Protect the NHS

I want to start this post by showing my gratitude to all the NHS staffs who are risking their lives by fighting on the frontline to save lives. Every single one of you are heroes. The NHS is the best thing about this country, and you all are great ambassador. You’re the reason why we must all fight and protect the NHS. I also want to say thank you to all essential workers who are keeping us fed and keeping this country running. Without you we would all be starving, and society would’ve collapsed.

Couple of months ago, before everything went mad, I wanted to write a post regarding ‘unskilled’ workers. Under Brexit Britain, the government laid out their plans of what they considered unskilled jobs. The term itself I have an issue with. No jobs are unskilled. It does not exist. Every job is skilled. If a job were to be unskilled, anyone without any prior knowledge and training would be able to do it, without inputting their own skills. However, the government decided this would be based on salary and like all things it came down to money.

Stay Home, Save Lives. Save Yourself.

I’ll preface this with the fact that I’ve been in ‘quarantine’ for quite a while now. My university classes were officially cancelled from 11/03 roughly, and I’ve only left the house a handful of times for essentials (food shopping and picking up prescriptions). It’s been a few days since I’ve left the house though, besides stepping into the garden for a moment the other day. As an agoraphobe with Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD), I’m not one to venture outside the house much anyway, but without the routine of university it’s been especially difficult. I also haven't proof-read this post yet, so please excuse any glaring errors. 

My point is, this post concerns the difficulties I’m facing as a person with multiple illnesses, mental and physical, and whilst I can be transparent about the implications of my quarantine experience, I stand by my decision to isolate and urge others to do the same. It’s the only feasible way to truly limit the spread of Covid-19, and I refuse to participate in the selfish antics of those who are actively evading isolation for entertainment. I am also perfectly valid in expressing my difficulties during these times and I affirm that my mental health is as important as my physical health. I also acknowledge that staying in isolation is me doing my part to keep others safe. Solidarity to those who are in isolation and struggling immensely, like myself. Solidarity to those who can't isolate due to working for survival, especially those in healthcare and sex work. Solidarity to the homeless and to LGBTQ+ people who are in unsafe spaces, yet in quarantine.