  • Germany 3,953.

New Measures…

March 16th, 2020.

The UK Government announces the following new measures that everyone should follow:

  • Anyone with a fever or persistent cough should stay at home for seven days if they live alone or 14 days if they live with others. Anyone who lives with someone displaying coronavirus symptoms should also stay at home for 14 days. People who have to isolate themselves should ask others for help.
  • Everyone should stop non-essential contact with others. This is particularly important for people over 70, those with underlying health conditions and pregnant women.
  • People should work from home where they can.
  • People should avoid places like pubs, clubs and theatres. This applies especially to those in London which is “a few weeks ahead” of the rest of the UK.
  • People should stop all unnecessary travel.
  • By the weekend, those with the most serious health conditions should be largely shielded from social contact for 12 weeks.

Don’t Panic…

March 17th, 2020.

Coronavirus cases Outside China (Top 5) 4:

  • Italy 27,980.
  • Iran 16,169.
  • Spain 11,409.
  • South Korea 8,320.
  • Germany 8,084.

Most read articles on the BBC News website…

Coronavirus - BBC News Most Read Articles 17-03-2020
Coronavirus – BBC News Most Read Articles 17-03-2020

Looking After Parents…

March 18th, 2020.

My parents are in their 80’s and have been advised by the government to stay in doors, not got out, and not have personal contact with anyone.

In anticipation of the suggested restrictions on those over 70, last Friday (the 13th), my wife and I went round to see my parents to setup online grocery shopping.

My mother phoned me today. She had tried to use the Tesco’s online service yesterday (17th March). But the earliest she could get a delivery slot was the 5th of April (19 days time)!

  • She was taken aback by the 19 day delay.
  • Had taken too long to press the button.
  • And the time slot was lost…

The next available delivery slot was now the 6th of April (20 days time)..!

We live some distance away, but luckily a neighbour has offered to get odd things for them (thank you). We will also make grocery runs, (as necessary) and leave it on the doorstep.

Coronavirus – A Mild Case?

March 21st, 2020.

Coronavirus cases 4:

Country Cases Deaths
1China81,0083,255
2Italy53,5784,825
3Spain25,4961,381
4USA24,207302
5Germany22,36484
6Iran20,6101,556
7France14,459562
8S Korea8,799102
9Switzerland6,86380
10UK5,018233

We met our friends who were Coronavirus case numbers 3 & 4 (in Cornwall). This Coronavirus is very sneaky. If it wasn’t for his wife’s observations, he could have carried on his usual routine and infected other people?

He didn’t have any definitive symptoms, he didn’t feel that unwell. He had a slight cough and just felt a little ‘under the weather’. He carried on as normal, attended a job interview. It was only a very minor cold, and it wasn’t troubling him.

Luckily his wife had medical training and she noticed something wasn’t quite right. She insisted that he was tested. In the meantime, they both self isolated.

The test came back positive. He quarantined himself for two weeks, and so did his wife. His stepson, also self quarantined as a precaution. The test came back positive for his wife. The stepson was not tested, as he was already self isolating (I presume to save resources).

His wife takes an inhaler for asthma. Her symptoms were high temperature, dry cough, headaches and the other usual flu like symptoms. After a few days of illness, Coronavirus, started to show its true colours. His wife started to suffer from several bouts where her breathing would become more difficult. This was unpleasant and lasted several days. Luckily that was the worst it got.

Her comment afterwards was (bearing in mind her medical training), “If it had been my father (he’s in his late seventies), he wouldn’t have made it!”

The Impact?

I don’t know what the true impact on others was? A team of people were tracing their contacts, to see if anyone else could have been infected. Any close contact of theirs was asked to self isolate, just in case?

Sadly, the job interviewer’s father had died recently. The funeral was a couple of days after the job interview. He was advised to self isolate and was prevented from going to his father’s funeral. Needless to say, our friend didn’t get the job!

The moral of the story here is…

  • You may get it?
  • You may not suffer an illness, or know you have it?
  • But someone out there will catch it… and they may die.

Stay away from other people, stay at home, DON’T PASS IT ON!

What – No Planes?

March 22nd, 2020.

An aeroplane in the sky is a rare sight these days…

Covid-19 - An Aeroplane, A Rare Sight in the Sky These Days
Covid-19 – An Aeroplane, A Rare Sight in the Sky These Days

Restrictions…

March 23rd, 2020.

The UK has been told in a statement from the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, that everybody should stay at home. They would only be allowed to leave for specific reasons:

  • Shopping for “basic necessities”, as infrequently as possible. People should use delivery services, where they can.
  • Medical reasons, to provide care, or to help a vulnerable person.
  • Travelling to and from work, but only if it is “absolutely necessary”.
  • Public gatherings of more than two people are banned.
  • People should not meet friends or family members who do not live with them.
  • Shops selling “non-essential goods” including clothes and electronics stores will be closed immediately.
  • Libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship will also close.
  • Gatherings of more than two people (excluding people who live together) will be banned.
  • There will be no weddings or baptisms but funerals will be allowed.
  • Parks will remain open but people are only to go out to exercise once a day.

The NHS – It’s Scary!

March 24th, 2020.

My wife works at the local Hospital. There was a meeting with the Chief Executive who wanted to brief all the staff.

The hospital is going to take covid patients (overflow from other hospitals). Staff were warned to prepare themselves. The brief upset several of the staff (fear), many were anxious. When the virus cases start to ramp up at the hospital, she was advised that she would probably have to stay in a nearby hotel, to lessen the chance of bringing a coronavirus infection home.

Protect NHS staff – Stay away from other people, stay at home, DON’T PASS IT ON!

Coronavirus cases 4:

Country Cases Deaths
1China81,1713,277
2Italy69,1766,820
3USA51,768667
4Spain39,6762,800
5Germany32,781156
6Iran24,8111,934
7France22,3041,100
8Switzerland9,877122
9S Korea9,037120
10UK8,077422

Food Shopping – It’s a Pain in the Ass!

March 26th, 2020.

Shopping

Lidl’s

No queues. Staff wore protective visors, some people didn’t seem too bothered about social distancing? The odd person very cautious. The majority trying to obey the rules.

Lidl's - All the Self Service Bread Rolls Now Sealed in Packs of 5 to Stop Contamination
Lidl’s – All the Self Service Bread Rolls Now Sealed in Packs of 5 to Stop Contamination
Tesco’s

I saw a father with his 5 year old daughter in Tesco’s. The daughter was touching everything, didn’t have a clue about distancing. Why don’t people take this seriously!

People in their 70’s and 80’s. Why isn’t someone doing their shopping for them (The most recent figures show 10% risk of death if they’re infected!). There are issues:

  • People being stubborn and wanting to retain their independence. I can understand that, (but right now is it the best course of action?).
  • Not everyone (especially the old and vulnerable) is able to use the internet, or has a modern phone.
  • There is a long wait (weeks) for online food shopping.
  • Dementia. My father doesn’t have a clue. About 3 minutes after explaining to him about Coronavirus… “Coronavirus, Pandemic – What’s that?”

Coronavirus cases 4:

Country Cases Deaths
1USA85,4351,295
2China81,2853,287
3Italy80,5898,215
4Spain57,7864,365
5Germany43,938267
6Iran29,4062,234
7France29,1551,696
8Switzerland11,811192
9UK11,658578
10S Korea9,241131
These figures are only from people who have been tested (and deaths recorded in hospital).

More Cases…

March 28th, 2020.

My wife belongs to a local choir. She has just been informed that three members of the choir are in hospital with Covid-19.

Coronavirus cases 5:

Country Cases Deaths
1USA104,6861707
2Italy86,4989,136
3China81,9193,299
4Spain64,0594,858
5Germany48,582325
6France32,9641,995
7Iran32,3322,378
8UK14,543759
9Switzerland12,104197
10S Korea9,478144
These figures are only from people who have been tested (and deaths recorded in hospital).

Sad to Hear of the First Death!

March 29th, 2020.

We’ve just been informed that sadly one of the choir members passed away this afternoon from Covid-19. His wife is also in intensive care. Our thoughts are with you.

Coronavirus cases 5:

Country Cases Deaths
1USA124,6652,191
2Italy92,47210,023
3China82,0323,304
4Spain72,2485,690
5Germany52,547389
6France37,5752,314
7Iran35,4082,517
8UK17,0891019
9Switzerland13,152235
10S Korea9,583152
These figures are only from people who have been tested (and deaths recorded in hospital).

Food (for Two Families)…

April 2nd, 2020.

I went to Lidl’s. This is the only time I had venture out (other than exercise). I felt a little nervous and anxious. I also needed to shop for my parent’s who are in their 80’s.

There were the usual people who don’t seem too bothered about social distancing? The majority took care and respected other people’s space.

Whilst paying for my groceries, a woman passed behind me on her way out the shop. She coughed violently and with real gusto (like she didn’t care)! I could tell she didn’t even bother to deflect or contain the cough in her arm (or hand), as it was a full blown, unmuffled… An unrestrained cough.

What the… I refused to move from the checkout for about 20 or 30 seconds, as I would have had to pass through the fallout (from her cough). I exclaimed to the person serving me ” I’m not moving until she’s gone!”. Even then when I left, I felt like I had to pass through what was left of her spittle as I exited the shop!

I saw the lady again outside the shop. She was returning her trolly, when she coughed again. No attempt to shield people from it, no attempt to face the other way. No attempt to contain the cough. Bolt upright, facing the way she was travelling, letting out this big rawkus violent cough. This just confirmed what I suspected earlier… Then this old gentleman passed by me pushing a trolley whilst I was putting my groceries in the car. He also coughed, didn’t bother to shield it from anyone. however, it was only a gentle cough. But right next to me. It’s still not the right attitude!

Getting my parent’s medication (prescriptions)…

To do this, I needed to go to another supermarket (Tesco’s) near to where my parents live.

I queued to get in the shop. I then queued inside the shop to get the prescriptions. I didn’t mind this at all, as it was hopefully keeping me safe. However, if you were purchasing groceries from the shop, the que for the checkout was from:

  • The front of the shop, to the back of the shop.
  • Then to the right, until you hit the outside wall.
  • Then from the back of the shop, to the front of the shop again!
Coronavirus Outbreak - Queuing in Tesco's for the Checkout
Coronavirus Outbreak – Queuing in Tesco’s for the Checkout

The Government Announce 100,000 Coronavirus Tests by the end of the Month…

The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has set the government a target of carrying out 100,000 Covid-19 tests a day in England by the end of April.

Coronavirus cases 5:

Country Cases Deaths
1USA216,7215,138
2Italy110,57413,157
3Spain102,1369,053
4China82,3683,316
5Germany73,532872
6France56,9894,032
7Iran47,5933,036
8UK29,4742,532
9Switzerland17,070378
10Turkey15,679277
These figures are only from people who have been tested (and deaths recorded in hospital).

The First Covid 19 Case at the Hospital…

April 6th, 2020.

The hospital is a small, generally used for patients recuperating from operations (from the main hospital). There is also a small accident and emergency center.

The hospital tried to move a patient out to a care home, to make space for any covid patients that may come from other hospitals (overflow).

The care home refused to take the patient unless they had been tested clear of Covid-19.

  • The patient was tested.
  • The result was positive.

The patient stayed at the hospital and was moved to a side room. Up until that point, staff were using very basic PPE (Personal Protective equipment). I get the feeling there is a fear of using the PPE too soon in case of shortages.

The Only Way to Get Out – Buy Food!

April 9th, 2020.

Lidl’s yet again… I also need to buy food for my neighbour and my wife (who is now living away from home, as she comes into contact with Covid-19 patients).

Lidl’s again. I made the mistake of getting there at lunch time! Some people are using a trip to a supermarket as an excuse to go out. I heard two sisters discussing what to get for lunch. Not a weekly shop, but what to get for lunch. Poor excuse, not essential. You may think this is a bit harsh, but ask anyone who has had a family member suffer with the virus. Please think of others…

Still people passing you close by in the supermarket. There’s room to be either side of the aisle, why not use it? I ended cursing several times under my breath because it takes very little to keep apart and think of others.

An older woman (retiree) wandering around the supermarket with a facemask. Nothing wrong with that, but she continually came too close! I think she thought that the face mask was protecting her, so she didn’t keep her distance?

When I first entered the supermarket (I made the mistake of getting there at lunch time), I thought it was a little crowded. After 5 minutes, the manager placed someone in the entrance to limit people in the store. However, on the way out I found the queue started in the actual entrance doorway. This meant the only way out was to squeeze by those queuing, or get everyone in the queue to move back two meters (which was impossible from inside the store). Duh!

My Wife, Living Away From Home…

She works at the small local hospital. It’s generally used for patients recuperating from operations (from the main hospital). There is also a small accident and emergency center. There are no intensive care beds.

They do have Covid-19 patients. Therefore she decided not to come home, but to stay in separate accommodation that was offered to her. “If I can avoid passing it on to one person, it’s worth it”.

I love my wife…

Marie - In protective Covid Gear
Marie – In protective Covid Gear

Thank you to the owner of the property who offered its use to the NHS.

Coronavirus cases 5:

Country Cases Deaths
1USA432,13214,817
2Spain146,69014,555
3Italy139,42217,669
4Germany108,2022,107
5China82,8433,339
6France82,04810,869
7Iran64,5863,993
8UK60,7337,097
9Turkey38,226812
10Belgium23,4032,240
These figures are only from people who have been tested (and deaths recorded in hospital).

Three lots of food…

April 16th, 2020.

Lidl’s yet again… This time I also need to buy food for my parents and my wife (who is living away from home).

Still people passing you close by in the supermarket. Duh! An older couple traveling in a different direction to everyone else? The husband continually standing in the way. I had to ask him “can you stand to the side, so I can get by please”. All he did then was make a joke of it. I’m afraid it’s not funny. There’s my wife working with Covid patients, and he’s taking the mickey. I just didn’t find it funny! But, am I seeing it all from a different perspective? On the other hand, he might have had the start of dementia, you never know. It’s not his fault, it comes to us all…

I’m queued up, two meters apart at the checkout. This guy with a hand basket (something just for lunch?) comes and stands next to me? “Can you stand two meters away please”. “Sorry” he says “I forgot”. I just despair (in many ways)…

  • I’m anxious (my ME).
  • My wife’s working with Covid’s.
  • My parents are isolating (in their mid eighties).
  • There are people who don’t think.
  • There are people who don’t take it seriously.
  • There are people who can’t help themselves, (old age, not with it. don’t understand, not able…).
  • I hate it. I hate the fact that I am sometimes impatient and short with people!

Loading groceries into the car. Why are people walking by so close to me. There is a whole road they can walk in (no cars coming). Why don’t they think about what they’re doing?

Coronavirus cases 5:

Country Cases Deaths
1USA639,66430,985
2Spain177,63318,579
3Italy165,15521,647
4Germany130,4503,569
5France106,20617,167
6UK98,47612,868
7China83,4023,346
8Iran76,3894,777
9Turkey69,3921,518
10Belgium33,5734,440
These figures are only from people who have been tested (and deaths recorded in hospital).

DIY Websites Start to Limit Access…

Spotted this on the B&Q and Wickes websites. Coronavirus – “We are Seeing Significant Demand…”

Coronavirus - DIY Websites Start to Limit Access - We are Seeing Significant Demand...
Coronavirus – DIY Websites Start to Limit Access – We are Seeing Significant Demand…

Hospital Staff Test Positive…

April 17th, 2020.

Three hospital staff are tested for Coronavirus.

April 18th, 2020.

Two hospital staff test positive for Coronavirus.

An Observation…

April 20th, 2020.

No planes – When I occasionally do see a plane (once every few days). It’s definitely not an ordinary airliner, but a transport plane. They make a different noise, plus they’re a different shape (the tail wing, is on the very top of the tail), and they’re bigger. Are they getting essential supplies?

More Hospital Patients Tested for Coronavirus…

April 22th, 2020.

Two more (non-covid ward) hospital patients are tested for coronavirus? You may say “well that probably isn’t unusual in the current situation”?

The thing that stands out, is that they are only tested when they show the symptoms. Shouldn’t all the patients on the ward, and the staff be tested if the results come back positive?

The answer is yes, but there is a ‘but’:

  • Testing may not show any results until the virus is in it’s infectious stage.
  • Someone may carry the virus, but not show any symptoms. This may not show up in tests?
  • There has been (is?) a shortage in testing, or the testing center is too far away (for staff). Plus, they must have authorisation to get the test (I presume due to a shortage?).

Would it not be wise to test everyone, if patients on the normal ward are found to be positive? Some tests may be wasted, but at least you have all the available information. But again, that’s in an ideal world…

Updated below under:
  • April 23th, 2020.
  • April 24th, 2020.

Boring – More Shopping Again…

April 23th, 2020.

The excitement of the week. I get to go out… Yipee, I’m going shopping! It always makes me a bit anxious. Each week though, the organisation in the shop has improved, which is good. The numbers inside the shop were limited further, so there was more space for everyone. It was a much more pleasant experience.

This is a repeat performance from previous weeks… People still do not seem to understand the 2 meter rule when I’m loading groceries into the car. They walk close by as if it’s a normal day, with no pandemic in sight? Grrr…

Someone queueing to go inside the shop coughed. No attempt to shield anyone from it. A blatant face forward cough. People queueing will probably not get Coronavirus, but they could at least have made some sort of effort to shield others!

My cost of shopping has gone up! I am buying more treats now to counteract the loakdown.

All sorts of face masks are appearing now. Basic cloth masks, homemade masks, surgical masks, scarf masks, face shields, decorating masks, sanding masks, paint spraying masks… No One’s taken to wearing a full face crash helmet yet though?

Paracetamol has appeared on the shelves! Last seen in Lidl’s on the 12/03/2020. Maximum two per customer.

Coronavirus - The BBC's Most Read - 23/04/2020
Coronavirus – The BBC’s Most Read – 23/04/2020

More Hospital Patients Tested for Coronavirus (Update)…

Great news. The patients results came back negative.

Testing Now Available Locally for all Key Workers (by appointment)…

April 24th, 2020.

A testing center has now opened about 15 miles away. Unfortunately, all appointments were taken within an hour of the online booking service being opened. Home testing kits became unavailable less than 15 minutes1.

Coronavirus cases 5:

Country Cases Deaths
1USA869,17249,963
2Spain213,02422,157
3Italy189,97325,549
4Germany150,3835,321
5UK138,07818,738
6France120,80421,856
7Turkey101,7902,491
8Iran87,0265,481
9China83,8844,636
10Russia62,773555
These figures are only from people who have been tested (and deaths recorded in hospital).

My Wife Applies for a Covid-19 Test

May 1st, 2020.

My wife has been self isolating from us whilst she works in the local hospital, staying in unused holiday accommodation. She wants to come home, so has applied for a coronavirus test to make sure she is clear of the virus before returning home.

The Government Announce They Reached 100,000 Coronavirus Tests by the end of April…

The 122,347 figure is made up of the following:

  • 73,191 individuals were tested in the past 24-hours, (some may have used more than one test).
  • 27,497 home testing kits were dispatched.
  • 12,872 tests were delivered to NHS sites.

However, the 30th of April was a spike, which kind of speaks for itself…

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Testing UK (late April-May)
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Testing UK (late April-May)

My Wife Takes the Coronavirus Test

May 3rd, 2020.

The earliest Covid-19 test was 2 days later. She was offered a drive through test 20 miles away. No queues, just asked to switch off her dashcam before driving through. Gagged twice during the swabbing process. She should get her results between 48 Hrs and 5 days..?

Coronavirus (Covid-19) - Appointment Confirmation
Coronavirus (Covid-19) – Appointment Confirmation

The Coronavirus testing results:

My Wife Back has Come Back!

May 6th, 2020.

There was no-one left at the hospital with Coronavirus. The last Covid-19 patient had sadly died (May 1st). There appeared to be no reason any more for her to be staying away, and she was fed up from not being able to go home. The results from her Coronavirus test still hadn’t come through..?

After four weeks isolating herself from us, we took the decision that it was safe for my wife to come home (even though we still had no coronavirus test results). She had been living in unused holiday accommodation, as the hospital she works at has had Covid-19 patients.

It was wonderful to have her back.

The Outside World

May 7th, 2020.

Shopping again (the weekly shop). Kind of monotonous, but also an escape. Not so anxious, but I still see numpties (some real big ones).

Lidl’s

In Lidl’s. Husband and wife, two kids. I can’t blame the kids, running around. But why bring them? Either of the parents could have been looking after them, away from the shop. But instead, they used it as an outing and let their kids run around the shop. The kids didn’t have a clue (not their fault)!

Two care workers came in. Yeah, good people caring for others… Nope, not much social distancing for them? The straightest route to wherever they were going. Other people would step to one side, or wait for them to pass. Not them, they were on a mission. No respect for other people’s space!

Still no flour?

Poundland

I needed some stronger reading glasses. Went in, got the glasses and some treats for the kids. A young woman came towards me. I thought “this didn’t look good”, as she went past. No social distancing, didn’t pause to let anyone go by. She just had attitude..?

Paid for my stuff, got outside the shop. It’s always good to get outside where there is space. I’m then confronted with two of the most inconsiderate numpties I have seen so far. The young woman I had seen earlier, was plonked on the floor right in front of the entrance to Poundland. There was this bloke with her. They were flanked by two parked cars and had all their purchases spread around them, making it difficult to pass? You had to go wide, to the left or right of the store and walk through the parked cars to get in or out the shop. I saw a father with his young child, squeezing by them to exit the store. I am amazed at the lack of forethought for others. Especially when there were plenty of empty parking spaces nearby where they could have camped?

Coronavirus cases 5:

Country Cases Deaths
1USA1,228,60373,431
2Spain220,32525,857
3Italy214,45729,684
4UK201,20130,076
5Germany166,0917,119
6Russia165,9291,537
7France137,15025,809
8Turkey131,7443,584
9Brazil125,2188,536
10Iran101,6506,418
These figures are only from people who have been tested (each country may record the number of deaths differently).

Coronavirus Samples Sent to the US for Testing?

May 10th, 2020.

Seven days later, and the results from her Coronavirus test still hadn’t come through..?

My Wife Has Her Coronavirus Test Results Back… But 12 Days Later?

May 15th, 2020.

My wife received her Coronavirus test results back, 12 days after the test was carried out (the original appointment was May the 3rd – My Wife Takes the Coronavirus Test). What was the point of having the test..?

She wasn’t displaying any symptoms, but took the test as she was working with Covid-19 patients. Other staff that had tested positive (and were isolating). She was living away from home (for four weeks) to protect her family, and wanted to come back home…

In the end, she came back home, as she was going stir crazy. The last Covid-19 patient had sadly died 5 days earlier and she wasn’t displaying any symptoms.

Some people can carry the Coronavirus, but don’t display any symptoms. Her test results were “UNCLEAR”, so she has been advised to retest.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Testing Results - Unclear (12 Days to Get the Results?)
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Testing Results – Unclear (12 Days to Get the Results?)

Bearing in mind she is (was) displaying no symptoms, but has been working with infected people… She has:

  • Carried on working, (could she be infected)?
  • Returned home, (could she be infected)?
  • Should she be self isolating, (could she be infected)?

I thought the whole point of a coronavirus test was to get a good indication of:

  • Whether you have Covid-19?
  • Whether you should be isolating from others?
  • Tracing potential contacts…
  • Or, that you can continue working (as an essential worker).

Receiving the Coronavirus test results twelve days later, just isn’t good enough, and makes a mockery of the whole reason for the test!

Coronavirus cases 5:

Country Cases Deaths
1USA1,417,88985,906
2Russia252,2452,305
3UK233,15133,614
4Spain229,54027,321
5Italy223,09631,368
6Brazil202,91813,993
7Germany173,1527,824
8Turkey144,7494,007
9France141,35627,425
10Iran114,5336,854
These figures are only from people who have been tested (each country may record the number of deaths differently).
References:

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