‘We’re just hanging on for summer... it’s dire’
DELAYING the June date for lifting lockdown would be “devastating” to a generation of youngsters, experts say.
It comes as one teenager told of feeling she is “living in a hamster wheel every single day” and warning if restrictions did stay in place “children will just give up”.
At present, June 21 is the date England’s lockdown will be ditched, with legal limits on social contact removed.
Boris Johnson has said he is “very optimistic” things will go according to plan – but has also warned “nothing can be guaranteed”.
New variants or a fresh wave of the virus have been mooted as having the potential to slow things down.
But psychology professor Ellen Townsend, of the University of Nottingham, said that for the sake of the younger generation, the date must be met.
She said: “A lot of children have been hanging their hopes on having a normal summer. It’s all they talk about.
“They deserve it.these children have carried the burden for us all and shouldered it bravely.their lives, school and exams have been cancelled.they have shown incredible resilience in the sacrifice.
“They are making plans already about what they will do after June 21 and if that rug is pulled it will be devastating. I just don’t know what some of them will do.”
Teenager Lucythorne said summer was the big hope for her peers.
The 17-year-old, from Dorset, said: “Although we are back at school it’s not like normal.
“I had friends in the year above and we cannot even speak to each other. It’s just dire.”
She went on: “This is why we are hanging on to summer.
“If we still have to socially distance and cannot get together properly without restrictions in summer I think children will just give up.
“It has been like living in a hamster wheel every single day because it is the same, without respite.”
She added: “Last year the days blended into one and life became so meaningless and it feels like nothing really matters anymore.
“Teenagers should feel the vitality of youth, the excitement, but we’re just so full of desperation.”