The world today is a funny place, unrecognisable from the carefree days of yesterday - or even yesterday.
A couple of evenings ago, the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, declared a state of emergency. Effectively, it's house arrest unless you need food or medicine.
It sounds drastic, but we've only fallen in line with other countries - the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has proven itself to be an invisible opponent outwitting governments across the globe. The number of cases increases by 20% overnight, leaving us looking suspiciously at those around us. Or those that used to be around us now we're in isolation.
A couple of evenings ago, the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, declared a state of emergency. Effectively, it's house arrest unless you need food or medicine.
It sounds drastic, but we've only fallen in line with other countries - the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has proven itself to be an invisible opponent outwitting governments across the globe. The number of cases increases by 20% overnight, leaving us looking suspiciously at those around us. Or those that used to be around us now we're in isolation.
The dry cough and sore throat that reveals itself is trifling for some and deadly for others. The older you are, the more at risk you are.
The speed at which life had changed is incredible. Last week, I flew to Mallorca for triathlon camp, only to fly back the following day when Spain declared a "state of alarm" in reaction to the spread of the disease on the mainland.
Now here, in leafy Surrey, triathlons have been cancelled, shops have been shut down, hospitals are over-run and children have been sent home from school.
This last action is risky business. If we're all home-schooling our sprogs I doubt it's the virus that will get us. With frayed nerves and patience at a sub-zero low, many of us will have found the bottom of more than one bottle. Let's hope it's the simplicity of this new routine, underlined by empty diaries, that binds us in a positive way. We can't say we don't have time to take stock and slow down.
That said, in preparation for imprisonment, I have created job lists and spreadsheets for all in my household, to keep them out of mischief for decades.
I hope too, that the famous, if somewhat fatalistic, British humour will keep us smiling. The internet is awash with funny memes, cartoons, skits and sketches. We're becoming more creative in how we interact and socialise. This Saturday, I even have something in my diary. I've put together a pub quiz and will be hosting my friends on an online platform.
Must dash. I may be home schooling my kids, but I'm about to fire their teacher for drinking on the job.
The speed at which life had changed is incredible. Last week, I flew to Mallorca for triathlon camp, only to fly back the following day when Spain declared a "state of alarm" in reaction to the spread of the disease on the mainland.
Now here, in leafy Surrey, triathlons have been cancelled, shops have been shut down, hospitals are over-run and children have been sent home from school.
This last action is risky business. If we're all home-schooling our sprogs I doubt it's the virus that will get us. With frayed nerves and patience at a sub-zero low, many of us will have found the bottom of more than one bottle. Let's hope it's the simplicity of this new routine, underlined by empty diaries, that binds us in a positive way. We can't say we don't have time to take stock and slow down.
That said, in preparation for imprisonment, I have created job lists and spreadsheets for all in my household, to keep them out of mischief for decades.
I hope too, that the famous, if somewhat fatalistic, British humour will keep us smiling. The internet is awash with funny memes, cartoons, skits and sketches. We're becoming more creative in how we interact and socialise. This Saturday, I even have something in my diary. I've put together a pub quiz and will be hosting my friends on an online platform.
Must dash. I may be home schooling my kids, but I'm about to fire their teacher for drinking on the job.
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