There will be many stories to tell as lockdown is eased – we have to reflect that

Parts of society will need rebuilding, and substantial change will be required, writes Chris Stevenson

Lockdown restrictions will likely be lifted slowly (PA)

The easing of the coronavirus lockdown was always going to be a difficult process.

Some would argue that the way the government has gone about their communication in recent weeks has confused matters and I would be hard-pressed to say they aren’t right, at least in part. We could look around at other nations, but the truth is nobody knows for sure how this will play out.

There are a lot of factors to consider – and in an abstract way this also filters down to the Voices desk. Yes the decisions we make about what to publish are miles below the importance of those being made within government, but as the restrictions are lifted there will be thousands of stories to tell.

There will be those who have lost loved ones, lost businesses or jobs, or their homes. There will be those whose loved ones have survived against all the odds, the NHS staff looking to return to normality and process the horrors they’ve witnessed.

Many parts of society will need rebuilding; others will need substantial change. And there is much to discuss: the food poverty highlighted by our Help The Hungry campaign, the reform of social care, which areas of the economy can flourish again, and which will decline.

Today, Hamish McRae writes about how he thinks the global tourism industry will be affected in the coming months and years. Elsewhere, businesses will have to think about how home-working fits into their plans. Each of us will have had a different experience of this pandemic, and will be looking to the future in a different light.

It is our job to reflect that as much as we can. Talk about the big issues, ask the questions – large or small – and do so with the right mix of positivity for what can come next and compassion for what has come before.

I’m sure you will let us know how we are coming along!

Yours,

Chris Stevenson

Voices co-editor