The New Normality

"I had a text this morning from the Government
about Corona Virus"
"That's odd," responded the KHT, "So did I!"
Considering we are on the same plan, no great surprise really!
Somehow our family seemed to be on the first wave
of official notifications
with other folks not receiving them later in the day,
or even the following one.
At the same time people were getting emails advising them,
that due to their health,
they must stay home, and operate social distancing
from other members of their family.
That led to a bit of confusion
- did you get the 'isolating' or the 'standard' text?
Meanwhile, are we officially in 'LOCK DOWN', 
or just in
'stay at home unless you are going out for essentials or exercise..' ?

The morning got underway
with the KHT at college in the lounge,
and me at my temporary office in the spare room.
Meanwhile DH decided this was the perfect time to rearrange the cupboards in the utility
- well he didn't want to be left out...

The KHT's first assignment was a PE lesson with Joe Wicks.
How can anyone so slight make SO much noise just exercising?
Answer, landing flat footed!
Soon her jumper was discarded and trousers rolled up to her knees,
as she became a kangeroo, and attempted squats and star jumps.

Oliver .......................and  ................................Olivia

After lunch Oliver and Olivia were treated to their annual trim.
They were not to be inconvenienced by the closure of non-essential services,
like hairdressers.
It may not be the right time of year to trim olive trees,
but they had kind of lost their shape.
As I do not like olives
any potential reduction in yield
was not my primary concern.
In reality I  think they may be a purely ornamental variety as all they produce are tiny dried up olives
not even worthy of adorning the dishes of a mouse!

In the garden it all felt very safe,
and it was easy to forget the catastophic health crisis
happening in the world beyond our garden fences.

Over on the allotments someone was burning rubbish.
Dark acrid smoke hung heavily in the air., reluctant to disipate,
When it it invaded our garden, we reteated inside and closed the doors.
By now it was late afternoon, so we were not too inconvenienced.

In the evening I took the KHT out for our permitted exercise.
On a narrow path we encountered a couple walking their dog.
The KHT and I moved to one side of the path to give them maximum space.
The woman chose to walk on the grass to maximise spacing,
but her companion,
towed along by their canine,
maintained his course.
I tried not to breathe as we passed.
"WHAT IF THEY HAVE IT!" I  thought to myself.
"CAN YOU CATCH IT JUST BY WALKING PAST SOMEONE?"

We spent about an hour
walking around the estate.
The sign outside the pub declared
'Open as usual'.
They lied.
The lights were off and doors closed.
The KHT spotted a sign on the window and tiptoed up to read it
"Hmm, it is about deliveries..."
she pronounced.
It may be many months before they reopen.

We began a game of eye spy
"I spy with my little eye, something beginning with C..."
The KHT had some really good guesses
Chinese Grass,
cars,
coat,
but after about twenty guesses she was ready to quit.
"What's behind you?"
She turned and looked
"Church!"
She had assumed that the item in question
was in front of her...

No fairies have been to magically replenish the food stocks, so tomorrow I will head out to the supermarket,
armed with a list...
What will I be able to get?
Will I bring the virus back with me?
Do I already have it?
I am not so worried for myself,
more for others.

Welcome to the new normaility.