BATH TOGETHER Chief exec Greg Ingham on Lockdown

#BATH TOGETHER GREG INGHAM

We get locked down We get locked up again…

Turns out that the new, new normal isn’t quite the same as the old abnormal of spring. MediaClash’s chief exec GREG INGHAM ponders bouncebackability and Chumbawumba… So here we are in another lockdown, eh? Say hello through gritted teeth to Lockdown 2.0: The Frankly Slightly Dull But also we should likewise be careful not to over-react, either as individuals, families or in our working life. At least some of the rhythm of life for many will have been the same as it has Our schools, colleges and unis are open, with schools being especially significant for parents (and yes: kids, obvs) not having to labour with home schooling or be as limited on home working.

Sequel. In theory, as you’re reading been. We’re all more experienced Everyone is more experienced at this Bath is now already over at navigating our way through working differently: WFH and/ halfway through this – though, in these times. Human beings are or switching to, say, deliveries truth, halfway is more dependent endlessly adaptable. Businesses, and takeaways on what the government decides organisations, and even Lockdown 2.0: Groundhog than on when you picked up this governments, likewise. Many Day homage is capped to four issue. went into Lockdown 2.0: Déjà weeks – or at least was planned to

Well, in theory – and this vu All Over Again with an easy be. There was no time-limiting pandemic makes a mockery of determination: we can do this. plan before. The first lockdown any assumptions – yes, in theory Our streets haven’t been eerily was shrug-shoulder, no-onethis will have been an easier empty, making central Bath even knows open-ended and lasted lockdown than the spring, even more of a film set. We’re not all longer than virtually all would if it may go beyond the planned locked away, hunkered down. have expected. By contrast with 2 December. As ever, we should Far fewer people have been now, there wasn’t the equivalent all be careful not to under-react furloughed, even if there will major national collective holiday or deny an unwanted reality or be many more days of furlough looming when we locked down not be unempathetic to those before the end of March; far in March. Maybe individual materially affected: this is an many more businesses are trading plans for endless days of shoeless unwelcome change and we’ve had – normally on many cases, summer but not a time which to adjust responsibly. ingeniously in new ways in others. unites us all: Christmas will happen in some form. “From the first Further apart yet closer still. Also, we have learned from the spring. We learn from each other. lockdown we learned from the actions of Language is a virus (forgive the phrase); actions are mimicked; clothes and music and TV and attitudes and values – and everything is picked up from each each other. Many other. So from the first lockdown we learned from the actions of helped set examples to each other” each other. Many helped set examples to each other. And, impressively, the vast majority of Bath people and companies set the best of examples. ‘By your actions today shall ye be judged tomorrow’: this may be a tad Old Testament for some tastes but there’s a resonating truth here.

Some key takes from the spring:

Buy local. Who adds to the living culture of our city? Who pays their taxes here? Who contributes? Our independents. Disproportionately, always. Indies add hugely to the social and living culture of our city. They’re more distinctive. They attract people to the city. Support them: right here, right now. You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.

Lockdown made everything local. Don’t forget that spring sensation. Make it a lasting holiday romance.

The good that people do. What was truly inspiring in the first lockdown is that in the worst of times people showed their best. Supportive, thoughtful, empathetic.

We’ve been echo-chambering that via our #BathTogether campaign.

It’s touching.

And it didn’t, shouldn’t, mustn’t stop. Decency will endure. Revival will happen. This too shall pass.

So welcome to Lockdown 2.0: the Chumbawumba Remix “We get locked down – we get up again…”

#BathTogether – always…