COVID DIARIES: "I worry about people who have no one and are completely cut off from the world"

Approaching her 80th birthday, Brenda lives alone but is in a support bubble with her daughter and grandchildren, who live nearby.

When the lockdown was first announced in March, Brenda had to shield for 12 weeks - those over 70 are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 and catching the virus could prove fatal.

As part of the Beat Covid NE campaign - which urges communities across the region to stick with the coronavirus rules and guidance over the festive season – she is keeping a weekly diary.

Here Brenda shares how the pandemic has affected her life, how she’s been coping with living alone and why she’s so grateful for her family…

“It’s just been so hard. When the Government first announced that everything was closing and we had to stay indoors, I panicked.

"How could I not see my friends? Not pop over to my daughter’s house who lives 10 minutes down the road to see the grandkids? I love getting out and about nipping to the shops, having a coffee with my friends. That’s what life is all about for me.

"Covid has made me appreciate what I’ve got in life and my freedom to do as I please, and when. Because I live alone, I didn’t see anyone for 12 weeks – only my daughter and the grandkids at the bottom of my path after they left my shopping for me.

"I was struggling by the end of the first lockdown. I just wanted to hug and hold my daughter and my grandchildren. But I think it’s taught me, and plenty of people, to be grateful for having family in your life who are looking out for you.

"I worry about people who have no one and are completely cut off from the world.

"At least now I have been able to form a support bubble with my family. It has been a lifeline. I can enjoy precious family time with those I love most while following social distancing rules and staying safe.

"I think the NHS workers have been absolute superstars throughout, what they have done and continue to do is wonderful. They have put their lives on the line for us - they’ve held the hands of dying people, comforting them in their final moments when family and friends have been unable to.

"The restrictions are tough, but we must stick with it, it’s the only way to get back to normal, quicker. I can’t wait to meet up with my friends for coffee and cake. I look forward to those days again because we will get there. We’ll do this. We’ll beat the virus.

"We just have to keep sticking to the rules of washing our hands, wearing a mask and social distancing. If we all do that and all do our bit, we’ll get out of this

quicker.

"Community is really important to the North East; we all know that. So, let’s keep showing that community spirit, stick to the guidelines for a little bit longer, get through this and live freely again.”

For more information visit: www.BeatCovidNE.co.uk