I watched the final coronavirus briefing this afternoon. Partly because I knew it was going to be the last one, but also because I wanted to understand how the announcements made earlier today would affect me and those close to me. I think my overriding feeling is that many people will interpret the announcement as an indication that lock down was about to end, but from my perspective it just raises the level of risk and makes me want to be even more cautious.
But at the same time there are things I’ve really missed that are going to be possible again (at least for a little while). I miss being able to grab a drink after work, but as I won’t be back at work until at least September then I don’t have to worry about that. I miss travelling around the country, but as live music won’t be happening any time soon then my main reason for travel isn’t there yet. It would be really good to see people in person rather than via a computer, but as most people I want to see live quite far away then it would involve an epic cycle or braving public transport (which I’m definitely not ready for yet). So which there is a lot that is now permitted, the impact that these changes will have on my day to day life are quite small.
I think for me the biggest change I’ve noticed over the last couple of weeks is that people are going out more, and congregating in groups again. I see it as people walk past the house on the way to the park, and I particularly see it when I cycle around Birmingham during the day (I’m not working this week, so am spending as much time as possible getting my fitness levels back up so when I can commute again I don’t fall over into a sweaty heap). People seem to have forgotten, or not to care any more, and I’ve very much started assuming that everyone I come into contact isn’t sticking to the rules and so I have to be extra careful. I’ve never been particularly trusting of people I don’t already know, and I think the last few months have exaggerated this feeling.
I hope we don’t have a second spike in the next few weeks, but if we do then I think I am doing everything I can to not become part of the problem. I am being cautious, advising other people to exercise caution, and trying to make sure that I don’t forget that this isn’t the only problem we have in the world and that there are a lot of other things that need my time and attention.