2020 has been dominated by one thing worldwide. Coronavirus. It has put headlines such as the Australian bushfires, Iran shooting down a Ukrainian airliner, the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani, even Brexit in the shade.
As the UK emerges from it's 2nd lockdown and enters a tougher tiered system in an attempt to keep the "R number" down to allow us to have a relatively normal Christmas, I am left wondering if and when the virus will end and restrictions be fully lifted. When will we be able to return to the shops without a mask, or have a beer or two with as many friends as we like, without having to order a "substantial meal" at the same time?
The first vaccinations have been administered in the UK and the roll out will be ramped up over the coming weeks and months. This, of course, is great news and will no doubt speed up the the country and the world's emergence from this darkest of clouds. However, there is another injection 3 weeks later before the recipient actually becomes immune. Naturally, the initial vaccines will be administered to the elderly and those most at risk. But how long will it take to vaccinate enough of the country to create a herd immunity that will allow us to return to the much anticipated norm? Experts suggest that magic number is around 70% of the population, which equates to around 47,000,000 people. The government predict around April 2021, which in the grand scheme of things doesn't seem like too long, but what happens in the mean time? Can we expect more lockdowns? More restrictions? More not being able to see friends and family? What about the high street businesses and business owners? Are they expected to continue to remain closed or work at a reduced capacity until April?
No one really knows the answer to this at the moment, I realise, but I am left with the feeling that April is not actually that near. Covid-19 has ruled our lives for 9 months and for many people it has been hell on earth and now we're expecting to deal with that for another 4 1/2 months throughout the winter, where meeting outside is much less pleasant, or even possible.
Like many people during this pandemic, I have had my ups and downs. I have been very fortunate in that I have a job where I can work from home at full pay and my partner works in healthcare so has also been able to work. I have been able to see my daughter as normal and when restrictions allowed I was able to meet with friends and even celebrate my birthday in a relatively normal fashion. I am also a relatively introvert character, quite happy with my own company a lot of the time. But there have been times when I have found it hard. Cooped up at home, not allowed to play sport, or go to the cinema, the casino, or pub, or my parents. I have argued with my girlfriend and fought over the most mundane things. But I am lucky. Many people have been furloughed when already struggling to make ends meet. Some have lost jobs completely. Some people thrive on being outside or with other people. Those with mental health issues that cannot get the support they need and those that have never previously had mental health issues that are now suffering from loneliness, anxiety and depression. Others live with partners that they would rather get away from. For those people April is not just round the corner. April is a million miles away and I can only imagine the despair they must feel for themselves and their families; I only feel a tiny percentage of how they do and it fills me with dread.
I don't intend this to be a political post. It's not like I have the answers to share with the world and make this all go away and nor to the government with their army of scientific experts. These are unprecedented times and we all have to muddle through together and support each other as best we can. What I will say is this. If you haven't spoken to anyone today, pick up the phone, send a text, say hello. If you have a friend that you haven't heard from in a while, check in on them and see how they are doing. We all have a duty to keep ourselves and our friends safe from the virus, but we also have a duty to make sure that they are not suffering from other illnesses that could end up having a much more far-reaching and long term effects than Covid will for many people.
Thank you for reading my latest blog. Stay safe and have a Merry Christmas.
Matt