The latest COVID-19 advice came as somewhat of a shock to me. Especially one bit…

The NHS in England is sending letters to people it has identified as particularly vulnerable who should stay home at all times for 12 weeks – not going out for shopping, leisure or travel.

Those at-risk people include those with specific cancers, severe respiratory conditions and people who have received organ transplants.

Due to my history of breathing problems, I will fall into this ‘vulnerable’ group.

This means staying away from the office, no medical appointments, no trips out and no face-to-face social contact with anyone apart from Claire – until mid-June.

I heard about the ’12 week isolation period’ at the start of last week, and while I knew that it would come into effect, only yesterday did it all become real, when the government and NHS officially declared the new guidelines.

For the record, despite my sadness at the prospect of spending even more time at home, I fully agree with the decision made by the authorities and have the upmost respect for what they are doing – trying to prevent us all from dying!

The NHS want the best for our health and well-being. Any individual still crazy enough to think otherwise, or using any new spare time as an opportunity to be a rebel and party with fellow pondlife, should ‘get in the sea’, as they say…

I have been housebound since getting discharged from hospital at the end of November – that’s almost four months ago.

While I cannot say that I am thrilled by the prospect of potentially spending another three months isolated at Château de Kitson, I am not complaining.

In one way or another, this pandemic is affecting every person on the planet. There is no escaping it.

While there are many whose lives have faced just minor disruption (for now), there are those unfortunate enough to find themselves experiencing far greater pain and suffering than me. It would be inappropriate and self-centered to lament my own situation.

I also shouldn’t let the behaviour of others affect me to the extent that it sometimes does. However, when I see tweets like these, I do feel rather annoyed, and find mystery having to bite my virtual tongue – resisting the temptation to hit “Reply”!

Get in the sea!