The easing of lockdown restrictions was always going to be harder than setting them because the United Kingdom is a complex jigsaw of specific needs. Coronavirus has also impacted us all in different ways. It will sadly continue to do so for many months to come. The question is how to move forward balancing protecting health and the country’s future and that is what the government has started to lay out
The UK, indeed the world, agrees countries cannot stay at home indefinitely. Lockdown is affecting people’s mental health. We know the global economy is suffering, and being unable to work or losing a job can damage a person’s health. It is also understood that the NHS has thankfully not been overwhelmed by Covid19 as once feared. There is capacity in the health system and the NHS wants people to seek non-Covid medical support, if they need it, as many are not seeking that help and this could cost lives too.
The government’s message has duly changed to reflect the above and the country’s need to move forward. It is now: stay alert, control the virus and save lives.
Our first slogan is considered to have been effective with the country working incredibly hard to comply with Covid rules and I understand the new messaging might take a little bit of time to get used to. That said, even if people do not like the new slogan, looking at my inbox, it is obvious to most that, while there are understandable questions about specific circumstances, this phase is reinforcing the need for personal responsibility.
Whatever we are doing, there is an ongoing need to be vigilant within the established norms of staying at home as much as possible, using the two-metre social distancing rule and washing our hands. This is necessary to protect ourselves, our family, other members of the public and the emergency services
