COVID DIARIES: I miss my line dancing with the girls

As part of the #BeatCovidNE campaign, she has been keeping a diary of life during the pandemic.

This week Brenda, who has formed a support bubble with her daughter and grandchildren who live near her, tells us how she is adjusting to a third lockdown and the changes everyone must make to their daily behaviours to help the region beat the virus…

“Since the first lockdown, I’ve made an effort to consistently stick to the rules. I only mix with my support bubble and when lockdown three came into force, I reduced essential supermarket trips from twice a week to just once a week.

I walk to the supermarket and back home again, putting on my mask as soon as I step foot outside my home and I don’t remove it until I am safely back indoors. I also go early when it’s quiet.

I think at a time like this, where Covid cases are higher than ever and hospitals are stretched, it’s wise to act like you’ve already got the virus. The isolation is tough mentally. I love seeing my friends and we used to do everything together and although I get to spend a couple of evenings at my daughter’s where I have my tea and enjoy some company, I miss going out and about and doing different things with different people.

That’s why it’s important to occupy your mind or body with something else - set yourself a challenge or take up a new hobby. I have with quilting. I was so pleased with my first quilting attempt - I made myself a gorgeous quilted iPad cover. I am now moving onto making a quilted shopping bag. It requires a great deal of concentration but it’s great to learn this new skill, something I would never have done before Covid.

"Exercise wise, I miss my line dancing classes with the girls so a few times a week I pop a bit of Willie Nelson (country music star) on Spotify and line dance. It helps to keep my spirits up and focus on the future when we are free of lockdowns.

"I know things seem dire but it’s times like these that remind us of what we are grateful for and the simple freedoms that we take for granted. It’s important to focus on this and realise that the vaccine is here now and we’re heading towards the final hurdle.

"However, before the vaccine can do its job in protecting people, that responsibility lies with us. We must continue to follow the rules. Wash our hands wherever we go, wear our masks at all times and ensure we minimise social contact as much as possible.

"The end is nearly in sight but for us to reach it, sticking to the rules and breaking the social contact chain that helps Covid to thrive is more important than ever.

Because I’m desperate, like everyone else, for life to return to normal, I’m more determined than ever to hang on in there, stick to the rules and get us out of this a lot quicker.

I can’t wait to see that day where we can all wake up in the morning and do whatever we feel like doing - whether that’s browsing the shops, going to the gym or for a swim or going out for some drinks with a group of friends.

If we genuinely want these things in our life again, then we must follow the rules. The message is simple. Stay at home. Only go out if you need to. Stay local.

In my younger years, I used to be a keen rambler and the last bit of the walk was always the hardest. It’s a bit like where we’re at with the pandemic now. We’re nearly there, we’re at the toughest point, we just have to keep going.”