It’s a beautifully still morning, the sun is shining and this rising temperature will grow grass. The backdrop of green fields and bare woodland is picturesque. Then I see my little darlings gallop across the paddock. We let out the first 25 heifer calves to grass yesterday. Their tails went up and they were off. It is a marker of the hard spring work easing on a dairy farm when the calves start to go out, freeing up space inside for the last ones to be born. We are down to six cows left to calve.

Cartoon by Clyde Delaney.

It’s easy to put COVID-19 out of my mind at home here among the fields. It feels safe until the family get hungry or I turn on the news. The nation held its breath when chief medical officer with the Department of Health Dr Tony Holohan was taken ill at a press conference. He has become a trusted ally, catapulted into the limelight as a consequence of the pandemic.

I was chatting to a farmer yesterday who told me that his wife, a nurse, sleeps in the spare room

Tony is doing an amazing job and I was so glad to see him back at work again. I say thank you to him and the remarkable health and care staff who are working for us all every day.

I was chatting to a farmer yesterday who told me that his wife, a nurse, sleeps in the spare room and showers the minute she comes home and puts the clothes she was wearing into the washing machine. This is what the committed people are doing. She shows dedication to her family, to her work and to us the public in her efforts to keep us all safe.

Shopping time

We are in the second week of staying in our own homes and not travelling more than 2km away. Life is surreal and Easter is upon us. This is a harsh time for many people not being able to go to church for the Easter ceremonies. Your prayers are valuable no matter where they are said.

It’s been a tough and long time since the schools closed. Inevitably, the food had started to run out, the fridge was emptying and some of us just needed a bar of chocolate. I had avoided the trip to the shop as long as possible but all eyes were gazing in my direction.

I prepared getting my bags and scarf for around my neck, just in case I’d need to cough and not manage to get my elbow up in time

There was rummaging in the presses. I’d ask, “What are you looking for?” and the answer would be “Nothing!” We wives and mothers know that “nothing” means that we’re slacking on the job of provision and it is time to shop.

So, I prepared getting my bags and scarf for around my neck, just in case I’d need to cough and not manage to get my elbow up in time, and my list. The list is very important so I don’t wander unnecessarily around the shop. It is good to write it out a second time in the order in which you will meet the items in the shop.

My disposable gloves and sanitiser were in the car. Off I went. Social distancing was being observed

This gets you out of that environment more quickly and back to the safety of your home.

My disposable gloves and sanitiser were in the car. Off I went. Social distancing was being observed. Where parents can allow, children should stay at home at this time. Everyone needs to follow the guidelines and we’ll all get out and about at an earlier date. We must think of the sacrifices others are making.

Write a to do list

When we are confined in our own homes we can get uneasy. I was chatting to my friend Siobhan last week and I remembered saying to her one time that I’d love the house to myself for two weeks to give it a really good clean. She agreed. Little did we think that we’d almost get our wish.

So that is what I’m doing. Each day, I’m trying to do something extra. I sat down and made a list of all the things I’d like to tidy, clean and organise and to be honest I’d need to be locked up for six months. Nevertheless, it made me feel better. We can and will get through this. It is important to stay busy and the time will pass.