So today a friend in Australia asked me, “How is it going in ISO?” Ha, a new word we can add to the lockdown lingo dictionary! Isolation! I giggled and replied, “It’s going like a Boeing, thank you!” If only Boeings were in operation again and we could board flights to visit friends and family afar…
Whilst it can be rather frustrating “shielding” from society to protect oneself from contracting the virus, encouragement comes in so many guises and surprises 😊 A few days ago, I received a WhatsApp message from our lovely neighbour (immediate left), a medical professional with a passion for long distance running and whose pets include chickens! Her daughter Meera and pooch Sunny have spent the lockdown here in the country with her. Reading the message, I was completely blown away and entertained all at the same time: “Hiya! There’s a small gift outside your side gate from Meera and Sunny (far left), to keep you smiling through lockdown and remind you of home.” I was totally overwhelmed by this incredibly kind and considerate gesture (never mind super curious too!). “Thank you for putting up with Sunny barking at chickens and foxes.” O my goodness, waiting at the gate was a HUGE bottle of much-loved and decidedly delicious AMARULA! This is what I call a high emotional intelligence and thoughtfulness to the max! Thank you, Meera and Sunny, you guys rock! So, instead of being able to travel to South Africa and be with our families; we can enjoy some of South Africa right here! And the gorgeous, fluffy Sunny’s “chattering” to the chickens is now sadly missed by us and our three pampered Jack Russells since Meera and Sunny have returned to their home in London.
Are you shielding from society and perhaps desperate to go out and engage with others? May I encourage those at high risk of contracting the virus due to compromised immune systems to stay put, bite the bullet and be patient; our time to venture out and about will come, unless of course advised differently by your medical professional. As part of the 2.2 million people shielding in the UK, we have been informed that going out to exercise “carefully” for a short while daily is permissible; but I am taking the advice of my rheumatologist to “err on the side of caution” and continue to shield. Much effort has been injected into patience and endurance; it is not worth the risk exposing oneself just yet. So… online food orders will continue as garden projects progress beautifully, Zoom catchups continue to bring a good laugh, WhatsApp calls will not abate and hey, Netflix is always a winner! Working from home (WFH), exercising in the lounge (thank you, Joe Wicks) and “life in lockdown” continues as “normal”. By the way, have you tried exercise guru Joe Wicks’ exercise routines? Woa, brace yourself!
Tragically it has emerged that the youngest victim of the pandemic is a 13-day-old baby who passed away this week. This dreadful news is yet another reminder of the need to protect oneself appropriately as we are reminded of the devastating toll the coronavirus has taken on thousands of families globally. And therefore, it was terribly exciting to read the encouraging medical breakthrough regarding the benefits of Dexamethasone, a widely available and inexpensive drug which can be used in the fight against covid-19. See Articles/Science section for more on this.
So, for now, I wish you good health, patience, and strength of character as we all remain together apart in the challenge against covid-19. We WILL come out stronger on the other side. The best is yet to come!
Charlene
Charlene Lamb is a strategic communications professional and has enjoyed an illustrious career in the corporate world before steering her public relations consultancy in South Africa and the United Kingdom. She also enjoyed an exciting time as a journalist in the United States, interviewing many famous personalities. She is married and has three energetic fur babies: her Jack Russells, Chilli, Vlekkie and Sammy and is passionate about primates and the welfare of animals.
