A little story for you all. I live in the Channel Islands, which many might not know but we have been subject to very severe Lockdowns by our Government to protect us from Covid 19. From March we had to stay at home except in extreme cases for meds and all the usual reasons, 1 hour of exercise for you or your pets, no joining up with family, friends , no visits to pubs , clubs, cinema's, schools etc. This was all lead by a very strong Lady Scientist & Doctor Nicky Brink and a strong government leadership. The most positive C19 cases we have had, were somewhere about 13 in total. It was amazing how everyone pulled together and followed her rules . We have been advised not to travel , if it was necessary, we had to totally Isolate for 14 days on return to the Island. Everyone who came in was monitored , those who broke the rules were heavily fined. Some as much as £6,000 pounds. We did all we were asked to do , we have been free now for many weeks to go about our business, no masks , eat out at any local restaurants , WI's have been able to meet, clubs and pubs are open,. It was so peaceful, many have said how much they enjoyed themselves. At the end of our lockdown all the neighbours who had been doing our shopping for the people not able to go out , organised a BBQ and we met people we hadn't known before, 'WhatsApp' was set up , it was was wonderful and each morning someone would light it up and we all put our orders in . Marvelous.
The one draw back was, we haven't been able to see out Haematology Consultants since last October, over a year and to be honest I for one was very worried over my PV, how was it going / counts up or down . It was a bit frightening , but this last weekend we had our ' crew' down from Birmingham and were very happy to be seen and reassured by them, My one real concern was we were not told whether or not to mask up. When I rang the hospital to ask about this, I was told but we don't have C19 on the island, I know, that's true, but Birmingham has it! So as my family, husband , son and of course myself were all vulnerable , I went along with my mask,washing my hands at every opportunity, but did remark to the doc my reasons for doing so, she was very co-operative and understanding. But the best part was she told me all my 'counts ' were perfect and down , to carry on with whatever I was doing and they would all be back in three months. I have really been quietly happy in a peaceful time and all the streets in town are alight with Christmas lighting ,also Father Christmas came to town Yesterday, yes a bit early, it seemed he was happy not to have to wear a mask. Many thanks to all our Nursing staff, Doctors and auxiliary staff who kept us going.
So good people out there, follow the guidelines, STICK to them, it's not rocket science, it's done to keep you alive. Best wishes to you all. Off to town to see the lights .Keep safe.
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bordeauxgirl
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Thank you for that story June, it sounds calm and idyllic. I know shielding is not easy but your island seems to have it sussed! I’m being very careful but, unfortunately, not everyone feels the same. I’m glad your bloods are all ok and I hope everything continues to go well for you.Have a lovely Christmas
Hi , I love the Channel Islands especially Alderney and the whole experience of a community. You all followed the guidelines and pulled together. We on the main land MOSTLY did exactly what we were told but penalties were not carried out when idiots refused. I even wrote to my MP after being told by a youth on the train who refused to wear a mask when I queried it ‘I don’t believe in it me’ . On another occasion the very next day ( the second day of eased restrictions I queried why an NHS worker ( in uniform in a shop) wasn’t wearing a mask. ‘ we don’t have to. I said I thought we had to , to which she replied ‘ I should know I work for the NHS’ My MP’s response was ‘ don’t confront’ !!!!! shops here on the mainland must NOT CONFRONT - we mustn’t upset people. In my mind unnecessary deaths are very upsetting. Gone are the days when a neighbour would tell a child off for doing wrong.
What lovely memories I have of Jersey, so clean & beautiful. Pleased your bloods are ok. I've been taking shielding advice from Haematologist since March, it's been hard but have to think "health" comes first. Some people out there have just not stuck to Government advice. Hopefully next year will be a better one.x
Hi wiskie, what a great name, We didn't have the Haematologist over from Birmingham since last October 2019, so you can imagine we were all a bit panicky. It is such a shame people don't take the advice they need , they are the ones who scream 'why me' when it happens to them, by the way I love Jersey too, but Guernsey is much better. lol Happy Christmas to you keep safe. June
Wow that's amazing. Think the one advantage is that you are a relatively small group of people on the island, especially when no tourists are there. Enjoy your freedom, I am sure that the people who set the "rules" for your lockdown would have monitored the risks of the Birmingham bods. Think we will all find it difficult to really relax with life after this. Take care.
Hi Jenny , thankyou for your reply, yes we are very lucky here in Guernsey, ( Jersey is a bit different because they have different rules and had more cases) but on the whole no too bad. As for visitors we have had them , people returning to their island home also workers , but some have flouted the rules and instead of going into Isolation thought they could get away with just doing some shopping on the way. But they have been traced and have been prosecuted and fine for not Isolating , their fines have been up to £6,000 . So I say serves them right for putting us all in danger. Keep well and safe and hope you have a healthy and peaceful Christmas. Love June.x
Hi Bordeauxgirl. After reading your post I did some quick research on he Channel Islands. They sound like an idyllic place to live. You’re lucky that your government was so wise & strict. I read awhile ago that New Zealand residents are also free to go to restaurants & concerts without fear. Unfortunately I live in the U.S. where things have been handled terribly from the beginning. While we haven’t been as restricted, as you’ve probably read, the rates of infection are out of control. Because of my various health problems I don’t dare go anywhere & it looks like that won’t change anytime soon. So I do envy your well earned freedom. Did you ever find a solution to your problem with itching that you posted about years ago? (I read your history hoping to learn more about where the Channel Islands are, etc.). Katie
Hi Katie , I do have relatives in Washington, so yes, I do keep up with all your new's and feel for you all. As for my'rash' yes, I have also found a solution to that , hopefully it will continue , it is 'Hemp ointment', it contains small amounts of Hemp, Cannabis extract(oh dear, my doc said) stuff that, it has worked, we are allowed to buy these sort of products on island, it also contained Organic coconut oil and Organic Bee's wax.. My dermatologist treated me for 6 years! my tiny tin of this mixture started to work in ONE week then mostly gone in two weeks , I still have like a fluttering of an itch, but rub a tiny bit on the skin and it stops, it was a bit expensive, but after 6 years the medics bill must have reached thousands of £'s worth of treatment. So £30 is nothing . But all Islanders, which amount to about 65,000 souls, needed to conform to the strict medical and Government recommendations and it has proved to be the right path to take. So I send my prayers to you all in the USA that in time someone in authority might take on our programme and get you all well again, hers wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy Christmas. By the way my son lives in New Zealand and they too have been very successful with the C19 problem ,Lots of love. June
Hi Bordeauxgirl, great news about your counts, and great that your island community have done so well with the restrictions and are now enjoying a bit more freedom. Best wishes, Maz
Thank you Mazcd, it was a great relief to see our doctors from Birmingham as there are no specialists on Guernsey, God Bless them all. hope you have a Happy Christmas and many thanks for all the work you do on our behalf's. June
Wonderful news that your PV didn’t get worse. Your country handled the virus perfectly. I’m in the US and our leadership never made a national mandate or even set an example by wearing a mask. He left it up to the individual states to make the rules. Our numbers are climbing again and COVID-19 is out-of-control. It’s very scary and weekly I hear about someone who has Covid or has died from this dreadful illness. I’m just very thankful that none of my immediate family has gotten it and hope that we all stay that way. Thanks for sharing your story. Stay well,
Hello Cja1956, Thank you for taking the trouble to reply, I do feel so sorry for you all over in the big country, you don't seem to have had the right guidance to cope with this horrible disease, it is so confusing when everyone's opinion is different, but do wear your mask it does work,don't let anyone say otherwise, the people who rage against it (known as 'Karen's) really are putting you all at risk. save yourselves and do what you feel is right. We have just 1 ( one) case in Isolation on the island, I hope you have a peaceful Christmas . Best wishes June.x
Thank you, June. I never leave the house without my mask and sanitizer. I actually have become quite the hermit. My partner does all of the food shopping and most of the errands. But he’s also very careful. There are some people in this country that believe it’s just a big hoax. But I know of plenty of people who have either gotten sick or passed away from this already. Take care.
Great news on your blood results and I so wish our authorities had strict fines for people breaking the rules as you've had in Guernsey. I know here in the N.E. Lots haven't adhered to advice but haven't heard of any being fined. How great for your island community to feel so safe and peaceful. Stay well! Fran
Hello Azaelea, Thanks for the reply , yes we are very lucky here, My brother lives in Newcastle and it does worry me about the situation there, So keep safe and follow guidelines is my feeling, because it does work. Best wishes for the coming festive season. June x
Fantastic news! I would love to visit the Channel Islands sometime. At this point here in Atlanta, GA USA we (husband and mom) are fine but so many others in our state and around the country aren't and many (not us) will be traveling for Thanksgiving. I am lucky to be able to still visit a clinic and get my platelets counted for ET every three months and numbers are stable (I go again today with mask in hand in alcohol based drops at the ready).
Hello GG3, Yes we are lucky that we have had great guidance on our little island, NOBODY objected as we all realised we were being protected by the authorities, I actually found the time (104 days isolation very comforting) to make 3 patchwork quilts and do a painting for my son & grandson. I do hope you keep safe and well , Wear your masks and don't let anyone tell you they are not necessary, they truly work. A very Happy Christmas to you and yours. June.
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