VE Day and lockdown extension

Today marks 75 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe - VE Day. Inevitably there are fewer and fewer people who can  remember this in person and understand the enormity of what cessation of hostilities meant after six years of war. Remarkably and rather scarily, I entered the world stage only 14 years later. Thankfully I have never had to face such terrible times, although the Falklands and first and second Gulf wars were sobering enough, even viewed from a distance.

Although many have tried, it's impossible to compare what we're going through now to the war. Of course there are similarities. People are dying, albeit from a virus rather than bombs and bullets. But we're not being bombed. We haven't got to endure food rationing. We haven't got to send our kids in cities to the country for safety.  And we've only been in lockdown (however relative that is for some) for seven weeks.

Society has changed massively over those 75 years. Not least, communication is instant and in your face There's no waiting for the news on the radio, or going to the cinema to watch the Pathé news. There's no lag time, and that brings a culture of immediacy. Everyone wants things to happen straight away or to "know now". And social media allows us to respond either directly or to the wider world about our thoughts on any particular subject. And generally I think people's tolerance has reduced. Whilst we see glimpses of the "British bulldog spirit" or the "Blitz spirit" of everyone pulling together, it's hard when we live in a devolved democracy, and people's sense of what we should be doing is so visible and arguably being driven by the mass media.  What initially seemed like a novel idea to have to stay at home (for most) is now wearing incredibly thin for many. There are clearly more cars on the road than a few weeks ago. The mere mention of a KFC opening up sends hoards into their cars creating massive queues for a bit of fried chicken and some fries. Mention a DIY store opening, and suddenly everyone who'd been putting off their decorating for years needs to go and buy paint. Some people don't need an excuse. They just get in their cars and drive off somewhere. According to media reports, some are just going for a drive because of lockdown fatigue whilst some seem to be driving to all parts of the country to go to the coast, to pick up a car, to fetch a boat, climb a mountain....the list goes on.

Desperate for fried chicken: KFC queue in Swansea: Photo: Wales Online 

With this weekend seemingly bringing the first sense of what coming out of lockdown means, there are a number of things to understand.

Firstly, the devolved nature of our government means people in different regions will likely be getting  different messages despite protestations that we are on a four country approach. We already know for instance that in Wales schools will not be reopening on 1st June. Scotland has announced that the lockdown will be extended and has advised people to wear masks in shops and on public transport. There is no such guidance from Westminster, or as yet, Senedd Cymru. Wales First Minister announced earlier that lockdown has been extended for a further three weeks with some minor amendments. You can go out to exercise more than once a day providing you stay local (but no definition of what local is). Some gardens centres and recycling centres (tips) may open - cue more massive queues of cars. Recycling centres I can understand, but garden centres hardly seem essential yet - although I accept they may be good for mental health of some perhaps (but so are many things) - and don't get me wrong, I love a garden centre, but can I justify going to my local one just for a browse or to buy some compost? I don't know but I suspect some will see this a just an argument for getting out of the house.

Until tomorrow....

#isolationlife
#stayhomesavelives