People in Falkirk planning self isolation

It’s not that I don’t want to speak to her, but it usually means a very long chat and it often comes at the most inopportune moments.

But then that’s not strictly true. It’s not usually a chat but more a case of a monologue from her with me making appropriate noises at the required slots.

And if I’m honest, she’s also reached the age when I dread that one day I’ll get a call saying she is ill or worse.

Her name flashes up on my phone and I’m already contemplating that it’s a paramedic or doctor who will say: “Ms Livingstone, we’re with your mother. Perhaps you might want to sit down ...”

Honestly I’ve been watching too many TV dramas!

Her call at the start of the week came as I was just about to head out the door with the intention of getting an early start at work before all the office phones started ringing.

“Hi mum, how are you?”

“Kate I need to see you today. It may be the last time you see me for some while ...”

“You didn’t tell me that you were going on holiday,” I replied, wondering where on earth she was planning to go.

“I’m going to self isolate,” she announced.

“Self isolate! What makes you want to do that. If you take the proper precautions – and I know you are fastidious about hand washing already, then you should be fine,” I spluttered.

“No with this coronavirus I think at my age it’s the right thing to do. After all, I’m not getting any younger and there is my health to consider.”

Now here I have to stop and tell you that my mum has to be the healthiest octogenarian that I have ever come across.

She tells me that she had chicken pox as a child but since then I don’t think I’ve ever known her take to her bed.

A sore throat and she self-medicates with honey and lemon (and I’m convinced a hot toddy or two); a cold and she inhales steam; and I don’t remember her ever having to take any medication from the doctor.

She and in turn, the rest of the family, have been very fortunate.

All this makes me even more surprised that she intends to isolate herself.

“What do you plan to do?” I tentatively ask.

“Well I’m going to the hairdresser later today and I’ve got my cleaner coming in this afternoon too – she’s going to bring a friend and they will give the house a good clean as she won’t be back for a couple of weeks.

“I’ve also asked Mr Robertson next door what I should do about the bathroom sink that is running away so slowly and he’s getting his nephew to call round, you know the one that is the plumber.

“I also phoned Archie the painter and he’s managing to fit in giving my kitchen a quick coat of paint. Oh and I’m getting the man in who deep cleans carpets. Hopefully that should get rid of any germs there might be.

“Then of course, I’ll see all of you in the next couple of days.”

Somehow I don’t think my mum has quite worked out the concept behind self isolation – we’ll see how long it lasts.