S&C contributor and Pompey Politics Podcast host Ian Morris shares his experience of the lockdown, as someone with diabetes. It’s Day 43 and Ian reflects on whether a change in weather might also change the behaviour of people struggling with, or unsure about, the government’s lockdown guidelines.
Tuesday 28th April, Day 43 of 89.
And then it began to rain.
So spring had definitely sprung and the warm sunshine encouraged us out into the garden to BBQ and perhaps, also encouraged some to play a little bit fast and loose with the lockdown guidelines. The lockdown discussion is an interesting one, as the vast majority have sucked it up and got their heads down, one day at a time.
The risk is when out and about you start to judge others, particularly if they are in a small group, to assess whether they are complying or not. My own observation was that it felt like compliance had started to slip.
I take Millsey for a regular ‘free run’: for those not familiar with the term, this is when he abandons his training, goes off lead and completely bonkers. This has to be done at a venue which we don’t walk to because Millsey is a retriever and if he knew there was a free run park close at hand, this would be the only destination I ever went to, as guide dogs like a free run.
In the first couple of weeks of lockdown our regular venue was deserted. Usually a haven for families and walkers, plus other dog walkers, it contained a few of the latter and none of the former. This Sunday it was heaving with families picnicking, groups walking, and runners who clearly believed their greater velocity gave them right of way, so our opportunities to remain socially distant were near on impossible. We all came home rather cross and a tad worried.
If this was being replicated across the city, the most densely populated city in the UK, then what could this mean?
The situation hasn’t been helped by certain sections of the media finding anyone with the vaguest of scientific credentials proferring all sorts of opinions on what the government should or shouldn’t be doing. Those tired of the lockdown suggest that the damage being done by the lockdown is outweighing the benefits and of course, this then fuels the armchair experts on social media.
Yesterday Boris was back and was very clear that there was no appetite for releasing the lockdown anytime soon, an unambiguous statement.
As I sit in my office today, the rain is hammering down on the flat roof, and whilst I have enjoyed the sunshine, I can’t help thinking a couple of weeks of wet and miserable might help save a few lives.
Don’t miss Ian’s diary each day, keep an eye out for new entries here, along with past editions of the Pompey Politics Podcast. How are you managing the lockdown at the moment? Get in touch with us over on Facebook or Twitter and let us know your experiences and any hints and tips you’re finding helpful right now.
