Life is starting to take on a new kind of normality. In fact, it almost seems that this is a movie taking place that we’re not part of, and I’m worried that we’re feeling a false sense of security.
I would like to say a big thank you to two special people in our community who have definitely succeeded in making the new normal a pleasurable experience during these trying times.
The Rotary club heard of the Well’s predicament with the launch of their foodbank during the Covid-19 lockdown, in not having enough storage for frozen foodstuffs donated to the charity.
Local independent opticians Edmonds and Slatter opened its doors for routine eye care on Monday 22nd June as restrictions started to ease, including for the first time at their new Kibworth practice. However, in the last few months their team offered an emergency eye care and eyewear service to assist key workers, vulnerable residents and anyone else that needed urgent support.
Districts across the country, like HDC, have been given funding to help businesses open on 15 June. Changes are being made in Market Harborough, Lutterworth, Kibworth Beauchamp and Fleckney. Here in Kibworth Beauchamp, temporary changes are being implemented from Monday 15 June. On High Street, the parking bay will be used to ensure 2m social distancing from other shoppers when walking along between Smeeton Road and the disabled space, which will remain.
Well - who could have known, mid-March 2020, what was immediately in front of us all? Weeks of lockdown, shielding, self-isolation and all the following implications?
These are strange and scary times as the COVID-19 pandemic grips the planet. As of yesterday, the UK is in lockdown. This means that nobody is allowed to leave their homes except to shop for food and medicines, to care for a vulnerable person, to exercise once a day or to go to work only if it isn’t possible to work from home. Prior to that, we were asked to carry out social distancing, a minimum of 2m from another person, with a ban on all gatherings. This pandemic is merciless, nobody could ever have imagined anything so frightening could happen in our lifetimes. The schools and universities closed last week for the majority of pupils, it’s highly unlikely any of them will return for a summer term, and exams have been cancelled.
At the beginning of Lockdown, when schools were issuing guidance to parents about how to organise home schooling during the forthcoming weeks, my son and daughter in law prepared a timetable for the children’s daily activities. This included traditional learning, reading, maths, writing practice etc but also some more creative and diverting sessions such as painting and physical exercises. I knew the parents would be under pressure as they were both trying to work from home (one part-time and the other full-time) as well as home schooling, so I asked if I could help with any of the activities. After having my arm practically pulled off, I agreed to do a “Storytime” session via Facebook for half an hour every weekday in the 3 to 3.30pm slot.
At the beginning of Lockdown, when schools were issuing guidance to parents about how to organise home schooling during the forthcoming weeks, my son and daughter in law prepared a timetable for the children’s daily activities. This included traditional learning, reading, maths, writing practice etc but also some more creative and diverting sessions such as painting and physical exercises. I knew the parents would be under pressure as they were both trying to work from home (one part-time and the other full-time) as well as home schooling, so I asked if I could help with any of the activities. After having my arm practically pulled off, I agreed to do a “Storytime” session via Facebook for half an hour every weekday in the 3 to 3.30pm slot.