Bradford’s tears of despair at shocking lockdown toll
RESIDENTS in Bradford broke down in tears yesterday as they spoke of the hell of living in never-ending lockdown – after a poll that found “people in despair” in the city.
One gran said the crisis had “sucked the fun” out of her life, while others admitted to skipping meals to make ends meet.
This week chief medical officer
Chris Whitty praised the West Yorkshire city’s efforts.
But city leaders are calling for cash help amid growing fears over mental health, with the city now in Tier 2.
Bradford followed Leicester in a local lockdown last month, with people unable to mix in each other’s homes or gardens.
The Born in Bradford report, published recently, said the “most vulnerable in society” were “bearing the brunt”.
One in 10 said they skipped meals to stretch their cash and the same number feared eviction or repossession.
While one in five mums had clinically significant depression and one in six had clinically significant anxiety. Concerns about the mental health of their children were also common.
One in three mothers said they were lonely some of the time and one in 10 said they were lonely most or all of the time.
Yesterday people told of missing out on family hugs. Joanne Sykes, 57, has not seen her two grandchildren since March.
“It feels like the fun has been sucked out of life,” she said. “I have been having trouble sleeping and I have been feeling really fed up. I worry we might all feel worse now winter is coming.” One man told how he had lost his wife five years ago, saying: “This has tipped me over the edge,” while another man wept as he revealed he already had depression, adding: “I don’t have anyone to talk to face to face, it’s all on the phone.”
Student Suman Ismail, 17, said: “We’re only at college for three days, we’re missing out. It feels as if we’re being punished.” Friend Sadia Miah, 17, said: “Being locked up is really depressing. We speak on FaceTime and Snapchat but it’s not the same.”
A mental health worker said: “We are seeing real problems with loneliness, fear, anxiety.” Louis Hagan, 22, said: “My mum had coronavirus where she was in hospital. It was a very frightening time.”
Salesman Stephen Morton, 59, said: “I live on the outskirts, so I feel relatively safe.
“I’ve come into the centre for a hospital appointment and it feels very scary. You worry that it’s rife around here.”
The manager of Blooms of Bradford florist, Doug Stewart, 29, said: “It was frightening when we were told to close – we donated our flowers to an old people’s home.”
Unemployed Kealeigh Bentley, 18, said: “When I came back to work I got really anxious. I worked for a fast-food restaurant and didn’t feel safe. I gave up my job.”
Dr Josie Dickerson, the acting director for Born in Bradford, who led the study, said: “The pages were swimming with quotes from people in despair. It was so upsetting.”
Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said more financial aid was needed from the Government so people felt “more secure”.
It feels like the fun has been sucked out of life
JOANNE SYKES ON NOT SEEING HER GRANDKIDS