Being told to stay at home is not easy; already many of us have succumbed to a state of boredom and we have only been stuck inside for a week. However, over a million of those deemed to be most at risk of COVID-19 face the prospect of not leaving home for three months.

 

A key element of the government’s response to the outbreak of COVID-19 is the idea of ‘shielding’ those who are likely to need hospital treatment if they catch the virus by strongly advising them to stay at home for at least 12 weeks and avoid any face-to-face contact. There are many different health conditions which could resolve in the need to shield oneself, and one of them is those who have received solid organ transplants. I spoke to my friend Olivia Bradburn, who received a liver transplant at a young age and was asked to isolate by the NHS, to find out what it was like for her and her family.

 

Earlier this week, she received a text from the NHS stating that she had been identified as someone who was at high risk of needing hospital treatment in the event of catching the virus. The text outlined the measures she must take, which include not leaving home for 12 weeks, staying three steps away from others indoors and washing hands regularly for at least 20 seconds. It is clear that the government believes that this is the best way to protect the NHS, as in these unprecedented times home is the safest place for us all.

 

Naturally, being a teenager, Olivia enjoys spending time with her friends and says that she uses apps such as FaceTime and Houseparty in order to socialise, but this is not the same as seeing them in person. As we are still in the school term, she is able to spend time doing work set by teachers but during the upcoming Easter holidays it will be hard to stay entertained, especially given that she can’t go out to the park for a run or dog walk.

 

Although everyone is currently in the same boat, with the government telling us all to stay at home, if this lockdown is lifted within 12 weeks then Olivia, and so many others, will be stuck indoors while the rest of us enjoy our summer. It is clear that there is quite understandably a fear of missing out, so I urge you to call anyone you know who may be vulnerable, including friends and grandparents, to offer a distraction from the constant news coverage. If we all come together, we can get through these tough times and make them that bit more bearable for those who are suffering the most.

 

Toby Gwynne