1st May 2020

Several reported cases of coronavirus patients relapsing after recovering from the disease were actually due to testing failures, according to South Korean scientists. Researchers at the South Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now state that the COVID-19 virus can’t reactivate in the human body.

This is excellent news; however, to add a note of caution, in the future, the coronavirus could mutate and reinfect people who have previously recovered, much like the flu.

Meanwhile, a further 427 patients have died with coronavirus in UK hospitals, bringing the national total to 23,363. Among them was a 90-year-old patient who passed away at St Luke’s Hospital in Harborough.

The first day of May brought a mix of sunshine and clouds. Early on, Sue collected her prescription from the chemist, and after my bike ride, I planted a row of beetroot plugs in the vegetable plot. A 4TB hard drive I had ordered from Amazon arrived today, earlier than the scheduled Sunday delivery, and I received an email notification that my DNA profile from MyHeritage was ready online.

In the afternoon, with Sue’s help, I fixed the new awning to the wall above the balcony. It went up smoothly, with no issues, except for one surprise. On opening the box, I discovered that the awning was green rather than the grey I had ordered. However, once extended, it looked good, so I’ve decided to keep it.

Later in the afternoon, Charlotte popped by with a jigsaw puzzle for Sue. She left pleased, taking away some more cucumber and tomato plants from the greenhouse.

2nd May 2020

Spaniards have been savouring their first taste of life after lockdown, as adults were allowed out for exercise on Saturday for the first time in seven weeks. Any form of sport or exercise is now permitted, provided it is carried out individually. Under the new rules for outdoor activity, specific time slots have been designated based on age groups.

Adults under 70 who wish to walk, run, cycle, or engage in other physical activities can do so between 6 am and 10 am, or between 8 pm and 11 pm. Children, who have been allowed outside with their guardians since last Sunday, must now take their outings between 12 pm and 7 pm. Meanwhile, more vulnerable individuals with caregivers, as well as seniors over 70, have dedicated time slots between 10 am and 12 pm, or 7 pm and 8 pm.

It’s an interesting approach to maintaining social distancing. I’m intrigued to see how effectively this innovative strategy will be enforced, and how many other countries might follow suit.

The weather was much like yesterday, though slightly warmer, and Sue took advantage of the conditions to do the washing. While the machine ran through its cleanest cycle, she headed to Lidl for the weekly shop. Meanwhile, I planted yet another row of onions.

Sue spent most of the afternoon reading the newspaper, while I organised my files, copying photos, videos, and music from various drives in the study onto my shiny new 4TB Seagate hard drive.

Late in the afternoon, I made a Duo video call to Jim in Cyprus and was surprised to learn that Brigitte has a flight back to Paphos next Tuesday (5th) on one of the UK repatriation flights. This means she will have to spend a couple of weeks in isolation, most likely in one of the hotels designated for the purpose. If the sale of their house goes ahead, she may not be in Cyprus for long before returning to the UK.

In the evening, we watched a Netflix film, 93 Days, a fitting true story about the 2016 Ebola epidemic in Lagos, Nigeria. Given the current global situation, it wouldn’t be right to call it enjoyable, but it carries a sobering message for all governments: expect and prepare for the worst, and you might just get lucky.

3rd May 2020

Primary schools are set to reopen as soon as 1st June, as part of Boris Johnson’s blueprint for gradually “unlocking” Britain. Year 10 and Year 12 pupils are expected to be the first wave of secondary students returning at a later stage, with the aim of avoiding a rise in transmission rates and preventing a dangerous second peak.

It’s a difficult challenge for the government. Teachers are well aware that many parents will have serious reservations about sending their children back into classrooms filled with thirty or so potential virus carriers. Reassurance will be key. There needs to be clear, indisputable evidence that reopening schools is safe. I suspect the government will find getting adults back into the workplace far easier. And heaven help the Education Minister if a child contracts coronavirus while attending school, parents can be very unforgiving.

The day was chilly and overcast, so Sue and I spent most of it indoors. Sue broke up her self-imposed incarceration with a brief visit to Rothwell to drop off a coat for Charlotte and some biscuits she had baked for Lucas and Ellis. I once again spent much of the day in my study, organising files between my PC and various drives.

Late in the afternoon, Sue began the jigsaw Charlotte had brought over. Aside from a very tasty Sunday lunch prepared by Sue, it was an unremarkable day.