A week and a half in to so called lockdown. It’s quite odd, that so far, current events, viewed in isolation, seem to be rather suiting me. As I said a few days ago, my productivity is up, my exercise level is up. I get more time in bed.

It’s worth noting though, that even away from the front-line workers in the NHS and retail who are having to deal close-up with infected or potentially infected people. there’s problems. Even those of us several levels away from the front line of an organisation that itself is far from the front line are suffering; today I’ve spoke to a colleague in tears over the increased workload given the lack of staff and the technical challenges of working from home. I’m sure (I hope) that many organisations will review things when we’re back to normal, and look at their policies and procedures for remote working, and invest time and money into what could make the business more efficient and their staff’s lives easier. For me, it’s easy: I already have the equipment I need, the knowledge, and the credentials to make it work- but even then it can complicate matters. Sadly, this colleague didn’t have those things, and when a partner organisation changed requirements for a video call at the last minute, there was nothing she could do.

Other people have less-than-ideal domestic arrangements: I’m lucky in having a normally unused dining table and chairs in a separate room at a decent working height, with power nearby and in range of wifi. I have only furry children, who will, mostly, contentedly snooze nearby. My dear other half can watch TV in peace without me talking over it, and wander through occasionally. I can get out to exercise, and I have a garden to sit in at lunchtime if it’s sunny.

Others just don’t like being distanced from colleagues: that coupled with the enforced isolation elsewhere might be a struggle for some, and I will admit, on that front, I’m missing the social space of the pub. Joining a retirement party by video call almost felt sociable, when under normal circumstances it would be a very poor choice. Overall, the effects on my life are minimal at present: I can still work, so I’m still paid. My employer’s business is still required, so they’re still going. Many others are less fortunate, and the economic impact will be huge; if we have a no-deal Brexit on top, this will finish a lot of businesses.

Not in the supermarket world though. Pleasingly, it seems the panic buying has calmed down; we’ve managed to get one grocery delivery from Sainsbury’s, and another is booked. The house then becomes a logistics centre as we’re shopping for relatives that cannot get to the shops. It’s added a level of tension to food shopping, which is, of course, gave us the panic buying: scarcity produces panic. Hopefully we’ve seen the end of it for now.