Its April 2021, we are still in level 5. Construction has restarted and all children are back in school. I feel that this is really positive, the government (who are making a total balls of their handling of the pandemic) have consistently failed and ignored Ireland’s children were right to prioritise school reopening above all else.
Children have had so much taken from them, unable to see friends or family beyond their own household and some without access to the technology that would allow them to keep in contact with their friends. Not to mention those children who live with abuse, neglect and poverty. I really hope that the focus for all children is first and foremost on their emotional wellbeing and physical health. Supporting them to readjust to their daily routine of being in school and seeing their friends. Don’t get me wrong, learning and education are important but children’s emotional health has to come first so that they are able to learn.
I’ve never thought of myself as a jealous person. I’m more likely to celebrate achievements with my friends than be envious but I’ll be honest I am jealous that Scotland and England are reopening and all I can do is travel further than 5km from my home but still within my county. I’m also allowed to meet people outdoors.
Seeing people getting their hair done and their nails done and going clothes shopping has me so envious. There’ll be no announcement on the return of personal services here until May. Sigh. Please don’t misunderstand, the numbers of new daily cases here is still far too high (we’re still around the 400 mark, slightly lower on weekends) so it is not safe to reduce or relax restrictions any further.
Our vaccination programme is also woeful – don’t even get me started on it!! We’re really suffering because the EU took so long to order vaccines. The concerns about the Astra Zeneca vaccine causing blood clots has meant that here in Ireland it is now only being used in those age 60 or over. We’re still only at the point of vaccinating those age 65 – 69. I also have vaccine envy as if I was still living in Scotland I’d have been vaccinated by now. As it is, I’m at increased risk but have no idea when I’ll be offered the vaccine so I’ll continue to be careful. Its been my way of life for over a year now.
I am so tired of all that has been lost. I miss the way life used to be. I’m anxious about what life is going to look like now and scared that when things start to reopen that we end up back at square one! I have absolutely no faith in the government, it’s a coalition of utter chaos. Ireland deserves better. Hopefully my Coronavirus diary 14, is less frustrated rant and more a hopeful account of progress….only time will tell.
