I’m fed up with having to live a different life to the one I want to live. I share snapshots of what's going on in the world on my blog, so that I can place things. Luckily my voice isn’t the only one. I have been impacted by both. Social media is busy with people sharing their own experiences and talking about what's going on in politics, since the politicians aren't.
Everyday challenges all started and changed with Brexit, then Covid struck and mental health took more of a tumble. Three years in and I also want to go into public places, bars and restaurants safely. I want to live my life, without being concerned about catching Covid, or how I might fare again if I were to catch it a second time.
My Immunity
Luckily I wasn't hospitalised for Covid when I got it in December 2022, but it took me 7 weeks to recover, which means my immunity doesn't work at full capacity. I was very poorly for a long time.
Before Brexit and Covid
But I’m not the only one whose life has irrevocably changed, with the life I’m having to live, versus the life I would like to live.
When Brexit and Covid-19 impacted
But all government decisions have their ramifications. Many on social media are still talking about Brexit and Covid, feeling powerless to change the outcome; to get into their lives in any significant way, pre-Covid days. Our standard of living has declined.
The UK is now in a 'cost of living' crisis. UK trade has been hit. Fruit and veg isles in some grocery stores (supermarkets) in the UK are empty. The UK relied heavily on imported fruit and veg from the EU. People are also sleeping rough, many now living in poverty.
British farmers are feeling the pinch also, with many now having to take second jobs to make ends meet. EU subsidy loss is the biggest threat to British farmers. Farmers who voted for Brexit admitting they will go bust because of Brexit. (Source: TheLondonEconomic.com) Brexit is having an impact for sure.
Covid... people are still getting infected
Like Brexit, we're also living alongside the pandemic. People are on their 4th or 5th infection with the science continuing to be ignored. The research needs to continue so scientists can understand the virus mutations, so the Covid vaccine can perfectly match new variants.
When the vaccine didn’t work, there was resistance to continue and the restrictions were lifted. Since then, more people have caught and are continuing to catch Covid. Currently the new mutation that started in the US has made its way to the UK.
A society split
Now three years into Covid and the world and society are permanently split and the vulnerable are still home. I manage walks in the park and mask up in my local hair salon. My stylist is kind and masks up to keep me safe.
If you go with the Government’s slogan, ‘my mask protects you and your mask protects me,’ you are only half protected when you go out with a mask.
