The morning started much the same as any other Monday. The roads weren't noticeably quieter and Canton had the usual school kids walking through it as I walked in to work.
One of the women went to see Stereophonics at the Motorpoint Arena last night. She waltzed in declaring that she had a sore throat but not because she's ill, it's just from all the singing and shouting at the gig. It was a FANTASTIC night she declared, such a great atmosphere. I spent the rest of the day trying to stay away from her and sanitised my hands every time I touched the printer or photocopier.
By lunchtime it was confirmed that we had had the first death in Wales. A 68 year old with underlying health problems. The brings the total number of deaths in the UK so far to 55.
My friend who works in an office near Trafalgar Square says that her entire office was sent home today and were told that they would be working from home for a minimum of FOUR MONTHS!
At 4.45pm Boris Johnson (the current Prime Minister, for our sins) made a statement to the nation. It was particularly wishy-washy. Some of the main points were:
Everyone should avoid gatherings and crowded places, such as pubs, clubs and theatres Everyone should work from home if they can
All "unnecessary" visits to friends and relatives in care homes should cease
Twitter blew up calling Johnson a myriad of derogatory terms. They claimed that by telling people not to go to pubs but refusing to tell pubs that they have to close means they can't claim on their insurance. Many pubs, clubs, restaurants and theatres will simply go bust.
By 9.00pm #JohnsonMustGo was trending.
My boss asked me to ensure that everyone can access their work PCs from home as we will probably have to work from home very soon. Bizarrely we were really busy with quotes and new files today. I work for a conveyancing solicitor and it felt very strange opening one file which stipulated that it had to complete by April 24th.
I stopped off in Tesco Express on the way back to the car. I wandered around aimlessly with a basket as there's not much that I need. I ended up with some vegetarian fishcakes and two bottles of red. Well, you can never have too much red wine.
I FaceTimed Mum when I got home. Dad was at the pub. Unbelievable. I told them that I was worried about them. Dad refuses to stay at home and will continue to go to the pub with his cronies. I asked him if he would at least wash his hands more frequently. He didn't really listen and basically said, if your time's up it's up. I asked Mum if she was prepared to go down with him. No, she said emphatically, it's too early. Then in the next breathe told me she was planning on going to the local bistro on Friday with her old work colleagues. But reassured me by saying that they had moved the tables further apart.
I was supposed to be travelling to Devon on Friday but my friend got in touch to cancel. She's had the day off work today with a cold! I'd better cancel my spa hotel as well.
Dad seemed to think that they were still coming to visit me next week and then go off on a caravan holiday to Much Wenlock. I told him that I don't think that classed as 'essential travel'. I hope they stay at home, but he's a stubborn bugger.
The schools are currently still open, but let's see how that stands tomorrow.
These really are strange times indeed.
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