Mixed reaction to lockdown exit
WELSH people got their first glimpse of the path to the easing of lockdown measures when First Minister Mark Drakeford announced his Government’s exit strategy on Friday.
For eight weeks during the coronavirus pandemic, people across Wales have been living under the rules imposed by the Welsh and UK Governments, and today’s announcement is the first step towards easing it.
On the streets of Cardiff, people were busy taking their daily exercise. In Roath, the mood was mixed when asked about the most recent Welsh Government announcement.
The plan, announced by Mr Drakeford, involves a “traffic light system” in order to bring Wales out of lockdown.
The roadmap, called ‘Unlocking our society and economy: continuing the conversation’, is “part of a cautious, coherent approach to easing lockdown”, according to a Welsh Government statement.
When asked about the announcement, individuals responded with a range of comments, including the desire to remain in lockdown longer, concern about the lack of dates in the
Government’s plan, and praise for the traffic light system.
Lily Watts, 20, said: “I definitely think that we should be in the red stage for longer.
“The sooner you lift it, the sooner we’re going to get a second peak in cases and in deaths.
“I think it’s better to stay in for longer and be safer than to start lifting it and give people hope to reign it back in again.
Nigel Roberts, 69, wanted a timeline to go along with the traffic lights system.
“My views on the traffic light system, going down from red to green, there’s a merit in that... but again, without a timeline of dates, it’s meaningless,” he said,
“I feel that the government don’t seem to trust us to have the intelligence to go along with a timeline.”
Andrew Duncan, 21, also wanted some dates for moving between phases.
He said: “The lack of dates is frustrating in that we don’t know when non-essential workers can go back to work.
“And certainly people that can’t get out and do their essential shopping
because they’re high risk... I can understand that’s frustrating.”
Charlotte Williams, 20, wanted to take a cautious approach. She said: “With high-risk people they said a minimum of 12 weeks I think we should all just follow that now.
“And then see, after 12 weeks, where things are, and act upon it then.”
When asked about how the Welsh Government’s response compared to that of the UK Government, Ms Williams said: “I definitely think it’s better in Wales. I feel more secure.”
Teenafer Irfan Gwillim was hoping he could go back to school.
The 13-year-old said: “My dad has said to me that Boris Johnson is only talking about kids in England and not Wales. I was a bit disappointed when he said that, because I actually wanted to go back to school.”
Tammie Esslemont, 22, thought the roadmap needed more stopping points. She said: “It’s nice because it makes it really visual. So you can go, right, red is kind of dangerous still, amber is not so dangerous, and green is alright.
“But I think there should be more steps. You can’t summarise this in three steps, do you know what I mean?
“You should have a six, or maybe a 10-point-plan.”
A RETIRED policeman says his wife saved his life, after he contracted coronavirus
Derek Edwards, considered to be a fit and healthy 58-year-old, spent nine days unwell at home, when his wife, a specialist Parkinson’s nurse at Glangwili Hospital, became concerned about his shallow breathing.
“I am blessed to have my wife Laura, she saved my life,” said Mr Edwards, from Carmarthen.
He explained: “My wife and I had both been unwell and as she is a nurse, she had a test and was confirmed as having Covid-19.
“On the ninth day, she was really worried about my breathing and we phoned the GP who referred me into the hospital.
“By the time I got there I could hardly stand and my saturated oxygen was very low – it really crept up on me.
“I had various treatment over two weeks in hospital, including oxygen, IV paracetamol, steroids, antibiotics, chest X-rays and fluids.”
Mr Edwards, who now works as an eye clinic liaison officer for the RNIB as well as a driver with the British Red Cross for hospital transport, said there were several things that kept him going through his experience of the disease.
“I thought about my family, friends and neighbours who were all fantastic in sending messages of support and I focused on coming home and getting back to routine,” he said.
“The care I had from all the different staff was absolutely fantastic. From the doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants and domestic staff – they don’t know me and yet they came to work at their risk to care for me and other patients. Without visitors, their friendly voices and care made such a difference each day and I can’t thank them enough.
“The physiotherapists and occupational therapists were marvellous and got me up and going again with support both in hospital and whilst I am now recovering at home.
He added: “I must also mention the excellent food. I lost a lot of weight, which I could ill afford to do, but as I was recovering I looked forward each day to the food from the hospital. It was a huge help in building my strength and recovery.”
Mr Edwards has a message to others about coronavirus. He said:
“Don’t underestimate this disease.
“Don’t take it for granted that you won’t be affected, please look after yourselves and those around you.
“Anyone affected badly by Covid19 can expect many weeks of recovery. I have been home two weeks and any exertion still leaves me breathless. It is improving but I still have the cough and I know it is going to take time and patience.”
Dr Philip Kloer, the medical director and deputy chief executive for Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “We are so pleased to hear that Mr Edwards is continuing his recovery at home.
“It is heartening to hear his praise for our dedicated staff from the different clinicians to all the necessary support services that keep our NHS doing what it does best, caring for our communities.
“For our patients, our communities and our NHS, we ask the public to keep following government guidance in Wales, this is the single most important way to support the NHS.”