Coronavirus

[Graham Breeze]

Ironically, while I appreciate that there has been a lot of suffering for some, lots of peoples lives have been improved by lockdown and new working practises. So me for instance - in the past my average daily commute, when i was in the office in Leeds was 4 hours or more and, when I was out of the office seeing clients, where I was formerly travelling 200 to 400 miles a day in my car visiting them, I'm now zooming them from my kitchen table. Hey presto I can do 95% of my job from home now.

I was also speaking to a GP friend who said that his job has (thus far) been transformed too - telephone call appointments, far less stress, far less chance of catching what your patient has, texting/emailing in pictures of infections/cuts/bites etc. Suddenly consulting with patients is far less of a hassle.

Bicycle sales have gone through the roof and, judging by the sheer number of walkers on top of Penyghent on Sunday, so has outdoor activity. So for many perhaps mental health has been improved too?

I had my hair cut this morning. When the salon reopened after lockdown he put my charge up 15% (Some more exotic female attention was uplifted by 40%!). I asked him today if his business had fallen away and he said not and in fact it is now spread more evenly through the week rather than being frantic on Friday/Saturday.

So he has less stress, has retained his customer base and is taking in more revenue. He seemed quite jolly!