They think it’s all over…

This week, almost all legal restrictions for Covid-19 have been lifted in the UK. Unfortunately, this is coinciding with cases rising exponentially across the country. So what do we do? Those of us who were vulnerable are still vulnerable. Many will feel compelled to go back into self-isolation. But together, I think we can all allow each other a little freedom.

To mask or not to mask?

So much has been made of the simple wearing of a mask. I know they are uncomfortable and hot, but it doesn’t seem such a great effort to potentially save another’s well-being.

Personally, I don’t wear one when out and about outside or even meeting with friends I know have been vaccinated, but I am more than happy to wear them at the dentist (before treatment!) and the hairdresser’s. By maintaining their safety protocols, I am comfortable getting the services I need.

In removing restrictions, the government is essentially saying that we are adults and capable of making sensible decisions. I think that is a little over optimistic, but the choices we make will either further or curb the virus.

Vaccination concerns

While out at a picnic on Sunday, I was rather shocked to see lots of graffiti urging people not to get vaccinated. Of course, whether you choose to be vaccinated or not is entirely up to you. But for me was an absolute gift – allowing me to escape the confines of my house with a modicum of confidence.

Vaccines – as with any medical intervention – have a tiny element of risk. When Edward Jenner first immunised a young boy against small pox in the 18th century, his brave subject could not have been certain of the outcome. But, with the hope of avoiding a common and devastating disease, he went ahead anyway. The success of this led to mass immunisations and the eradication of smallpox globally by 1979.

Despite what social media may lead you to believe, vaccination is not new. The Chinese were vaccinating against small pox a century before Jenner and any number of life-threatening conditions have been avoided throughout the last century including: TB, polio, and tetanus. None of these mass immunisation programmes were designed as a tool for governmental control and I’m surprised that anyone (considering all the nations world-wide are doing the same) should think that it is so.

All the other stuff

Perhaps more tricky now, is the decision regarding what constitutes sensible social distancing and how often should we wash our hands etc. I have hugged my mother and a few friends, though I’m not nearly as demonstrably affectionate as I used to be. I have on occasion hesitated to hug my husband!

Again we are left with indecision and uncertainty. Cases where I live are extraordinarily high, but life is much as usual, with the beaches packed and cafes overflowing. Choosing, therefore, to not join in, seems perhaps a little churlish.

As for personal hygiene, my sanitizer is always available and washing one’s hands regularly is always a good thing. Covid-19 is not the only germ out there with ill-intent.

Which brings me to the heart of this post and the request that we be tolerant. The pandemic has raised blood-pressures and debate to a shrill and disturbing level. They say that the first victim of war is truth; I would say the same for a pandemic. Theories and conspiracies swirl around us until we find it hard to find our bearings. We are all frustrated and anxious and worn out. We would all love to do the things that we normally enjoy. We would all love to be alive and well when this ends to experience life’s great riches.

And the key word in all of this is WE. So often I hear I, but in society one person’s I is another person’s you.

Scenes like that above seriously give me the wibblies. Is one person’s desire to go to a nightclub more important than keeping another well? I’ll let you decide.

But what I would like, is for everyone to simply accept that whatever choices we make are based on our own best assessment of the situation. If someone comes to visit and doesn’t want to come inside, that’s fine. The summer house is warm and dry even with the doors wide open. If someone wants to keep their distance too, they should and I should not mock them for it. Sometimes people seem overly paranoid. Well, I just try to remember that I don’t know the reason for that: perhaps they are caring for an elderly relative; a sick child or have medical conditions invisible to me. Whatever they decide that does no harm to anyone else, is simply what I should respect.

Trust

And from here, in order to live any semblance of a normal life, I simply have to trust. If someone is unwell – even if it is not obviously Covid – I trust that they will stay at home or at least warn me beforehand and let me assess the risk. If someone has been in contact with someone who has been asked to isolate, I would expect the same. We all want to party and to enjoy ourselves, but sometimes, we just have to wait a little longer.