The UK has had its fair share of the remorseless COVID-19, in every corner of the country, in every county, in every community people have been affected. Every single person has been touched, either directly or indirectly, we have all been impacted. At the time of writing over 40,000 people have lost their lives before their time, and sadly that number is still growing. Each person is treasured by their friends and each number leaves another family without a loved one. The biggest political challenge since the second world war is being fought but this time against an invisible enemy.
Covid-19 does not discriminate, it does not have a continental border, it does not show compassion. Prince Charles and Boris Johnson had both tested positive and so have many thousands more from each county, regardless of wealth. The question on everyone’s mind, however, is the same, when and how will lockdown be lifted? This post will explore some of the key issues that are present in society during the lockdown, in particular: the alert system, schools, healthcare, the economy and the scientific reasoning behind the lockdown.
Despite the initial, ‘this looks familiar’ reaction, the new alert system is proving to be very effective, as well as being versatile for future outbreaks of other illnesses. One message stayed the same through all of the peak and the relaxation; if you show symptoms you must self-isolate for 14 days with your entire household. Although as testing has increased and cases have decreased fewer people are isolating. We have constantly been informed that outside environments are significantly safer than inside - hence why they are still prohibited- therefore the environments where contact is inherent will be open last. As the rates fall and responses are less necessary more will opened. The new track and trace system means regional lockdowns can be implemented, if new cases appear, without risking a second peak nationally - one of the initial five points that had to be satisfied. The new system also ensures that those who have been shielding in the vulnerable groups can have more freedom while not endangering life. Consequently, the new alert system is a reasonably clear process that is very effective within smaller communities and on a national level, which can prevent the ‘R’ rate rising thus inducing more deaths.
Since the closure to all mainstream pupils were announced on the 18th March, schools have only been open to children of key workers and those that are vulnerable. Equivalent to around 2% of a schools population teachers have worked through the holidays and around the clock not only delivering virtual lessons but also in school looking after children in school. A prime example of how teachers are shaping the next generation and how our key workers are a critical part of our community, that is too often forgotten in ‘normal’ society. When the school closure was announced it was claimed to be a ‘precautionary measure’ however it is now seen as too big of a risk to open them back up again, according to the government’s publications schools reopening could be the cause of a second peak thus having a knock-on effect in all parts of the country. Gavin Williamson (Education secretary) claimed ‘ we owe it to the children’ to be back in school, in a way to relieve anxious parents of the danger it faces. As of June 1st, primary schools would be opening to students in reception, year 1 and 6, however, only around 50% of parents are agreeing to send their children to school. Students in year 10 and 12, who have exams next year, are said to be able to return as of the 15th June, with ‘some face to face teaching’ rather than ordinary lessons. Each school is able to adapt the message as they wish, with some schools choosing not to open. Either way, classrooms will be very different for pupils and teaching staff and will continue to be so as long as social distancing occurs. Those who would have been taking exams this year are being graded by teachers, which is unprecedented and unlikely to happen again. While those with exams next year have had no clear message regarding the situation. Overall, the government have been very unclear with messages regarding schools, both in the daily briefings and in their documents and have left the vital decisions to councils and leadership in individual schools.
Every single part of the NHS has been impacted, whether that be A&E admittance being at an all-time low, to treatments being postponed and in some cases cancelled. ICU, however, have seen a sharp rise in patients, although according to government data there have always been over a ⅓ of critical care beds free for non-COVID patients. Food Packages have been delivered nationwide to those who are isolating as well as to key workers on the frontline of the NHS. The government have pledged to stop people having to sell livelihoods in order to receive care, especially after COVID, although slightly ignorant to the spread in care homes, as well as this Johnson has expressed the fact that lockdown has brought upon extreme loneliness and depression while also enhancing pre-existing mental and physical illnesses. Scientific evidence has shown that there is likely to be a sudden incline in cases of chronic illnesses, as well as presenting that healthy people are able to carry the virus unknowingly therefore not self-isolating and increasing the rate of infection - one of the main reason why testing was increased to maximum capacity; increasing by over 1000% since the start of April. Sadly, the UK is the second-highest country for deaths, following the US which rose exponentially, with over 40,000 deaths we have doubled the original ‘good’ outcome of 20,000. The 6 months that have passed this year have already surpassed the average death toll for 2015- 2019, showing that COVID- 19 has found reign in the nation. It has been certified that those who are from ethnic minorities, over the age of 75, male and already have pre-existing medical conditions are at the most risk of coronavirus. Johnson stated the epidemic will ‘exasperate gender inequalities’. It seems that the pandemic has made us take backsteps in progress that was made previously.
The ‘R’ rate has been drilled into our minds since lockdown was originally introduced, During the peak, it was between 2.7 and 3 although now is around 0.8, which shows our combined community efforts nationally. Unfortunately, when above 1 infection was imminent and accelerating fast, though, fortunately, below 1 means for every person with the virus less than 1 other person will be infected. The BBC has claimed that as the virus is suppressed the ‘R’ rate becomes more irrelevant instead track and trace becomes vital. The number of intensive care patients doubled every 3-4 days during the peak, Johnson himself is included in this number. PPE was significantly limited, resorting to the government having faulty imported stock rather than the usual standard, highlighting the incredible standard that our NHS gives to us. As the virus is slowly passing face masks are becoming an essential item in enclosed areas. A vaccine to the deadly virus is being produced quicker than ever before, Johnson has claimed the only feasible solution to returning to normal will be once a vaccine or drug is found to prevent the virus, sadly a vaccine will not eradicate mortality from the virus. Science has evolved massively during the virus lessons have been learned that we can bring into the future and make the world stronger and more resilient than ever.
The governments’ expenditure is predicted to be over £100 billion according to the government with a further £330 billion in loans to small businesses. This includes paying the wages of over 6.3 million people, allowing VAT deferrals, business rate holidays,
Small business grants and a £750 million package for frontline staff. The economy came to a near-fatal stop and without the furlough scheme, many more people would be unemployed and claiming universal credit. Rishi Sunak (chancellor) has expressed that not every job can be saved, as well as certifying that unemployment is rising from a 40 year low. Currently, 1.8 million people are claiming universal credit, however, the government predicts that by the time we return to ‘normal’ over 2 million people will be unemployed despite the 800,000 employers applying for the job retention scheme. The economy will be damaged for years to come, and if a dreaded second wave comes the country will have the worst recession in its history. Many companies are reliant on the government for maintaining the society, community and livelihoods. The UK government is proud of boasting its most generous scheme, around the globe we are one of the most fortunate in the position.
Overall, humanity has come closer and far too many people have paid the sacrifice for the deadly virus. Johnson, despite coming from a bourgeois background, has tried to connect with the public. Also expressing his pleasure of reducing our carbon footprint and are therefore making our environment appreciated. Every single person has learnt a lesson during the lockdown; many have become more grateful for the smaller things in life. People are realising what we are reliant on and we are all facing the same war despite wealth, race and gender. We have all found solidarity in different things, whether that be face-timing relatives, starting a new hobby or exercise or even visiting those who are no longer with us, we shall continue to remember and pursue each one. Johnson, similar to BREXIT, has used the same analogy during the fight; this time thinking of the virus as a road in which the country is a car. Despite its simplicity, it is a valid argument that made the virus understandable for all. We may still have the virus in circulation for many years to come, unable to eradicate it like we did smallpox if a vaccine is found we can stop another pandemic like the one that has been experienced by the globe. Every death is a sacrifice that was innocent, it is not a number but a name, a life just like yours.
Written by Amber Rush - Instagram @amber_studies
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