I tried very hard not to start writing about these weird times that we are living in, but found it impossible. So, instead of on focusing on the grey areas surrounding the COVID19 pandemic, I thought I would add a different perspective: my A-Z of Coronavirus is an almost complete list of the alphabet in terms of corona!
A is for Amazon. I’m not sure about anyone else, but recently my Prime membership has been paying its dues. The pandemic has upended businesses across the world, but Amazon seems to be emerging stronger than ever. Is it due to their incredible recommendation algorithm or their easy ‘buy with one click’? However they do it, Amazon has been a massive help to get supplies when we are unable to pop out to go shopping.
I thought I was doing well with ‘A’ but then I got stuck on ‘B’. It came to me while playing Rummikub with my family on the weekend. BRAIN GAMES! All this time spent indoors with no distractions from the outside world to draw us away has meant we have been given precious time to think about our brains. Every day of lockdown my mum insisted we play a game that would make us use our minds. It was great to get off our devices and to make us think in different ways.
For me, it was obvious what ‘C’ would be – Cooking. Without the luxuries of a mid-week pub supper or last minute take away, we have had to think of different ways to make spaghetti bolognese interesting. Don’t get me wrong – I love spag bol – but after having it three nights in a row my tastebuds were a bit fed up. Being required to cook three meals a day makes it a good time to think about what we are actually putting in our bodies.
I’m not sure about anyone else, but what has really helped me get through the gloomy winter days has been D for Dancing. My sister and I made a pact to have a dancing session at least three times a week – it can change your mood in no time. If dancing isn’t your thing, just listening to one of your favourite songs can have the same effect!
E: Everyone in this together.
The three F’s – Family, Friends and Facetime. It has been difficult being away from friends and family, but luckily Facetime has meant we are able to keep in touch. It is important to call loved ones as much as possible even if it is just to say ‘hi.’
Restrictions have meant closure for many services including hairdressers, which makes H for Haircuts. A new skill I have certainly acquired is that of cutting hair at home. Luckily for my brother, he didn’t have to see anyone for a while, which meant his hair had time to grow back again…
It has been very important to stay motivated and to keep exercising. It is all too easy to stay in bed all day in the long days of lockdown, but J for Joe Wicks has really helped to focus on staying fit. His short HIIT workouts have been perfect for small spaces and short time periods over the stay-at-home period.
M is for Microsoft Teams and Masks – two things we all should be very grateful for. We have been very lucky to continue learning without major disruptions throughout this weird year. Thank you to all the IT staff who answer our endless emails and Mr Mason for his ‘How To’s’ on using OneDrive.
Although I have mentioned some above, I wanted N to be for New Skills: from baking to knitting, reading to learning a new language. Or maybe instead of new skills you have used the time to refine your old ones. Have you tried a new recipe or finished a good book?
Podcasts have been a great way to learn new information. There is an endless range and variety covering so many topics. One I really enjoy is ‘The Economist’ episodes.
The most important two R’s: Rest and Relaxation. I have personally used this time to give myself a bit of extra rest. It has been good to have the chance to reset our bodies and slow down. Everyone has something different that helps them relax; have you found your activity?
T is for Time. Remember to take this time to look after yourself. We have been given an opportunity to stop, think and look around. It might seem that everything is a bit grey but underneath, if you look a bit deeper, you will find sunshine.
U is for Unprecedented. A word that if I’m honest hadn’t really heard of before last year, let alone used. Recently, I learnt that ‘unprecedented’ was the People’s Choice Word of the Year for 2020, although I was not surprised.
W for Walks and WhatsApp. One thing that the UK law does allow us to do at the moment is go for an hour walk each day. Make sure you make the most of it because the restrictions can change very quickly, and you do not want to take it for granted.
And last but not least, Z is for Zoom! Thanks to Zoom, family quiz nights have been possible. They are a nice activity for the evenings or something to look forward to at the weekend.
I hope you have enjoyed reading through my almost comprehensive Coronavirus Alphabet. Finally, even though times can get tough, remember it is something we are all in together. No matter how far away you are in miles, someone is only a short call away. I would like to set everyone reading this blog the challenge of looking at this extraordinary time as a time to reflect on ourselves, do things we wish we did in the first lockdown and to think of three things you are grateful for each day.
Oscara (Year 13)
Photo Credit:
NIAID-RML/NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
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