The first time was in spring, so I could get some fresh air by pottering about in the garden. At that time, the whole country was in some form of lockdown so my restrictions were just another layer on top of what everyone else was dealing with. To protect Mrs C and hence protect others, I restricted myself to the spare room and study. It was fine and I got lots of stuff done. With just one vaccination not long before, the sense of growing relief that I was feeling well helped sustain me too.
This time has been much harder. The shorter days, rain and cold weather has made the garden a non-starter. To be honest, I even found the bright crisp days hard because it was so frustrating that I couldn't go for a nice walk. With everything else being much more open, I was painfully aware of how much my life was being restricted, while also having the worry that I might have passed something on to loved ones. I've missed taking part in 4 performances, one of which would have been especially good because it was the group's first performance for nearly 2 years. I missed seeing my grandchildren.
This time is felt especially isolating and it followed on when I was alone without power, heating a food during Storm Arwen a few weeks ago. That felt isolating too, when I knew that family were elsewhere together, but also without power. It has been a strange few weeks all in all.
However, what has really got to me this time is other people and their attitudes. The Downing Street parties (I'm not going to call them 'gatherings') really angered me. Please simply accept my feelings on that as a statement of fact - I don't want to start a political discussion. Amongst family and friends some people have been great. Mrs C has looked after me by bringing meals upstairs to my 'bachelor flat' within the house. Master C (now with his own family) has sent messages most days asking how I am. Many friends have asked after me - although often via Mrs C rather than directly to me
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif)
But others .... well others have not been so great. On hearing my news, one person emailed to say that the whole Covid thing was a fuss, they weren't bothered, so were meeting up with mates down the pub, while not even saying "sorry to hear about you" or "I hope you are OK" .... and that was from a person who really should care. My social life has been restricted to being online, and I was really disappointed to read more than one FB friend saying that there was no point having a booster just now, might get one next year, or I'll get another next winter like with the flu etc. And none of them would listen to any science, logic or common sense. Their fingers were metaphorically in their ears going "La la la. I'm not listening. I'm not listening. Ha ha"
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
I know there is a lot of Covid restrictions fatigue at the moment, but there are some complete idiots out there at the moment. I'm heartily fed up of them.
Anyway, to end on a positive note. I'll will be out and about soon. And I have remained asymptomatic which is really good news. Now that I have understood that a false positive PCR is exceedingly rare, I can now be confident that I have had Covid twice with no ill effects. That doesn't mean I might not get ill with it in the future, but it makes me feel better about it.
We are so lucky to live in a world where science has been able to respond to Covid so quickly and effectively. More particularly we are lucky to live in a country that can afford the vaccines and was able to support the economy throughout the worst of the pandemic.
C