On March 20th 2020, I wrote the blog post My thoughts on coronavirus. Three days later, we had our first national lockdown. Seven months later, we’ve begun another four week lockdown and I think this time the public are being increasingly rebellious, nasty and selfish.
My time in lockdown during coronavirus
Despite being at home 95% of the time, these past 30 weeks have been the most productive time I’ve had since university.
I’ve been on countless online courses, conducted numerous interviews with well-known people and published more than 70 blog posts and articles.
All these achievements are thanks to the lockdown in many ways because I could access more courses than I would’ve done if they were face-to-face courses that I would’ve had to travel to.
Also, many famous people such as actors, comedians and sportsman are currently not working due to the restrictions and therefore were available for interviews.
The amount of articles that are published is mainly due to the fact that I had nothing else to do and I was never leaving the house.
Although it’s not the same as meeting in person, I’ve still managed to have, Zoom, Skype, Facetime, phone calls and online chats with friends.
From the end of July until this week, I was able to return to my drama classes at the West End Centre in Aldershot. We were split into two classes and had to wear masks and “try” maintaining social distancing. With this second lockdown, rather than cancel this term, we are going to try and create and record a Christmas performance on Zoom – stay tuned for more information soon.
The only thing I’m really missing is gigs and festivals. This is probably the longest I’ve gone without going to a live show since 2013. But I strongly agree live performances should not continue until cases are in single to no figures or there is a vaccine.
Overall, my time in lockdown has been rather good and on many occasions a lot of fun. To be honest, I don’t know what all the fuss is about.
Coronavirus can affect everybody
I’m sick of hearing all these comments about only elderly and vulnerable should shield as though their livelihoods aren’t important and they have no purpose in society.
The reason we all have to isolate is because even if a healthy person gets the virus, they could still be passing it on to an elderly or high risk relative/friend without knowing it.
Also, it has been known that young, healthier people have died or been left with continuous symptoms (aka long covid). So, although the majority of healthy people will get mild to no symptoms, there is still the chance that this virus could cause lasting damage or loss of life in healthy people too.
The authorities say that places like schools, shops, GP surgeries and hospitals are safe, but I don’t trust the students, teachers, learning support staff, shop assistance, doctors, nurses etc. are still keeping safe in the evenings, weekends and holidays.
If they go out to pubs, clubs and restaurants, visiting people in other households or go travelling across the country or go abroad, they can bring the virus back to their school or workplace and increase the spread of the virus.
Personally, I think this lockdown should be continued until we have very little to no cases and continue to close the boarders until cases drop to single figures in Europe. People should only be allowed out for work, school, supermarkets, pharmacies and exercise.
Furlough schemes and benefits
I understand all these lockdowns and restrictions does have an affect on the economy and businesses but at the same time, what is more important, money or health?
In the first lockdown, I was surprised to find the number of people furloughed from jobs they could’ve done from home. For example, I was trying to organise an interview with a PR agency but the guy I initially contacted was furloughed, which I thought was strange as he just needed access to his emails and a phone surely.
This made me think some employers were trying to use the scheme as a way of not having to pay their staff full wages.
Also, I understand the government can’t support everybody but it does make me think if they hadn’t spent so much money on pointless projects such as HS2, then they’d have more money to support families and businesses.
As I write this, the Chancellor has announced the furlough scheme will be continuing until the end of March 2021 – what are they going to have to cut to pay this back?!
Another topic that is really pissing me off is the use of food banks and free school meals. I always thought people who are on benefits use that money to pay bills, purchase clothing and BUY FOOD.
I believe a lot of these people have no idea how to budget or make proper meals. Surely lunches don’t cost £15 a week. For instance, my lunches for the past three days were corned beef sandwiches, a packet of crisps and digestive biscuits. The price for all these were –
- Bread 800g = £1.10
- Corned beef 100g = £1.45
- Crisps x6 = £1.70
- Digestive biscuits 266g = £1.00
So, the total for my lunches for three days was £5.25, which divided by three would make my lunch £1.75 per day. Even after these three meals, I still have bread, three packets of crisps and biscuits leftover.
Also, with hot meals, you can cook something with mince such as meatloaf or bolognaise or a pie, which you can make more than one portion and eat over a few days.
I would love to meet a family who relies on food banks/free school meals and find out exactly what they earn, what they spend it on and whether they can budget and cook meals.
Combating boredom and loneliness in isolation
I’ve already mentioned this in my previous coronavirus blog post and above in “my time in lockdown during coronavirus”, but I can’t stress this enough, there are plenty of things to do to keep you busy and your mind active.
We are in a technically advanced world with countless streaming services, games consoles, apps and social media platforms.
Many people, me included, have had to experience long periods of loneliness and isolation years before Covid existed. Yet we always found ways to stay productive and busy.
If you live alone, you’re allowed to create a support bubble with another household, so no matter what, you’ll always have interaction with someone.
So, basically all I’m asking is, can everybody stop moaning about lockdown. As long as you have a home, food, water, clothing, heating and entertainment, then there is nothing to complain about.
Stay Home. Control The Virus. Save Lives.
“Stay Home. Control The Virus. Save Lives.” – Such a strong and simple message. If everyone could continue to follow these lockdown rules, the sooner coronavirus disappears, and life can return to normality.
I know some of the stuff I’ve said above may appear controversial but after following the news these past few months, I just needed a good old online rant about this pandemonium pandemic.
What are your thoughts on how this coronavirus pandemic has been handled? Did you agree to this second lockdown? Share your thoughts in the comments box or on social media.
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