Thoughts on Corona Virus

Shut up, Ciara! some of you are shouting. We don't want to hear about a pandemic?! It's far too scary.

I know. I'm a slave to science. If the facts are pointing in a certain direction, I, for one, need to get through the, 'Oh, My God' moment and brace myself; like a cold-water swimmer diving into the North Sea. We can't ignore the raw data. We have to join the dots.

Anxiety, of course, does not help. But maybe prepared-ness does. A tiny bit? 

When people say - It's no worse than flu and it's all blown out of proportion, I want to argue that science is saying something very different. Luckily, @hannahdev has done it for me in this short article on myth-busting on the Corona Virus. 

Last night, my daughter kept asking me to plan her birthday party in a trampoline park. There are no cases in Scotland (as I type) but cases in Europe are almost doubling by the day. If it gets here, a trampoline park with hundred of kids is not where I think we should be. I was stalling her birthday pleas, while trying to sound upbeat. It felt sad.

The UK government have already floated the possibility that schools and offices *might* have to close for weeks, if cases rise rapidly. The Easter holiday we booked is certainly hanging in the balance.

In the middle of all this, I'm finding it hard to write. So I'm writing this blog instead. Usually, it's an upbeat, 'overcoming illness and adversity' blog but I am afraid of the pandemic, now openly discussed by scientists. I'm not afraid of admitting fear. I don't feel the need to throw some upbeat spin on it, or brush it under a Lego-strewn carpet.

I feel we're going to need all the humanity we can get. We're going to need to work together as communities and I can't quite believe what I'm seeing, while, at the same time, feeling it is exactly what has been predicted for decades. It's true science in action. You can't argue with nature. So, don't argue. Listen. We've got a lot of listening to do. 

Going Viral?

This week sees my girl, Tess, finally back at school. She's had a tough 5 weeks after catching a nasty cold virus. She has asthma and she required 2 bouts of steroids and antibiotics. She was even tested for Whooping Cough after 'barking' non stop for hours (thankfully negative). I get support via the Asthma UK phone line - and make a donation, in thanks. 

To say I'm anxious about the rapid circulation of the Corona Virus COVID-19, is a slight understatement. Perhaps you are too. Being a parent, of course, is to try to hide your own fears from your child.  So here's  a photo of Goo Goo and Loo Loo having some pancakes they made earlier for Pancake Tuesday. 

Seriously though - these are grim and scary times. We booked a holiday to give us something to look forward to, but now, possible travel restrictions and risks of Corona Virus look likely to influence events. Don't get ahead of yourself, say some. Prepare and plan for a pandemic, say other scientists. These are big uncertainties and a lot to take in. 

I take my comfort by stroking the neighbourhood cat. And inhaling the  scent of the Hyacinth, or, as the kids call it - Marge Simpson's hair. 

Do your best out there, Lieblings. Left-over moussaka will do me for lunch. And finally, Esther, lovely to see this praise for my poetry pamphlet in The Times Scotland. 

More info here.  

Hearts and Flowers

In second year at high school, I sent six anonymous Valentines to six different boys. Maybe I thought I was performing some sort of emotional public service. I didn't want anyone to feel left out. 

Now, I think Valentine's Day is commercialised fluff, but the kids have fun with it. Tess (9) was obviously hoping to receive a card or a chocolate heart, but when I suggested she actually send one, she fired me a look. 'Too emba-wass-ing!?' 

Reap what ye sow, child. I am here in my second-hand cashmere jumper, with warm bosom, if consolation hugs are required. 

Here's a short poem I wrote over 20 years ago. It was for my main man, Francis Macdonald. Two decades and two kids later, we are still eating soup together in the sun-lit kitchen. I'm not complaining. 

Happy Valentines. May you all have soup to share. 
My favourite tweet of yesterday was from @mommajessiec 

70% of marriage is yelling "what" from a different room. 

In the end, Tess and I had a girls' night in. She begged to do my eye make up and I couldn't refuse. Crazy bat-wing nonsense. I'm the older one.