Let’s talk about Coronavirus: Covid-19

We are currently living in what feels like a very surreal time. It’s almost as though a movie has become real life and we’re all playing a part in it.

Shops are empty, people are panic buying toilet rolls, crossing the road to avoid other people and businesses are closing. Schools are pretty much empty and the majority of the population who can work from home are doing so.

I feel I cannot continue publishing content on my blog without addressing what we’re all currently living through. Coronavirus, also known as Covid-19.

Like many people, when we first heard about Coronavirus I didn’t think much of it. To me it was some sort of flu that originated in China and I didn’t think much more about it.

Then I heard about how quickly it was spreading. Italy, Australia, Ireland, England, Wales, America. In fact there are very few countries who are not affected by Coronavirus. This map shows the extent of how far this virus has spread to date: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/world-map.html

As I write this blog post it’s Friday 20th March 2020. At present there are 247,595 cases of Coronavirus worldwide. Of those, there have been 10,064 deaths. 88,522 people have recovered.

In addition there are currently 149,009 active cases. 141,607 (95%) of those are considered to be in ‘mild condition’ with 7,402 (5%) serious or critical.

There are 98,586 closed cases. 88,522 (90%) have recovered and/or been discharged. 10,064 (10%) died. (Source)

I hate to think how many more will have been affected by the time this post is published on Monday 23rd March 2020. I shall try my best to update this post then so we can see just how this virus has spread in just one weekend.

Update – 23rd March 2020. There are now 351,081 cases of Coronavirus worldwide. Of those, there have been 15,337 deaths. 100,569 people have recovered. In addition there are currently 235,175 active cases. 223,917 (95%) of those are considered to be in ‘mild condition’ with 11,258 (5%) serious or critical. There are 115,906 closed cases. 100,569 (87%) have recovered and/or been discharged. 15,337 (13%) died. (Source)

This is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before. We’re living through something that will forever be remembered in history. A global pandemic.

My husband and I made the decision to take our children out of school before they officially shut on Friday 20th March. We made this decision because one of our girls has a congenital heart defect and my husband has high blood pressure. We don’t want to take any risks.

Doctors, nurses, teachers, government workers, prison officers, shop workers, cleaners, plus many other occupations are working tirelessly to help. Communities are pulling together to make sure the elderly, vulnerable and at risk have access to food and other essentials.

Just this morning my food shop arrived with most of what I’d ordered over a week ago being out of stock now.

My husband went to the supermarket this morning to do his mums food shop and came home telling of how empty the shelves were. One person bought eight packs of mince. There was no chicken or other meat, no children’s medicine, and barely any bread or milk.

People are stockpiling because they’re worrying about how long this will go on for. They’re wondering how long they’ll have to self-isolate. How long they’ll have to stay 2 metres away from other people (social distancing) and how long schools will be closed for.

People are worried about running out of food and about losing their income. The government are doing what they can, albeit some people don’t think it’s enough, but can it ever be enough in something as unprecedented as this? Something we didn’t plan for? Something that we’re living through day by day?

Thankfully in today’s world we have amazing technology that allows us to stay in touch with loved ones and get what little food there is delivered to our doors. It’s also bringing people together to offer help and support to those who need it.

This morning I asked one of my girls (8) if she understood why her school was closed and if she knew what Coronavirus is. She told me Coronavirus started in China and has spread to Italy and other countries. She told me if you get it, you struggle to breath, cough and feel unwell. Of her school closing, she told me it’s because they don’t want children to get Coronavirus.

Children understand a lot more than they let on. It’s important we help them understand what’s going on without worrying them. I know when they were in school, their class would watch Newsround for updates about Coronavirus.

I suggested that when I got home from work we could get some fresh air by going for a walk. My daughter, who always says yes to going outdoors, suggested we stay and play in the garden instead. Is that because she’s worried about going for a walk in case she gets ill? Perhaps I’m reading into it too much, but it’s so important at times like these that we help our children to understand, in an age-appropriate way, and that we make them feel safe.

Of course their education is important and over the next few weeks, or however long the schools are closed for, we’ll work through the school work they’ve received, but I think the focus should be on learning in a relaxed environment at your child’s own pace.

No-one knows how long this virus will be around for. No-one knows what the final impact of it will be on our economy or our lives, but one thing I think everyone can take away from this is how amazing people can be in times of crisis. The communities who’ve pulled together to help one another. The small gestures of kindness and the spirit of being human.

Stay safe everyone.