I have been contemplating on documenting my experience of this pandemic for a few days... so I write this on the 24th March 2020.
Over 350 people have died, I've been instructed to work from home, I'm awaiting a letter from the NHS to say I cannot leave the house for 12 weeks, and last night, in can what only be described as a a "declaring war on something" speech by Boris Johnson, the UK has been put on lockdown for at least 3 weeks.
Working from home as a teacher, who only teaches exam classes - GCSE, A Level and BTEC, years 11 -13 - seems very difficult, but also pointless...! We still don't actually know how these exams will be marked, judged, or how students will get their grades.... it is all still up in the air. I receive the odd nice email from students thanking me... but also receive bargaining and negotiating from students who want a higher grade. I get they are worried about yet care for their future, but in the midst of a deadly national crisis and emergency, this should not be their priority... typical selfish middle class...
Trying to work from home, with your husband also, and a 2 year old provides it's own challenges and is enough to test any relationship. We just have to give each other breaks, share the load but still try and enjoy our little boy growing up.
Being a media teacher, I am always sceptical of how the media presents the news, but I can honestly say that theire scaremongering techniques have now got to me. At the same time, it doesn't help the amount of selfish people put there who still decide to congregate, enjoy the sunshine, go shopping at Sports Direct after they have announced that they aren't closing as they provide essentials - WTAF?! Or the greedy people who are buying copious amounts of food because the apocalypse has struck.... I couldn't buy my little boy any nappies last week... but what about those poor front line key workers who are in the middle of this battle? Luckily there are some sensivle people in the world right now - volunteers looking after the vulnerable, supermarkets allowing the elderly and NHS workers priority to shop for instance.
People are dying - that's the reality, and I am VERY scared. I am trying to adopt the Keep Calm and Carry On attitude, but I am a natural worrier, and always think worst case scenario. Not seeing friends, family, colleagues, cadets will be - is, difficult, but we are in this together and we have to do what is right for us, our resources and our country.
This is now day 6 of self-isolation... it is looking like I won't leave the house til mid June....
