I am not a health worker inundated with Omicron COVID19 cases and working in sometimes failing health systems. I’m not an expert on epidemiology. I am, however, an experienced observer of life who has lived in the one of the most locked down cities in the world. I have seen the impact multiple (6 in all) extended lockdowns have had on the mental well-being of so many, in particular, young people.
I have witnessed COVID babies struggling to release themselves into the social world and the loneliness of their mothers unable to receive adequate levels of support from community. I have also observed the mental health episodes, sense of hopelessness and frustration experienced by young men and women who have been so deeply affected by obstructions to, in particular, their social and economic growth.
Without doubt initially, the tactic to lock people down was, in most cases, a genuine attempt to save lives and prepare hospital systems for handling a pandemic. I suspect many vulnerable lives have been extended and some once healthy lives saved. History and data will tell us ultimately how successful lockdown tactics have been, however, it appears that over-time lockdowns became the ‘go-to’ measure of health administrators. Professionals unable to drive and implement the necessary changes into hospital systems often under funded and clearly ill prepared for a pandemic ( hopefully health care funding becomes a world priority). Lockdowns have also become the go-to tactic for leaders whose goal of achieving zero case numbers (apparently now impossible) is simply a face saving exercise. Whatever the politics, it’s now time to find other tactics that don’t retard the growth of our children. The pandemic is not over but it is slowly becoming more manageable.
To celebrate this notion of freedom and after some really challenging years I wrote the song ‘I Want to be Free’. Post the lockdowns, I met Eve Ward while she was busking at a fair in my hometown just south of Melbourne, Australia. It’s my interest, of course, to take unknown artists into the studio and sing one of my compositions. ‘Evie’ had this gorgeous natural strength to her voice that made it perfect for this Disney like song. She was such a pleasure to work with. Here it is.❤️🎶
The track is also out on iTunes, Spotify and all other major platforms.
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1621625791?ls=1&app=itunes
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1VX0dEGjokVoyOgrMHuvIA?si=4ux3sHzSQnydrCXGWwGkUQ
FINALLY. My sincere thanks to health workers across the world for their tireless work throughout the pandemic. It’s been so greatly appreciated by so many. May governments and the public across the world adequately support the work you do.❤️🎶
The Steve Bell Projectss cos C 