After Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed that England will move to the final stage of unlocking coronavirus restrictions on 19 July, we asked our contributors for their reaction, to see how they felt about the upcoming easing of rules.
“I’m completely torn about the ‘removal of restrictions’. On the one hand I understand the somewhat ‘now or never’ mentality; it’s hard to believe this will ever end and surely it’s impossible to keep living like this forever? Yet, at the same time, people are still dying from Covid-19 and not all adults have been fully vaccinated. Furthermore, I fear we’ll just be facing a repeat of previous lockdowns. Cases will likely skyrocket after a reopening and I’m not sure how the country could manage another full lockdown. I’m excited for the freedom that comes with easing restrictions but I can’t help but feel guilty and I’m reluctant to get my hopes up in the fear that they will, once again, be disappointed.”
Ella Gilbert Tweet to @ellagilbertx
“I am sure the majority of us would like to wake up tomorrow morning and realise that the past 18 months have been a bad dream. But unfortunately, it’s not, it is a reality and as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has reiterated “the pandemic is not over”. So why is he rushing to open up on 19th July? Of course, we are all fed up and ready to go back to normal but we’re not quite there. Is it worth risking the lives of those who are vulnerable? To completely relax the rules regarding wearing a mask indoors and maintaining a social distance is huge, and once these rules are lifted, it won’t be easy to persuade to people to start following them again if that is necessary.
Although it is “advised” to continue wearing a mask and to consider who you have close contact with, from the 19th it is no longer a legal requirement. I fear many people will simply act as though the pandemic is over, at the expense of others. Until the majority of people have been double-vaccinated, I would argue it’s best to hold off on completely relaxing the restrictions. The last thing we want is to be back where we were in January for the second time.”
Maggie John
“I really want to believe that it could all be over in less than a week. My heart wants to see my friends again and hug them and not have to think too hard when I leave the house, double checking for my phone, earphones and mask! But I also know the numbers. I know cases in young people, especially those unvaccinated, are going to sky-rocket, and I desperately don’t want to lockdown again this Autumn. Somewhat selfishly, I genuinely want to believe I can have the traditional uni experience. It’s that classic human struggle of choosing hardship now, for happiness later.
It feels inevitable though. With words changing from ‘legal’ to ‘advice’, and rhetoric like ‘freedom’ and ‘irreversible’, it’s clear this isn’t a steady hill downwards. Personally, I can’t see myself considering going mask-less inside public buildings, or suddenly jumping on trains to up and down the country – but I can’t lie, I would be distraught if there was to be another u-turn round the corner.”
Aarthee Parimelalaghan Tweet to @aarthee023
“I obviously have my reservations about 19th July – particularly with the “all guns blazing” approach that Johnson’s government seems to have taken. But I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t selfishly looking forward to getting back to some form of normality. After having my 18th birthday in lockdown, going out with my friends on the 19th will be my first taste of doing what a “normal” 18-year-old would be doing to celebrate. I feel like this past year has made me appreciate the value of spending time with friends, so I am very much looking forward to being a little bit freer – but I do appreciate why the lack of a phased return is concerning for a lot of people.”
Eva Bailey Tweet to @evabailey24
“I find Boris Johnson’s suggestion that a third wave is inevitable and that lives have to be lost to kickstart the economy abhorrent. Disabled people have made up 60% of the total Covid deaths so far. It is the vulnerable who are most at risk by this strategy. As the masks start coming off more and more clinically extremely vulnerable people will be choosing to go into their own personal lockdown to protect themselves. The number of infections is quickly growing and that includes the double-jabbed. Australia found a way to open up its economy without sacrificing its most vulnerable in society! Why don’t we value our disabled and elderly enough to try to do the same?”
Lisa Kavaney Tweet to @LisaKavaney
Featured image courtesy of Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash. Image licence found here. No changes were made to this image.
Aarthee Pari
Aarthee is a second-year PPEist at The University of Oxford. She is passionate about social affairs and sharing the stories of the marginalised. Aside from politics, Aarthee is a keen musician, playing both piano and saxophone and harbours a secret dream to play the saxophone solo in Miss Saigon’s ‘Last Night of the World’.