Freedom day, at what cost?

Hello, lovelies. 

    Today marked the first day of our freedom against Covid. It was delayed, put back and was seriously debated as to whether or not it should happen in the first place. But it’s here, at long last. We waited patiently. Wore our masks over our mouths and noses, and collectively laughed at all the anti mask Karen’s and Chad’s as they fought and argued against the tough restrictions that this pandemic has brought us. And here we are. Free. Free to do whatever we want, whenever we want. It's great, right? No? Why not? Aren’t we now free to go back to the way it was before? Why then does it not feel so freeing? Why does it feel like we are all heading for a big fall? Is it we, the people, who are free? Or is there only one person who freedom day is actually for? 

       Waking up this morning, it would be hard to say that the world feels different. Nothing has changed, apart from the brand spanking new freedom day that greeted us. We’re free from the almost draconian measures that we have been living through these past 15 months. No more is the need to wear the hot and annoying masks now that the sun is shining. We can meet up with our friends and family, and not just up to six people outside. Who cares about personal bubbles and social distancing. We’re free. Aren't we? And free from what, exactly? Because, as far as I can see, we’re no more free today than we were at the beginning of all this mess 15 months ago. The only thing that we are free from is the fear we’ve all held on to. Fear of catching, spreading and continuing the worst pandemic in recent history. But has the virus really gone? Can we go about our lives as if nothing had happened? Why then are we having Freedom day if we are still in as much risk as we were a month ago?

      I asked my youngest daughter what she thought about this pivotal Freedom day, and I was surprised by her answer. Instead of jumping for joy at the prospect of going back to the way we were before, she slowly shook her head and said, “this is not going to end well.’ 

     But is she right? Surely the government knows what they are doing, and would never open up our fair green land knowing that it could all come crashing down around our ears. Haven’t they listened to all the scientists, held meeting after meeting about the safety of every inhabitant here, and clearly saw that today would be a very safe day for us all to have freedom from Covid? Otherwise, why would they be opening up the doors to the whole of England if there was even the slightest doubt that the infection rates would rise again? So is it a freedom day for us? Or is there only one person who is now free? 

       Although the day may be about freedom, it's not a day for us. As far as I can see, the only person who is free today is our very inept Prime minister Boris Johnson. Today marks the day that he is free from holding any responsibility for the astronomical daily numbers of Covid infections. If we, the masses, go out to pubs, clubs, the theatre and even the shops and catch and spread the virus, then the fault and blame can only be laid at our collective feet. Bojo has spun the wheel of fortune and gambled with our lives. The very lives that he has a very real responsibility to protect. 

      Freedom day is not a day for us. It is a day that the government is free from us. They have ignored the scientists, hidden the true numbers and are hell bent on opening the doors in some vain hope that we, the people, might like them again. Well, we can see through their lies. They are prepared to gamble away our freedoms at the risk of heading, once more, into a September lockdown. 

      So, for me, nothing is going to change. I am still going to wear my mask, social distance and wait to hear from the scientists as to when we are finally free from this deadly virus.