Glasgow
March, May, June... July 2020
As the newsreaders so often insist on saying - these are most uncertain times.
Days seemingly roll in to one another, as I'm currently furloughed from my work as per government recommendations. I didn't realise how much my job gave me direction in life - it is very much a rug pulled out from under me moment - but such is COVID19 that I am to stay home and do very little for society's sake. Amy, however, is classified as essential staff and continues to work at Wishaw Hospital.
During March and April, and what is sure to be several more months, we have consequently done very little. We had a number of small holidays and events booked, but these are obviously cancelled. I was perhaps most disappointed to miss out on several Rangers Youth Academy trips, including Vienna, Belgium, Liverpool, and Norway. Perhaps unsurprisingly, our savings have gone up due to our significant spending decreases and a number of travel-related refunds - it's now just a matter of finding out how best to keep our money, given that the interest rate has now been lowered close to 0, with hushed talk of an unprecedented move to negative interest rates... maybe. With no pubs to go to, no holidays to book, and no friends to see, it's all rather surreal.
These are most uncertain times...
All things told, we can't complain - we're both in low risk infection categories and we have reasonably well-protected jobs due to being able to work in healthcare - many more people have it far worse off.
My days are a mix of a little remote work, less reading than I would like, as much cooking as I can manage, daily exercise (with the goal of completing my first half marathon since getting sick many years ago), several online courses, and of course; a generous serving of TV and/or video games - shout out to the Australian, Scottish, and US team we've got going online. It's a boon really - gaming that is - as amongst other things, it provides me with a massive social outlet, so that I can stay in touch with friends from around the world during our collective isolation.
Aside from that, however, there really isn't much happening in my day to day routine - to the point that I've spent some time photographing Glasgow to have some sort of record of what on earth 2020 was like in the UK. My idea was to collate those photos to give a sense of what it's like over here at the moment. I'm not sure how I'll feel looking back on this time in the future - it's just so exceptionally peculiar.
It's worth noting that like the rest of the UK, Glasgow convulsed with protests as a result of the murder of George Floyd in the United States. As per usual, I was impressed with the progressivism of Glasgow, with many people of many backgrounds turning out in support of equal rights and social justice - without any instances of mass violence. To their credit, the police had a non-threatening presence and allowed the protest to happen.
It's worth noting that in opposition to much of social media's concern regarding the spread of COVID19 amongst these protests, which is a valid concern, I felt far safer at Glasgow Green than I typically would in Tesco or Lidl. As far as I could tell, everyone in the crowd was wearing a mask and people were obviously aware of social distancing and how their actions affected others. I can't say the same for those jovially celebrating VE day in large groups, or those who can't be bothered wearing masks on public transport, or the lads drinking cans down at the park together, or even those gathered on the streets for #clapforcarers.
I can't help but think forward about what I'd like to do in 2021, let alone whatever is possible in the later half of this year. Our goal for this year was to travel Scotland, as opposed to other countries, and see more of the highlands and islands, in particular. I hope and expect that will be on the cards at the end of this year, it's just a matter of when.
Stay safe.
JC
"Stay At Home, Protect The NHS, Save Lives."
Department of Health & Social Care
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