COVID DIARIES: Every generation has been affected

A part of the #BeatCovidNE campaign she has been keeping a diary of life in lockdown.

Here are her latest thoughts...

“I’ve realised the importance of support bubbles recently not just for myself but for my daughter and grandchildren too. My daughter hurt her back and has been pretty much out of action so I’ve been going down to theirs - they live five minutes away - cooking everyone’s tea and helping around the house. We’ve supported each other throughout the entire pandemic - something I feel extremely grateful for.

Thinking of gratitude, it was sad news about Captain Sir Tom Moore. He led a long and amazing life and had so much love around him. Tom represented strength, hope and why doing the right thing is important. Right now, that’s what we are all doing.

We’re following a set of rules where we’re minimising our social contact, wearing face coverings and regularly sanitising our hands. These simple rules still matter so much. I know it may seem never ending at times, but we just have to get on with it.

It doesn’t feel like it right now but one day all of this will be a distant memory.

Most of my friends have had their first dose of the vaccine and the ones who are waiting have just turned 60 or are around that age. Everyone I know is keen to get vaccinated because, long term, it’s our answer to ending the pandemic. While the vaccination programme continues, the simple advice to follow is all around us. ‘Stay at home’ and ‘hands, face, space’ do work. That’s reflected in the numbers.

Infections and hospital admissions are falling and that’s because of the measures in place. We have to sit tight and do what we need to do, until we can move forwards. I’m not worried about another peak because we are heading in the right direction. We just have to make sure we have all bases covered so that the

R number comes down, the NHS can manage better and we can start moving out of lockdown.

Every generation has been impacted by Covid either from the virus directly or through the lockdown effects. It’s traumatic. That’s why it’s so vital to keep talking to one another. Do the small things that make you happy. The other day, my 18-year- old grandchild, Ellie was feeling a bit down so she got herself ready and all wrapped up and went for a walk down into the village. She took some beautiful wintery photos, got some fresh air and just felt so much better. She was full of conversation and very lively when she got back home – that bit of fresh air just lifted her.

I know with the bad weather, the days can sometimes drag but I’m always thinking of something to do, whether that’s rearranging my house plants that I keep buying or getting lost in a good book. I have just finished The Girl Who Played with Fire - it was such a wonderful read.

I cannot wait to wake up in the morning, get dressed and go wherever I want with whoever I want. I don’t think we’ll ever take that for granted again. The pandemic has taught me to value life’s simplicities so much more. You realise how precious your loved ones are to you. It’s things like popping into your neighbour’s home for a cup of tea and a biscuit. In our street we all love a bit of chat and, in normal times, we would be in and out each other’s homes. I can’t wait to do that again.”