Dear Yuri,
The sky is pink tonight and the house is quiet, except for the clunking of the dishwasher, which is always on these days. My two little ones are sleeping upstairs, hot faces occasionally moaning and muttering. Lockdown has been a strange one but probably less of an intense adjustment for me than for some. With a 9 month old baby my world had already shrunk to the depth and width of my South London postcode. My days were predictable and repetitive, and despite my love for my kids and the joy I often feel in their presence, I already felt isolated from the life I used to live. Now if anything I feel less isolated than before. Three times a week my husband and I join Zoom meetings with our friends scattered over the world, playing quizzes and bingo. We have drinks in the street with our neighbours after the weekly clap for the NHS. I joined a neighbourhood WhatsApp group and the sense of community amongst people who normally would not acknowledge one another in the street is surprisingly touching. My phone constantly buzzes with friends and family checking in. Outside it feels like the world is burning, but we are together, we are safe, and we have been lucky, so far.