New job, 1st day during Armageddon

Hi,

So before I bore you about my first day at work - here are the figures....

Yesterday
Total world cases:  683,809------------------82.032 increase
Total fatalities:  32,177-----------------------4,659 increase
UK total: 19,522------------------------------2,433 increase
UK Fatalities: 1,228--------------------------209 increase

Today
Total world cases:768,764-------------------84.955 increase
Total fatalities:  37,027-----------------------4,850 increase
UK total: 22,141------------------------------2,619 increase
UK Fatalities: 1,408--------------------------180 increase

I usually do this number comparison earlier in the day but having been at work - these are early evening figures - which is what I'll probably stick to.

In the news today they are saying there are early signs of a decrease in the UK, and they are also saying we have not reached our peak yet.  India was in the news again because so many people were so packed together trying to get back to villages - same as yesterday really.  There are also pictures of major cities around the world deserted. 

So - I hardly slept last night for worrying about not getting enough sleep!  I was up at 6.50am  and Andy got up too and made me some sandwiches and a coffee to take with me! and then I was off....I got there in plenty of time as the roads were very very quiet!  First thing I was asked to do was to sign in, using a pen used by everybody else!  Exactly what we should avoid - I obviously used my own pen!  I think there were 8 of us on the training course - we were taken to a room where the desks had all been separated and we were given anti bacterial wipes and stuff so I was relieved that safety measures were in place.  I was given a laptop, and my collar number - warrant card etc.  We did a bit of training on the intranet etc. Was a long day really and I was knackered and my eyes were struggling to stay open, and I was cold all day!  However, I am impressed with everything tbh - much easier computer system than at Surrey.  So I am now much more relaxed about the whole thing.

Got back home and got straight into my PJ's with big dressing gown and got comfy and warm!  I'm sat here now - its 7.30pm and I'm so tired! guess I'll sleep much better tonight - and can leave a little later tomorrow.

Day before I go back to work!

Hi.

Lets have a look at the figures for today - not really seen them yet - I expect a much bigger jump today...

Yesterday
Total world cases:  601,777
Total fatalities:  27,518
UK total: 17,089
UK Fatalities: 1019

Today
Total world cases:  683,809------------------82.032 increase
Total fatalities:  32,177-----------------------4,659 increase
UK total: 19,522------------------------------2,433 increase
UK Fatalities: 1,228--------------------------209 increase

The PM Boris Johnson has caught the virus - he apparently has mild symptoms so he'll be back to normal very soon.

Very scarily, Italy are really suffering and there are reports of social unrest - so people are stealing and raiding - out of necessity apparently.  Many people were working for cash so they are not being helped out financially by their government.  They have also been on lock down longer than us so they are going stir-crazy.  I really feel so bad for these people!  In other countries - it looks like they don't stand a chance - with people still gathering - but when you live in a single room with 5 other people what can you do? Actually - from what I have seen they are not even trying to stay apart outdoors...its going to spread  like wild fire, and they wont have the hospitals to try and save people.

This is a picture from India today:



No attempt whatsoever at social distancing.  Apparently these people are migrant workers unable to pay their rent, trying to get back to their villages.  The news reports say that there was no public transport so some people were having to walk hundreds of miles - I don't really know how that is possible - but that is what it says!  So - they are going to be taking the virus back to their villages.  A disaster waiting to happen - with the virus and also possible starvation!  You can't dwell on things like this too much because it gets way too upsetting.

There is talk in the UK that we might be on lock down until June.  Imagine all the people living alone!  It is a very depressing thought.  So many businesses are going to be screwed, so many people are going to be skint and so stressed out about losing their house etc.  The banks are saying people can take mortgage breaks, and I don't think they will be allowed to repossess houses, so there are some reassurances.

We went for a drive this morning - first time we have left the house in 2 weeks.  I was curious to see the outside world, and see how busy the roads are.  It was a little bit like going out on Christmas day - it was very quiet.  I filled the car up with petrol (which was much reduced in price!) I took rubber gloves and hand sanitiser and was extremely careful....we got petrol from Asda - where you could see a queue all the way to the back of the car park, with people standing 2 metres apart - looked like a weird queue everybody spread out so much.  Some people were not quite far apart enough - but they were mostly good.  It was a strange sight to be honest.  We came straight back home after filling up - its nice to know that the car is full ready for work tomorrow!  When we got home we had a walk around the garden - like we keep doing just to get outdoors!

We had another enquiry on Airbnb from a camera woman for the BBC - we were a little concerned that really it was a reporter testing our Airbnb hosts, to see if we are following the rules!  As it happens the dates they wanted clashed with a doctor that has made an enquiry, and he wont know for sure until 2nd April, so we told the BBC person that the Doctor takes priority.  We may consider them if he doesn't want the place.  She replied saying - thank you Christine! lol - I guess she has been making enquiries at other places too and got me mixed up with somebody else!  We are thinking that the BBC want to come here because we are getting reports of deaths at our local hospital.

So - I'm all ready for work tomorrow.  I ordered new clothes online as I couldn't go out shopping and most of my existing work clothes are too small and are old! I've not worked for over 3 years (other than in the house which required totally different type of work clothes!).  Luckily the stuff I ordered were all on sale because of the current situation - and they all fit me (I stuck to stretchy stuff lol).

I have no idea what to expect tomorrow - 9 of us on this training course - I am going to insist that the rules on social distancing are followed otherwise I will just leave.  I really hope I get there and am reassured that I'll be safe.  Have to wait and see.....

Feeling yuck - alcohol related! Not Covid-19!

BLURG

Yesterday
Total world cases:  537,785
Total fatalities:  24,156
UK total: 11,813
UK Fatalities: 578

Today
Total world cases:  601,777
Total fatalities:  27,518
UK total: 14,751
UK Fatalities: 769

Later in the day our figures increased to UK total: 17,089, UK Fatalities: 1019


Yesterday there were 46,000 new cases and around 2,000 new deaths and today there are 63,000 new cases and 3,000 deaths.  So the rate is speeding up now - as expected.  I don't think it will start to decrease (because the whole country is on lock down) for another week or two.

So yesterday was awful.  We had a bit of a fallout - over nothing really.  We have both got ourselves wound up about the virus and me going to work next week - and its stressful!!  I ended up crying! Not because of Andy! I think it just built up gradually over the last week or so - watching all the figures - the temporary hospitals being built etc.  Andy is also very stressed! Not knowing if he is losing his job - on top of everything else....

I've also been waking up really early everyday - and only getting 5 hours sleep or so, and then feeling really sick.  According to google nausea in the mornings - which I've been getting everyday - can be down to lack of sleep and anxiety, which would definitely explain things!  This morning was worse - I woke up at 6pm after going to bed quite drunk last night, we didn't eat either last night, and I was quite drunk so I feel really sick and horrible.  I expect Andy is gonna feel as rough as I do!

Last night we got online with Helen and Paul - we had them on my monitor which has quite a large screen so it wasn't too much different than being sat with them! We played Play your cards Rights lol, but mostly just chatted and had a laugh - and we did not really talk about anything negative as the point was to try and de-stress.

So, knowing Lissa is ALWAYS up early, I video called her and we had a bit of a catch-up - always nice just to see her little face - and her not so little baby bump!  We spoke for ages before realising that we hadn't even mentioned the Coronavirus - which was good!  So we didn't focus on it too much when we realised either.  We did discuss the impact on them however in terms of having the baby.  I really feel for her - and Erika.  She can have Antony with her during the labour and once the baby is born he has to leave and won't see them again until she is discharged from hospital.  If she ends up in hospital for a couple of days that will suck.  Hopefully they will be trying to get her out of the hospital as soon as possible because the hospital will be full of people with the virus.  Both her and Erika feel that this very special time where they should be blooming and enjoying life with a baby on the way has been ruined somewhat - and I don't blame them for feeling that way!

We ended our call when we both needed a poo hahah we reminisced about the times we used to race having a poo when we lived in Sunmead Rd, one of us would leg it to the upstairs loo - and the other downstairs and see who could get back 1st.  hahah

We have just been out into the garden because its lovely outside and we have been cooped up in the house for weeks (2).

The cats always come and join us when we go into the garden!

Coronavirus FEAR

Hi.

I'm up early today (again!)- keep waking up at 7am - which is actually a good thing as I'm going to have to start getting up early every day soon!

Yesterday
Total world cases:  491,768
Total fatalities:  22,173
UK total:  9,529
UK Fatalities: 465

Today
Total world cases:  537,785
Total fatalities:  24,156
UK total: 11,813
UK Fatalities: 578

The UK has not updated it's figures yet.  46,000 new cases and around 2,000 new deaths.  Wow.

Update UK - 14,751 cases, 769 deaths. Big Jump.


So - I had a bit of a breakdown last night.  We watched, on youtube a doctor - youngish guy - just do a little video update at a couple of points during the day - he spoke about people in the wards with the virus and how hard it was for them suffering alone, watching those around them die.  I properly appreciated what he was saying, and felt it.  He spoke about the numbers of people they were seeing and how the ages varied - he said - we are seeing a lot of people in their 30's and 40's - and I am 48!  He said we have one side of the corridor for the Coronavirus patients, and the rest of the hospital is for everything else.  he went on to say that they were swapping it around - so that one corridor is for everything else and the rest of the hospital will be for the virus!

Knowing I have to leave our safe cocoon on Monday and everyday after that - scares me to the core.  I am pretty terrified of getting the virus and giving it to Andy - we have no assurances that we will live through it and it sounds awful.  Imagine what it would be like if me or Andy got the virus and were one of the ones that got really bad - we'd end up in hospital leaving the other at home to simply wait and see if we survive and see each other again - or get called in to say goodbye by which time the sick person is not aware of what is happening around them.  It really is so horrific.  Every now and again - I end up thinking - is this really happening?? It feels like we have entered the twilight zone. 

Andy was telling me last night - you are going to need to do this and that - stay away - stop people walking towards you - all these things, and eventually I just burst into tears - I felt that the pressure was too much - I've got to go out and mingle with people and do a training course and then a job whilst staying 2 metres away from every other person and clean my hands constantly in case I've touched anything contaminated, not touch my face - how I am going to keep this up!!  I really feel it is just a matter of time regardless of how careful I am.  Andy would argue with that last statement because as far as he is concerned we are NOT getting this virus!

Last night at 8pm the country all came out onto their doorsteps and clapped - for the NHS.  What those people are going to have to do over the next few months is probably going to push them to the brink - and I have no doubt that some will catch the virus too.  Its going to get hectic at the hospitals - so much suffering and death.  I am not sure how many deaths we are expecting - but Italy so far have had over 8,000.

This morning, I woke up at 7am - got up opened the curtains and shutters - gorgeous day - and the first thing I saw was an ambulance go past - lights flashing.  I thought - oh-oh - bet that has come from the Manor nursing home.  Then I thought, oh god this place is FULL of older people and retired people and nursing homes - our local hospital is going to be crazy! This is why we are getting newly qualified doctors being shipped in! (we have had a few enquiries now for the Airbnb from these Dr's).

I'm still alive

Hi again.

Today's figures as at 1.23pm

Yesterday:

Total world cases:  384,838
Total fatalities:  16,595
UK total:  6,726
UK Fatalities: 335

Today:

Total world cases:  491,768
Total fatalities:  22,173
UK total:  9,529
UK Fatalities: 465

Each country is trying to 'flatten the curve' i.e. stop the cases increasing so much each day.  Most countries are now on lock down - and it is so strange seeing images of usually extremely busy cities looking empty.  It is like a scene from 28 days Later in which the guy at the beginning wakes up and walks around a deserted London.

I have no idea what it is like in my local area as I haven't left the house in around 2 1/2 weeks - when we went to see Helen and Paul for Helen's birthday - which makes me worry that the battery in my car will be flat!

I have now had communication about my new job - I have been asking how many people on the course? What measures have been put in place etc.  I was told to ask my line manager! ha! like I know who that is!  So now - I have been put in touch with ppl I will be working with - and hopefully when they reply - I will know what my shift pattern is going to be...

We had all our bookings for the Airbnb cancelled - which is a good thing really because ppl need to stay at home - so we wrote on the listing that we would only be accepting NHS staff that are being brought in to assist at our local hospital - and at reduced rates.  We are getting a fair few enquiries - although ppl seem to want to pay next to nothing - and we have quite high running costs.  Seems like we are going to be having a couple of newly qualified doctors stay for a month or so.

We are getting quite stressed.  Everything seems to be going badly this year - Andy said it so early in the year that things seems to be going wrong - and then it went REALLY wrong - with this virus, his job not being secure - he got a speeding ticket from Xmas day when the roads were empty - he broke his phone...all our bookings got cancelled...the thing I was looking forward to more than ANYTHING - being there for Lissa when she has the baby - is no longer possible, we wont be able to attend Adam's wedding...and other stuff I can't remember.

Mostly we are fine - but every now and again (like today) it starts to get to you!  I guess - probably more than a guess tbh, that some people are having a MUCH worse time of it than us! People are dying all over the world, people are ill, people have lost jobs and can't pay the rent.  I can't remember the last time I saw any good news!  So - maybe while we have our health and our house - we should think ourselves lucky - and just hope we come out of all this unscathed.

Corona-virus...what are the chances?

I don't plan on giving each post the title 'coronavirus' however, I dont really have much else to talk about!

It is 6.20pm - and today I have put some washing away, done a couple of logic problems in the bath! made spaghetti on toast and emptied the dishwasher.  So - no real stories there!

I did also manage to get an online shopping delivery for tomorrow (after emailing and complaining that they claim to be giving priority to loyal customers!).  I think I am most relieved because it means that I can get my neighbour the things that she needs!

Other than that, I have been chilling, watching the news, reading the news, watching the worldwide figures.....so continuing to obsess....although I am boring myself really....

The figures as at 6.20 pm (usually I have given the mornings numbers) are:

Yesterday:
Total world cases:  384,838
Total fatalities:  16,595
UK total:  6,726
UK Fatalities: 335

Today
Total world cases: 455,202
Total fatalities: 20,609
UK total: 8,227
UK Fatalities: 435

So - going up and up...

The ExCel Centre in central London, or whatever it is called is being turned into a hospital.  I saw this happening in another Country the other day, and I said to Andy - wow have you seen that! It would be like us doing that with the place we saw the Ideal Home Show - and apparently this ExCel building IS the place we saw the Ideal Home Show!  Its massive! If they expect to need that amount of space for all the people that need hospital treatment in London - then omg - the figures we are looking at are just numbers, imagining that ExCel Centre full of very sick people needing treatment is SCARY.

There have been reports of healthy young people dying too - mostly it is the elderly and people with medical problems who succumb - but then there are random reports, such as a 21 year old girl - died today and was previously healthy.  This makes you wonder if you will survive if you get it.  However, it seems we'll all get it eventually.

I'm guessing that as hard as I try to distance myself and take all precautions - I'm going to catch it and soon - seeing as I am out at work as from Monday...then Andy will get it.  Lets just hope we get mild symptoms like a lot of people are reporting.

Lock down

Hi again.

8am

I got woken up early by the cats, and sun is shining brightly - by all accounts a really nice day!

First of all - today's corona-virus figures:

Yesterday:
Total world cases:  346,877
Total fatalities:  14,914
UK total:  5,748
UK Fatalities: 281

Today
Total world cases:  384,838
Total fatalities:  16,595
UK total:  6,726
UK Fatalities: 335

Last night Boris Johnson put the country into lock down for the next 3 weeks - we have a national emergency.  How strange is this?  It had become inevitable that this was going to happen - I believe the Government were just trying to get their timing right.

It seems like Connor  & possibly Emily have contracted the virus!!  Connor said last night that they both felt ill and were aching all over with sore throats, and then this morning he said - I'm very ill I haven't slept at all.  Lets hope that at 25, they are both young and healthy enough to easily get through it!

My mum has apparently felt rough too - flu and cough - not been able to sleep because of it - although no high temp - it could be normal flu or a very bad cold - my dad - who is high risk - started to develop a cough yesterday.  I have messaged them just now - to see how they are but they haven't replied yet (it is only 8.30am).

So the situation under this lock down is this -

You cannot leave your house unless it is absolutely essential - like shopping for essential supplies.
You are allowed one form of exercise a day - alone or with a family member who you live with. You can leave the house for a medical need or to give help to a vulnerable person, and to travel to and from work if it is absolutely essential.    This is for the next 3 weeks.

Yesterday I was told that my training course for my new job is still on - I'll have to wait and see if it is still on now these new measures have been put into place.  To be honest I am not being told anything as far as my new job is concerned (with the police) I have no idea if they are desperate for me to go to work and that is why the course is still running.  I know the police are utilising people still in training - so I guess that they are struggling for staff - or are expecting social unrest - I have no idea!

My mum just replied - said she cannot stop coughing - and she is running out of insulin.  She said my dad had a bit of a tickly cough but that has gone.  If she has the virus my dad will definitely get it.  We will just have to wait and see.

I just messaged my old boss to see how Surrey Police are coping - I am just trying to get some info - are the police really short staffed? really busy and desperate for new staff? are they really quiet because most ppl are at home? It would be helpful to know - then I can guess whether I am really needed or not.

I have also emailed HR but I had to guess their email address so it might just bounce back.

My boss just messaged back - lots of ppl working from home - and other than that fairly quiet atm but they expecting it to get busy! She reckons the police will really want me to start work.  I'll have to wait and see - my email to HR hasn't bounced back un-deliverable - so it may have got through!

I am trying to get onto Ocado online - I was told my delivery on Friday has been cancelled but then I saw that for Friday deliveries you can edit the order today - I can't get onto the site though!  I am in a queue - but then the page says error and when get back onto it - I am back of the queue again - the queue currently has 14, 186 ppl in it and I am number 13,167! Claims to be a 2 hour wait - but it seems to go much quicker than that - probably cos ppl wait ages only to find that they can't book a delivery anyway and so leave.

11am

So Ocado kept me waiting an hour or so - only to be told I can't edit my order until tomorrow!

Some things in the news are awful - Spain are really hard hit and they said they found an abandoned care home with people dead in their beds and some ppl alive and alone!

We have a full lock down and apparently the tubes in London were PACKED this morning - they have a cut down service, so I am guessing those who HAVE to go to work are being squashed up! The people are the ones being blamed though....

The total worldwide cases have gone up by around 1000 since 8am this morning - its speeding up now as it spreads.

We had a couple of guests turn up yesterday - all our other guests cancelled.  They are supposed to be here until tomorrow but are going home today - this is good.  This is what ppl are supposed to be doing.  I think we are going to change our airbnb listing to say only people working or visiting the hospital can book (we are about a mile a away), plus we will drastically reduce our prices.  See if we can do our bit...

12pm

Total world cases - 393,547

Almost 10,000 more infected people since 8am this morning.  Obviously they didn't get infected since 8am! Its the results of the testing being done - but in our country it is only the ppl turning up at the hospitals being tested - so we have no idea at all really how wide spread it is - the only accurate figures really are the deaths.  That stands at 335 - so if 1% die - we must have around 33,500 infected.

Changing the subject! I have had a few fun video chats with my mum and dad - and often Helen and on one occasion my brother Andrew (all of us together at the same time) - and I have found that all the family are currently chatting more often - which is nice.  We've been chatting with the kids on Whattsapp today - apart from hearing that Connor & Emily are likely to have the virus - and that Adam is having his salary reduced....we have been having a chat and a laugh - laughing at Adam's lame attempt at a moustache...

Lissa was rocking her own frizz.....

I am being totally lazy!!  I dressed to continue painting in the attic this morning, but I may as well go and get changed because I am just sat here, playing, watching the news, chatting to people...obsessing about whether I am going to be at work or not next week....