COVID 19 - EPIDEMIC 2020

The world fighting a virus.

So COVID 19 or cornovirus as most people will know is this new type of flu virus that has spread around the nation. It is a national emergency and has infected trillions of people around the world and has large fatalities.

Sadly millions of people have lost there lives to this virus already, with the number increasing hitting over 15,000 in the UK so far. We not even over the worst yet.

So life as we knew it has changed drastically. It is a scary and worrying time but also I feel it is teaching humanity many valuable lessons. I will talk though what has been going on, what has changed, how people have reacted or followed government / medical advice. How we coped as a family and my hope for the future getting out of this at the other end. Beating this virus!

So firstly some facts. It is believed to have started in a city in China called Wuhan, at a fresh food market. These market sell and cook live exotic animals like bat's, snakes, ect... Scientists suggest it came from a bat species however past onto humans via another animal like a snake. There is not much known or any real evidence to know exactly how, where or when this all started.

It started a global panic in early January but believed it was actually around since December even November. Again they do not know or have any evidence to know exactly when it begin. There are rumers that doctors in China were warning people about this deadly virus in December however were told they were spreading rumers and threatend with imprisonment by the Chinese government. There are many suggestions and rumers this virus is man made, that got way out of control. I am not suggesting anything just giving knowledge that I know about what been going on.

It hit Britain in February /early March and spread in many other countries. The government here in the UK were in my opinion not quick enough to react. They wanted to try slow the spread and just wait and see. However as more people got infected, those of whom started to get really ill needing critical care in intensive care unit at hospital. Then when large amounts of people sadly were losing their lives to this virus,i when the government stepped in. However people had already started to panic, while others still do not believe how serious this was.

At first not many people really took it seriously. In the early days of feburay march we didn't really, it made no change to our day to day routine. We where being more careful when travelling on public transform, by walking more. Avoiding tubes or trains with ariyah. But we had to travel to view houses, I had job interview and we were moving.

The government just said people had to social distance meaning to stay 2 metres apart, wash your hands and be careful. They stated if you had symptoms then you must self isolate.

Symptoms

What we know so far is that many people get really sick while many other may get mild or moderate flu like symptoms which is why it's hard to completely tell who has it or not. In addition people can be carriers where by they get the virus but do not get symptoms therefore go on to spread the virus to many others without knowing.

Main symptoms are:

• Persistent and dry cough
• Fever over 39
• Aches and chills
• Chest pains, difficultly breathing 

 Other more mild symptoms:

• headach
• Sore throat
• Vomiting
• Snessing
• Dirreah
• Loss of taste or smell.

Social distancing and self isolation.

This means to stay at home, away from other people and the public. To not gather or have large events. They started cancelling sports events, weddings, concerts, any big event with large amounts of people in early march.

Everyone who was vulnerable or had any symptoms had to self isolate for 7 days or 14 if living in a household. They started ordering anyone who had any symptoms to stay home not to go to their gp or a&e but to call 111. They tracked and test who had it and who they may have been in contact with to prevent and minimise infection rates, thus stop the spread of the virus.

However as more people became ill and the UK saw larger rates of infections, also sadly having fatalities, the government started to loss track of those who were infected. Testing was stop, unless you were hospitalised, due to the lack of test/equipment. More warnings and restrictions happened, for example reduced trains, tubes and buses. Then slowly more things closed like cinema, swimming pools, restaurants and pubs. Until all non essentials shops or business we're forced to closed. School were shut.

Fast forward to today. We are thankful we did move as the UK like many other countries is on lockdown. School were closed for most children other then very few who parents were key workers or who had sen needs or who had social care involvement. Now all schools are not due to open after Easter hoildays for the forthcoming months. Everything is closed. The government have put restrictions in place however not everyone is listening meaning there is still risks this all will therefore take longer to stop the spread and defect this virus.

The death total is now 15,464 (18/4/20) with over 100,000 testing positive but they suspect even more as those being test are only people in hospital. Or being admitted with symptoms. Mass public testing is still yet to happen. Therefore could be much higher rates.

So yes we are lucky to have moved to a house, with a lot more space. We got settled and got stuff we needed before this got worse. We also now have our garden which has been amazing considering it been such nice weather and we can not go out. If we were stuck in the damp flat, no garden, living in our front room I don't think we would have coped. It's difficult being coped up in door now let alone if we didn't have a garden and all this space. I feel bad for all those and their kids stuck in flats.

What does lockdown mean:

Lockdown is different in many countries around the world. Some countries like Italy, France and China it is enforced by law. You need a piece of paper signed and dated to allow valid reasons to leave. Only for essential like getting food or medicine. Police are on patrol and can fine or assest people for breaking these restrictions.

However in the UK, we are on lockdown, it not as strict- school are closed, non essential shops closed, business closed, people working from home instead. Only key workers sholud travel and go to work. Gp are mostly only phone appointments unless necessary like me and Ben having hormone injects. But we would get screened before entering. However compared to other countries it is just less controlled here. As it is not full enforced by law. This is mostly because of how our government works as well as just not enough police to truly enforce as of yet. This could change.

So since the 23rd of March we were all order to stay home only leaving for these reasons:

1. Essential food shopping
2. Collecting medicines 
3. Exercising once a day (walking the dog)
4. Traverling to work if necessary and are a key worker. 

Who are Key workers? 

The government states anyone who is on the front line fighting this virus who are essential to fight this desease can still go to work if well. So nurses, doctors, NHS staff, careers, delievery drivers, shop and supermarket workers, food distributors, bin men, postal services, teachers and school staff, those contractors doing emergency works like plumbing, gas and water maintenance. Ect... 

Vulnerable people are being identified and shielded from this virus, this means they have been ordered to stay in doors for up to 12 weeks, not going out less really need to. Others in the community are then coming together to help those vunerable, by collecting medicine or food for them. Those   who are over a certain age, (60) who have pre existing health contiditions such as diabetes, lung conditions, asthma, any thing that means your immune system weak eg.. Cancer, pregnancy, illness. Has be ordered to stay home and self isolate for 12 weaks.

I fall into this category as I have asthma, yes it is not serve but I have been in hospital less then 2 years ago on drip and steroids due to my chest. I get bad chest infections because of my asthma and have to go on steroids. Plus with Ariyah-mai being so young, the fact she was premiture and already suffered a lot with colds. We are not risking anything.

I am a key worker but lucky my new work place are so understanding and have advice I stay home too. Which is amazing that they understand. I am also lucky I get full sick pay to be off. Again luckly we moved and I got a job just before all this happened. I was due to start on Monday 23 March which happened to be the first day of lockdown. So I did not start but am employed which meant I get paid thoughout this pemedemic.

This is not the case for many others and a reason lots of people are really struggling, then not listening and still going to work. Especially in the early days of the out break because the government had not put things in place financially to protect everyone. Those self employed or on zero hour contracts where not getting paid. Along with lots of people lossing their jobs due to business having to close. There has been a few thing put in place now however not fully. People can apply for benfits but this is over loading the service, taking staff weeks to sort through thousands of new claims, while working from home themselves or with limited staff in job centres. 

This is a hard and horrible time for most of us, however we will all get through it. Although many people are still not listening, people are still going out, meeting friends, gathering, sunbath and well just breaking the restrictions put in place to protect us. Many people have stock piled, brought items to then sell for ridiculous amounts to profit from this national crisis. It is impossible to get supermarket home delivery. Store are restricting items as well as how many people enter the stores at once. Leading to ques outside, people having to stand two metres apart. In some case has caused fights. 

Stock piling why? 

Many people panicked at the beginning, hearing that vulnerable people or those with symptoms had to self isolate and stay in doors. People thought that they could be ordered to do the same therefore started buying food and cleaning products in bulk. Everyone went a little over the top, buy up all the toilet roll, pasta, hand sanitiser. Cleaning products. 

You could not buy cleaning stuff, pasta, beans, nappies, wipes, baby formula anywhere. The more stricter shops became the more people panic brought. Even going to the hassle of buy a second fridge or freezer. People were buying essential items then selling them on ebay for extortionate amount, just to make money off people in need. One of the main things was baby formula. This is normally around £10 for standard tin. However because it was hard to get hold of due to people stockpiling it, other took advantage. Buying it to sell for hundreds of pounds online. Some as much as £300-£400. As people were desperate, thus paying that amount just to ensure there baby had milk. This is disgusting there one thing selling toilet roll for more but baby milk when it's a baby life source is beyond inhuman.

Thankfully we have precription milk from gp which is lacose free. We had enough tin's as well as being able to get more once we moved and registered at the new gp. We managed to get other bits we needed with the help of my mum. Admittingly we did struggle a little, as we could not risk going out, the stores had no deliveries, there was online ques for hours. Then if we went out, the worry was other people not keeping to the restrictions of 2 metres apart. We did manage to get a kind neighbour to do some shopping for us, then managed to get help from a local charity group to pick up our asda shop. 

If one thing positive come from this virus, is it has also brought people together. 

People are showing respect to keep a good distance apart if they do need to leave the house. People are helping each other like collecting medicines and food for the elderly and vulnerable. Personally we had a nice lady down the road help us get food. One negative of moving is that we do not have people round the corner we know to help. Nevertheless our community has been great here. 

Communities are coming together to support each other, calling and check up on everyone. Lucky in this generations we have technology and facetime to keep us in contact with our loved ones. Children are painting rainbow and pictures in their windows to show appreciation for those NHS and key workers. There is door step claps every weeks for those putting their lives at risk working and fighting for us all. 

Family and parents are sharing idea on social media to help each other with educational or fun ideas to keep the children busy during this confusing and frustrating time. Where they now have no school, no routine, having to be home taught. On top of this they could not see their friend or family. It a very confusing and difficult time for us all, especially those children who whole lives have been turnt upside down. They are scared and worried about things us adults struggle to manage.

I want everyone to know we are all here for each other, stay safe, stay home and look after each other. Here to talk if anyone needs feel free to message, comment find us on Instagram. 

Let's use this time wisly to reflect on our lives, the greed and selfishness of this world, then the beauty it holds and everything wee should appreciate. To cherish the time we get to spend as a family. Make our kids proud, let fight this and make the future a better place for the next generation. 

5 months development

Can't believe she is 5 months.

So Ariyah-mai was 5 months on the 16th off march but with moving and the everything being so busy I have not update you all on how she is doing.

In the last few weeks she has just all of a sudden just seems so big, no longer our tiny premmy baby. It was like a switch she was still our tiny baby to now just being so grown up.

With all the packing and moving I feel as though a few things got lost in the moment. We were busy and she had been so unsettled. However since moving it has done wonders for us all. She is calmer, not as fussy and much happier. Don't get me wrong she has her moments as do all babies. But we have seen a real difference in her.

In our old flat she had never really been settled. We traveled so much and we were away from home a lot so I do not think she truly felt at home there. Because of the damp we were all in one room so we tryed to be else where as much as possible. But this did not help ariyah or us get into a routine. She was theething and not sleeping. She was crying all the time. Very fussy and still very sick from her reflux.

She suffered with her reflux and this cold and cough for ages.

Well since moving she still has a cold but it is so much better, these were very scary moments where she be coughing and choking. Or heavy breath and struggling because she was so bunged up. We have not had any thing like this at all. She is sniffy but that is all. Her breathing is soo much better.

Feeding/reflux

With her reflux she is still stuffing so we have re started her medication again, which is helping to settle it. We just go though lots of musys and bibs. Sometime serval cloth changed for her as well as ourselves.

She also wanting more milk and is a very hungry baby. She is now taking 7oz every 3/4 hours. So around 5/6 with in a day. Sometimes she only drink 5/6 oz and then at night she will have the extra later on. We never been in much of a routine with her milk because of many reasons. Her reflux has limited how much milk, in one go she has been able to handle, meaning she was drink little and often like a newborn for alot longer. Then she would go though days where she wanted more normally meaning she having a growth spurt. However with her cold she also then struggled and have days were she hardly drink. One week she was really bad and hardly drunk at all, was still having wet nappies. She did end up in a&e again due to this they said she had a sore throat and a respiratory viral infection. So lots of TLC, cold water and little and often of her milk she was soon back to normal.

So if your baby is not really in a routine, or some days drinking more then others try not to worry too much, they put all these guidelines out of how much they should have at what age, however every baby is different. You know them best! If they are gaining weight, healthy and happy, still having plenty of wet or dirty nappies you know they are on the right track. In spite of that do not be afraid to seek help and advice from other parents or health professionals.

Weaning. 

We started to wean Ariyah-mai early, due to her reflux and that she was a very hungry baby. At 13 weeks, just over three months we gave her baby rice, mixed with her precription milk. Then gave her some rucks again mix with her milk. At about 4 months she was then holding and sucking on rusk with support from us.

Around 4 1/2 months she started trying to grab food off us. If anyone was holding her whilst eating she would try grab it and bring it to her month. She was wanting more milk more often but not stomaching it due to her being sick. She grabbed a sausage roll from her nanny. (obviously we did not let her have it) then bannan off her cousin which we then did mash up and let her try.

We planned to stream and blend veg for her firstly then mix in fruit however due to moving, her wanting food and not having a blender yet, we brought some Ella kitchen pouches,

First just plain carrot or bannan ones and she loved them.

On the 8th so just under 5 months we went out to eat with a friend. That afternoon  Nanny Tina had made roast so she blended up some carrots, peas and broccoli which we took with us. Ariyah-mai sat in a high chair for the first time and ate blender veg dinner. We were not ready for how grown up she was getting.

Now that we have moved and settled, we have brought a baby blender and a hight chair for her. She loves sitting in it and eating, We give her two meals breakfast and dinner with a snack in the middle of day. She has rusks or porriage for breakfast then Ella kitchen pouch or blended veg for dinner. She also really like cucumber which we recently been giving her as finger food that she holds herself. We have started giving her things a bit thicker or finger food to chrow on, which helps with her teeth.

Her favourite are:

• Sweet potato 
• Cucumber
• Carrot
• Peaches 
• Parnip
• Prunes
•  apple 

She does not seem to like (but will keep trying) 

• Peas
• Brocoli 
• Mash
• Strawberries
• Banana 

Teeth

Ariyah-mai NOW has 2 Teeth.

As you can see in this photo her two front teeth are starting to come in. This was following some very difficult nights and days, she has suffered with theething since 7/8 weeks old where they were moving. Some babies do not feel this and won't know untill the teeth are cutting, but not Ariyah. However finally her teeth are cutting through so hopeful she may have a break soon. Although it does seem that way as she has more on the sides too.

With Ariyah nothing really helps, we tried the gel, we have Addison and parsons one which has a brush bit on the end that helps brush the gel into her gums. Then the powder. While they may help a little it does not last long at all, so the only thing that helps is calpol. Meanwhile we try not to give this straight away. Instead giving her calpol at night to settle her to sleep better.

She does not take to teethers, we have tried all different ones but prefers her hands. We tried the Mitton teethers which go on their hands however she does not like them and will shake her hand and pull them off, or shout until we take it off. Whem she was young she could not hold any in her month so we had to. Now she can hold them but does not really like them, she chrows hhe hands or musy.

Now she is eating we try to use cold food like cucumber or rusks for her to chow instead. It is hard to see your baby in pain and know there is nothing we can do to help her.

As a positive note she has now realised that her teeth help to bite and chrow food, which is great when we are giving her bite melts, waffer or soft fruits.

Sleep. 

Ariyah-mai has never been great at sleeping. There was a week or so that she was sleeping though the night on a few occasions, although this did not happen very often. She got to big for her moses basket and kept waking herself up because she was tossing and turing thus hitting the sides. Since moving she now sleeps in her cot. That first night in her cot was a big moment. She still looked so tiny in there but slept very well. She doesn't really like napping in there but it is still very new.

Since moving we have been trying to get into a routine. As we never had one and also been so busy, we travelled alot with me having surgery. But now we in our new house and got more time to spend together. We been setting nap and bed time routine.

I will do more of a post about our routine in another post.

But ariyah having trouble sleeping and napping at the moment. It could be a result of being in a new home, different environment. But we working on it.

Milestones 

As I stated at the beginning ariyah has just suddenly grown up. She reached many new milestones, and got some first now.

First night and sleeping in her cot.
First teeth
Rolled over from back to belly.
First holding own food
Drinking water from a sippy cup.
First laugh
Sitting unaided
Holding her bottle herself.
Grasping and shaking toys, or pulling toys
Realises cause and effect.
First time in the garden feeling the grass

So now ariyah can roll all she does is roll over, she wants to crawl so much and be on the move but is not quite there yet. She uses her head to shuffle forward. She has the moments with her legs to push however not got the coordination to move her arms at the same time. But she can roll and turn herself or shuffle to where she wants to reach her toys.

She can sit unaided for quite a while now and starting to push herself and balance when she falls/leans. If she does fall to the side (obviously we are sat with her) she catches herself with her arms and rolls onto her tummy.

But most of all she loves to stand, she will step if we hold her hands, she stands playing at the play table and will hold on to the sofa or things when stood up. We put her in the walker and jumperoo however she is still alittle to small so can not move herself in the walker yet. But loves standing in it as we move her around and she steps. She laugh so much, to the fact this was the first time we got a real belly laugh from her.

She has a very cheeky and playful sense of humor. She will laugh if we tell cats off, or if we messs around with her. Like do not throw that toy, she laugh and does it. She also loves to but held in the air and tiggled. She very rough play kinda girl which we are so glad about.

She loves nosey musical toys, anything that rattles or she can bang. There are a few that are her favourite hangy toys on her play at. That eirther rattle or have sensory textured materials. She likes her playmat with the keyboard that she kicks, but now she can sit up she also likes to sit and play it. She also really likes teddies, as she a very cuddly baby. So will cuddle teddies and her rainbow knitted blanket.

Other things she enjoys is sensory play, foil blanket, bubble and glow stitches are her favourite. She bangs the glow stitch together and waves them around. She loves the ball pit, sensory and rattle balls. So anything nosey, that lights up or feels good.

Water is another favourite she really loved when we first took her swimming, even dunked her under and she was not fazed at all. She loves slashing and will slash and laugh in the bath. We started putting toys and glow sticks in there and she will try grabbing for them. Can't wait to be able to take her swimming again, or get the paddling pool out.

We started reading more with her too as she taking interest in holding and looking at books, again she likes the sensory touch ones.

She also loves the cats, hayes will come to cuddle her, she actually sits and strokes him really gentle, even if she grabs he is so calm with her. She will watch them walking arounnd and try crawl after them. Cats or pets are great motivations for babies to crawl after. I know as she grows they are going to be best friends.

She does not like nursery rhymes or lullabies other then you are my sun shine, which is the only thing that really calms her. She will fall asleep as we sing it to her.

She just seems so grown up now, getting her own personality, she makes it very clear what's she wants, as she will talk and makes very clear happy or frustrated noises. She will put her arms up when she
wants to be picked up, or push us when she wants to be put down. she will grab our face and cuddle in to us. She even started giving us kiss now too.

Advice to others.
You know best as a parent. We found health professionals did not really heelp tbh, our health visit never answered our Gp were not pediatricians so they told us to talk to our health visit, she said to talk to gp or go to the clinic. At the clinic they just weighted ariyah and again if we asked about things we weren't given very good or clear advice. We got her weighted every every two weeks due to her reflux andd her prematurity. But sshe was slowing gaining, thus we knew she was healthy. We took other parents advice and help from family who had all had there own children. Those parents living it or raised babies normally know better. You as a parent know your baby better. So sick to your gut. We did and glad we did.

If baby is not in a routine, sleeping or feeding do not worry to much. They will soon find their own. All babies are different so do not compare yours with anyone else's. Ariyah is advance in some areas but not others. She not as coodniated with her arms and still struggles to grasp things orr move toys between her hands. But had really strong legs to help her stand aand step. All abies develop at their own pace and will get there when they are ready.

Phtots of Ariyah and her millstones.