Liz Clark’s Sunday Thoughts – 14:06:20

Tomorrow I will open the LizianShop in Nottingham’s Victoria Centre Market for the first time in 12 weeks. And I confess to feeling like returning to work after a long holiday.  I’m ashamed of this feeling because many thousands have worked through the last four months without a break. All have endured difficult situations and long hours. Not only this, but they have also watched as millions have been furloughed and supported by extensive cash handouts: there must be a feeling of injustice when observing this situation.

Do we not have a responsibility to acknowledge the tens of thousands who have died from C-19?

We have witnessed thousands of people undermine the hard work of the health professionals and hygiene guidelines to demonstrate in large groups. One must think about this very carefully. To my mind, a demonstration against a horrific incident has a justification. However, should we not consider the immense sacrifice and endeavours of those who have worked for our wellbeing over the last months? They have risked their lives, and many have indeed paid the ultimate price for their dedication to patients. Breaking the rules and guidelines dishonours these brave people’s endeavours: we owe them an immense debt of gratitude. 

Surely it is dangerous to risk another ‘wave’ of infection by breaking sensible and much needed social distancing? Or am I missing some vital aspect of the lockdown situation? If one person dies because of cross-infection due to mass public protest: then surely an innocent has died? Statues can wait for their demise or symbolic death, in reality, a human has a fundamental right to life.

As a lover of nature and our environment: looking at the pictures of the litter people have left behind at sea-side towns is heart-breaking. And the damage of historical sites due to barbecues and casual fire-pits is an indication of the uphill battle the majority of sensible and law-abiding have in front of them. And there is another aspect to this situation: as bad as the litter and vandalism are, in certainty onlookers watched the meaningless destruction and litter being dumped. Is this also an act of irresponsibility? Or a more profound acknowledgement of the apathy which could slow down the return to a semblance of ‘normality’? Every time we see an act of social irresponsibility, we should acknowledge the real danger: it is the acts of ignorant and selfish people who undermine the future of public health.

Yesterday’s post is a rallying call for people to support their local businesses. And the article also reflects upon the need for mutual responsibility. A customer or client should not wholly rely on the business owner to provide the ‘common-sense’ and ‘patience’ needed for the safety measures to work well. There is a need to take responsibility for our actions, and there is a need to accept we have to return to a state of normality: where there is free movement of people without the need for tracking or so-called health passports. There are reasons to see this as the only possible way forward. While it is possible to tag every law-abiding citizen: there are tens of thousands who will not comply with the idea. And if there is not one-hundred percent compliance: then the policy would fail.

I read many regions in India are lifting restrictions. And the reason? The vast continent’s economy has no way of supporting lockdown measures. What does this mean to people wishing to visit loved ones or travel to and from this vast and beautiful continent? It means uncertainty and probable restriction of travel between countries. The thought of people being unable to see and meet with their family is also heart-breaking. Eventually, the doors of society have to reopen, and the Indian regional government’s choice is inevitable. It is a consequence of contemporary culture, and there is NO government which can sustain the financial implications of staying in permanent lockdown. Therefore the onus is squarely in the hearts, minds and actions of us all to turn the crisis around.

It seems evident to me all of us who are venturing out and reopening society have a massive responsibility to those who are at high risk of contracting and dying from C-19. It is, therefore, an obligation to offer the highest standard of hygiene to lower the incidence or possibility of infection. The healthy and active are tasked with holding the virus at bay and with the grace of evolution, putting the virus into the history books. We cannot reach the objective of a free and safe return to social interaction if large groups of people and selfish individuals choose to break the rules and guidelines to ensure countywide public health. A significant commitment is to make society a safe and healthy place for the vulnerable and physically weak who are also waiting their turn to visit towns, cities and loved ones without restriction. When the whole of society is free to enjoy life without risk from C-19, we’ll know the battle is won. We all have a part to play in attaining this objective.

I write from a ‘perspective of hope’ that we will learn from the crisis. We have seen the fragility of societies infrastructure, which is quickly undermined by the greedy and closed-minded: for examples, panic buying and hoarding resulted in food shortage – argument rather than unison and breaking of the law resulting in fear. We are all important, and all have a right to freedom and free speech. And yet: there seems to be a resistance to see today’s reality; the fact of the crisis is thousands of people have died from a disease which kills the weak and fragile. If we have kindness and love within our mind, spirit and soul, then surely we have to protect and care for those who are in mortal danger? Every act which could shorten the life of those who are at higher risk: is selfish and will prolong the crisis. 

Liz
Liz Clark
MD LizianEvents Ltd