Teresa Garratty: Best places in the UK to visit this weekend!

So it’s finally happened, we’re in an official state of lockdown to combat the coronavirus.

The rules have been announced but there’s a lack BSL interpreting making it hard for those rules to be understood. The Deaf community have pulled together to make these rules accessible via independent videos over social media, but some are still struggling to grasp what staying at home “really” means.

I get it, it’s hard for some to stay in a confined space and we’re all itching for a change of scenery. So without further ado, here’s a list of some places you can visit this weekend during UK lockdown.

Your Kitchen

Explore the culinary delights of flavour town! Knock up a sandwich, dunk a hobnob in your tea, dust off that pot noodle that’s been sitting at the back of the cupboard since…probably the last apocalypse. The world/kitchen is your oyster!

Your Living Room

Nothing makes you feel more alive than hanging out in your living room. It’s in the title for goodness’ sake! If there’s a TV in there you can probably watch some films too. Throw in that out-of-date pot noodle and you’re practically at the cinema, subtitles guaranteed!

Your Bedroom

For all your rest and relaxation needs head on over to your bedroom. If you’re a book fan, feel free to have a cheeky read. If not you can always switch off for a quick nap and recharge your batteries…you can probably charge your phone there too if you like.

Your Garden

Are you one of the lucky ones? Do you have a natural sun soaked (TBC) paradise at your finger tips? Well then get out there! I’m surprised you’re still reading this to be honest, when you could be breathing in that sweet fresh(ish depending on where you live) air and lapping up that vitamin D instead.

Your Front Door

The view is spectacular and not to be missed. If you’re really lucky, you might be able to have a bit of awkward eye contact with the hearing neighbour across the street. Best not dwell there too long though, he might start talking to you and you’ll have to find some way to explain that you’re deaf, no note passing allowed!!!

Your Bathroom

For all your hygiene needs, why not take a trip to the bathroom? You can shower, have a bath, WASH YOUR DAMN HANDS etc. There’s also the Porcelain Throne monument which should definitely be on your to do list (not too often though, toilet paper isn’t growing on trees at the moment…well it’s made from trees but….anyway just don’t go over board.) There’s plenty of other things you can do there instead. Scroll the news feed, take conference calls…read this article?

If you haven’t noticed yet, there’s a theme here.

Yes if we’re not key workers we’re still allowed out to buy essentials, for medical purposes, carer duties or to exercise ourselves/the dogs once a day, while still implementing social distance!

But the overall rule is simple.

STAY AT HOME!

The virus itself doesn’t move. It has no mode of transport other than its hosts. US.

If we stop moving, the virus stops moving and it will slowly die off.

Some people are still ignoring this, even after access has been provided. Picking and choosing which rules to follow. Having two jogs a day instead of one, bringing their spouse and kids along on food shops, standing around in groups at the supermarket to “have a quick chat” (and that includes the staff!).

As the UK death toll rises, it would seem that when it’s needed most, common sense is unfortunately not that common.

PLEASE for the sake of humanity, if you really don’t need to go out STAY. AT. HOME.

There’s plenty of Limping Chicken articles to read in the meantime!