Living History Diary Project Part 3

U3A members' contribution for Living History Diary shared learning project of living through Covid 19, 5th to 7th April.

Laura from Essex

Sunday 5^th April

PPE? How quickly the new jargon falls from our lips…as well as “Social Distancing” we now all know that PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment, which, unfortunately, has been in such short supply that even front-line NHS workers have died for lack of it…the situation is improving, but when the whole world is requiring the same products, there are few sources from which they can be obtained.

I have been getting phone calls from people I had not been in contact with for years, apart from exchanging newsletters in Christmas cards. It was lovely to hear their voices again.

In Robert Browning’s 19th Century poem “Home thoughts from Abroad” he started with the heart-felt line “Oh to be in England, now that April’s there” and I admit that one of the best things, for me, about this all this havoc, is that I was saved, because my cruise was cancelled, from being away from England in April!

Ron in Buckinghamshire

7 April 2020

Dear U3A diary,

A regular fitness regime!

Self-isolation has encouraged me to adopt more regular exercise habits. I used to go to a Tai Chi class once a week, but found it difficult to remember to practice between classes. But now I’m doing it every day (with the help of a DVD) – and making much more rapid progress than before.

The ‘one exercise excursion per day’ is also encouraging me to go out and about every day – a cycle ride to the woods every afternoon – and thereby getting fitter that way too. The lovely weather helps!