It is now 100 days since Covid-19 forced everyone into an unprecedented lockdown. It seems like a lifetime ago, when on the 23rd March 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told us all to stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives. Since then the virus has touched everything and changed everything.
The beginning of the lockdown brought eerily deserted streets in Coventry & Warwickshire and made us feel as if we were living in some kind of post-apocalyptic world. During the last 100 days, many families have lost loved ones and suffered the pain of not being able to give them a fitting tribute and proper send-off, a few have also had to cancel their children’s and grandchildren’s wedding celebrations, while others have been forced to stay apart when every instinct would normally have led them to spend time together. Social distancing, shielding, washing hands and wearing face masks have all become part of daily life.
As we move out of lockdown, our streets are slowly reawakening. It has been an emotional rollercoaster and unlike anything the vast majority of us have experienced in our lifetimes. Whichever way you look at it, we are all living through a hugely significant piece of history that will be studied and discussed for generations to come.
Jasvir Sandhu: Trustee of Ekta Unity said: “Today, even after the lockdown restrictions being lifted, we are concerned about some of our service users (who have been self-isolating and shielding due to their age and underlying health conditions), because this prolonged isolation may cause spiralling loneliness and anxiety. It is widely recognised that prolonged home confinement is likely to have a far greater impact on older people, particularly in terms of loneliness and reduced physical activity leading to increased frailty. Many of them remain fearful and intend to shield themselves until a vaccine or an effective treatment is developed. The Ekta Unity Board of Trustees will continue to do everything we can to support our service users during this difficult period and beyond, until we begin our activities again at St Paul’s Church Foleshill, Coventry”.
Julie Seaborne: Trustee of Ekta Unity said: “Over the past 100 days our service users’ community spirit shone through everywhere, with individuals sticking rainbows on their windows, clapping for the NHS every Thursday night and some service users also joining others in making hundreds of hand-stitched face masks, scrubs and other PPE, which were donated to those who needed them most. This pandemic has taken its toll but it has all brought out the very best in human nature with extraordinary acts of kindness and bravery. And of course, we all need to thank our wonderful NHS, key workers and care staff and the many other essential workers who took a deep breath and stood on the frontline”.
Balbir Dhillon: Trustee of Ekta Unity said: “Our Ekta Unity service users have been the real ‘stars and role models’ by sharing their photos making PPE and spreading the message about staying safe and helping keep others safe. They have also been keeping themselves busy by completing arts and craft activities, doing gardening and also taking part in our weekly online singing, music classes and yoga sessions. Thank you for spreading love, positivity and so much community spirit and also keeping yourself active, positive and engaged by sharing photographs with everyone to motivate and inspire them also. It’s more important than ever now to share successes, positive stories and keep everyone engaged during this difficult time. Well done and keep the positivity going”
Suman Ghaiwal
Chair
Ekta Unity