Here we go again... Lockdown 2.0

When the Hampden Herald writers first got together in September, we said we would try and avoid any articles about Covid-19, after all, there’s enough about it in the news right? But, we thought we’d crumble just this once, as we’ve just leapt into Lockdown 2.0!

Let's get the statistics out of the way. At the time of writing, the virus is infecting roughly 20,000 people every week in the UK, with the sum total being a little over a million. In terms of deaths there are almost 200 each day, with a total of roughly 50,000. However some of the data is complicated and not exact e.g. there is some doubt if all deaths are being accurately recorded due to the lasting effects of the virus, and the uncertainty surrounding it.

We’ve also had first hand experience of Covid-19 in the past few weeks at school, with some staff and students testing positive and many isolating. This has been difficult for us all, with our friends and teachers sometimes not in school, it all feels a bit odd. Add in another national lockdown and the next month is going to be even more odd.

We understand that this lockdown is to keep people safe, but none of us want to be stuck inside and not able to socialise with our friends! So what can/should we do?

Firstly, support one another during this lockdown. Check in on your friends and classmates, especially those who are isolating, see if they need any help catching up with work or if they just need a chat or a distraction. Check in with your teachers, see if there’s anything you can do from school to help them whilst they’re stuck at home trying to teach you or just ask how they’re doing. A small gesture can mean a lot.

Secondly, the weather is getting colder, the days are getting shorter and the sun isn’t out as much - you are bound to find yourself a little less happy - it’s in our biology! But just because we can’t do everything we’re normally able to do, doesn’t mean lockdown has to be a miserable slump: let's make the best use of our time.

Pick up a new book, try out a new hobby, discover a new album, master a skill etc. With the additional time at home, a lockdown can give you plenty of opportunity for all the things you never quite got around to.

And don’t forget to socialise - virtually of course! Just because you’re miles away from your friends doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy an evening together - you have each other’s school email addresses and maybe share your numbers too; set up video chats, play group games together on your PlayStations or Xbox, start a virtual club, organise a “Netflix Party”, run competitions to see who’s the best artist, writer, gamer - the possibilities really are endless.

And if you fancy getting into writing - get in touch with us at hampdenherald@jhgs.bucks.sch.uk and share an idea for an article with us: we’d love to support all the budding journalists out there!