Coronavirus-What are we going to miss?

When this virus started to take hold, I quickly realised that self isolation was the safest thing to do for my family and we came to terms quickly with what we thought it meant. I mean, I don't like going out, preferring to stay in my nice safe house, so not going shopping or to medical appointments, didn't sound like a hardship. Staying home, keeping in touch with online friends, watching films and dvd boxsets, listening to music and reading sounded ok really. However there were other things about the situation that I didn't quite grasp and that is what this post is about. The things I didn't expect to happen and things I would have to miss.

For this post I am putting aside my thoughts on the horrific death toll and infection rate, which is of course the most important thing going on. I just wanted to do a slightly more upbeat and lighthearted post about what we are going to miss.

1) Newspapers
None of our local shops offer a newspaper delivery service. I know that I can get my news from news channels and online. That isn't a problem. However my dad doesn't use the computer and he likes to browse a few newspapers each day. I also need a physical newspaper because since 1994 I have been keeping scrapbooks of the news stories and I need the papers to cut out the stories! I am going to be without any cuttings for the biggest story we are facing, for three whole months at least. We'll miss the papers! I have visions of me out at midnight nicking the neighbour's discarded papers from their bins, hoping to find a Daily Mail or Times!

2) Fresh milk
I have bought my last fresh milk yesterday. I usually have a cup every morning to look after the old bones and I love hot chocolate made with milk rather than water. I did order in three months supply of iced coffee to bridge the gap and I do have tins of Nido powdered stuff, but it's not the same. I will just get on with it of course and I can live without it. I can't be asking neighbours to risk their health for my milk, y'know?

3) American Ninja Warrior
This is one of my favourite TV shows which has a live audience and everyone competes over the same obstacle course. Can you imagine if they had to wipe down the course after every person competes? Empty the water pits every time someone falls in? Social distancing amongst the crowd? Travel restrictions on crew and contestants? It doesn't seem logical. I fear a postponement of one of my favourites. Then I thought about all the things I love watching-SAS Who Dares Wins, Coronation Street, Sasuke, Masterchef-UK, US, Australia...there could be lots of TV disruption. I never really thought of that during a pandemic.

4) The Winds of Winter 
I was expecting word of yet more delay on the publication and I was also worried that George was keeping safe but this reassuring update has come through.
“For those of you who may be concerned for me personally … yes, I am aware that I am very much in the most vulnerable population, given my age and physical condition. But I feel fine at the moment, and we are taking all sensible precautions,”  “Truth be told, I am spending more time in Westeros than in the real world, writing every day. Things are pretty grim in the Seven Kingdoms … but maybe not as grim as they may become here.”

5) Olympics 2020
I always love the summer and winter Olympics, where I spend lots of time in front of the TV, recording multiple channels. I think all of us were pretty much resigned when the outbreak began that the Olympics would be cancelled or postponed. Finally light seems to be dawning on Japan and the IOC that it needs to be looked at!

6) Bread
I like my toasted cheese, a boiled egg with soldiers, a nice sandwich-but now that I'm indoors for three months, there will be no bread every week and I don't have the ingrediants to try and make my own yet. We might get a few supplies delived to us once the Scottish government starts sending basics out to those self isolating but I don't know when that will be! Funny, I don't eat a ton of it but I will miss it! 

7) McDonalds milkshakes
I love their strawberry milkshakes and now that I know I can't get one, I really want it! Or a fillet burger from KFC...

8) Day trip
My dad and I always loved a trip down to the west coach beach resorts of Ayrshire, where we'd stop for something to eat and a walk on the beach. My dad would get a big fish supper and I'd get a cheese and ham toastie and portion of onion rings. Yum!

9) Blackpool 
We had hoped to get down to our favourite holiday resort in May but it quickly became obvious that the pandemic was going to ruin that plan. I hope the couple who run the B&B we go to stay safe and that we can visit them next year.

What I'm NOT going to miss...

1) Supermarket shopping 
I hate having to go and do a big supermarket shop. I hate the crowds, finding a parking space near the entrance, packing the stuff into bags, heaving heavy bags out the car and unpacking it in the kitchen. I won't miss that and it'll be three or four months before I even need to think about it again!