Lockdown has been the word on everybody’s lips. Everywhere you turn, everyone you speak to, every news report on the TV, it’s all about lockdown. Whilst the unusual situation we all faced changed a lot of things, it also came with lessons that we can take out of it. So what are these lockdown lessons and how will they alter the direction of our lives going forward?
Education Smeducation
Schools suddenly closed with hardly any warning. Schools are the place we, in the UK, send our children to from the age of four. They begin in reception and are in the education system until they take their GCSEs. They can then continue to A-Levels and university should they want. There is a lot of education for our youngsters. But how important is it all? Exams have been scrapped and the grades they’ll receive are based on what their teachers thought they’d get.
Schools are apparently being phased back but judging by the vast majority of comments I’ve seen online, not many people are wanting to send their children back to this unusual school that is being proposed. The idea of homeschooling has been introduced to many more of us and I’ve got to say, the kids are loving it. With other countries starting school much later, we now have to wonder if it’s for the children’s benefit at all? Is it all glorified childcare so that parents can work?
Make Your Own Decisions
The government have been very much putting the economy above health. They’ve been much more concerned about getting the country moving again rather than the health of a nation. At this point you have to make your own decisions, not necessarily listen to what they’re saying. This is hammered home even more so when you see that Dominic Cummings, one of the people who put lockdown into action, as twice been travelling the country in order to see family. If we are being told what to do by a government who can’t even stick to the rules they put into place, what is the point? A government is for the people, not above the people. A lot of people are seeing the true colours of what they voted for and are regretting it. At some point, regardless of what we’re told, we have to make our own decisions.
The Important Workers
How often have you heard someone say that their children need to do well in school or they’ll end up being a binman? Well, I love our binmen and women! The important workers of this country have really been shown. From NHS staff who work ridiculously long shifts and often get low pay, to truckers keeping the food flowing across the country. Delivery drivers bring Amazon parcels and pizza makers who feed the neighborhood! We’ve seen perhaps the worst of the people who run the country and the best of the people who keep the country running. Maybe one of the most important lockdown lessons. Key workers, I salute you!
The Unknown Brings Out The Worst In People
Remember when it all kicked off and people were fighting over a bag of pasta or the last of the loo paper? Funny how that’s forgotten a few weeks later. When we’re threatened or faced with the unknown, the majority of us act only for ourselves. It wasn’t so long before the Covid-19 pandemic that we were all tweeting about being kind to one another. That went out the window quickly when Coronavirus came knocking and people wanted to stock up on Prosecco and hummus. I am not exempt from this either, I had more than my fair share of tinned peaches.
The Reality Brings Out Our Best
When the reality of the situation sets in, it brings out the best in people. People once fighting over tins of tuna were soon offering to pick up prescriptions for one another. Call people in isolation. Make packs of essentials up and drop them off in their communities. We were all clapping our keyworkers on Thursday nights. Once we understand the situation and the unknown becomes known, we so often step up and help each other through.
We’re Not All Equal Though
As much as we try and support one another, it’s easy to see how we’re not equal at all. You just have to look at the government support to see this. So many people have fallen through the gaps in the net. Some are getting no financial support, some are getting ongoing, others aren’t sure if they’ll get any more. We may all pay into one pot of taxes, but when sh*t hits the fan, we’re not all allowed the same out of the pot. We don’t live in a fair society and it’s heartbreaking.
A Divided Kingdom
Just as we’re not all equal, we’re living in a divided kingdom. We may be united when we clap for our keyworkers but there are now different rules for each of the countries within the United Kingdom. Lockdown was eased in England. Yet Scotland and Wales kept everything as it was. What confusion for those living on the borders of countries. Where can you drive to? Are you allowed out? Someone two streets over can go and see their Mum as long as they socially distance but you can’t. Is this the start of the United Kingdom breaking up? It could well be.
Where We Go From Here
It’s another unknown we’re facing, getting the country back into a new normal state of affairs. If you’ve been struggling during lockdown there is help. Lockdown lessons have been taught, even if we didn’t ask to attend the class! It will be interesting to see how we live after this and just how these lockdown lessons will affect us going forward. Our eyes have perhaps been opened to what is important in this world. As we’re isolated, we crave being with one another and for that physical contact. Mental health is being tested and we’re trying to stay positive even if we don’t feel it. As we walk this new road, stay safe and look after yourself.
