Social Distancing

 

With COVID-19 running rampant through the world here in the UK we are trying to deal with it as best as possible. That means social distancing, no unnecessary journeys, try to work from home, don’t visit pubs, cafes, restaurants or the theatre, avoid public transport and no large gatherings. Sensible stuff really but it does have its darker side.

Self Isolation.

Our household has to isolate for 14 days as we have a case of coronavirus (yeah, that would be me) which means I’ve had to phone work and tell the boss I can’t come in for two weeks – not ideal as its the last two weeks the shop will be open as he’s retiring and we’re meant to be making every effort to clear stock. I feel terrible about that but its out of my hands and he did agree that me coming in would put him, the lads I work with and our customers at risk – just not worth it. You’re probably already ahead of me so yes – when the two weeks are up and I should be going back to work I won’t have a job to go back to which to be honest is a bit of a bugger. Isolation also means no school for the youngest, he’s overjoyed, but also no college for the eldest which isn’t going down well as he loves it and the isolation means he can’t see any of his friends and worse still his boyfriend – he’s not a happy 17 year old I can tell you. We can’t have any social contact so no friends, no popping out for a coffee, can’t visit my mum, nothing. It also means no shopping (not that there is anything in the shops as idiots are panic buying so all the selves are empty) which means we are relying on friends to pick up essentials and leave them at the end of the drive. Day-to-day life then is box sets, books, social media and coffee…lots and lots of coffee.

While we’re told to isolate for 14 days we can get exercise and walk the dog so long as we ensure the risk of exposure to others is as low as possible. First few of days we did nothing, both my wife and I were pretty unwell but the effects of the virus seem to be short lived if you’re reasonably healthy and not in the ‘at risk’ groups so the symptoms are wearing off so the last two days we took a chance to take the dog out for a couple of short walks. Knackering, like no energy, short of breath, hot flushes knackering and you go into a kind of panic whenever you see someone else as you’re convinced there’s a miasma of death hovering around you but we are lucky to live right on the coast where there are miles and miles of open pathways, quiet nature reserves and some lovely little coves that are infrequently visited so it is doable.

I always have one of my Fujifilm cameras with me when I leave the house, ill or otherwise, so my X100T which is lightweight, quiet and ideal for capturing daily life has come along each time. I am a massive fan of this type of camera, the fixed lens means you concentrate on what you can shoot and not think about what-ifs. I love the retro look, the rangefinder handling and of course the amazing Fujifilm film simulations. It really is my daily companion and unless a miracle happens and I get the newer V model it will continue to record my life for as long as either it or I keep going. Both the boys are keen on nature, the eldest is studying animal management at college with the intentions of specialising and becoming an entomologist, so they’re happy to wander about without iPads and just route about in rock pools. Both have had their cameras with them when we have gone out which is a lovely legacy and a nod to dad’s obsession wearing of on them.

 

To try and stop from going insane and lighten what is actually a very stressful time I took to making faces out of rocks, pebbles and seaweed – don’t ask – it seemed like a perfectly reasonable ting to do at the time. Two day in and I have to say I’m still smiling and still intending to make some more, I also hope that others visiting the cove will see them, smile and have it brighten their day a little.

So that is social distancing and self isolation for a family of four following as closely as possible the governments advice.
Crappy but not the end of the world.
Mostly confining but still with opportunities to use my camera and I suppose as a family we are spending more time together which isn’t really a terrible thing at the end of the day.