The public reaction to the Dominic Cummings saga shows how difficult many people have found the lockdown. It has disrupted the lives of everyone in the country and the education of all schoolchildren, caused an unprecedented recession, soaring unemployment, kept families and lovers apart and led to worrying mental health problems. Tens of thousands have died. Many people were not able to say good-bye to or go to funerals of loved ones.
So it is perhaps rather surprising that a poll for the Daily Mail a week ago found that actually many people seem to be liking it. Asked if they were enjoying being at home more, 43 per cent said yes and just 25 per cent said no. More feel better off financially (33 per cent) than worse off (29 per cent). Large majorities reported better relations with their children (all that quality time together) and a positive impact on their marriage.
Some of this chimes with feedback from my constituents, many of whom have said they like the lack of traffic in their villages, the cleaner air, and slower pace of life.
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