Re-entry

Almost two years on from the beginning of the pandemic, life is returning to normal – at least on paper. England has lifted all legal restrictions relating to Covid and Scotland and Ireland are following, albeit more slowly. It should be a time for celebration. As someone whose life has been extremely restricted for the last two years, these increased freedoms should come as a welcome respite. However, the news fills me with equal quantities of exhilaration and dread.

Medical illustration of Covid 19 Image: CDC on Unsplash

Desiring to be normal – needing to be safe

Though I welcome the freedoms and societal benefits that will accrue from a more open approach to business and life in general, I am left at something of a loss as to what those of us with underlying health issues are supposed to do. And it all rests on the rather rash suggestion that those testing positive are not required to self-isolate but only advised to do so. The Government clearly has a rather more optimistic view of the public’s sense of civic responsibility than I do – especially when that same Government was unable to discipline itself sufficiently to obey legally binding lock-down rules.

Further, by removing assistance from low income families should they test positive, the Government is de facto expecting infected, low wage workers to return to work and no doubt infect their colleagues. Do these individuals not count? Those in poorly paid employment seldom have the option of working from home that their middle class peers do, so this decision seems divisive in extreme. Add to this the removal of free testing and you have a formula for yet another spike in cases.

The poor, the disabled and the vulnerable, it seems, are expected to take their chances. We can either go back into isolation or risk serious illness. Do we go with the sunk cost theory -I’ve spent two years in isolation and that’s enough- and head out or do we continue until such a time as it seems only a minor risk? This is my conundrum this week and I am tired of constantly assessing the odds.

To mask or not to mask? Image: Ani Kolleshi on Unsplash

Who is vulnerable?

The obvious answer to this question is the old, the chronically ill and those at risk from infection. But I would argue that it goes far beyond that. We can be vulnerable economically too. When I was speaking to my hairdresser this week, I asked her opinion on the new policy and whether they would continue to ask customers to wear masks. She said, ‘Yes. We are all self-employed. And if we get sick, we lose two weeks’ pay.’ So far, her customers have all been more than amenable, but I hope that this will continue into the future.

Mental health over physical health

Anxiety arising from the risk of infection has not been the only issue these last couple of years. Anxiety on re-entering society after a prolonged period of isolation is equally impactful. There is a reason that the harshest punishment given to prisoners is a spell in solitary. It has the unfortunate effect of driving you crazy.

Relaxing with friends is a vital part of our good mental health Image: Elevate on Unsplash

Getting Hermione has been a life-saver on this front. Every day, I must go out to the park for her to exercise (and often twice). Here I meet friendly faces, have social interactions, and keep up my driving skills. In wide open spaces, there are no risks involved, so I get to enjoy a social life in absolute safety. During lock-down, I had my husband’s company and plenty of communication with friends via social media. But, my life-style is not usual and I feel very concerned for those who, having sacrificed their freedoms for so long, are not going to feel safe going out even now. Many, many healthy people have suffered mentally as a consequence of the pandemic. I cannot imagine how much worse this will be for those already struggling with fragile health.

Stepping out

With the Office of National Statistics estimating that one in twenty people have Covid at the moment, I shan’t be heading to any busy social venues soon. I shall, however, be increasing my trips to the shops and less densely populated areas. In a few weeks, as the worst part of the flu season comes to an end, I plan to resume visiting friends at home. Trips to cafes and restaurants will probably continue to be outside for a little longer.

In the end, it will be an act of faith. For any kind of normal life to happen for the vulnerable, we rely on the good sense and consideration of the healthy. The law may not require you to self-isolate when testing positive; the law may not require you to wear masks and no one will force you to stay at home if you feel unwell. However, such small sacrifices will open the world to freedoms that we have missed for far too long.

Every Little Helps

Last Saturday I received my second inoculation, which means that in a couple of weeks’ time, my life can return to something like normal. However, that is not the subject of this week’s post; instead, it is on how the kindness of others has made my brighter future possible.

The centre where I attended was a spacious community hall that had been carefully laid out to ensure the maximum number of people could be vaccinated in safety. So far, so normal. What was interesting though was that the vast majority of people working there were volunteers from The St John Ambulance service. They were friendly; they were efficient and they were perfectly trained to both administer the vaccine and direct the endless traffic of patients. What wonderful folks they were: giving up a sunny Saturday to deal with a not always appreciative public. The more I thought about it, the more I realised how precious their contribution was. By giving their time freely, they would save the government a substantial sum; by attending in the place of medical professionals, they left them free to care for their patients in the hospital and the community.

The symbol showing help is at hand

Though no-one wishes to live through a pandemic, it has highlighted what a genuinely great society we live in. Of course, the nightly news will showcase riots and bad behaviour, but what it is not being reported (except occasionally) is the staggering numbers of individuals who have made efforts big and small to help us get through this together. Pre-pandemic, around 23% of UK adults volunteered at least one hour per month. Since lock-down, according to The Guardian, we have added another 10 million who are mainly doing informal volunteering such as grocery shopping, collecting prescriptions or helping support services.

Good for me

I have volunteered, in one way or another, most of my adult life. And I would be the first to declare that whatever I am able to contribute to the general weal, is more than made up for in what it gives me. This is not in making my CV look better, but in giving me opportunities to learn and grow. When I first had a baby, I was rather overwhelmed by the intense loneliness that an at home mother feels. Volunteering with the National Childbirth Trust and later a mums and toddlers’ group allowed me to meet with like-minded souls and to stretch in ways I’d never imagined. My volunteering roles not only allowed me to try new things such as running a large event, writing for a newsletter and chairing a meeting, but it gave me the chance to say thank you to two organisations that literally saved my sanity.

A child entertained and a cup of tea. What more can a new mum ask? Image: Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Since then, I have been involved in many more organisations including Greenpeace, and for the last six years, Citizens Advice. The latter has been especially rewarding and I hope to continue there for as long as I am able.

Good for all of us

Personal benefits of volunteering aside, the sheer volume of free service offered in this country makes a significant impact on our taxes by reducing them. The estimated value of volunteering, with 19% of the population offering 3 hours a week, translates to £350 million per week. Eastbourne Citizens Advice alone accounted for a public benefit of more than £4 million in 2017-2018 http://www.eastbournecab.co.uk/eastbourne-citizens-advice/impact

Volunteering also allows for groups to cater to needs that the government has neither time nor resources to provide. It enables us to fill in the gaps in services from suicide prevention to protecting endangered species. Though the main beaches on the seafront here are cleaned beautifully and regularly, the less frequented ones are not, so beach cleans come into their own. This one took place on a rather more exotic location – but the outcome is the same.

Protecting the beaches and the oceans Image: Brian Yurasits on Unsplash

Given with love

When discussing this topic with a friend the other day, she mentioned that places like France expect the government to do all these things. Perhaps they do and there is a lot to be said for not relying on charity. However, I do believe that when people offer their time freely and with the desire to help others, they do so (in the main) with more joy and enthusiasm. When this is not the case (and we’ve all seen it), the person is either volunteering as a result of moral coercion or for entirely the wrong reasons such as wishing to appear good or to gain status.

When we give our time and energy with love, however, that is when the magic occurs. The kindly neighbour dropping off groceries for someone shielding not only provides their material needs but gives them a brief opportunity to reconnect with society. The person on the end of the telephone working for the Samaritans may literally save a life.

Every little helps

And the brilliant thing about volunteering is that there is something out there for absolutely everyone. Though my MS has meant regular employment is not possible for me, the flexible work I do for Citizens Advice is. I am passionate about social justice and was able to find a very perfect niche where my skills married with the requirements of the research and campaigns team. It took me a while to find it, but it was worth the wait. Charities are often very large organisations and need every kind of skill, so persevere until you find the one where you can contribute the most.

Whatever you do, do with love Image: Tim Marshall on Unsplash

Perhaps you do not wish to be tied to regular volunteering, well, there is plenty out there in the informal sphere – collecting prescriptions, signing up for the occasional beach clean or simply helping out a friend or neighbour. A formal arrangement is in no way vital.

And if work and family are literally taking all your time, there is no need to feel guilty that you are not volunteering as well. We cannot do everything. But we can, I believe, do something. With time limited, we can help the environment by buying organic fruit and vegetables or plant some bee friendly flowers in the garden. We can listen with empathy to a friend in need. We can send a card to someone who needs cheering. The world is ours to mould as we would wish it and every little helps.