Coronavirus: There might be beneficial side-effects from a shutdown – Hayley Matthews

A major shutdown because of the coronavirus outbreak might cause parents some problems, but would also help reduce carbon emissions, writes Hayley Matthews.

Kids are worried about the coronavirus the way Hayley’s generation was worried about Aids (Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

Last weekend I was in talking about the week’s events and news stories on BBC Scotland’s Seven Days with the lovely Fiona Stalker and Nick Sheridan.

The main topic of conversation was the coronavirus and I have to admit that as a parent, my eldest has been quite worried about it. He thinks that if you get it, then you’re probably going to die! I had a similar fear when I was a kid in the 80s and all we would hear about was Aids and how you could catch it from saliva, toilet seats and holding hands. We were all petrified and even though the media sensationalism was there, I believe it’s much more magnified today.

As a parent I’ve tried to play down the panic as I can see it’s clearly worrying him and many of his friends. I’ve tried to reassure him that those that have sadly lost their lives so far to coronavirus, for the majority, have been very old and in poor health. However, as the daily news has unravelled, watching the budget being delivered and seeing many empty shelves, I have to admit that I’m starting to spiral a bit myself now too.

I’ve had a dig about the cupboards to see what we have that would do us should we be quarantined for a few weeks and this sent me into a full-scale bulk buying episode.

If it was just me on my own then I’d be happy if I had a few packets of pasta and a box of wine but with two small children I’m sure like most parents out there – you’d rather be prepared, especially with the government seeming a bit slow to give advice and instruction other than sing Happy Birthday twice when washing your hands and waiting it out. I mean who can blame us for wanting to follow our instinct, go into full survival mode and making sure we have enough to provide for our families?

I’m not all for the panic buying but I am somewhere in the middle where I’d rather not be too laid back about it, and make sure that I have a few things stashed away. The local supermarket didn’t have much in the way of loo roll so I have to admit – I did head online for a massive box, just the one big box, mind you, because let’s not be greedy – after all, everyone needs to wipe their bum. I’m also happy to share this out with my nearest and dearest should it be needed.

I’m writing this on a Friday morning and, with the announcement that Ireland has just shut its schools, I’m apprehensive about what lies ahead for us next week. Who knows by the time you’re reading this we may already be on lockdown.

In the event of our schools closing and being told to stay at home, I do hope that the supermarkets can at least stock up on 14 per cent wine, and start selling Valium. But seriously, what are we all to do? I find the holidays hard enough and that is with the choice of soft plays, cinemas and various other activities in the city available to use. The only good thing I can see coming out of shutting down for a few weeks, closing everything and telling us to work from home, other than the obvious decline in spreading the virus, is the environmental benefits that it will have – which will be massive.

The lack of cars on the road and huge office blocks not having to use lots of electricity, then surely if anything this will give the Earth a well-deserved rest. They do say everything happens for a reason.