COVID-19 Pandemic 2020 Part 6
When I last wrote about the COVID-19 Pandemic in May, the UK was just beginning to see an easing of lockdown restrictions. As a lot of people surmised, the government was trying to do too much, too soon and without the appropriate logistical support. Hence the last five months have been a litany of political disasters, all of which have contributed to the UK having the highest COVID-19 related deaths in all of Europe. Furthermore, the government's failure to provide PPE, make available a universally accessible testing service and implement an effective national tracing service, has highlighted their lack of talent and overall incompetence. Every week another “dead cat” is thrown on to the altar of politics in an attempt to divert the attention of 24 hour rolling news away from their utter ineptitude. Hence on top of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we’ve seen the spectre of both BREXIT and the “migrant crisis” re-emerge.
There is a general malaise of confusion abroad in the UK at present, as local lockdowns and seven months of constantly changing messages have left people perplexed or indifferent to the latest rules. Several high profile transgressions of the lockdown by senior politicians and their special advisors has further contributed to the crumbling of public support. It has become clear that we are not all in this together. The poor have to return to work regardless of the risks and the rich want them to do so because they require access to the service industries that employ the poor. And then there are the COVID deniers and those who object to the minor inconveniences that arise from being considerate. Who would have thought that wearing a mask as you enter a shop, would be held up as an unconscionable violation of human rights? And by a demographic group that up until now, haven’t been especially concerned about such things. What times we live in.
For my family, life goes on in much the same way as it did in March. My Mother is disabled and housebound, having daily carer visits. Those who care for her still wear PPE and maintain scrupulous hand hygiene. Although my Sister is currently off sick, the government department for whom she works, is still mainly working from home. It is unlikely that staff of her garde will return to the Central London offices anytime soon. I visit their home daily at present although I am looking to reduce this schedule. I go shopping twice a week and visit the pharmacy and doctor’s surgery once a month. Beyond these journey’s I remain in my own home which is one road away. I have coped with the lockdown quite well and maintain a strong social presence online. However, Mrs P who in normal circumstances has a packed social schedule, has found the travel restrictions quite frustrating. But we try to work within the regulations to come up with viable ways to do some activities.
I fully expect the next three to four months to be bad both economically and with regard to COVID-19 deaths. I think we can finally dismiss all thoughts that the pandemic will be a touchstone for social change and a fair and equitable restructuring of the UK’s job market. The country is divided and volatile. Traditional politics has been subsumed by a culture war and it is playing out exactly as expected. Everyone is retreating into their respective “safe space” and battening down the hatches. It’s just a case that some people’s “safe spaces” are better than others. Oh and the panic buying is happening again. As soon as it was announced last week that the Prime Minister was to address the nation, the middle class started block booking all the supermarket delivery time slots and toilet paper once again began flying off the shelves. So I shall do my best to enjoy whatever curious Christmas 2020 has to offer. Because I suspect that it might be the calm before the storm. COVID-19 may well turn out to be an unwelcome New Year guest.
