‘Village life’ helping to keep virus at bay
COMMUNITY APPROACH IS KEY TO SUPPRESSING COVID
RESIDENTS of Keyworth have explained why they think the town’s Covid rates are so low.
The district, including Keyworth North, Tollerton and Willoughby, recorded just six positive cases of the virus in the seven days up to January 20, according to Public Health England.
The area also recorded a rolling infection rate of 103.5 cases per 100,000 people.
This was the lowest infection rate in Nottinghamshire for the 7-day period.
Surrounding areas of Ruddington and Clifton South reported 48 and 42 cases over the same 7-day period, above the national average.
Jane Brookbanks, 59, a selfemployed furnishing maker in Keyworth, believes that the town’s size is the reason for low infection rates.
She said: “It’s the village life, we don’t have to go far for amenities, so we don’t rely on the big supermarkets.
“We’ve got a lot here in a small space and people do tend to keep to the rules. When I walk or run through the village, everyone is very aware of each other and I very rarely see people without a mask on.
“People are just being careful and doing what they’re told. It’s a great village because everything’s here, why would we need to leave?
“It’s definitely a sign that things are improving. If people keep to the rules, we’ve proved here that it works.”
Retired Keyworth resident Richard Mercer, 66, thinks the lowering infection rates are thanks to residents of the area being cautious.
He said: “People are just being careful. They’re not going out when others are, generally they are social distancing, crossing the road when someone else is coming and they are just being really careful.
“To be honest most people are staying at home, working from home and not travelling to the office where possible, which is definitely helping.
“I have no idea whether Keyworth is an anomaly or whether people here are just considerate.
“The Covid levels in the country are so high, without the blanket level restrictions people would disregard it completely. It’s important people stick to them, like they are here, so we can bring this all to an end.”
Jo Cuthbert, 58, a Keyworth resident, believes the area’s close community has helped improve the rate of infection.
She said: “I think in Keyworth we have been pretty sensible, and we have a fantastic network of help on each street.
“We’ve got street coordinators who are a point of contact for people, generally older people, so, for example, I do shopping and pick up prescriptions for others, so that network has meant people who didn’t need to go anywhere have stayed put.
“Something that is really noticeable here is how when you walk towards someone on the street, they step aside. We haven’t got a massive population, but I haven’t noticed lots of cars outside houses or on roads.
“We’re exceptionally lucky that everything we need is here. Just on the outskirts of the village we have a lot of beautiful walks so for people’s mental health and wellbeing, they don’t have to go too far.” One resident also believed that Keyworth residents are keen to follow restrictions to get back to normal as quickly as possible. “Most people round here are very respectful, they do keep their distance and wear their masks, certainly in shops. It’s the people who don’t do that everywhere else that’s the problem. “Other areas need to keep following the rules to ensure that happens soon.”
Everyone is very aware of each other and I very rarely see people without a mask on.
Jane Brookbanks