Keep Great Britain Great

Great Britain really is GREAT during adverse times. For weeks we have seemed to be a 'United' Kingdom - joining together to get through these very challenging times due to COVID -19. The selfishness (stockpiling), stupidity (stockpiling), and Ignorant (stockpiling), side of humans seems to have been replaced by us caring, supporting and collaborating with each other.  It's so encouraging to see families out on their bikes on their daily exercise, mothers and daughters (and fathers / sons) going out running together, people trying to keep active doing online sessions, people checking in on elderly neighbours, donating money to NHS / other charities, learning new skills. 

How many of the population banging saucepans / clapping for the NHS on Thursday nights are the ones not turning up for NHS appointments, going to A&E after drinking too much on a night out / having a minor injury which they deem is 'life threatening' and needing 'Emergency care'. How many are the ones going to the doctors to get a sick note to get signed off work so they can have a few days off at home watching TV. How many people moan about doctors waiting times / not being able to get an appointment and how bad the NHS is and now it’s wonderful!

How many of the people taking their daily exercise have been urged by their doctors / friends to do more exercise to lose weight (to take pressure off the NHS) have always found an excuse not to.

How many people have spoken to their parents / friends / relatives more in the last 3 weeks than before. The reaching out to friends to make sure they are OK and sharing of funny memes to keep spirits up. During normal times, we are too busy, have to work, haven’t got time.

How many people have popped to their local hardware store to get a plumbing supply or a light bulb whereas before Amazon was the ‘go to’ for anything.

How many people have donated to the amazing efforts of Cpt Tom Moore, the 99 year old who is raising money for the NHS. How many people would have even noticed him / his efforts during ‘normal times’ let alone put their hand in their pockets to donate.

I could go on and on but I think you get the gist. We take a lot of things for granted. The NHS, popping to the shops, grabbing a coffee, going to work / work meeting, meeting up with friends, going to the hairdressers (sore point – don’t cry Juliet) I do hope that when we are ‘allowed out ‘ again (not back to normal as we won’t be for years….) we remember what is important to us. Business has been hit so hard. Local shops / restaurants need our support. British business need to look at collaborating with British suppliers, building our economy back up together. Yes, we need foreign suppliers but we could be working much closer with UK suppliers.

Maybe this will make people think twice about abusing the NHS, supporting the huge online retailers as opposed to local shops and being grateful for having a job with a company who is still trading. It may make us more considerate / caring towards neighbours, appreciate the time with our families (as opposed to being something we ‘have’ to fit in and appreciating the small things like sunshine and taking a walk in the fresh air. I hope so. 

 On a light-hearted note, I have learnt:

My hair is very grey

My vacuum is sub standard

I am rubbish at cooking and am never going to make it to MasterChef

How much I miss hugging people