In the midst of this crisis we count ourselves lucky | Cheryl Gibbs

There isn’t a lot I can say really other than I’ve never seen or heard of anything like what is going on in my life – other than in films that is and it’s absolutely terrifying.

It was only in last week’s column that I questioned whether we all have genuine reason to be frightened or whether we should just get on with business as usual.

But, as I say, a lot can change in a week.

The media updates us on something new to do with the coronavirus every minute of the day, and so far none of it is good news.

You could question whether there is perhaps a bit of scaremongering going on, but in this particular situation I absolutely don’t think there is.

I think we all have a genuine reason to be scared and I apologise if that upsets anyone, but I say it in the hope that we all take this with the seriousness that it deserves.

This is a global pandemic beyond anything our generation and our parents’ generation has ever seen.

As is the case with a lot of people, we’ve had to make some changes to what we had planned in the future.

Matt turns 40 next month and we had a party booked for him and that’s cancelled.

We have a big family holiday booked for the end of June to celebrate his birthday.

Twenty-five of us paid to go to Fuerteventura for a week and although that’s not cancelled yet, I’d bet our mortgage on the fact it will.

Our brother-in-law Steve had planned a night out for Matt to wet the baby’s head this weekend and that’s been cancelled too.

It’s a small price to pay compared to the price so many have faced due to this awful virus.

I’ve been humbled by what I’ve seen in Italy where locals have ventured out onto their balconies playing music to each other and singing songs. I even saw one guy set up a DJ decks on his balcony and they were having a little rave!

Stay safe people…it’s going to get tougher before it gets better.

People’s thoughtlessness is making other people suffer

I’ve been saddened this week by the selfish acts of so many.

Our little Harley is only six weeks old and we genuinely ran the risk of running out of formula for her because people had been buying it in bulk – some not even for their babies but as a milk substitute for their tea and coffee. How sick can you get? I have since found out that you can order formula via the pharmacy or by calling the company direct. But in these uncertain times I wouldn’t want to risk it.Luckily I have an amazing network of family and friends who scoured the shops for us. They did not bulk-buy, we have just enough. We are not hypocrites. Be kind and ask yourselves ‘do I really need this?’ before you buy.

I would not like to be in Boris’s position right now

Who knows whether we’ll all be on lockdown this weekend. I have a feeling we’re going to be told we must stay indoors for a few weeks.

I’d rather it was enforced than have to decide for myself whether it’s the right move.

I’m not Boris Johnson’s biggest fan, but I don’t envy the situation he’s been in since becoming prime minister.

First there was Brexit to deal with and now this. He’s damned either way, because we’re in such uncharted territory who knows what the right decision for our safety is?

Just look after yourselves and each other.

We must rally round if we’re to pull through this.