Speculation that coronavirus lockdown could soon be eased is causing a spike in stress levels as Britons worry they will catch COVID-19 and become seriously ill, study finds
- Ongoing speculation about lifting lockdown restrictions is increasing stress
- People are concerned they will catch COVID-19 when lockdown is eased
- The government is expected to ease the restrictions at the end of this week
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Speculation that politicians are preparing to start easing coronavirus lockdown restrictions has resulted in a spike in stress levels throughout Britain, a study claims.
The suggestion that social distancing measures could be relaxed has caused people to become concerned they will be more likely to catch COVID-19 and become seriously ill.
Researchers at UCL surveyed more than 80,000 adults and found people living with children were among those with the highest levels of worry.
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Ongoing speculation surrounding easing lockdown over the last week has caused a spike in stress levels with people worrying the eased restrictions may increase the likelihood they catch COVID-19 and become seriously ill
Ministers say healthy over 70s WILL be released from lockdown with the rest of UK
Ministers will let healthy over-70s be released from lockdown with the rest of the UK, it has been reported.
It comes as concern over potential ‘social unrest’ grows if the elderly are foxed to endure longer coronavirus restrictions than the rest of the UK.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock denied that over-70s were being asked to stay in their homes and had a ‘blanket ban’.
But there is growing confusion over where the government stands on this matter.
As a result, the government is keen to clarify rules for the elderly after confusion at the weekend over the official guidance.
Baroness Ros Altmann, 64, said many healthy over-70s would risk going to prison rather than continue isolating if younger generations did not have to.
The campaigner said using age-based criteria to lift restrictions would send a message that older people’s lives ‘don’t count in the same way as others’.
The government is currently reviewing its lockdown policy with Boris Johnson expected to unveil changes to current strategy on Sunday. Other European countries have already begun relaxing some restrictions, with millions returning to work in Italy yesterday.
A cabinet member told The Telegraph they would be ‘very surprised’ if there was any tightening of the lockdown for the over-70s.
The minister added: ‘The all over-70s grouping is going to morph. There is a big difference between the 1.5million ‘shielded’ people, known as extremely critically vulnerable, who have been sent a letter advising them to shield for 12 weeks, vulnerable people with pre-existing conditions of any age, and healthy over-70s.
‘This needs to be made clearer – you can’t just have a blanket over-70s group, that’s unsustainable.’
The results come from an ongoing study which monitors wellbeing and mental health in the UK throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Scientists at University College London (UCL) found stress levels to be ‘notably lower’ among people living in urban areas.
The findings come after the Government revealed it is drawing up a ‘roadmap’ of how it plans to gradually lift restrictions.
The team found life satisfaction had been slowly returning to pre-Covid-19 levels but discussions around easing lockdown restrictions had ‘halted’ this improvement.
Dr Daisy Fancourt, of UCL Epidemiology & Health Care and study leader, said: ‘Over the past week we have seen stress levels rise and the slight improvement in wellbeing we had seen since lockdown started has plateaued as discussions around an exit have begun.
‘Stress about unemployment remains relatively stable, with around one in 12 people worried about their future.
‘These levels are similar across most demographics, although higher in those under 60 and those with a mental health diagnosis.
‘Around one in six people are worried about finances, with these levels higher in people under the age of 60, with lower household incomes, living with children, and with a mental health diagnosis.
‘Stress relating to accessing food has stayed low over the past week, with only around one in 12 people now worried about it, although this rises to around one in eight amongst people with a mental health condition and one in 10 for people with an annual household income lower than £30,000.
‘It is also slightly higher in people living with children.’
A study published yesterday stated over-70s and vulnerable people should remain in lockdown when the draconian social restrictions are lifted.
The Edinburgh and London researchers have called for a ‘two tier’ action plan which would see the elderly and those with chronic conditions kept apart from society.
They say the approach, dubbed ‘segmentation and shielding’, is the only way to get the UK back to normal without overwhelming the NHS and causing a second wave.
Healthy Britons would be allowed back out, but stringent contact tracing, social distancing and strict handwashing rules would need to be in place.
Anyone with symptoms would need to quarantine along with their entire household for two weeks.
The study, which used modelling to predict the virus’ spread after lockdown, did not say how much longer elderly people would need to stay cooped up at home.
However, it was reported last night that the Government is planning to dismiss the report and allow over-70s the same freedoms as the rest of the UK.
Researchers at UCL surveyed more than 80,000 adults and found people living with children were among those to have the highest levels of concern. The findings come after the Government revealed it is drawing up a ‘roadmap’ of how it plans to gradually lift restrictions
Some experts have voiced concerns that lifting the lockdown prematurely could lead to a resurgence in case numbers as people resume normal life.
The government is eager to avoid this as the UK already has the highest death toll in Europe, with 29,427 people now confirmed to have died after testing positive for COVID-19.
At the daily Downing Street press briefing yesterday, Dominic Raab spoke of the desire to ensure there was no ‘second wave’ of coronavirus infections.
When quizzed on the potential of children returning to school after half-term, he warned it was too soon to even consider the move.
Speaking at the daily No 10 press briefing, Mr Raab said evidence from scientists indicated that opening all schools would lead to a ‘very real risk’ of a steep rise in transmission rates.
The warning came just hours after Nicola Sturgeon said schools north of the border were unlikely to reopen in the foreseeable future.
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