This is the follow-up to a previous Member’s Voice post about one family’s experience of lockdown. We suggest going to read the post ‘Where Were We Then…?’ before this one to learn more about Ben and Anna.
Here we go again!
On 1 January 2021 we spot snowdrops growing in Ben’s garden, heralding brighter spring days. By 4 January it’s Groundhog Day and the Prime Minister’s broadcast tells us:
“The weeks ahead will be the hardest yet but I really do believe that we are entering the last phase of the struggle. Because with every jab that goes into our arms, we are tilting the odds against Covid and in favour of the British people
But for now, I am afraid, you must once again stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”
Having resettled into a good, if covid dictated, life again with Personal Assistant (PA) support it’s decided that this time I will not move in with Ben. This proves a risky strategy as two PAs have tested positive for covid and Ben’s NHS app tells him he must self isolate. Those nightmares return. Ben and his PAs set up a routine of lateral flow testing at the local test centre. We spend hours trying to obtain home testing kits but despite wild goose chase phone calls and empty promises they do not seem to be available.
Now I know why I moved in last time!
But on 12 January government guidance is published which includes PAs as health and social care workers who are in priority 2 for vaccination – the most promising ray of hope yet.
Before we know it, Ben will be planting sunflower seeds again!
Anna.
To read the first in this series of posts go to ‘Where Were We Then…?’.