The North of Ireland is in a lockdown with all non-essential outlets closed to the public to stop the spread of COVID-19.
People across Derry are trying to adjust to the new way of life of staying at home, only going out for essential food and medicines and a one hour walk for exercise, and social distancing.
Police in the city have praised the public for abiding by the guidelines with the streets of the city deserted as people heed the message of staying at home and staying safe to save lives.
Local Derry man Harry McDaid is one of those trying to adjust to the ‘new normal’ which could last for weeks or maybe months.
The 67-year-old must self-isolate for 12 weeks because his immune system has been compromised by cancer.
He says his philosophy since he was diagnosed six years ago was to surround himself with optimistic people, which he would continue to do remotely during the lockdown.
He added that seven weeks of imposed self-isolation following a bone marrow transplant had given him an idea of what to expect.
“It is about remaining positive. All of these things in life are very manageable,” he told BBC News NI.
Harry says his former job at a national bank and his cancer diagnosis had conditioned him for “big shocks” like the government request to stay at home.
“I’m a very good sleeper, I don’t do worry terribly well.
“I’m not hankering after the outside world,” he says.
“This will prepare me for retirement.”
Harry says he was starting to pay better attention to the beauty of nature as spring arrives, despite not knowing “one tree from another”.
“This is an opportunity to appreciate that,” he says.
“There’s an awful lot of living to be done, even when you’re confined to barracks.”
Tags: