New Government advice doesn’t apply to Newcastle’s West End

Today my dad broke into our local tennis court so that we could play a game in the sunshine. 

Honestly I think the most impressive thing about the whole thing was the way he approached the court, the gates of which were fastened by several cable ties. One minute I was about to suggest that we just go for a nice walk instead, since we were already up and out and it was such a nice day. The next thing I know, my dad is reaching into his pocket for his keys and applying them with what can only be described as panache and elan to the cable ties. I watched in awe as recreational use of the tennis courts became available once again, one cable tie at a time. Perhaps what was most concerning is the instinctive nature of my dad's actions in removing the feeble fastenings: I feel that if nothing else, I’ve gained some insight into what my dad’s working class childhood was like. I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder. 

Whilst we were playing, another father and daughter turned up. The latter of whom was clearly more serious about the sport than myself and Tony are. As they approached, my dad called out that they would have to enter from the other side like we had, as only one of the gates was open. I’m not sure whether the man realised the reason behind this and that perhaps none of us should have been in there; if he did he didn’t show it. Instead, simply nodding a thank you and helping his daughter carry her rackets round to the other entrance. In this sense, it seems that liberating the tennis courts in this way surely must be a good thing, especially if it means that budding Wimbledon potentials can work on their backhand. Moreover, as my brother pointed out: is tennis not one of the most socially distant of all the sports? The players are literally separated by a net after all. 

Unfortunately, our enjoyment was short lived. Returning the next day, my dad and brother found the tennis courts empty, the gates adorned with a fresh set of unbroken cable ties. Whilst I think one can justify breaking in once with the excuse that we thought the local council had just neglected to re-open the tennis courts (our area in general is usually one of the last to receive any sort of renovations or funding), I think maybe twice would have been pushing it a little bit. However, the fact that the tennis courts came to be in use so quickly after my dad had re-opened them, made me realise their significance as a facility (not just for entertainment purposes but also for genuine serious practice) in the area. 

Similarly, walking through Leazes park a few days before, I’d passed a family who’d quite clearly ignored the signs about Covid-19 stapled around the playground. The three kids were quite happily making use of the swings and the see-saw, after the bright pink tape had been removed of course. Initially I thought how selfish it was to ignore governmental guidelines when we’re currently enduring a high risk global pandemic. Then I remembered how incompetent our government is, and realised how difficult it must be to care for and entertain your children all day every day when money is limited and schools are closed. Of course they would make use of the park; have you ever met a kid who wasn’t begging to go to the playground and would quite happily spend hours there if they were allowed? Once again, the government, largely comprised of middle class privately educated white people, wouldn’t have even taken into consideration the effects that school and park closures would have, particularly on working class families. 

What's more, when government do claim to be aware of the effects their restrictions will have had, particularly on poorer families, their response is to try and accelerate the re-opening of the schools? To me this is absolutely ludicrous, especially in the case of primary schools where for the last month and a half before summer holidays you spend your days colouring in and watching films anyway. I remember when I was in year 6, once we'd completed our SATs, every afternoon became a badly managed PE lesson, which basically meant half the class kicked a ball around a field while the other half sat making daisy chains. Yes, I am enormously aware of how 'school brochure' this image seems. Even in the case of secondary schools, there is nothing you will learn in the last 6 weeks of the term that you are going to remember over the summer holidays. 6 weeks sort of seems like the perfect length of time to forget everything, enjoy the rare sun we get here in Britain and start afresh in September. Therefore, what is the point in re-opening the schools for just long enough to expose the nations' children to a highly infectious virus, which will inevitably lead to a second wave and even harsher restrictions for the proceeding summer months? 

Whilst the government allege that they are doing what is most beneficial and necessary in order to prevent the spread of Corona Virus, their fundamental understanding of how the imposed restrictions will affect working class families seems to be lacking somewhat. Frustrating, but hardly surprising. What's more, in light of Borry J's most recent presidential message, basically removing himself and the government from any sort of responsibility of the consequences of the lockdown and instead placing the blame on the public, is it any wonder that families have started to just live by their own rules? At the end of the day, they've been told that anything that happens now is their fault, so maybe they consider that it's worth the risk to entertain their children in the fresh air and sunshine, especially if its at their own discretion. In this way, perhaps all Johnson has managed to do is actually exacerbate the UK's Covid situation through not having enough of a backbone to do what needs to be done. It wouldn't be the first time the president has acted disappointingly. If nothing else, at least he's consistent.