I have seen my 3 grandchildren (the other 4 live in the USA) but haven't hugged the eldest 2 since March. I have had one cheeky cuddle, after donning mask and gloves, with the baby because I could no longer bear that I had never touched her.
It is so hard to keep my distance. I was in their front garden last week, talking to their mum, and they came out of the house in tears. The 8 year old had cut her own hair and immediately regretted it, and the 10 year old was crying in sympathy. DD cuddled and calmed them, but I longed to rush forward and hug them when they were sobbing. (She didn't need scolding - she was filled with remorse.) It feels so unnatural, to be afraid to touch people. However, both of my DDs worry that, if I get Covid, I won't survive and I know that that is very possible. I am going to carry on being careful for as long as seems necessary.
DGD has a hairdresser's appointment next week. The damage was too bad for her mum to rectify.