By Keziah Cracknell
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives is the motto that the Government are now going with, but what do those guidelines actually mean? That is less clear.
The new policy on the Coronavirus has spawned varied responses from Scotland and Wales who are still adhering to ‘Stay at Home’, while England has now changed to ‘Stay Alert’.
Needless to say, these different approaches have confused the public.
The Government are in a difficult position, wanting the economy to go back to some semblance of ‘normality’ while trying to avoid a relapse or ‘second wave’.
Phase Two includes opening public spaces and increasing the number of times you can go out to exercise, under a continuation of social distancing.
Although, some believe that this could undo the hard work of the lockdown.
There are many different benefits to these changes, which could save lives.
Mental health has been one of the areas most hit by isolation and lockdown.
It was speculated before it began that the lockdown may cause an increase in depression and suicide rates.
The common themes of advice for those struggling are to create a routine, socialise through technology and keep healthy with exercise and diet.
This advice is easier to follow if certain public spaces are opened; it could help those struggling by encouraging them to create a routine and exercise.
Ironically enough getting out of their house could be the thing that helps them.
The Government have made it clear that the phases are subject to change if the statistics reveal an increase in COVID-19 cases, and are subject to expert advice.
Though these changes are small, it seems that many of us will still feel the pinch of lockdown.
There’s been a lot of controversies lately about the potential reopening of schools, but education institutions were mentioned to be a part of the plan until phase three, and even then, only a select number of year groups are being proposed to be allowed back.
Furthermore, places of worship are one of the areas that will likely be closed for the foreseeable future.
Bishop Sarah Mullally stated, “I don’t envisage, even up to the end of the year, we will be back to our normal services.”
There are many more different areas of society that remain in lockdown, and we are all affected. Finishing on the words spoken by the Queen on her VE Day speech this year, ‘our streets are not empty; they are filled with love and care that we have for each other’, may this be true and prevalent today.