Tears, Fears & Flowers

Well, when I listened to the Dr John Campbell update today I started crying - he told us that in Spain they are using an ice-skating rink as a morgue. Also in Spain, staff deserted a residential care home and left people unsupported (I believe several were found dead).

Then the news that in London they are creating a hospital from a big conference and exhibition centre - ExCel. There will be two wards with 2,000 beds each (4,000 beds!) and two morgues. Here's a short video (1 min) from one of the workers.

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Four thousand beds.......... and two morgues........... in London. The Army are helping to set it up.

Our county hospital, in Cornwall, has one major hospital - it has 760 beds. Even the largest regional hospital just over the Tamar in Plymouth has 1,000 beds.

It's beyond my imagination - I remember seeing the awful pictures from China of huge hangars filled with 'beds' with really sick people on them.

The Government put out a call for NHS volunteers - to help with driving, delivering meds, phone chatting, delivering food etc. They were aiming for 250,000 - and in 24 hours they have had 405,000 people come forward. Plus 7,000 retired medics who've stepped forward too. Final year doctors and nurses are going to be given responsibilities too.

Tomorrow I'm donating blood. I've had a text every day with reminders. Today I had a triage phone call.............. it's all very surreal.

Half a million people have signed up for Universal Credit (the UK social welfare system).

There are big questions being asked now about who has the virus and is asymptomatic and/or carrying it. There are questions being asked about the numbers, because we all now know that without the testing, we just don't know the numbers.

Some people were wondering why I chose to wear a mask at work. Actually I'm carrying one in my pocket and popping it on when I'm shopping too if the 2 metre distance looks dubious! Why wouldn't you wear a mask? That's my question. I don't know if I've been in contact with an infectious person - I know plenty of people who are flouting the distancing rules. It's transmitted by droplet - a mask makes me feel protected (and stops me touching my mouth and nose!)

I'm not working with people who are Covid-19 positive - if I was I would be wearing a surgical mask and splash guard (hopefully) provided by my employer. The cotton masks are for my everyday use.

I did my research

smartairfilters.
com/en/blog/best-materials
-make-diy-face-mask-virus/?rel=1

www.facebook.com
/smartairfilters/videos/10
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There was very disturbing news that the 'rules' about the need for masks were changed because they simply cannot provide everyone with the masks - so tell people they don't need to wear them!

There was a terrible story on the morning news of an intensive care nurse in the North of England who told us that they were now being told to SHARE masks. SHARE masks!!!!!! Can you believe it?!?!?!

I used my walk home from work as my 'permitted walk' this morning - and walked the 'long way home' - I went past a guest house that always has fresh flowers (and veg when available) outside, with an honesty box. So I bought myself some daffodils.



I had a letter from the the landlords saying that our community facilities are being locked up - so that means I have no access to the laundry equipment. Sigh. I did some hand-washing and hung it out in the sunshine today. I'll have to manage this.