Coronavirus and Self-Isolation 18th March 2020

We must all be sick to death of continuously hearing about it or worried to death that we might catch it. You know the advice, if you get a high temperature or a cough you should self-isolate for seven days if you live on your own or 14 days if there are additional people in your house. If you are over seventy or have other medical problems, you should self-isolate for up to 3 months. As I understand it you can go for a walk as long as you practice social distancing. That means keeping at least six feet away from anyone else. Now, I am not a doctor nor do I have any medical knowledge, but I would have thought that if you can drive, walk or cycle to your plot by practicing social distancing, without coming into contact with anyone else, you can do your self-isolation on your plot. Obviously if you are infected you will feel like rubbish and not want to go digging etc.. I have asked the Council to turn the water on this week so that you can practice good hygiene with hand washing, albeit the water will be cold. As long as you do not share your tools with anyone else and keep your neighbours at arm’s length you should be safe. The only thing I suggest you do is to wear gloves when unlocking the gate as this should be the only place where the virus could lurk, although I understand it cannot survive very long on metal surfaces. If you have managed to get any antiseptic gel, use that when you get to your plot or wash your hands with soap and water. Similarly, when you leave to go home make sure you wash your hands when you get home and try to avoid touching your face. Now it is inevitable that some of us will catch it. If you are the unlucky sod who does succumb, and you have a green house or polytunnel on your plot that needs to be looked at or watered, let me know and I will make arrangements for someone to have a look. In the same vein if you are one of the young healthy and fit members of our society please let me know if you would be willing to help the less fortunate. It is going to be a tough summer for some people, who like me are at the wrong end of seventy. but being in the sun, hopefully, on your plot is going to be more healthy both physically and mentally than being stuck inside four walls watching daytime television and feeling sorry for yourself. Dennis Flaherty