Sunday, 3rd April 2020
Do you remember when we used to use cash?
I could go to a shop and exchange pieces of metal or pieces of paper (all right – I know they are now some sort of plastic-y vinyl-y thing, but to me it’s paper money) and then I would be given something. Do you remember such a time?
I have coins and notes sitting at home, not sure what to do with themselves. They cannot be spent for fear that they may be infected. The poor blighters. Not once have they even travelled outside the home. I cannot remember the last time I used cash.
I worry that the lockdown and, more so the fear of the coronavirus and Covid-19, will accelerate our move to a cashless world. I, for one, will miss it. I will miss the sellotaping of pound coins to the inside of birthday cards. I will miss the holding of the note at the bar (it just doesn’t look right with a phone for contactless payment does it?). But mostly, I will miss the feeling of finding a fiver in a coat pocket that I haven’t worn since last summer.
I do hope that my wallet, cash and coins will all be free to spend again soon.
