Caged - 2020 to 2021 - a photo on Flickriver

Caged - 2020 to 2021

            Photography & Retouching: Paul Hammond 

Well this aged poorly. Or perfectly, depending on your perspective. 

As a resident of a state that has gone through the strictest lockdown measures for the longest time, this photo is a somewhat accurate depiction of the last 18 months - sans glamour, makeup and perfectly styled hair, of course. 

As an introvert, I haven't struggled as badly as I know others have with COVID lockdowns. My work can and has been done from home since March 2020. There are obvious things I miss - my beautiful nieces, my closest friends and family and, of course, shooting. I miss the gym. I'd just hit a new personal best and was keen to keep progressing there. I miss going out and doing random activities just because they occurred to me. I miss long drives, trying out new restaurants and going shopping with girlfriends. This is the first time I've thought about these things in detail since lockdown started because I know no good can come of it. It's hard not being able to do these things. It's hard being effectively trapped in your home. This is our version of a world war and it's not easy. 

Outside of my personal situation (which is largely pretty good in comparison to many others), CO-VID has caused many small businesses to close.  Unemployment is high. Mental health is extremely low with crisis centres inundated with calls from struggling people. Domestic violence has risen dramatically. And we are in extraordinary debt that will easily take decades to repay. 

And these are just the things that come to mind immediately.

However, our vaccination rates are steadily improving and we're on track to reach our target of 70-80% vaccinated. I'm hopeful that once this happens, our lockdowns will become a thing of the past. 

Some people in our country are choosing not to get vaccinated largely due to fear and a lack of trust. This has caused a huge divide between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. Literally every day there are people fighting aggressively online about this issue. It's exhausting. It's emotional. And it's pointless. One of my favourite photographers taught me about confirmation bias last year in response to trauma I was/am suffering through. He told me that, with people that have confirmation bias (and I think we all do over some things), we only look for evidence to back up our beliefs. We aren't looking for or interested in changing our minds. We've decided how we feel. And now all we want to do is find sources to validate what we already believe is the truth.

I can relate to that. I feel that vaccination is important and the best way to keep me safe. I'm uncomfortable making that decision for other people but I do worry for people that aren't. However that's not in my control and I don't believe anything I say will change their minds. Their own confirmation bias has their minds closed to anything other than what they already believe. 

And I get it because I feel the same. Just on the opposite side. However, I have some close friends that don't want the COVID vaccine. I worry for them because I think the vaccine is the safest choice in our current climate. But my love for them has and will continue to supersede this argument. I will support their decision and hope with all my heart that it causes them no harm. As, I'm sure, they do for me when I get my vaccine. In that moment, we are the same.

Taken on: September 11, 2021

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