From the editor: 'Mixed-up world but common sense is still really very simple'

How are we all doing? I’m not to sure myself at the minute. The children are back at school or university, we are partially working from the office but still at home some days, everything seems to be back open yet it is all rather strange.

Every week new areas across the country go into different levels of lockdown and, even though Sheffield’s numbers are doing relatively ok, it seems inevitable that at some point we will be put under tighter restrictions. Then there is the testing fiasco. Even NHS workers are struggling to find out if their symptoms are coronavirus and we have scores of teachers stuck at home unable to work. It is completely ridiculous and that is before you take into account all the parents who can’t do their job because they have to stay with children who are off school … again possibly without the virus but it is impossible to be sure when tests are so difficult to get.

Add onto that the fact that guidance hasn’t always been exactly clear since March or that many of the rules seem questionable at best and where does that leave us? In a difficult place mentally and with a definite need for everyone to take care of those around them, from a safe distance of course.

People are increasingly happy to complain and struggling with emotions as we battle to find a postive way forward. We were all originally so fearful of the virus that while we didn’t like lockdown, we took it on the chin. Now there are increasing conversations about how ridiculous the latest restriction is … no matter what it might be … and even more worringly, a multitude of dangerous conspiracy theories.

Let’s put it simply, we are fed up. The novelty wore off a long time ago – and that is where the real danger lies. We must make sure we do not become complacent, even when we feel sad, mad or confused.

We can keep Sheffield out of a local lockdown but only if we all pull together and use lots of common sense. Everybody knows what needs doing and we can’t afford to forget why it matters. Keep your distance, wash your hands, wear your mask, stick to the Rule of Six and be kind, always.