COVID -19 Isn’t Over

It’s clear from the Govt’s general wording and presentations over the last few days that they want Britain to get back to normal now.  Which, from an economic point of view I can’t blame them.  But life isn’t about economics, it’s about society and society is rather worried at the moment.  We are worried because we’ve spent the last three months getting daily direction from the government and now the door has just been left open and we feel like a pet dog that wonders whether it should bolt for freedom or stay indoors where it knows it’s safer.  We’re worried because some of us don’t know if we’ll have a job or keep a job or if been made redundant, get another job.  We’re worried because scientists are saying one thing, officials another and in between the media taking a mix of the two to aid more confusion and in some cases use a tone of immediate action leaving us feeling even more worried or confused.

Ignoring the two extremes of people (most of whom appear to be on Twitter of all places) – those who think the pandemic has been grossly overstated and we’ve been made to feel fearful and those who think we need to stay indoors every day all day with masks on, there is a middle area that we’re not hearing a lot of.  Instead of just “being alert”, which isn’t that helpful.  I think that it’s more like “be cautious until you get used to this new way of living”.  Okay, my one isn’t that catchy I’ll give you that.

The facts are that COVID-19 is still a possibility of catching the virus.  For those that do become infected, it remains a higher risk to those with underlying health conditions.  It can affect different groups of people in different ways but these risks have yet to be properly quantified through proper research which takes time.  Time we’re currently living through.  We can see through immediate data that BME groups are effected but to what extent across the world is yet to be determined.

Not every one that catches it will suffer with it.  In fact, the vast majority of people will suffer only mild symptoms, and some won’t even know they are carrying it.

We know how it’s spread;

The disease spreads primarily from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, which are expelled when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, or speaks. These droplets are relatively heavy, do not travel far and quickly sink to the ground. – WHO

We know that good hygiene around handwashing and being outside with fresh air helps to minimise the spread.

And as of today, as I write this there is still no vaccine or drug or treatment that prevents contracting the virus.

Which is why COVID-19 isn’t over yet and won’t be for some time to come but it doesn’t mean that we, as a society, as family, as people can’t live with it well because we have already got through three months.  In that three month’s we’ve learnt that society is changing:

• We know that the gap between the richest and poorest is huge and we all have a big part to play in making sure our communities are well looked after.  The local community is now more important than ever.
• That we don’t need to buy clothes, jewellery, makeup, and cars to make us happy.  They have become superfluous to our everyday needs which are now things like good food, digital devices that allow us to connect to others easily, who we live with and nature.
• That working from home is a luxury for some and a prison for others.  And that where you work and how you do that work will be a changing feat for the next few months while companies themselves keep up with the changing face of their customers/service users.
• That healthcare, free at the point of delivery should be available in every country worldwide.  Because it works best for the patient, and reacts effortlessly (at least on the surface), at an impressive speed.
• That we need access to as much open space as possible.  We need to be connected to nature for our health and wellbeing.
• That most people are social and need face to face interactions on a regular basis.  Not being able to get that has made life tough for some.
• That some businesses are going to fair better out of this than others. And that isn’t always down to simply the product or service they sell, sometimes it’s because they can’t adapt quickly enough or have lost their main markets.

And many more things besides.

It means moving forward that we think about expanding or doing these things in new, innovative ways to make us a better society than the one at the beginning of the year.  I can think of a few ideas;

• We keep local and enjoy our local areas.
• That socialising doesn’t mean a pub, nor does it mean leaving a ton of trash on the beach after a party.  It means local community events, family gatherings in the garden, take a picnic to the park or inviting friends over to your local “open space”.  Opportunity to create new ways of chatting.
• For those that can’t work from home that they are supported back into the workplace as safely as possible.  Or we support others to work from home.  Finding new meeting places outside or online.
• We support local businesses and those brands that are as ethical as they can be.  That we put more thought into where our money goes rather than always opting for the cheapest option.
• That we become responsible citizens without having to be told – we wear facemasks when in enclosed public areas (public transports, shops etc), we take our rubbish home, we become aware of our surroundings and the people living in it.  Do they need help?  Are they being treated the same way I am treated?  Can we share things (information, books, gardening tools)?
• That we don’t rely on just social media or mainstream media for all our information.  Instead, look for it in other places.  Always making sure to question its basis and direction.
• We ensure and work towards everyone in society, regardless of age, location or budget, having access to digital options to support our health and wellbeing but where it’s not possible to do or is inappropriate that we ensure they have access to face to face first.
• That we invest in more green areas for people to travel and gather safely outside.  Accessible footpaths across the countryside, more bike lanes, more trains, more parks (in town centres), organised trips to national parks and coastlines.

And there is plenty more where those came from!

In the end, though it’s just about looking out for one another.  As individuals and neighbourhoods.  Which is harder than it sounds but it could also just be the best way to live our lives.

Thank you for reading.