192. Freedom beckons?

Today is a landmark. August 1 2020. Remember that. It’s the day the government’s shielding strategy is “paused” and we Shielded Ones are granted the same freedoms as everyone else. Actually, looking at ‘everyone else,’ I can’t say there’s been that much freedom enjoyed but, of course, stranded at the top of a cul-de-sac on the edge of the village (for now), there may be all sorts of Bacchanalia going on that I know nothing of. It might explain the cheery smiles I’ve encountered.

Just love that gentle prod!

Actually, I confess I pre-empted this by popping to the hairdresser’s on Monday but I was more than satisfied (in fact a bit irritated) by the level of precaution being taken. It was difficult however to rave about a new haircut when I was wearing a mask that prevented me from having much idea of what I looked like till I got home. More than happy once I got a proper look in the mirror.

Back to today. I planned to celebrate by exposing myself to a normal but ever-so-slightly risky foray into the real world. I would collect my own prescriptions. I went online at 1am Wednesday morning to order repeat prescriptions to tie in with the one the pharmacist would receive in the post Wednesday. Thwarted. First the pharmacist personally delivered an embarrassingly large bag on Thursday but the ones I needed urgently (the postal ones) were not there. When I rang, the First Class delivery had taken 4 days to get from one part of Leeds to another. Why am I surprised? But at least it got there. So I said to the pharmacist not to deliver - I’d pick it up on Saturday to mark my liberation. She explained the system and that was sorted. Only Big Dave, who owns the pharmacy, delivered it himself yesterday, depriving me of somewhere to go. That sounds completely ungrateful. I’m not. I’ve either had a volunteer, Sarah (bottle of wine awaiting our next encounter) or the pharmacists deliver all my prescriptions and I am so very grateful because this is something we really struggled with last year, particularly at those scary times for Dennis when he really didn't want to leave me on my own. In fact, I’m proud to say that experience has helped extend the Bramhope Coronavirus Community Support Group (very catchy) so that the list of volunteers will be maintained indefinitely to help members of the community in need.

Back to Freedom. I don’t feel safe enough yet to venture into the supermarket, a garden centre or a pub. The first two would be impossible owing to the mobility problems and what is there in a pub when i) I don’t drink alcohol and ii) we can’t meet up with anyone?  Now... why don’t I feel safe enough? Common sense tells me I will have much-reduced immunity to the usual bugs around - colds and, perish the thought, tummy bugs - so I need to tread carefully, if tread I can. But the main reason is this:

Apologies for deletions but the blog is public access

I may have ranted already that the letter is signed Matt. I know of a Matt who works in Jumbo Records and is like an oracle in this household (Matt says... Matt put it aside for me...Matt didn’t give me my discount!). I think I worked briefly with a Matt who worked for one of the drugs agencies in Leeds. And a Matt did some work for us on the house, maybe the porch, early on. Otherwise I know no Matt. It may show my age but I really object to some jumped-up entitled Tory thinking I will look on his policies (if there are any - read on if you can bear to) more favourably because we’re on first name terms. Sorry Mr Hancock, the greater the distance you are from me, even in Covid-free times, the better. At least Robert Jenrick had the nous to sign his full name. Maybe ‘Matt’ was tired

I digress. The letter tells me that, from today, I may go to work; go outside to buy food, to places of worship and for exercise but I should maintain strict social distancing. I was already able to form a social bubble or meet up to six people outside. Elsewhere, it says I may wish to go to more places and to see more people. I guess there’s nothing contradictory there but it’s getting a bit imprecise. Then he includes the words “ The advice is to stay at home where possible.” Now doesn’t that inspire confidence!

So I’m in a position where, it seems, I can interpret the government’s advice in several ways - but which is the safest? Obviously to stay at home. But after over 4 months practically isolated from the real world, I’m antsy. I can’t walk anywhere and the prospect of driving to sit in some car park isn’t alluring but it would be great if there was something I could do. Dennis of course isn’t bothered. Lifting shielding doesn’t make a jot of difference. He’s got out of the habit of visiting record shops, doesn’t miss it thanks to the internet, and really is quite happy to remain as he is. 

The solution lies with Joyce and Maureen who visited my ‘patio’ on Thursday. Next Saturday we will be going to Cookridge Hall to go swimming (someone to hoist me out of the pool - yay!). The only problem is that things are changing rapidly again as another spike is appearing across West Yorkshire and Lancashire. Leeds is safe, with a low infection rate of 4.6 per 100,000 compared to 13.1 across Yorkshire & Humber, but we are a hair’s breadth (or hare’s breath) away from Bradford which is back in lockdown. Joyce, aren’t you glad you made your escape to the Lakes hours before it was announced! I guess it’s wait and see if the poor little starling flops to the ground or finds its wings and soars.