I never dreamed when starting my blog, I'd end up having to write about a virus that would affect my life greatly, our lives in fact.
Having to deal with any virus on a global scale would send any government into a tailspin, enormously difficult to address and to get their head around. In the early days, just thinking about the pandemic would send my head into one, but wanting to care is the first step, to any form of change moving forward, and us doing the best we can.
Covid-19 and Autism
In the beginning and with autism, I struggled to understand the enormity of Covid and that scared me. Truthfully, there wasn't enough information from the UK government allowing me to understand and that continued to send my anxiety into overdrive with many sleepless nights. I was worried to step out the front door for fear of catching Covid.
Home Confinement
Two years into Covid, and I am now struggling because I am confined to my home, because the measures in place to keep me safe, have now been lifted. With the precautionary measures lifted, people have been given the green light to get back into their lives.
Covid-19 and living with a disability
For those like myself who deal with a disability, with an immune disorder; for those who deal with anxiety or depression, for anyone who may struggle to venture out of their homes, they should think about how they can go about safely living their lives. Currently I am struggling to get back into something resembling normal life.
The Covid-19 vaccine
Sadly, the vaccine doesn't go far enough to help us stay safe. Yes, the vaccine can help prevent serious illness from Covid and in some cases prevent death, but the realities are that you can still catch Covid and Long-Covid, even if you are double jabbed and the scientists tell us there is no time-scale on that.
Covid-19 Restrictions
Some of the restrictions put in place initially, should still be in place, even more so because people are back into our lives. With restrictions in place, people like me could venture out of our homes and into public spaces. Physical precautionary measures keep everyone safe. I have no choice now, but to stay home.
I appreciate a pandemic is difficult for any government to manage, but it is clear from the Covid report that some of the UK Government's decisions have not been in our best interests. Instead, their decisions have left families struggling to comprehend their loss, with other family members struggling with Covid. I have no life outside of my home.
Covid-19 differences
According to the report 'Decision Making Crisis' on Covid-19 in 2020, produced by the Institute for Government there were widespread instances of issues where different decisions should have been made by the UK government. (Source: https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk)
Instead, the UK Government have left it up to us to navigate our lives and that isn't working, because cases are rising again. Many people are following the Government's advice and not living a lifestyle that will keep them safe.
I am pleased you write blogs in this capacity and you're right to write about them. They not only help you come to terms with what's going on in the world around what you have to deal with, but they also highlight issues that others may struggle with too.
Official reports are now condemning the way the UK government handled the pandemic. Governing at this time is such a difficult job and no government can be expected to get everything right, but the difficulty I also have is this government's failures could have been avoided had they listened to the scientific evidence and acted sooner.
The problem in the UK is that the government has a large majority and does not have to rely on any political consensus. That, coupled with a cabinet of nationalistic narcissists doesn't make for a sensible approach to the pandemic and many thousands of lives have been lost unnecessarily. Those people whose lives have been lost belonged to someone.
I am hopeful peoples' distaste for the UK government's management will be apparent at the next election but I'm not holding my breath.
Thank you. Yes, writing about these things do make me feel better even though I don't have control over the outcomes.
A problem shared helps me to know I am not alone. It is not only important that we read about these things, it is also important to act.
Everything you have written in your response is true. It's not only staggering that it is happening, but also staggering where the opposition could speak out, they're nowhere to be seen.
Where you say: 'the difficulty I also have is this government’s failures could have been avoided had they listened to the scientific evidence and acted sooner' - this is my difficulty also.
That and the fact that being high risk, I am now permanently locked in my home, because with or without a vaccine, I can still catch Covid.