I don't know what to do...

On the other coin,in feb half term,before this bomb shell was dropped on us,i had a couple of days in hotel & my own home with some of my family,and we all survived! & no ill health! So,that'l have to sustain me.?but ive more C& GC and id hate to never be with them ever again...its so depressing,and normally im a glass half full person.

well said truddles . i agree.

My love and sympathy go out to all of you.
Like some I feel 'fortunate' that my parents and elderly relatives have gone, but I feel the emotional side of the situation is not being recognised.
I have visited two ladies (both in their mid 90s) weekly for several years through the Church. They both live alone and obviously appreciate the spiritual part of my visit but they also gain so much by the social side and I never leave either of them until we have laughed over something.
Now I have been banned from even visiting and it hurts!
I KNOW it is sensible and necessary but I also know that my ladies will both miss me so much.
I intend to ring them once a week (would do daily but they are both deaf!) and send a cheery notelet/letter each week. The important thing is to ensure they know we still care even if prevented from that so important hug.
Sadly with their natural ill health and frailty I have a real fear that I may have seen and hugged them both for the last time. I pray that won't be the case.
to everyone in this sad situation.

You are not alone. Many have the same or more serious concerns. Tiredness can make us very emotional and I suspect this exhaustion is increasing your worries. Get plenty of rest then you will think more clearly and be able to cope better.

The contact with your father depends very much on his needs and health. You are sensible enough not to put him at risk and caring enough not to neglect him. Look after yourself and you will look after him well too.

Be safe. Be strong. Be the caring person you are.

All the best Daffy, I so admire you and the very necessary work you do. I hope you will be safe.

By the way, if we are self-isolating, we do not need to apply makeup any more, as who will see us without it, apart from any others living with us?

Take care all Grans xx

Apparently though,you can get it again- its not like measles or something where it gives you immunity!( i was so bad at xmas/ new year,(went to urgent care 2 days running!) im now sure it could have been it,but not known,but even if so,it wouldnt make me immune to it again!

Such a worry for you. Try not to imagine what could happen, although I know it’s hard not to. Sending you

But if the applying of make up makes her feel better,why not?

Moggie 57, You actually have no idea whether or not you and your daughter had corona virus "4 weeks ago". As the first cases here weren't confirmed until 31st January it seems highly unlikely. And yes, the media may well be stoking things up a bit, but don't be in denial of the science behind official briefings. This is unprecedented. So it certainly isn't a case of just carrying on "as normal". If we all do that, many more will die, and that's a fact...

Daffydilly - I shed some tears for you as you touched my heart. Thank you for the work you do in the pharmacy, and I know that you are strong enough to get through this. It doesn't stop the thoughts though does it. Sending a hug to all who need it right now - and that's most of us I guess. My own grandchildren's family have had to self isolate from yesterday as one of them has symptoms. Luckily none of them are in the high risk category, but I know we aren't likely to meet up in the near future. Thank heavens for Whatsapp.

Time to tell your siblings to get their fingers out! Keep safe x

This is so overwhelming for everyone,unfortunately it is the senior citizens who will be cut off the most of human contact,myself included,it is heartbreaking not seeing family and little ones but something good will hopefully come out of all of this to help make life better for all the little one in the future.
stay safe everyone?

Daffydilly. I feel for you very much. `you are one of the essential services unselfishly providing us with a service upon which our life relies. The sacrifice such people as you are making must not go unnoticed.

I would take up your husband's offer. Take things one day at a time. You can change your arrangements should you feel the need.

Meanwhile do phone your dad. Be as brave as you can and try not to let such very sad thoughts take over your mind. None of us knows how we shall die or when, and it is not strengthening to dwell on it except in very rate circumstances.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being one of those people who makes it possible for people like me to have our vitally needed repeat prescriptions. You are wonderful.

I pray a lot and I will specifically pray for you. Try to be positive amidst all this.

With love, Elle x

I took some statistics from the net last night to try to help a friend who is getting in to a terrible state. At that point the figures were:

1814 active cases of CV. Of those, 1794 (99%) were mild, and 20 (1%) were severe. I found these figures a comforting assurance. There was also a dip in the diagnosed cases for the last two days. China is now saying that they have the virus under control.
I know this changes nothing, and won't make some less fearful, but I am becoming increasingly angry with newspaper headlines that seem designed to cause panic and alarm, and also - let's have the figures for those that have recovered, as many will have.

I cannot believe how blasé some people are on here. The "just carry on as normal" as normal attitude is dangerous and irresponsible. The current plan is to minimise the impact for now to try and allow the NHS to cope.

You don't need to show any symptoms for you to be a carrier. The virus can live on hard surfaces for hours, how long it stays on clothes is uncertain.
My daughter's company has made their canteen cashless, as has my dentist, to avoid touching cash. Everyone has to work together to beat this.

Yesterday, my GP told me to avoid all social contact, he literally put the fear of death into me. My children won't be visiting on Mother's Day, their decision, as they want to keep me safe.

Also I was told that I probably won't survive if I catch it. After speaking to him yesterday, I don't believe the media are stoking things up, I don't think the Government are telling us how bad things really are.
I am not some silly woman, who is easily scared, but I am terrified!

My logical and analytical brain tells me that there is much more going on than we are actually being told. You only have to follow the story in China and look at all the measures being taking across the world, to realise how dangerous it is.
Britain of course, with its stiff upper lip attitude is way behind as usual.

A curse on all forms of media for seizing on the hysteria/doom/death angles of the current situation and magnifying them out of any proportion.

They'll spark off more fatal heart attacks through astronomical levels of anxiety and stress than the Virus. Not to mention a plethora of mental health conditions.

And please don't listen to any radio phone-ins - bar room philosophers abound. Especially beware of anyone who starts a conversation with "y'know what the government wanna do?......"

I so agree Marydoll.

Apparently the Bars and Restaurants in Canary Wharf were packed as usual last night. What a load of selfish wally's! Why do some people think they are invincible? It makes my blood boil. This Virus can be asymptomatic for three days in which you can be a super spreader. For God's sake let's get real.

Just a tip but if you carry a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide mixed with water I think 3 water to one HP you can use to spray around face to kill off virus. It doesn’t seem to effect my skin. I also use inside mouth adding a few drops of oregano essential oil.
Can pharmacies ask for everyone to pay by card? To cut out cash handling?
Using FaceTime to stay in touch it’s difficult but thank goodness we have it ?

Well said Marydoll.

I loved the poem BlueBelle - so true. And calming as most of us get the jitters each day at some point.

I am terrified for my mum who is 85 with health issues.She normally goes to church and a friend takes her shopping .I live 2 hour drive away don't know whether to visit for mother's Day or not .I am early retired but have DGD all day Wednesday and do school run twice a week for the other DGD ! Phoning is traumatic as she is so deaf ! End up shouting down the phone ? Thanks to all the retail and health staff for doing their best with all the stress they must be getting !

Gad3 when we wash our hands as advised, they are clean. Just keep washing them during the day and try and not touch your face, especially eyes, mouth and nose as this is how it can easily transmit from me to you.

Do you have screens up to shield you from your customers - sort of 1st line of defence ? Gloves and masks - that’s the bare minimum here in my village in Spain

My aunt is 88 and lives alone. I know at the best of times she is often lonely. She was unable to come for Christmas, so she has been invited for Easter. We would go to collect her, about an hours drive, and take her back a week later. I spoke to her yesterday and she has a very sketchy understanding of self isolation. Do you think it would be wise to bring her to our home for Easter, bearing in mind both DH and I are in the vulnerable group.?

On Twitter the young are blaming the "boomer" generation for not changing their behaviour, appearing to to be stoic but really being what my nephew calls "calcified" i.e. carrying on as normal and I have to say that in the supermarket yesterday a friend said it was full of "disobedient 70 year olds".