Getting out after shielding

[buzzards]

Morning everyone. Like may of us shielding these past few months, I became anxious at the thought of going out again. I was lucky that I've been able to get grocery deliveries from Asda and Sainsbury's and my brother picks up my prescriptions. I think we are leaving lockdown too early based on what the scientists seem to be saying, but I understand that the economy needs to get going again. Well this week for the first time I went out for a walk in the morning at 7.00 am. The weather was beautiful if a little sticky but there were lots and lots of people about even at that time. I was apprehensive about maintaining the 2 metres distance. There were runners, walkers, cyclists and commuters but people avoided getting close to each other. Before the pandemic I had just completed week 5 of Couch 25K which stopped once I was told I had to shield so I've had no real exercise.

Yesterday I had to attend Guy's Hospital for a blood test appointment and was the second time I've left the house to go anywhere. It was much better than I expected. My brother gave me a lift there. London Bridge was far less busier than normal, a bit weird really. Everything was well organised at the hospital - hand sanitiser stations as you enter and exit and also on entering the clinics. I was told to bring my own face covering so I did wear one, but there were staff at the sanitiser stations with masks to hand out I believe. There were clear notices on the seating in the clinic waiting area indicating where you could sit and staff were on hand to guide you. Normally the Rheumatology Clinic is full of people so this made a nice change. I didn't have to wait around too long. After my blood test I got the bus home.

I am still wary about using public transport. I wore my mask as required to but I noticed that someone got on the bus a few stops later without a mask and the driver didn't say anything. There weren't many people on the bus and all the windows were open. I wouldn't want to travel on them if they were packed and I would prefer to avoid the tube altogether for the time being. I went for another walk this morning and it's another gorgeous day.

I plan to resume Couch 25K from the beginning of the programme but I will go at 6.00am which is the time I used to go prior to Covid-19. I'm hoping there will be fewer people around at that time. When I used to run at that time before, there was hardly anyone around. I'm glad I've got out of my flat and I will see how it goes. The virus is still out there so I won't be going to the shops but I would like to see my Mum at some point, although how will I know if I'm passing the virus on to her? It's all a mess. Without testing we don't know anything. I know that if I didn't have to do a blood test, I wouldn't have gone out at all and it would have got harder and harder for me to leave my flat at all. Keep safe everyone.