“Captain’s log…” local blogger explores life in self-isolation

Thursday 14 January 2021

‘Self-isolate’, a phrase never heard before 2020, but now so common it has been added to the Oxford dictionary. But what to do with all that time, sealed away from the community? For some it has been a chance to embrace some creativity.

So it is for one man, Chris Jehan, 27, who returned to Guernsey from the UK last week – he has been entertaining thousands with his Quarantine Blog posts.

Sadly, due to the passing of Chris’s grandfather, he returned to Guernsey on 9 January in order to get back for the funeral with his brother Nick, who has also been living in the UK.

Pictured: “He brought humour into my life," Chris said of his late grandfather, Robin (Bob) Crittell.

While some might dedicate this time to catch up on Netflix and play computer games – activities he admits to having done as well – Chris decided to also focus his ‘Jehan’s Weekly Wind Up’ blog on his Quarantine/self-isolation.

“I thought I’d fill my days with…writing about my days, I’ve never done anything like this before.” 

Chris focused his day one blog on the strong and sensible approach Guernsey has taken to border control and the tightening up of travel restrictions.

“The first day was interesting because of changing travel restrictions and the difference between Guernsey’s response and the UK’s," he told Express. 

EXCERPT: “I’ll start from when we actually got into Guernsey Airport. When you enter the Island the rules are you are treated as if you are contaminated, you have Covid! All staff were dressed head to toe in plastic aprons, gloves, with both face masks and visor protectors on.”

Pictured: His blogs have offered an insight into the experience of self-isolation.

Since its launch, Chris’s blog has reached more than 2,000 people, a success he never expected.

“When I was writing it I didn’t think it would get the response that it did," he admitted.

It has now been read by many in the island, including ex-Chief Minister, Deputy Gavin St Pier. 

A good read and gives those of us who’ve not been through the borders a clear picture of the experience. Well done and thank you to all those working at the borders - you do us all proud! #GuernseyTogether

PS hope the Jehan family self-isolation proceeds without any hiccups too! https://t.co/PnejcKH2Y5

— Gavin St Pier ???????? (@gavinstpier) January 10, 2021

 Chris continues to update his blog daily, sometimes with philosophical musings, updates on the tedium of isolation and thoughts about his late grandfather.

“It gives you a lot of time to be reflective about the situation.”

It’s often laced with profanity – you’ve been warned! – and always written with a sharp, humorous take on his current situation - you can keep updated on his life in ‘Quarantine’ here.

EXCERPT: Once again I struggled to sleep at night, I’m starting to think the amount of tea I am now drinking is the root cause of this, when I’m by myself, I have maybe 1 or 2 cups in the morning and that’s it. This household has a cup every 6.2 seconds, but when it’s offered you can’t say no. Plus any excuse to sample the local dairy delicacy, to UK people the milk here is essentially cream, cut a Guernseyman open and he’ll bleed milk.

Pictured top: Chris’s family live in Guernsey, but he moved away to work in Horsham.