A tale of two lockdowns

We’re just three weeks in and a three-stage exit plan, which could begin as soon as this Thursday, has been announced.

All being well, we could be back to near-normality within a month.

That is a vast improvement on the cautious six-phase release that was implemented during last year’s three-month-long lockdown – and comes despite the speedier spread of the new variant of the virus which has arrived on our shores.

This is, of course, possible thanks to our increased testing capacity and vaccination programme, as well as the lessons learned last year.

All encouraging stuff. And yet, for many, the overall experience of lockdown this time is arguably less positive than last year’s.

The ‘Guernsey together’ spirit is still strong but it is perhaps a little more muted than last March.

The weather no doubt is partly to blame for that. The consistent sunshine we saw last spring gave Guernsey a holiday vibe and even those without the benefit of a garden were able to make the most of the island’s beautiful beaches, cliff paths and country lanes during their allotted two hours.

By contrast, outdoor exercise this time has meant braving icy winds and dodging rain showers, which is nowhere near as appealing. Furthermore, the now-mandatory masks mean that every person you pass serves as a depressing reminder that we are in the midst of a global pandemic.

And while last year’s lockdown felt like an exceptional, unprecedented, historic event, this time around there is a sense of ‘here we go again’. We’ve been here before and it’s possible, perhaps even probable, that we’ll be here again.

For those who have lost their loved ones or their livelihood to the pandemic, or who have been left feeling isolated by the restrictions, it will be particularly hard to stay positive.

Everyone is living a very different lockdown life. While some might be baking bread, practising yoga and enjoying wintery walks, others are worrying about how to pay their bills, battling mental health issues, or are struggling to juggle working from home with playing teacher to young children.

That is why support bubbles, payroll co-funding and business grants are all so important.

But even for those finding it hard right now, hope is within sight. So let’s try to keep hold of that ‘Guernsey together’ spirit for just a little bit longer.