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, with one in four people (25 per cent) admitting it weighs on their mind.
This figure is up from around 18 per cent of people before rumours began circulating that the government may lift some lockdown restrictions.
Researchers at UCL surveyed more than 80,000 adults and found worries about catching the virus are higher in women, people with children, key workers, people with a mental health diagnosis, and people with a lower household income.
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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
Since speculation began over easing lockdown, collective Covid-related stress levels in the UK spikes from around 18 per cent up to about 25 per cent, UCL figures reveal (pictured)
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.
