unmasked h
Illustration by Sharna Waid
This book is dedicated to my mother and all of the key workers during the Covid 19 pandemic, 2020
unmasked by curtis hughes
In late January 2020, the UK was hit by a devastating virus. By F ebruary, the health organisation declared an international pandemic and the entire world w ent into lockdown. Hundreds of thousands of people caught the virus and many more thousands died. This put an almighty strain on the NHS which caused hospitals to reach breaking point. My mother is a ‘Front Line’ worker, who grew up in Brighton, one of the first UK cities to be hit by Covid 19. She is 57 and has been working most of her working life in the health sector. Since moving from Brighton to the Sussex countryside she has found solace in a quieter life and often unw inds by spending time in her lovingly w ell-maintained garden. This project tries to pay testament to all the Key Workers, such as my mother, who are selflessly helping those who are less fortunate than themselves in the trying times and often at the cost of a stable, safe family environment for themselves.
23.03. Today saw the change of our lives..…
25.03. not sure how I really feel today, I mean I’m still going to be in close proximity to colleagues and patients..
31.03. Good to be home, can be in my family bubble, no distance required. Ache today from garden prep, loving the results
03.04. God, how would my dear mum have coped with all this! Pretty well I figure, she was a strong women, my rock. It would have broke my heart not being able to visit or give her a hug.
08.04. Guidelines at work today on what PPE we are expected to wear. Very strange feeling having to wear aprons, masks and gloves. Though hearing the figures today leaves me feeling rather concerned.
11.04. It’s the weekend, got through another mad weird week. Awake early. Love living where we do. Now for some me time.
15.04. Feeling emotional today. We cant experience something so destructive and all carry on the same as before.
23.04. A time to stop and reflect. If only the traffic could stay less chocking. Take more time to do less. Love the feeling of life in the slow lane, never again the fast lane. Appreciate being alive, it’s a wonderful gift.
