Straddling The UK and Spain; both places we call home, but only in the latter are we legally resident. We arrived in England just before the Dover/Calais chaos and before the ‘new strain’ was identified. We have been very lucky and grateful to see our families at Christmas, but it seems that the sparkle has already worn off as The UK enters its third lockdown.
I don’t check the English or Spanish news very often; it gives me palpitations and sets the merry-go-round racing in my mind. But I am obliged to check the situation when I am trying to get home; whether it be north or south that I am heading. And (apart from the extreme lockdown in Spain last year), I have to say I think that since then, Spain has done a much better job of handling things. But that’s another blog post. One thing I have noticed, however, are the general complaints against ‘the people’.
For example: in Valencia, our home in Spain, more restrictions are brought in every few weeks. This week in Las Provincias, one official stated that it was because people are not following the rules. Similar stories in The UK; we all (except Dominic Cummings) have to follow the rules to get out of this. And then there are the self-righteous on their moral high horses (careful you don’t fall!) exclaiming that they don’t understand why it is so difficult for people to follow the rules and simply stay at home. Let me answer that: it is not difficult. Well, not when you don’t have to choose between heating or eating; not when you have enough space; entertainment and good relationships with those in the same house. A lack of any one of those things could send you over the edge. Look at the big picture, please, if you can see that far from your moral high ground.
But I suppose my real point is this: most of us have trouble following the rules because for almost a year we have been ordered not to behave as human beings. For the majority, it is fairly easy to follow rules such as not thieving perfume from Boots, or not driving in the bus lane, or not murdering someone because their dog has shat outside our door. Driving in the bus lane, pilfering perfumes and murder are not (generally) biological or social urges which we need to engage in to survive. Our mental health is not negatively impacted if we don’t steal or don’t drive in the bus lane or don’t kill someone regularly. But can you say the same about all the things that are increasingly against the rules now?
When visiting your mum becomes illegal; when we are told that socialising could kill people; when all entertainment and fitness venues are closed: we suffer. Humans are social animals. People need people; people need a release. And no matter how much your family and friends might push your buttons, to be separated from them indefinitely is inhumane. Humans cannot follow rules which demand that they stop acting like humans for prolonged, indefinite periods of time. Especially when these demands have been issued through clouds of chaos, contradictions and astounding incompetence.
It is no wonder many of us have been riddled with anxiety over the last year. We are social animals who naturally stay in groups as protection from outside threats and danger. So when the group BECOMES the danger? Our hard-wired biological instincts cannot handle it. We have been divided and conquered into the smallest units. Anxiety and fear are growing as we are ever-more isolated, unable to share our fears, reason with and comfort each other. Not just over a drink in the pub; but in the home of a loved one.
So no, people are not following the rules because people are people. Human beings. You might as well ask a pride of lions to go vegan. Never. Gonna. Happen.
bluearsedbutterfly 