CLIQUE talks ‘Life in Lock-down...’
What would you do in 100 days.
Play those games you never got around to play.
You see; lock-down downs been tough.
It’s sucked almost at times.
But we’re slowly about to see light at the end of the tunnel.
It’s true; it has affected many people from all backgrounds, so we thought we’d put together a small selection of in depth ‘look intos’ how lock-down has affected each and everyone one of us in a small way.
It’s no surprise but we’ve actually been in lock-down for more then 100 days.
Some still self-isolating.
Others working all the way through.
But what has like really been like during lock-down.
Has it really been all sunshine and rainbows.
Has it had a long lasting affect mentally, physically or emotionally.
How hard has lock-down hit you?
You see, everyone’s story is different.
Everyone has a different path to follow and tale to tell.
So this week we caught up with three separate individuals and asked them all the same set of questions.
Let’s see how lock-down life has affected those in different backgrounds.
NHS Nurse Sally Dunn who has a family, worked throughout the pandemic, and continues to push on through day-to-day life, all whilst keeping a proud smile, and keeping the family life in motion.
Full time Chemistry Student Matthew Plews, a young man with great ambition, all-round nice guy, who’s not only working full-time part time, he has a passion for baking and music to ease him through the day-to-day life.
Full time Editor in chief (and our friends at Hinton Magazine) Curtis Hinton, magazine editor, football enthusiast, and all round gent who loves a gin or two.
How has lock-down and Covid-19 affected each person, and where do we move forward in the coming months.
Find below our little Q n A.
Q. How you been handling lock-down?
Sally - Better than I thought I would. Felt guilt at times that I haven’t been productive like walking enough or home schooling good enough. I’m not great at sitting and relaxing so it’s kind of forced me to do it!
Matthew - Now that it’s been lifted a little bit, where you can see people I’ve been fine, however at the beginning it was a bit of a struggle as I’m always kept busy, kind of felt lost.
Curtis - I think I’ve been one of the very few people that it hasn’t really affected. A Lot of people that I’ve spoken to have said they have found it tough, they been affected by their mental health during this time. Whereas for me personally I don’t feel like it had affected me.
Q. Did you have to self-isolate?
Matthew - No, but I was very weary of going places as my mam and sister are classed as vulnerable.
Curtis - I did yes, I has symptoms quite early on so I self isolated for 14 days.
Q. What’s your current job?
Curtis - I am a business owner
Q. Enjoy it? Or this a stepping stone for something else?
Sally - Love it. My job for life
Matthew - Not really, I should have been in Ibiza working now, I still don’t want to go back and I’ve been looking for something else
Curtis - Without a doubt it’s the best job I’ve ever had. There is always something to keep me busy. The business I own, owns a few business including a magazine.
Q. Do you think lock-downs been good for your health?
Sally - Mental health yes, I’ve been almost forced to make time for me to relax! physical health no, I’ve eaten too much and put too much weight on.
Matthew - Not really, used to going to the gym every day, being out and about to literally doing nothing. Also those zoom quizzes, sat getting drunk with my pals in my room certainly didn’t help my liver lol...
Curtis - Yes, even though I have been very busy, I have still taken time to think about things, Slightly re-evaluate how the future might look and used some spare time to develop some personal skills.
Q. Have you still been able to work?
Sally - Yes, I’m a nurse, work carries on regardless for a nurse!
Matthew - No, however I did have uni work to finish off for a few months. Since that’s been over with I’ve had nothing to do.
Curtis - Thankfully, yes I have. I have set up a home office, so even when I was self-isolating I was managing to work.
If *YES* elaborate. If *NO* again you could elaborate why not.
Q. How long have you been in lock-down?
Sally - Since March 16th.
Matthew - Since BoJo said so, like 105 days maybe?
Curtis - From the moment the government announced it, which I believe was 23rd March, Limiting my visits to shops and going out side of my home.
Q. How has it affected you or your family life?
Sally - My children miss their friends, their activities such as dancing and swimming. I’ve not been able to see my family - especially my dad, and that’s been awful. My husband’s family is in Birmingham and he hasn’t seen them for months. I couldn’t see my eldest daughter for ages and that was really hard.
Matthew - I live with my mam and sister, we argued a bit at the beginning but gradually got used to it. My mam was even sitting watching Netflix in the car, telling me she was getting shopping for my grandma.
Curtis - I think personally for me this lock-down has been great. It’s given me a lot more time to myself. More time to think about things and to advance some skills and certainly advance something with my business. I went back to the family home for the lock-down so I wasn’t completely alone throughout this time which has been nice.
Q. Has lock-down affected your relationship? If applicable?
Sally - We’ve spent more time together so it’s been good.
Q. Do you think there will be a second wave?
Sally - I think so. I hope not but I think it will.
Matthew - Not any time soon (hopefully.)
Curtis - Almost certainly, but I don’t think there will be another nationwide lock-down. Although peoples health should always be number one priority – you have to think about the other affects the lock down has, for example on the economy which the fall out from all of this could affect peoples health just as much as the virus.
Q. Have you learned any new skills in lock-down?
Sally - Yes! I can now crochet!
Matthew - I’ve been trying all sorts! Started off learning how to knit, I’ve been growing loads of plants (including and avocado tree), been baking a lot more and cooking for family. I did try hairdressing once I couldn’t cope with the lock-down length anymore, but I don’t recommend going near your hair with clippers when you’re not trained ha ha.
Curtis - Yes, I have been reading a lot more. Also developing my knowledge in different areas.
Q. What has lock-down taught you? Any lessons?
Sally - Appreciate the little things. Money is important but time is more precious and what you do with it is special.
Matthew - It has taught me to be grateful for what you have. Like even just seeing friends (not just over facetime) now after like a 3 month it’s been great. Like appreciating like spending time with people because it’s mad how quick everything can just go. It’s also taught me you don’t need to go to the pub every weekend because believe it or not, you CAN actually stay in (all it has taken me to realize was a deadly virus)
Curtis - It’s taught me life is way to short. Don’t be wasting any moments. After speaking to friends I think a lot of people have financially been affected by this lock-down – even with furlough. Hopefully this is a wake up call, people will hopefully see where they are wasting money and invest it in themselves more, whether that be on their education, on their business or even something like travelling.
Q. Do you think lock-down has been good for everyone?
Sally - No. My dad has been shielding and he misses us all terribly. Those living alone and those furloughed or have lost jobs have had tough times.
Matthew - Not really. Personally I’ve been trying to think of positives, like saving money and appreciating people, but from a mental health point of view I feel like it will have a big impact on people.
Curtis - It depends on how each individual views their times in lock-down. I think everyone should take a moment to assess their lock down and to see if they were truly happy with what they have done during their 13/14 weeks at home. If not then they need to make a change ASAP. Chances like this don’t come around often.
Q. Do you think the Government handle lock-down well?
Sally - I’m not sure what I’d have done differently, maybe not lifted restrictions so early, but it’s an unprecedented situation and everyone was learning as they went along, including government. Hindsight is a ‘wonderful’ thing. We can all say they should’ve done this, would’ve done that, could’ve done this, but it might not have changed the outcome.
Matthew - A. Definitely not, fuck the Tories!
Curtis - Yes, They is WAY to much negativity around the ways the government has handled this lock-down. People need to understand compared to the rest of Europe England and the UK are such a different country. The behavior of a small minority in this country are the ones who have failed us. Those who broke lock-down laws those are the ones who have spread it to someone going out once a week to their food shop. I think Boris (even with him getting the virus himself) and his team have done a phenomenal job and if there was another pandemic, I would be more than happy if they were to lead us through it.
Q. Do you think the population handled lock-down well?
Sally - Some of us! Some people have been daft and put lives at risk, riots, mass gatherings, ignoring rules. All put lives at risk.
Matthew - No. Everyone’s just been so angry about everything. I honestly think its brought out the worst in people, especially the “lock-down police” aka those saddos taking pictures of people that have left the house and shaming them on social media. Get a life man.
Curtis - 99.9% Yes, there is a small minority who didn’t listen putting a majority at risk and they should be made to pay.
Q. Highlights of your lock-down?
Sally - Spending more time with the kids. My 40th birthday has been during lock down and I feel it was made more special.
Matthew - Weekly quizzes with the crew, low key sad they’ve died out but glad I can see them in real life now.
Curtis - Self-development.
Q. Do you think there will be many lock-down babies?
Sally - Not sure, maybe. But maybe not the ones that are result of drunken nights on the town!
Matthew - Can you get pregnant from a social distance?? lol
Curtis - Maybe, I think many have been affected by mental health and wont bee feeling frisky after the first couple of weeks.
Q. Anything else you’d like to add with your experience of Cv-19?
Sally - I wish I’d kept a diary since the start of lock-down. COVID19 will be in the history books, we are part of this history.
Matthew - Ms Rona has taught me to look for the good in bad situations. Everything is out of your control so there’s no point stressing, just play your part and be sensible. And finally, keep stocked up on bog roll so you don’t have to fight Karen for it next time the world comes to an end lol.
Curtis - I just want to thank everyone is the country who listened to guidelines. The people of Britain is what makes us great, that includes Health workers, all key workers and to the government officials. We are nowhere near through this pandemic yet and no end is in sight. I hope people just stay sensible and stay safe.
If you wish to make a charitable donation to the NHS find a link below.
https://www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/
