Dr Kristopher Lovell

28/06/2020
Not long ago the announcement of a further release of lockdown on the 4th July was announced in the UK, I thought it’d be worthwhile noting the responses I’ve seen amongst friends, family and fellow students..

Personally, I feel split on this topic. On the one hand getting back to ‘normal’ seems positive and I wish positivity was all I felt towards it. However I often feel very anxious about the releasing of lockdown measures. I feel uncomfortable in shops, in public and even meeting family from a large distance, I find myself wanting and waiting to go home each time I venture out. I feel intense guilt for meeting friends, despite being at a distance of 2m and above, despite being in accordance to all the guidelines. I understand a large chunk of these thoughts are most probably irrational, especially considering that the outside world seems to have already gotten back to normal and, to an extent, left me behind. I think the split I feel is the same as the split in the general population; some are anxious, some are leaping at the opportunities now available after so long. The truth is, I think I and lots like me, adapted quite well to a life in lockdown, home has become a beacon of safety and I am just one of many constantly torn between needing to go out and fighting the urge to stay in.

All over social media, this same split is visible. Some are still preaching about lockdown rules, warning a second wave, whilst others post photos and videos together, no distancing, no precautions, just like we were back to normal.

Both I think are separate ends of the Coronavirus discourse that has been ongoing since March.

Mostly, I am anxious to start work. I’ve recently finished my degree and have a graduate scheme waiting for me towards the end of the year (this is due to delays because of the virus). However, I’m unsure how to act now, I have no doubts that the real working world is normally a bit of a sharp shock to the system after years of education and part-time throw-away weekend jobs, but with the addition of lockdown and the significant lack of real-life situations that would normally make you feel a little more comfortable in greeting new people and communicating in social situations, I feel entirely unprepared to face society. Alongside this, I think most graduates like me will feel set back, that their natural career paths and progressive steps are thus stunted by not only the delays put in place by the lockdown and the lack of job availabilities that follow, but with a significant lack of social skills when lucky enough to secure a graduate career.

Like a lot of things at this time, most of it is up the air, and I think it will be extremely interesting to see how we all adjust to life again once lockdown procedures are released even further from the 4th July and beyond.