Embracing lockdown with good spirits and stamina

Whilst disappointed that it is necessary I feel for those whose livelihoods are again at risk, school children who cannot return to association with their school mates.

The mounting pressures on the frontline workers of the NHS, who in addition to coping with more coronavirus cases, face the additional pressures of rising non Covid cases as well as distributing the long awaited vaccines.

I am reassured that my previous support is in place though disappointed to learn of some evidence of panic buying which I hope calms down when shopping returns to sensible levels again.

As one friend reminds me one person’s benefit can be to some others disadvantage.

Without others we could not be safe at home. Buying too much means others go short. Front line workers put themselves at risk whilst more stay safely at home. Closing schools puts additional pressures on working parents.

We are in this together and only by caring and supporting each other we will cope and ultimately defeat the pandemic.

However no one is immune from its devastation, elderly fearful and isolated in care homes, education blighted, more lives and livelihoods lost every day and mounting mental and physical consequences of this some unfortunately liable to be long lasting.

Whilst we could be justified being dismayed at this predicament we find ourselves in, we can only be inspired by the resilience of front line workers who support us not only the valiant NHS workers, but the supermarket, delivery and public sector employees who keep going to maintain essential services.

If these heroes continue to do this is it too much to ask that we think of others less fortunate than ourselves and those who do essential work day in day out?

I for one don’t take those who support me for granted , which motivates me to be less selfish and make me be more disciplined to keep others safe, not least my family and friends. For all those reasons I hope to keep my spirits and stamina up to, knowing due to the brilliance of scientists and selflessness of trial volunteers a vaccine is on the horizon.