It’s been 14 weeks and two days since schools closed their doors and the majority of us went into lockdown. That’s 100 days!

I don’t know where the last few months have gone. It’s all blurred into one, each week seeming to go quicker than the previous. Considering the way things have been changing outside of these four walls, that’s surprising in itself: first, we had schools opening to some year-groups. That was the beginning of June. Then there were changes to the way we could meet and with whom, shops opening, ‘social bubbles’ and allowing one other household into our homes. The aim was that every three weeks there would be a review.

July 4th marks a new change, one that involves restaurants and bars being able to open their doors once again.

There is a general attitude among a large majority of the population that lockdown is finished and it is business as usual. Is it though? I heard on the news today that the government is considering putting Leicester into stricter lockdown measures after the number of cases there have started to increase again.

There’s been huge concern about a second wave, especially after thousands flocked to the beaches last week when we had record temperatures. There have been street parties and social gatherings, that are not permitted and as I said, for many, the lockdown is over.

A second wave is expected at some point. There is no getting away from that.

That’s why for people like me, this pandemic is far from over. While we may be able to go out more, visit shops, even go to a restaurant, there is a cloud hanging over us and we’re just waiting for it to explode with a downpour that will have us all running. That’s why, for me, it feels almost impossible to go back to normal. I’m not even sure what normal is anymore, or ever will be.

I’ve been so impressed with the creativity people have shown in finding ways to continue socialising and having fun during these strange times. Zoom has become a way of life. I’m sure it will become a verb in its own right – we don’t just video call people, we Zoom them!

People have continued to sing, dance, cook, workout, party, along with other people and all because of the ability to video conference. It’s amazing. This weekend, I joined a Zoom where I cooked dinner along with several other families. We joined each other in a toast before sitting down to eat in a breakout room with another family. Then, we all came back together again for some entertainment by a live performer. It was the most fun I’ve had in ages, 100 days in fact! At the same time, I couldn’t get my head around the idea that Saturday night entertainment had come to this – as wonderful as it was, it was surreal at the same time.

This weekend felt like a positive way to mark 100 days of isolation.

There was a sense of togetherness, even though we were far apart. There was a feeling of community, of coming together to support each other and there was a definite sense of acceptance that if this is the way life has to be from now on, we’re fine with that. We can do this.

I’m tired, exhausted if I’m honest. There’s a mental and physical strain that surrounds us all. But this weekend has proved to me that there is hope for moving forwards and that it’s important to surround yourself with people who understand. Isolation doesn’t and shouldn’t mean you can’t have any contact with the people outside of your home.

How do you feel after 100 days of lockdown?