A friend (late 60s but fit and healthy) has stayed in with her parents who are in their 90s with mobility problems but not told to shield.
They cancelled the carer who used to help her mum get up in the morning, which was probably sensible, so my friend helps her wash and strap on her prosthetic leg, but after that her parents potter about the house and garden, read, watch TV and have hundreds of phonecalls. They are both very bright and interested in anyone and anything and great for a chat or a more serious debate or argument. They make their own tea. My friend tends to make lunch for them all which they eat together, but prior to lockdown they would do that themselves if she was out. She might peel some potatoes, or chop an onion.
But my friend now won't leave the house. At all. Except to the hospital, doctor and chemist.
She exercises in the garage and in the last month has welcomed visitors in the garden, but she won't step out of the gate.
I have tried and tried to get her to walk round the block with me (socially distanced) but she won't because she has seen on the TV how busy it is, and the greatgrandchildren have drummed into her the dangers of the virus.
In vain do I point out that she can see from the gate that there is literally noone on their road. It is a wide residential road with wide pavements, so even if we did meet someone we could avoid them by a country mile, but no. Too risky.
This is someone who used to be out somewhere every single day.
I am cautious - not been inside anyone' else's house (and noone has been in mine) or inside a cafe, and I keep social distance. But I meet friends for lunch and coffee outside in cafes, visit in gardens and have been to National Trust type places.
I worry for her. And, selfishly, I miss our time together alone.