THE PRICE OF FREEDOM?
AS CASES OF COVID CONTINUE TO RISE, RESIDENTS SPEAK OF THEIR FEARS AT LIFTING RESTRICTIONS
RESIDENTS of coronavirus hotspots in Bristol have spoken of their concern over today’s lifting of restrictions, branding the move “irresponsible”.
So-called ‘Freedom Day’ is here and almost all safety measures have now been scrapped, despite rising infections both in Bristol and nationally.
Boris Johnson controversially confirmed last week that his government would be pressing ahead with the final stage of his roadmap.
It comes as government figures released on Thursday revealed hospitals in the Bristol area had seen numbers of hospital patients with Covid double in four days.
There were 39 coronavirus patients at Southmead Hospital, Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) and Weston General Hospital.
Six of those were on ventilators – three at BRI and Weston General, which are both run by the same trust, and three at Southmead.
The three hospitals had a total of 17 coronavirus patients, as of the update from July 11. Five of those patients were on ventilators.
The Prime Minister has warned that despite legal requirements officially lifting, masks should still be worn in crowded places and on public transport as the pandemic is “not over yet”.
And locally, First Bus has urged passengers to carry on wearing face coverings as infections continue to rise.
In the past few weeks, the city has witnessed a dramatic surge in cases, and three particular neighbourhoods – Hotwells, St Pauls and Lockleaze – are currently recording some of the highest rates in the country.
Southville has also seen a spike in cases, with numbers triggering a ‘ward level briefing’ last week.
When asked about ‘Freedom Day,’ a resident from Hotwells who did not want to be named said: “I’m not personally worried but I think people who are vulnerable should be very worried.
“The country had to be opened up eventually and since the damage has been done by a large amount of relaxation already, I don’t think it makes any difference.”
Another resident, who asked only to be named as Steve, said: “Personally am I taking more precautions? I am actually double jabbed so I feel fairly relaxed.
“I’m just carrying on as we were before – wearing my mask when it
feels appropriate, in busy spaces.
“In Hotwells, in Bristol generally, I think it’s really concerning and right across the UK. Personally, I think the government are being
really irresponsible.”
The Southville area recorded an infection rate of 648.6 per 100,000 people in the seven days to July 7, with 72 positive tests confirmed.
Paul from Southville said: “I’m double-jabbed so no I’m not [worried], but I’m worried about having another lockdown. I don’t want to have another lockdown in the middle of winter again.”
Daisy, a clinically extremely vulnerable resident from Southville, said she felt scared about what will happen beyond today’s lifting of restrictions.
She says she has been cautious throughout the pandemic, adding: “As one of those ones who was shielding, [I’m] not going inside, not seeing too many people, but the street is getting busier and there’s a limited amount I can do.”
Kayleigh from Southville said: “For me personally, I take extra precautions anyway because I work at the airport.
“I have family members with COPD [chronic obstructive pulmoAlthough nary disease] which is a long-term lung disease, so I’m always taking extra measures.
“I think it’ll be complete chaos.” Georgia was interviewed outside a venue in Southville and said she was “concerned”, while her friend Francesca added: “Although cases are rising, the number of hospital admissions and deaths aren’t, which is great and it shows that the vaccine is working.
“But we have to be mindful that not everyone is vaccinated.”
Bristol’s public health director Christina Gray said yesterday: “As our data shows, infection rates in Bristol are very high. The virus transmits through the air and social mixing.
“To keep yourself and others safe we encourage you to get vaccinated, participate in testing and self-isolate when required.