Come Together

The very last thing I aim to do, here, is bombard anybody with stats or guilt-trip anyone when speaking of the notorious COVID-19 (unless you’ve been rinsing shops of their products, none of us need that). It feels almost impossible to write without mentioning this virus. 22 March 2020, the date that The Reds could have (and deep down, you know we would have) won number 19. Our nineteenth top-flight league title. Did your parents ever tell you about Sod’s law? Mine too.

Of course, the health of the population holds the utmost importance on this planet. You just can’t help the burning feeling of frustration that comes with not-quite holding that league title. Two wins, how frustrating is that, eh? There are aspirations that this season can be resumed, as if nothing happened. Whether this would be behind closed doors, or in front of full stadiums in some months to come remains to be unseen. I”l leave that with you: if footy is any good behind closed doors. It just seems wrong. Recently, my Dad and I found ourselves discussing the notion that this is an anti-Liverpool simulation. No jokes were had, but a full, serious conversation entailed surrounding our freakish misfortune (domestically, anyway, Europe has been our friend for most of the recent years). Whilst I aim to make light of an extremely dark situation it must be told that this whole scenario, whilst completely extraordinary, is to be taken seriously. Footy seems to be my life, these days, but without our health we can enjoy none of the things we take for granted. Boy, I want the matches back.

Admittedly, being a typical ‘spotty yoof’ I dismissed the idea that any of this would ever impact my otherwise ordinary life, but it has. The problem I find with contemporary society is something we pride ourselves on: our media. It’s fantastic (when used correctly, and trust me: a lot of the time it isn’t used correctly). We should be using our brilliant technology and media to report accurately, not exaggerate or leave unspoken about. My Dad often voices his disappointment with people, I had laughed it off until now. I mean, I don’t dislike anyone-really-but how can you justify neglecting others whilst shopping, whilst they try to buy essentials?

Being in Year 11 at school, the global situation greatly affects me. The most peculiar turn of events has seen me leave school in March. To many this probably sounds ideal for adolescents, as it could be a chance to get up to mischief and avoid school rules. This is not the case to anybody that I know, I don’t think. Potentially 6 months without education isn’t my idea of a great time, to be honest. I feel rusty going to school after 6 weeks off (for an average summer). Many conversations with classmates in the last week have brought me to certain conclusions. We, as a year group, have had the stress but none of the fun of year 11. Knowing people who have taken their GCSE’s, I know that the stress of exams is balanced by the rejuvenating sense of freedom during the traditional 3 month break before post-16 studies. Most of all, leaving school so soon leaves those who won’t be returning to school (to study at sixth form) without an opportunity to see the teachers and friends who have helped them throughout school life. Whilst these things are-of course- inescapable, it still feels odd. No doubt, across the country and the globe there will be students like myself left feeling low. Not to mention those who were supposed to sit A-level exams, this must be awful, too. At my school, we were allowed in on Friday 20th March for half an hour: to sign shirts, say brief goodbyes, and take photos. It was a good gesture from the school.

Leaving school is hard, for anybody. Normally, students who have completed their school life are met with a great summer, seeing their pals, attending festivals and concerts, playing sports and being outside just for the sake of it. This is a feeling we have most definitely taken for granted, and students this year face the notion of no summer. At this point I feel the urge to re-iterate one of my initial points: the health of everyone is the most important thing. Whilst I whinge about things I find important like summer holidays, I feel slightly guilty, for I understand the severity of people’s suffering at this time. It is times like this that I love to refer back to the master of lyrics, John Lennon. ‘Come Together’, this is the only way. Humanity seems to prevail time and time again, we just have to endure this period.

In times of crisis, of worry and of fear it’s important to remain calm. Going for walks may be the only way I stay sane. Playing footy in the garden, too. Going for walks is a big thing for people, put your earphones in, and listen to the album ‘What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?’ This has to be on your own, of course, to follow public advice. What I’m trying to say is don’t lose hope. Go for a walk, listen to that album, find a forest, a bridge or something. Just remember times you’ve had at that place. We’ll soon be back out in the sun with our friends. Reviewing this paragraph I have noticed that the idea of walking to a bridge is slightly random, yet I find that one of the best places to be is somewhere calm, this is a perfect example.

This piece has differed from others I have written in the past months, but i feel it’s important to shed light on the entirety of the situation of our planet right now. Talking to people you love, your family, your friends, boyfriends/girlfriends ETC, that’s going to help so many. In the coming week I will write about another topic that particularly interests me: skating, the clothing and culture that comes with it. Briefly, I would like to add the importance of this hobby, for it distracts so many from the endless bad news of today.

Above all else, I urge everyone to keep going, keep smiling and wait for better days.