Lockdown - The sequel

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Other sequels – the question is are they better or worse than the original?

I write this on the eve of Lockdown 2 for England, which sounds like a dramatic Hollywood blockbuster, however sadly and frustratingly this isn’t tinseltown – this is our new normal.

As bars and restaurants get ready to close, and take another uncertain four-week break, certain essential services will continue during what I’m calling the ‘sequel’.

One of the biggest changes, no doubt welcomed by millions of parents, is that schools will stay open during the envisaged month-long lockdown. In March, they were closed to all pupils except children of key workers.

Nurseries, colleges and universities will also stay open, (thank goodness!) but university students have been told not to return home during term time. Although at this stage they will be able to leave campus for the Christmas holiday.

We can all leave our home for exercise, as many times per day as we want – a stark contrast to Lockdown 1.

Places of worship will again be closed to most forms of communal gathering, but can remain open for private prayer, unlike in the first phase of lockdown. Weddings and Funerals can still go ahead, albeit reduced to 30 for funerals and Weddings can proceed, only in ‘exceptional circumstances’.

Formal shielding for the vulnerable will not be reintroduced, unlike in spring when at-risk people (like our parents) were told not to leave home for any reason. However, the age definition of “clinically vulnerable” has been lowered to 60, down from 70 in the first lockdown, meaning the vulnerable category will be a much greater population in Lockdown 2.

The HFEA

One of the welcoming changes in the sequel is that Fertility Clinics can remain open – which undoubtably will ease the anxiety for the trying to conceive community. The HFEA issued this statement on the 2nd November.

As COVID Hospital admissions increase then we expect clinics to review their own policies to ensure safety of patients and staff is paramount, but for now this news comes as a massive relief to thousands of men and women, ensuring their dreams remain on centre stage – where they belong. I remember speaking to clinics in April, that had cancelled hundreds of IVF and Surrogacy cycles, and hearing the desperation and pleas from patients, not to cancel their treatment was heartbreaking – for fear the ticking clock was already working against them.

I spoke to Wessex Fertility (part of The Fertility Partnership) in Southampton, who are one of the clinic partners with TwoDads UK, to ask them how the latest measures impact them. Gillian Dawes, the General Manager for the centre commented ‘Wessex Fertility, like other fertility centres in the UK are allowed to continue working as normal during lockdown. We have put in place extra systems, as guided by the HFEA, such as temperature checking, hand gel stations and extra protective equipment for our staff in order to keep our clinic as safe as possible’.

‘Wessex Fertility also guarantee that should a patient have to stop their treatment due to Covid-19 then they will not be financially affected. We will undertake to complete their treatment at no extra costs, including replacing any medication they may have used. By taking these measures we are able offer a safe place for staff and patients and still provide a high quality service.’

So as we prepare for four weeks of Lockdown in England, the TTC community can this time, take some comfort and sleep a little easier. Knowing that there are measures in place this time to protect those on a fertility journey, days from potential embryo transfers after weeks of gruelling medication and months if not years of emotional trauma.

Fertility Support

If you’re currently embarking on treatment and need support, also check out some of the Fertility Friends on the home page (towards the bottom) of our website. These resources that may bring comfort, or connect you to other like minded people.

Stay Safe everyone, and lets ensure Lockdown doesn’t become a trilogy in 2021, we all know how painful they can be to unfold. You’ve seen The Hangover – Part 3 right?

Michael