Hopes for the post pandemic future

Closer Communities

Social distancing has brought our communities closer. There have been so many heart-warming stories of people helping each other. From rainbows and bears in windows, scarecrows in gardens to a passing smile in the street.

Life is difficult at the best of times, but we have been shown how community can help, I hope this is something we cherish and continue.

Protect Our Health

One thing has been made clear your health is a big factor in surviving this pandemic and for elderly and other vulnerable people they have limited control over their health, but for many of us our lifestyle plays the biggest part in our health. heart conditions, Type 2 Diabetes, respiratory problems like COPD are all affected by our actions. I started this year an overweight pre-diabetic with high cholesterol and respiratory problems. With some minor changes to diet and exercise I have managed to reverse all of these and feel much happier and safer.

I hope everyone who can, will choose to help the NHS, themselves and their families.

Our Environment

The air we breathe is cleaner than it has been for years, you can now clearly see Wales from Wigan! Pollution is down and NO2 levels are down by over 60%. Wildlife has surged; deer have been spotted all over Wigan's greenbelt, oystercatchers have flocked to Norfolk shores and goats have taken to the empty streets of LLandudno.

This will not last and I do not expect it to, but should we go back to the way we were when we can see the impact?

End To Racism

Never has it been so clear how dependent we are on ethnic minorities as part of our society. Many of people we are dependent on, in factories, as delivery drivers and our frontline workers within the NHS, are from ethnic minorities.

It's been great to see the support for all of these people on a Thursday evening but I hope people don't clap for them on a Thursday and then once the pandemic is over, return to sharing posts slurring their traditions and religions.

I hope that everyone who agrees with me makes a stand when they witness racism.

Work Life Balance

I have never been so aware of how much my family means to me as I have been over the last few months. I have cherished the time I have spent with family and I have dearly missed those I have not been able to spend time with.

Some people are privileged enough to have a job they love or not need to work at all. Most of us might be happy in our jobs or careers but it is an end to a means. Why is it with all the technological advances improving efficiency, growth in the workforce and a move from a single "breadwinner" to multiple we are still working the same hours and are no better off?

We need changes at the government level to enable our employers to ensure we have the right work life balance and can still be successful and competitive businesses.

I want to have a successful career, but I do not want it at the expense of family, health and wellbeing.

Stay safe, I hope we can take some good out of this awful and unprecedented situation.