Stay safe - Be kind.

Many parts of the world, are now attempting to at least think about returning to some new form of normal. Covid-19 has gone nowhere, but for now at least the number of newly reported cases does not seem to be rising in the United Kingdom. But it's such a terrifying disease, that Clever Bird can't help but think that it probably hasn't yet done its worst. She prays daily, that the scientists will successfully develop a vaccine, sooner rather than later, because the current semi-lockdown situation is just not viable in the long term. And the scenes of stupidity since people in England were told that they may now drive wherever they like to take their exercise, or sunbathe, are beyond belief. Social distancing remains in force, and yet on some beaches and in some parks, it's hardly possible to see the ground between the hoards of idiotic people. And yet this was always going to be the case, whenever the lockdown measures were eased, because as the saying goes, "Stupid is, as stupid does."

But the disease itself, and the need for everyone to stay at home, has caused even people with no previous mental health issues to feel anxious. FOGO, (Fear of going out), has been recognised by the British government, as a "thing", which for people like Hormonal Hannah, whose anxiety or depression can make her not wish to leave her home at the best of times, means that it's not a huge step for lockdown-fear to develop into agoraphobia. 

This was clearly demonstrated a few weeks ago, when the only time that Hannah was prepared to leave the house was at sunrise, so that she could avoid meeting any other humans. Clearly that is not healthy! And although Calum and Furry Mama have discovered quite a few new local walks; so has the rest of the village, and trying to social distance on some of the narrow footpaths is fairly nigh on impossible - especially, as seems to occur frequently, they find themselves on the same footpaths as some of the stupid idiots, who just don't care anyway.

Clever Bird was therefore delighted when the rules changed a week-or-so back, allowing people to drive somewhere to do their exercise. Their latest discovery is a walk on a nature reserve at Blythburgh, just a ten-minute drive from their home. The paths run alongside the estuary, and head off to Walberswick or Dunwich. Not that Baggy, Calum or even Pepper Pooch are currently fit enough to manage that, as they would be between seven and nine-mile walks, but just doing part of it was wonderful.

In all they walked a little under four miles.

And they met six people, none of whom was an idiot!

Only, Hannah is still getting ridiculously anxious! No Baggees, not about being out; not even about encountering other humans, but about how people are behaving. When did the new norm become to be angry and judgmental with everybody? 

Regular Baggees will know that Baggy's only "car" is Billy Bob Jalopy campervan! And since the deer encounter the other evening, currently, he's  Baggy and Calum's only roadworthy "car". Yet, Clever Bird is feeling the need to write a big sign that she can stick in the window, that says,

"This is my only mode of transport; and I live locally!!!"

Why? Because recently, rather than getting friendly waves from fellow Dub-owners, and random people alike, she's more likely to get a raised fist and a swear word!

What's more, since their visit to the beach last Monday, Hannah hasn't wanted to go again. No, that's not true! She's wanted to go every day, but she hasn't been, because people are so busy voicing their opinions on social media about, "If you're one of the people going to the beach, then don't bother clapping for  the NHS," "Go to the beach and cause a second wave," "Stay away from our beaches," that she doesn't feel that she should go and it's really upsetting her! 

Well, Baggy would just like to say that for Hormonal Hannah and people like her, who suffer from clinical depression and anxiety, and for all of those people, who thanks to Covid-19 are developing a FOGO, one of the reasons that the government in England has said that people may now visit beaches and parks, and even sunbathe there if that's what they wish to do, is to prevent people's mental health from deteriorating irreversibly. Not all people are stupid idiots who believe themselves immune to Covid-19, or simply don't care if they catch it because they think they'll be fine; the vast majority of people are in fact taking social distancing measures extremely seriously, because they know exactly how life-threatening this situation truly is. The people who aren't obeying the rules are not going to start doing so, simply because you posted on your social media feed that they're idiots - but the anxiety sufferers who read those posts, will inevitably think that they have done something wrong - it's the nature of the condition! 

Now, more than any situation that Baggy has lived through in her sixty years on this planet, should be a time for understanding and kindness; not one for judging, and making people who are doing their utmost to get through this, feel worse and more scared than they already do. Please be kind to one another Baggees, and accept that unfortunately some people will always do exactly what they wish to do, regardless of the consequences.

Stay safe, but above all, be kind...

Baggy's current state!

Depression (Black = really bad/Grey = not great/Blue = okay/Yellow = sunny day): Yellow.

Anxiety (From 1 = barely any to 10 = gibbering wreck standard): 8.
Tears: Yep.
Overall days: Windy and anxious.

Note to readers: For the avoidance of any doubt, every character in this blog is Baggy! No Baggy was harmed in its writing, although some of them get pretty confused!