Johnny Hutchinson

Stay Safe

In many senses this lockdown has been an unbelievably trying time for the whole world, bringing boredom, misery and in many cases anxiety amongst other mental health issues. But also, what it has given us, is the time to wipe our emotional windscreen that has been misty for a while and see just how much we've been taking life for granted. Losing many entities that have given us leisure, fun and freedom. Just a few would include the fun of splashing in refreshingly cold water in a swimming pool or the sea in the summer and allowing our skin to soak up the sun, or going out with your mates to sink a pint or many in your local boozer to the sound of your favourite tunes booming from the speakers while throwing darts or indulging in your pool table skills, or going out for a lovely dinner with your family or a more intimate meal with a date or the person you love. Although I would say the biggest is merely the freedom just to go outside outside and get a much needed lung-craving breath of fresh air. Many people who have been in lockdown have been unfortunately deprived of this, as many homes that people inhabit do not come with an outside space and the closest many people get aside from going out to the shops or a limited walk in the park, has been a window being pushed ajar. I would say this is a very small price to pay if it means more people on this earth will stay alive, but that doesn't stop the entire world looking forward to the days when we can dive headfirst into social life again. I would compare it to a goose having stepped out of it's habitat for a while for safety reasons, such as a dangerous predator invading their body of water. But once that predator has disappeared, that goose will be longing to return.