Freedom day?

I spent most of last year feeling very grateful. Grateful that I had my family to isolate with, that we had plenty of space – indoors and out, that we both had relatively secure jobs that we could easily do from home, that my kids had access to laptops and that we all had our health. While I understood the need to follow lockdown rules for the greater good, I did not feel particularly personally threatened by Covid.

But things have changed. As someone now going through cancer treatment, with all of its immune suppressing side effects, I have joined the ranks of the vulnerable.

As such I find myself confused and deeply frustrated by the Government’s muddle-headed messaging, and questioning the wisdom of next week’s full throttle unlocking.

Don’t get me wrong - I absolutely get that business is suffering. I get that this is something that ultimately, we will have to learn to live with. I get that people want to get on with their lives. I do too. Desperately.

But for the 3.8 million people deemed vulnerable in the UK people the sweeping removal of all restrictions next week is not a ‘freedom day’. Instead, it marks a significant step backwards for us – considerably increasing anxiety levels for many and effectively locking us back in for the foreseeable future as the country surges ahead with opening up, despite massively rising infection rates.

Like many vulnerable people, I am double jabbed. But, for those of us who are immune compromised, either because of our conditions or our treatment protocols, research shows that the vaccine is unlikely to have been as effective for us. Although we will undoubtedly have some protection, and it will differ from condition to condition and person to person, we are almost certainly less protected by the vaccine than healthy people. For this reason, some doctors are advising vulnerable vaccinated people to continue to operate as if they have not been vaccinated at all.

In the event of contracting Covid, our already weakened immune systems put us at greater risk of becoming seriously ill or indeed dying from the virus. Research also shows that the virus can survive longer in our bodies because our immune systems produce a weaker response to it.

Finally, the continuation of my potentially life-saving cancer treatment depends on me not having been exposed to Covid. (Oh yes, and on having our battered hospitals still being able to service their extensive routine treatment waiting lists and on having enough staff not self-isolating to be able to do so...both of which are potentially also put at risk by next week’s wholesale removal of restrictions).

I’ll be honest, living with three young people, the group who are now probably most likely to contract Covid as it sweeps through their age group, it feels like only a matter of time before the virus enters our house. And so, I know that staying at home will not in itself protect me. Nor do I want to be consigned to barracks any longer after months of isolating treatment.

But as we hurtle into a free-for-all covid reality, where personal choice trumps collective responsibility, and where individuals' decisions are increasingly likely to come into conflict with one another, how can we as a society continue to protect our most vulnerable and potentially allow them to experience a little freedom too?

The most important thing, is that we remain mindful and respectful of their needs.

On face masks – yes, I hate them too. I long to be able to see people’s faces again, to read their emotions writ large, to make connection fully. But let’s be honest, we’ve all got pretty used to them now, and there are plenty of worse things in the world (contracting Covid when you are immunocompromised for example). It won't kill us to wear them just a little longer - but it might kill someone else if we don't. Please bear a thought for those around you and for now continue to use them in busy spaces such as in supermarkets and on transport (especially, but not only, if you are unvaccinated).

Be respectful if someone requests that you keep your distance or wear a mask when close to them in a public place. Remember that in all likelihood it will have been hard for the person to pluck up courage to ask you, especially if they feel their request is out of step with the unfolding world. That they have is a sign that they feel and potentially are vulnerable. Please be understanding of this.

Encourage a respectful and open dialogue with friends and loved ones about what feels comfortable when meeting up, rather than assuming everyone shares the same levels of ease about unlocking. If a vulnerable friend asks questions about how much you've been socialising, requests that you don’t hug them, says no to meeting you or has particular conditions for catching up (meeting outdoors, with a limited number of people, or that you take a lateral flow test first) – again, please don’t be offended. Believe me, it’s nothing personal - we are just worried about and trying to protect our own fragile health. We really do not want to be the party poopers as the world moves on without us, but in choosing to remove all restrictions at a time of rapidly rising transmission, the Government has given us no choice.