The Extreme Staycation

Location: London, UK  COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown My church opened a while ago, initially for an hour a day, so that parishioners could visit and pray. Then about a month ago, it opened for daily masses but with social distancing in place.  Track and trace is done at the door, masks are worn and instead of holy water by the door we have... holy hand gel? It's all a bit strange to say the least and I doubt the church has ever been cleaner, but I think it's good that places of worship are able to open.  They are necessary to so many as a place for quiet and time for reflection, as well as operating as the centres of community, of which they are for so many people.

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown Today is usually the first part of a busy Easter time for me.  I sing with my church choir and so normally spend many hours in my church over the next three days. I think overall, I have adjusted quickly and well to lockdown.  In many ways, it's not much different to normal for me - I often work from home (applying for work, audition prep, writing) and of late, I haven't had an office based job so my "work" has taken me all over the place. So Easter is the first big annual event that is markedly different for me. Churches and other places of worship provide community, continuity and a safe and sacred space and I imagine I am not the only person to be missing this. However, thanks to the power of the internet masses are being streamed online from all over the world.  I know from other friends and family that synagogues and temples are doing similar. This is a lovely story of a very dedicated...

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Self-isolation day 2 I  immediately  leave the house and go to building with a large gathering of (mostly over 70 year old) people - church for St Patrick's day.  There are approximately 30 people there and all sit far apart from one another. No mass or hymn books, no holy water, no "peace be with you" handshakes (polite nods all round) and repeated assurance from the priest that hands have been washed. Go home to isolate. Start to panic that I am going to get fat so do a 15 minute HIIT session thanks to a lady on Amazon Prime. Decide to watch A Quiet Place in the evening.  Within 10 seconds, realise that this is a weird choice but stick with it because it's bloody brilliant.  Remind self that noise is (currently) not the enemy and handwashing will save us (hopefully). I lose all my hairbands during the course of the day.  I don't know where they go. Nice news of the day: Penguins walk...