We have a whole new vocabulary due to Covid-19. The words may not be new but their current use is new. For example social distancing, self isolating and lockdown. The word coronavirus is not new, but nor is is a word with which I used to pepper my conversation. Now it is never far from my lips. The word, I mean, not the virus!
I have noticed a new phrase which is now being used as a farewell at the end of a phone call, message or email. It is “Stay safe.” Again, these words are not new, but I have heard and seen them increasingly over the last couple of weeks.
The great British public, with only a few embarrassing exceptions of people misbehaving in shops or supermarket queues, seem to have risen to the occasion during this difficult time. The police have had to move on groups that have gathered in parks or on beaches - I have seen this on the news rather than in person - but I have the impression that this is (mostly) accidental; people who live in busy areas heading out for a walk and finding themselves in a bigger group than they intended. It is heartening that most people are taking the lockdown seriously. And we should - yesterday there was the highest number of deaths in a day so far; 938 deaths, bringing the total in the UK so far to 7097. I am blogging just now while waiting in a long but safely spaced queue to get into the supermarket, and everyone is waiting quietly and patiently. Stay safe everybody.
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