As I wake Monday morning, the worst Monday feeling hits me as I face going back to work after a two-week Christmas break. I drag myself out of bed to keep to my routine of a jog, walk, breakfast and work. With plenty to keep me busy, including 100 emails, it’s soon lunch time, dog walks and the day is over before I know it.

But there is no escape from Coronavirus with Scotland announcing they are going into lockdown from midnight, Boris Johnson is to talk to the nation at 20:00. With 50,000 people testing positive and over 400 deaths in the last 24 hours something has to change.

The Prime minister’s announcement, North east numbers are on the rise, the NHS are at risk of being overwhelmed. And with it Tier 5 is announced: Stay home apart from essential trips and follow the rules. Boris says it’s the last phase of virus – but I can’t help but think: Here we go again.

It’s not quite like March’s national lockdown. However, there is hope. By mid-February the PM aims to get all of the most vulnerable people vaccinated. With schools to be teaching remotely until at least February half term. GCSEs and A Levels are to be altered.  This week also brings back the Thursday evening doorstep clapping, this time a ‘clap for heroes’, bringing back a welcomed reminder that we are not alone.

And with this reminder of hope we attend the funeral for a loved one on my partners side of the family. While it is so strange to not be able to embrace anyone, or even come close to them, it is lovely to see family that we otherwise would not. With only 30 allowed in attendance, this virus has a lot to answer for. However, the eulogy is a beautiful summary of a full life, well lived, and one thing we all agree on, their will be time when we can all come together to remember and celebrate their life in the years to come.

But this week has made me realise one thing – none of us are promised tomorrow we just assume. So, live in the now and be grateful for what we do have.