Portsmouth News

New laws are scary but necessary to beat Covid-19

- CHERYL GIBBS FROM GIRL ABOUT TOWN TO YUMMY MUMMY

What a start to the year. I have been left speechless which doesn’t happen very often, but I can’t believe how all our lives change so dramatical­ly in less than a week – it’s mind-blowing. Another lockdown enforced by law this time.

I don’t really know what to say. One in 50 people in the UK having coronaviru­s is by no means something to ignore, so I absolutely get the need for provisions to be in place, but it’s just so difficult when the government says one thing and a few days later it all changes.

I’m also absolutely gutted that we’re going to be in full-blown lockdown for Harley's first birthday on February 6.

I know in the big scale of things it’s really not a big deal – of course I get that and I apologise profusely to anyone I offend by saying that, but I can’t lie.

I’m her mum and I spent years trying to get her, so to have not only had her first year pretty much in lockdown is one thing, but to then have a full lockdown for her birthday where not a single family member can visit her and wish her happy birthday makes me so sad.

But I know it must be done; the virus, in the government’s words, is ‘out of control’ and we have to do everything we can to protect ourselves and each other.

The new government laws mean that fines can be issued to those not wearing a mask and huge fines for those meeting up in groups when they shouldn’t be. I have to say that although it’s scary, it feels like martial law, so to speak, and I think it’s necessary.

The lockdown last March was effective, because everyone was frightened – it was new, we stayed in, we clapped the NHS, we were united.

Slowly but surely, lockdown rules eased, we slowly started returning to a new way of life; a restricted one yes, but it felt a bit more normal.

However people relaxed a bit too much and the virus found a new way with a new strain and it’s more vigorous than ever before.

Now we’re back to where we were a year ago, even worse in fact.

Please guys, stay in, stay safe, protect yourselves and others and save lives.

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The last clap for carers at QA in May 2020
Picture: Sarah Standing UNITED The last clap for carers at QA in May 2020
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