COVID-19

COVID-19

In the United Kingdom, the central government announced a general ‘lockdown’ to start on 23 March. This meant remaining at home except to take one period of exercise and one shopping trip. Most shops and businesses were shut with the exception of supermarkets/food shops and pharmacies. People were encouraged to work from home if possible. Otherwise arrangements were put in place for staff to be ‘furloughed’ which meant that the central government agree to pay 80% of their wages so that they could continue in employment (though not actually working).

The impact on our family has meant that our daughter (a university lecturer who usually travels to the neighbouring City of Dundee to teach) has had to set up an office in her bedroom and teach her students and meet with colleagues over the internet. Our son works in the municipal concert hall & theatre which has been closed and all staff furloughed, so he is at home, entertaining himself by doing yoga, learning Spanish and keeping fit. He also goes for long walks. My wife and I are both retired so less affected though of course we are having to spend much more time at home. I divide my time between cooking, making bread and writing while my wife does a lot of work inside and outside the house and also in the garden.

In this last week, the central government in London has announced changes to the lockdown policy which the three devolved administrations (Scotland, where we are, Wales and Northern Ireland) have rejected, preferring to stay with the original advice ‘stay home – protect the NHS – save lives’. (The NHS is our National Health Service. The great fear was that it would be overwhelmed and unable to cope if there was a sudden rise in Covid-19 cases across the country – hence the lockdown). The new guidelines suggested by the central government have been widely criticised for their vagueness and impracticality: – ‘stay alert – control the virus – save lives’. It is unclear how ‘staying alert’ is a useful public health strategy, nor how individuals can ‘control the virus’.

There is some speculation that the central government has come under pressure from business interests to reopen the economy and some that they are seeking to exonerate themselves from responsibility by transferring it to the public. The most contentious area is the intention to reopen schools in England. Teaching unions are resisting, saying it is unsafe, and have the backing of the British Medical Association. The tabloid press (which in Britain is particularly contemptible) has begun campaigning against teachers.

It remains to be seen whether the easing of lockdown in England, in place for a week, will result in an increase in infection. In the meantime, Scotland has benefited from clear communication from its government, and people have generally complied with the advice.