'Work has felt scary at times' - Edinburgh residents on their perspective of life under lockdown

We asked locals what they thought.
Some readers felt isolated when unable to visit friends and family.Some readers felt isolated when unable to visit friends and family.
Some readers felt isolated when unable to visit friends and family.

After a gruelling six months of lockdown, the Evening News is asking local residents to share their experiences and their hopes for what a ‘new normal’ could look like in future.

You can take part in our Big Conversation Survey here before it closes on Monday September 28.

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Some readers have already shared their thoughts with us on social media.

Most revealed that the past six months have been very difficult, with many mentioning loneliness and anxiety.

But there were some positive stories, including workers who now find it easier to balance their career and home lives.

"Personally the best thing to happen was the option of home working,” said Salome Menezes.

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"As a mum can now juggle well between family and work without any mental imbalance.”

"I think it's fair to say we will never fully return to what life was like pre-Covid. Certainly in the world of work, as an office worker, I don't see myself returning to work full time at a desk in an office. That's likely to be a permanent change for a lot of people,” said Andrew Nicolson.

One reader enjoyed the solitude of lockdown, and being able to connect with nature.

"It was fantastic. Time stopped. No rushing to be here or there at a certain time, no racing for buses. Of course I did miss out going to music events, cinema and meals out. But I ate better at home anyway. Plenty of stuff on Netflix too. I am glad it has eased off though and normality is returning. But it was good while it lasted,” said Nick D Gow.

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Other readers struggled due to financial worries and job losses.

Jacqueline Dunn said: “My job failed to exist when they closed everything, I was lucky enough to secure a temporary job stacking shelves in Asda, I did that up until four weeks ago. When life seemed to be returning to normal, I returned to my normal job where now a curfew has been put in place!

“I live alone, so the first few months were hard until our phases out of lockdown meant we could meet our family and friends.”

Some also mentioned isolation.

"I had a baby in lockdown and I feel very isolated and lonely with my husband working long hours and now I can't even see my family,” said Emily Caine.

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Ashley Millington-Garside is an NHS nursing assistant who has continued to work during the pandemic.

"Work has felt scary at times,” she said.

“I’m grateful that I'm still earning a wage, but sad to be nursing from behind a mask. It isn't easy to comfort a terrified or confused patient with so much of my face covered.”

She added: “Needs must though. Fighting this horrible virus is so much more important than personal freedoms. I’m proud to be NHS. Happy to do the right thing by following the guidelines to fight this.”

You can take part in our Big Conversation Survey here. If you are unable to fill in the survey online or you would like to send us more of your thoughts on lockdown life and beyond, please send an email to [email protected] with The Big Conversation in the subject line.

If you are struggling with your mental health during lockdown, you can contact the Scottish Association for Mental Health here or on 0344 800 0550.

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