'I'm living in the shadows': what new restrictions would mean for Leicester
As a surge in coronavirus cases brings talk of a local lockdown extension, the city's most vulnerable wonder what the future holds
When Richard Maughan contemplates weeks more trapped in his home because of a rise in coronavirus cases in Leicester, he thinks of his childhood in County Mayo, Ireland, and going exactly where he pleased. Mixing, and mingling, and roaming the fields," he says with a laugh. But in these strange times, you keep yourself to yourself. I can't have contact with anybody."
Maughan, 40, is shielding because he suffers from leukaemia, as well as severe depression and anxiety. He has been totally alone for months, living with insomnia, without work, and just the lifeline delivery of food parcels from a local support network, Project Hope, to keep him going. He has been unable to see his children, or his partner, who is self-isolating too. It's not the same on the phone," he says. I feel as if I'm living in the shadows."
Continue reading...