I have always hated science fiction. I don’t like a threatening peculiar thing that leads to dystopia and I am now an actor in one.
A killer virus has halted the world.
There was a song ‘stop the world I want to get off,’ The world has stopped and we can’t get off.
I almost welcomed the isolation. I could discover myself, and then realised that I did not know who myself was, and really needed the people I could no longer see.
The world has changed, but the weather is glorious. Spring has come in abundance, fresh leaves emerge, bird song fills my ears, flowers blossom, and the woods are spread with bluebells. I climb high on the downs and the view is spread to the distance.
‘I am in paradise.’ I think.
Like an alternative universe. It feels uncanny and yet a solace.
There is a stillness and the air is clear; buses slide through the streets and trains rumble across the countryside giving a sense of normality yet they have no passengers.
Am I in some futuristic dream?
I am not the only the only one. This is worldwide, I have connections with Hong Kong, China, Myanmar and Turkey. It brings it home. We all exist in a peculiar silence and restriction rather like not being able to breathe which ironically is how this virus transpires.
To paraphrase a well -known academic Samuel Huntingdon Covid 19 has highlighted ‘the fault lines of civilisation’ namely the fractures in all societies between the rich and poor and the death rate amongst the poor is twice that of the rich.
Will we wake up to a more equal world?
Red Wine In MY Seventies 
How every things are so well written! but I Don’t Believe in an equal world, not yet now. We need more dramas for a real change.
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Thank you Josiane
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I loved reading this Trish – do you write so well and there has to surely be some good will come out of the situation – I think we will all appreciate our families, friends and spare time a lot more after this – and I think commuting to London will be a thing of the past for a lot of people so lots more homeworking and that benefits mums who need to look after kids …..so hopefully there will be some benefits !!!….keep going with the red wine !! Sandra (jo’s pal) xx
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Sandra, thank you so much for your lovely comment. I hope you are doing OK in this peculiar time. One day we might meet up!
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Hi Trish
Very insightful words.
I want to think this will have a profound resonance on the idea of communities helping one another as they used to. We lost this in Thatcher years and a new very selfish culture grew.
If we can be strong in communities then we at least have a chance of hold
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Hi Carolyn. thanks so much for your response. This time is so tricky and peculiar, yet I sort of hope it will change things for the better.
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The best description of our new reality, thanks Trish!
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Parvina, thanks for your comment. I am glad you read my blog. I am surprised at how many people read it.
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Hi Trish! Lilian here – “Mum” to the February’60 set. Trisha Routledge sent me the link to your blog and I’ve been catching up on all that’s happened in your life – good and sad.
I’m doing OK at 87, in full remission from lymphocytic lymphoma 3 years ago, but having the inevitable dental problems with a long-awaited appointment tomorrow. Been shielded by my sons since March 11th and feeling pretty fed up! Seem to spend my time on FB, Sudoku, crosswords and reading books in between securing grocery delivery slots to keep us all fed. Hey ho! This too shall pass – hopefully before too long.
Stay safe and keep writing!
Love, Lilian (Gellnick, nee Salmons) x
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Lillian, how amazing. Thank you so much for reading my blog.
It sounds as if you are really busy with a full house which in a way must feel better in lock down. I found the house felt double empty in spite of many phone calls.
I have been teaching English to unaccompanied child asylum seekers for the last six years and have been teaching on zoom since March. It has been so rewarding but I am leaving at the end of this term because I have macular degeneration and can’t see enough. It feels the end of an era. I wonder how many more eras can we have?
Love,
Trish.
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