Welcome to the Corona Virus Diaries – not a phrase I thought I’d ever be typing anytime soon at the fag end of February. Or even in early March, if truth be told, when most of us were shrugging our shoulders and saying, “Just a bit of Flu innit.’
Well, we got that wrong didn’t we – and then some, as we made a makeshift mask, battened up the nation’s hatches, and went home instead of the usual large.
For nearly fourteen long, lingering weeks, with all of my personal life’s pleasures closed down, I have passed the time with one of my only passions not fallen pray to the pandemic police.
Basically I just blogged – about drag of the lonely Lockdown, the disconnect of the queer quarantine, the bonkers behaviour of some of our isolation nation.
And how I have spent my days stuck to the screen instead of gigging with gusto, cwtching with company, living it large in London, taking flights of fancy to foreign cities, and just feeling the love of the free spirit that I am.
I’m not going to lie to you, work is the worst, now I’ve finished my stint on the rapid Welsh Government Covid 19 response, and am stuck in my study daily.
So, let’s be honest and call it what it is. It’s not working at home, it’s living at work.
Although it’s irritatingly ironic that I’m sat in said study in front of another screen on my day off, banging the keyboard to bash out my latest blog.
Jesus wept, it all kicked off in Ogmore last night didn’t it, with Barry Island feeling the brunt too.
No respect for our ‘there for a reason’ rules, and totally no love for the Lockdown limits I’ve just got to put proverbial pen to paper on that one – watch this space.
Mind you, waxing lyrical has never been so simple and sweet during this vicious virus time, with so many great goings on for me to give my take on.
The behaviour of some of our Barrians alone could keep me distracted digitally for days – the good, bad, and the ugly. Respect to those though who have stepped up to the Covid 19 mark to keep our community cohesive.
Who knew, that the pandemic would also prove a pivotal moment in our global history – by fuelling the fight to finally tackle the racism that our society has shamefully swept under the carpet for decades.
And look at the lush LGBTQymru lot keeping our queer family fully connected in these divisive, and sometime dangerous times, with their passion to Pride Party on.
Who knew, I’d spend nearly four months banging out blogs, on all of the above – bringing them to you with, I hope, honesty, humour, and often humility.
I started writing about the toilet roll taking twits, and have never looked back – it’s all happening.
So thank you for your solid support, kind, and, critical,comments, plus the many discussions and debates brought on by the Blogs.
Be vocal Barry.
Speak soon.
Mrs SVJ
The Voice Of Our Community
Sue Vincent-Jones, writing as Mrs SVJ, is a Barry born journalist, editor, and communications specialist. She blogs about Barry – and her life in the wider world, through the eyes of a, quirky and queer, local girl done good.
My Corona Virus Diary is Sue’s take on this pandemic palaver – the long lingering Lockdown, our queer quarantine, the isolation nation, and how our town took to these crazy Covid-19 times.
Mrs SVJ, Barry’s Boldest Blogger, can be contacted here.