Routine helps John to keep busy during time spent cocooning
VOLUNTEERING, work and keeping a strict routine helped one Blessington man during his time cocooning.
John Horan, chair of the Blessington Town Team, said he kept busy during the six weeks of cocooning at home along with his wife Ann.
‘Between my involvement with community groups and my work on state boards, I was busy with work and volunteering. There were also chores to be done around the house including gardening, tidying and a bit of DIY.’
While the couple’s daughter walked their dog over the last few weeks while they remained at home, John said they were ‘delighted to get out for their first long walk’ last week as public health restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19 were eased. Those who had been cocooning were able to head outside for a walk for the first time since the measures were introduced.
‘It felt good to get out for a walk on Tuesday. The good weather helped. If we’d been asked to cocoon during the bad weather last November or December, it would have been more difficult. We knew it had to be done and we were not going to endanger ourselves or others.’
Social media also helped John and Ann to keep in touch with their family.
‘There was a family quiz night on Saturdays. We really missed the contact with our six grandchildren, who live quite close but couldn’t visit. Whatsapp, Facetime and social media were a real lifesaver for us.’
John continued by saying that the couple set themselves a strict routine which proved to be important during the last six weeks.
‘We got up and the usual time and had our meals at the same time as normal. We set ourselves little projects to pass the time. The lack of human contact was hard, but knowing why we were doing this helped.’
The announcement by the Government of the roadmap for the easing of restrictions also helped.
‘You could see light at the end of the tunnel and a way out of this dark place.’