Week 50 - Hope springs in Liverpool

 Edited BY


G P Kennedy


Olivia - Liverpool, UK

We’ve just celebrated the Easter bank holiday weekend here in the UK. The four much-coveted days off work were gloriously bright and sunny, by UK standards that is.


 This Easter, things are looking up in the UK. COVID-19 infection rates are at their lowest since September.


It is hoped that all adults will have been offered their first jab by the end of July.


 The government’s ‘roadmap out of lockdown’ is still on track. For one week now, people have been allowed to meet a limited number of friends and family members in parks and gardens. 




 In another week, outdoor hospitality venues can reopen, as well as all shops, hairdressers, gyms, libraries, and community centers.


 There is a feeling of anticipation, as these are liberties that haven’t been available to us yet in 2021.


 Beer gardens across the country will no doubt be flooded as people get a taste of freedom just in time for summer.


 On top of that, the clocks went forward last week, which means that we can now enjoy daylight until around 8 pm at night. This feels like bliss after a long, cold, and dark British winter.




 I have been feeling more energized without the blanket of darkness that would usually set in after dinnertime.


I’ve easily found the time and the motivation to spend my evenings cycling, walking, or catching up with friends rather than zoning out in front of Netflix.


 Most of all, I’m looking forward to starting driving lessons again next week.


It has been an awful time for us learners, as our lessons have been canceled and tests postponed with each of the three lockdowns. 


 I am craving the sense of freedom that being able to drive offers. Especially as internal travel is soon to be permitted.


 The next stages of the ‘roadmap out of lockdown’ will see the return of concerts, festivals, and indoor clubs.



 

 In Liverpool, the Hot Water Comedy Club has agreed to host the UK’s first non-socially distanced event as part of an official test scheme.


The 300 people in attendance will be screened for COVID-19 before and afterward. 


 It is hoped that the pilot scheme will prove that events like this are safe, and pave way for more events to reopen after restrictions ease on 21st June. 


 Additionally, the government has also been debating the introduction of ‘vaccine passports’ to allow visitors entry to theatres, sports stadiums, and pubs. This would however only be possible once everyone has been vaccinated.


 We are all praying that the next few weeks go to plan. Who knows how things might have improved by next Easter.

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