Coronavirus spring clean

My husband had a big operation last week so we are sort of self isolating anyway as he can't go out for another week. I had a bad cold the week before so I kept away from him just in case he caught it and jeopardised his op and now I've got it again so trying to keep my distance.

I live like a hermit the best of times ( my choice ) so it won't bother me not to be visiting various places. The only downside of me living like this is that because I don't mix or go to certain venues that it isn't giving my immune system a chance to do its job.
By not mixing, then inadvertently catching something, my system hasn't got the same " fight " as it would have if I was among crowds.

Yes, I am MFL. I see no point in placing myself and others in danger and not paying regard to the nature and rapid spread of this disease, putting even more pressure on a struggling NHS. We have to be wise, as befits our age! My neighbour said, 'But you're never in!'

Normally I'm out somewhere every day, but I need to stay well for my own sake and for my family. So I'm hibernating. I can walk in the nearby woods and have my garden, my paints, my books and TV, GN and the phone, Skype and WhatsApp.

I too will be able to get on with some jobs I'm normally too busy out gallivanting to do.

Why specifically for two weeks, Missfoodlove, and what you will do after that?

This is going to carry on for a lot longer than a fortnight Missfoodlove. You probably need to think longer term, although really all we can do is take it one week at a time.

No carrying on as normal, I’ve been to the gym this morning and was very careful to wash my hands diligently as soon as I came out and again when I got home. Im about to go for an eye test, same procedure, no touching my face and hand gel in pocket.

Tanith : as I start to worry about keeping away from too many people I asked my son how are things in the gym where he is a personal trainer. His reply was same as usual and more new clients joining every day so many are carrying on as normal.

I'm off to the pub for lunch with friends. However I don't want any hugs or kisses, an elbow bump will do!

At the end of the fortnight it might have spread even more Missfoodlove.

MamaCaz, The two weeks are a because I feel that if anyone in a position like myself isolates then there is a chance the spread may be delayed.
Apparently warmer weather will kill the virus or slow the spread so it seems like the responsible approach.

I’m not preaching and I’m well aware many people need to have a lot of contact through work or other commitments, we don’t so apart from a mammogram this week I’m not mixing

Interesting post EllanVannin I'm like you most of the time as I don't like socialising, and I thought I was doing good.

I'm a regular gym goer and I'm pleased to see renewed notices about cleaning equipment after you've used it and liberal amounts of anti virus cleaning spray available. One older chap was wearing thin gloves and people seemed to be doing more wiping equipment than usual.

I do wonder though about the level of body fluids around because of sweating etc and I've decided to come home and shower rather than use the gym ones. It's so important to keep exercising but not if it exposes us more to the virus.

Yes MamaCaz, we may have to change lifestyle for a while until it's gone. However, apparently when the weather warms up the virus will die out.

I am and have every intention of continuing to lead a perfectly normal life. This will include socialising, going to cinema, etc. travelling to events and just living!!!! Maybe will just hand wash slightly more often than I have done in the past, but that will be all.
As it will probably 12-18 months before any real vaccine is found to deal with this, I have no intention of going into any sort of isolation for that period of time, and not sure it would do any good in anycase. In the words of the old song.....I am going to live until I die!!!!!

No absolutely not it’s not going to last two weeks missfoidlove probable more like 2 months at least, are you staying in all that time ? I can’t see what that will achieve
Next year it will be a mutated strain so are our lives going to be isolating ourselves for x number of months every year
Not knocking you if that’s what’s right for you and your family but I won’t join in unless forced by law
I will carry on as normal being sensible and washing more
Now off to lunch with school friends and working in the shop tomorrow

Ginny42 However, apparently when the weather warms up the virus will die out.
The virus is spreading in Australia and it's their late summer there. Sydney still 23 degrees.

I will be carrying on pretty much as normal. I use public transport, and where possible will avoid travelling in the rush hours, but I will still travel, and will do so in rush hours if I have to.

I have some work organised over the summer, which involves attending a very busy place and being in close proximity to others, but I have no plans to cancel.

I always shop online and 'top up' from local shops, and will continue to do that unless panic buyers force my hand. I won't be buying unnecessary items of any kind, but will ensure that I have enough of the things I usually use (eg pasta and rice) to last for a couple of weeks in case we have to self-isolate. If I see mini hand sanitisers anywhere (unlikely) I will buy a couple so that my husband and I each have one to take out with us, so that we can keep our hands clean and lessen the risk of infecting others if we pick up any germs ourselves.

I have a group of friends who live locally, and will continue to see them, either out (eg in restaurants or coffee shops) or in one another's houses. I will also continue to meet up with farther-flung friends in the city centre, and will attend social and cultural events as normal.

I have non-urgent hospital appointments which I will keep unless I am asked not to. My plans are to holiday in the UK, and I don't intend to cancel unless travel becomes restricted (we are going by car, so that seems unlikely).

I can't think of anything else that will change or stay the same, really. I am at the younger end of old (age 60) and have underlying conditions, including respiratory problems, so consider myself medium risk.

I hadn't realised how often I touch my face until now, though. I will make an effort not to do that, but old habits die hard.

BlueBelle, I’m very aware this will last more than two weeks
The point I’m making is that if we use Italy as an example then the next fortnight is crucial, if we can delay the spread we could avoid an epidemic here.
I do not want to catch it or unwittingly pass it on.

None of us want to catch the virus, pass it on, however, can I ask you to consider people that need to use food banks that are running low? Look in your cupboards for items bought/received that you will not use, toiletries, etc. or add an extra item to your shopping list. Long-life milk, pulses, pasta, dried or tin food, soap toilet rolls, sanitary products. Most supermarkets or churches have collection points at the entrance. People needing foodbanks will have to go out to collect their token and visit the foodbank center. I am deeply concerned if they get isolated they will no means of getting supplies as one has to collect food in person. They do not have the luxury of staying indoors or full cupboards.

We are carrying on pretty much as normal (we both have immunity problems) but not booking any theatre/cinema tickets. I went shopping in Cambridge last Friday - the shops, café and bars were empty. I got a seat on the train both ways. I usually shop on line for groceries etc. We will be going out for walks and I may play golf on Wednesday. Played on Saturday and everyone talked about not hugging or kissing after the game but we did it anyway - its just part of our routine.

I was in the process of having a spring clean/general sort out anyway, so I'm going to continue to do so. I must admit to suffering from cabin fever terribly though, after being surrounded by flood water on and off throughout the winter. I am going to avoid the gym, buses and the cinema for a while. I'm very much looking forward to a holiday with my children and their families at Easter [first time we've all been together] and I'm terrified that something will prevent it.

As there are as yet no cases of corona virus in my area I am continuing to lead my life as normal, but with enhanced hygiene precautions (hand washing etc.

As the disease creeps nearer - if it does get nearer, I will tweak my strategy accordingly.

As I’m a member of the high risk group being both Diabetic and suffering from Heart Lung problems, I’m following the advice to self isolate as much as possible for the foreseeable future, as is my husband. I do go out for a ride in the car, but never get out, I’m cancelling all non urgent routine appointments such as my annual eye check-up next week, and likewise my six monthly blood check up can wait until later in the year. My freezers are always well stocked anyway, and a supply of long life milk is normal for us, as is a weekly online shop delivery, although if needs be, we could manage for a longer period of time without that.
The most difficult part will be having to explain to our Grandchildren and their Mum why it’s not a good idea for them to visit us each evening straight out of school. Our daughter is a manager of a local nursery, and as such is exposed daily to many members of the public, dropping off or collecting children, making deliveries, or even other staff members and their families who work alongside her. Once an outbreak has been confirmed local to the Schools in the area, a programme of lockdowns and closures will take place, but by that time, the virus will have had chance to spread and infect others.

I am aiming to get my full spring cleaning done if covid-19 gets closer to home. I am already stocked and have masses of hobbies, I can start sowing seeds and get my potager into shape. I have a dental appointment in a small town later this week, preceeded with a lunch out with dd and that is it. It is about preservation of life, mine and others

I will get myself outside, solo cycling and in the garden

Those over 60s without underlying problems should not be complacent, this is the cut-off age for various components of the immune system, this is why children are barely affected. There is a scientific reason for that age, it is complicated, too much to explain here

I did restock my store cupboard/freezer last week, because I had planned to do so anyway. Stuff in the freezer from when my son still lived at home and spices in the cupboard dating back to 2006! Never sorted the freezer because I needed to keep it full anyway for efficiency. However, since then I've not been feeling very well and all I want to eat are rich tea biscuits [which I didn't have because I don't keep biscuits in the house]. Getting a bit annoyed with all the loo roll etc jokes on facebook. By the end of all this we will all have known someone that has died from this virus .