COVID-19: A Reflection

Just remember that this is all temperary.

The last year has flown by in some ways, but dragged by in other ways. It's been about a year and a half since COVID-19 first made its appearance on media outlets. I remember being doubtful that anything would come of it because there's been other pandemics happen, and didn't think this one would be any different. Little did I know what would happen. I got sacked for the first time, and within a week, Lockdown 1.o was brought into place. This thwarted all attempts at my finding a new job, which I desperately needed. I was stuck at home, struggling to stay focused on the task at hand and trying to stay positive. Thankfully Andy was home, on full pay, for most of that first lockdown. He kept me sane in ways that I can't begin to describe. I think I was unemployed for about two and a half months before I found that first job at Francis Court (a Care UK home in Copthorne, Sussex).

The world has changed so much since we went into lockdown. We have all grown in our own ways. We've battled our own struggles and have been launched into new challenges, challenges that have involved facing queues outside supermarkets, wearing face masks everywhere, social distancing, large chunks of the non-essential shops having been closed. We've been instructed to work from home, where possible. In that regard, I was extremely fortunate. I've been working in two different care homes, securing the first one a little over a year ago (May 2020). I've been working at Wray Common Nursing and Residental Home for almost eight months now. It has been a rollercoaster, I can tell you that. I've worked through two of the three national lockdowns. I've seen people suffer from COVID-19, but though if I'm honest I've seen more residents pass away from old age and the ailments that come with that. Since working at Wray Common, two of these residents passed away within twenty-eight days of a positive COVID test. but it wasn't COVID that finished them off. I've been so fortunate not to have seen anyone pass away, or find someone's body after they've passed away.

The hardest part of being in lockdown is that Andy (my husband) and I have been apart because of our work situation. We're waiting for news that will change everything in this regards. The good news is that I've got Andy coming to home this next week and I can't wait. We had a weekend together in Salisbury a few weeks again. It was much needed and when I booked a few days of annual leave, I asked if he'd be able to get some time off from his job. He's been successful with that, so I've got my amazing husband home a week, from today.