An investigation into the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic (2020) on diet and lifestyle within the UK James Ritchie

An investigation into the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic
              (2020) on diet and lifestyle within the UK
                                      James Ritchie

A coronavirus is a type of virus which can cause disease in animals and humans. Some
coronaviruses are relatively harmless and will only result in a mild, common cold. However,
others such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS), result in symptoms that are severe and potentially lethal (Liverpool, 2020).
COVID-19 is a newly discovered type of coronavirus caused by severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (WHO, 2020).
The virus first appeared in December 2019 in Wuhan, a city in the Hubei province of China.
Investigations into how COVID-19 originated are still ongoing, but it is thought that the source
of the outbreak may be connected to a seafood market in Wuhan. Live, wild animals such as
fish, birds, snakes, pangolins, and bats were also frequently sold at this market. The original
host of COVID-19 is believed to be infected bats (Newey and Gulland, 2020). Another theory
from the US government is that the virus came from a laboratory in Wuhan that was carrying
out research on diseases in bats (Weinland and Manson, 2020).
As of the 20th May 2020, there have been 5 million cases, 325,000 deaths, and 1.98 million
recovered cases across the world (Worldometer, 2020). There have been 35,341 deaths in
the UK (Department of Health and Social Care, and Public Health England, 2020) and 489 of
these deaths have been recorded in Northern Ireland (Murray, 2020). Ten deaths have been
reported in the Fermanagh and Omagh council district (Department of Health, 2020).

The three main symptoms of COVID-19 are a new and continuous cough, high temperature,
and a loss of or change to your sense of smell and/or taste. NHS advice is that anyone who
experiences these symptoms should self-isolate at home for 7 days and their family
members/housemates should self-isolate for 14 days (NHS, 2020). Many people who become
infected with COVID-19 will have a mild to moderate form of the disease and will not require
hospital treatment. However, the elderly, and people who have underlying health conditions
such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic respiratory conditions are at much greater
risk of developing a serious illness (WHO, 2020). The reason why COVID-19 has spread
worldwide is likely because the severity of symptoms is different for everyone. Around 20%
of cases are classed as severe and the other 80% of cases are mild to moderate and there are
also people who experience no symptoms but are carriers of the disease. This makes it more
difficult to control than other coronaviruses like SARS and MERS. Currently there is no vaccine
or effective treatment available for COVID-19 but there are many ongoing trials.

The Northern Ireland executive announced closure of all schools in NI by Friday 20th March
2020 (Education Authority NI, 2020). The UK entered lockdown on the 23rd March 2020 to try
and slow the spread of COVID-19. Non-essential businesses were shut, public gatherings of
more than two people were banned, and social events such as weddings were stopped.
People were only permitted to leave their homes for essential reasons and for one form of
daily exercise (UK government, 2020). Anyone who was able to work home had to do so (BBC
Newsline, 2020).
Research carried out by Kings College London found that 90% of the 2250 survey participants
were in support of the lockdown. They also found that 49% felt more anxious and depressed
than usual. A fifth of the people surveyed said they were drinking more alcohol that normal
while a third said they were eating more food or less healthily than before the beginning of
the lockdown (Easton, 2020). These findings could be linked. Mental health issues and anxiety
about COVID-19 caused by stress or loneliness may lead to binge-drinking and comfort eating.
People may also be eating and snacking more due to boredom because of losing their normal
daily routine while off work or school. Shoppers are also buying more food as a result of panic-
buying (Southey, 2020). Another survey by the charity Drinkaware found that out of those
who were drinking more during the pandemic, 28% were recently furloughed and 26% were
now working from home (Roxby, 2020). Worries about income, bills and job insecurity is likely
contributing to this problem.
On the other hand, the coronavirus pandemic has also had a positive impact on diet and
lifestyle. The closure of fast food outlets, restaurants and cafes has forced people to prepare
their own meals. Tesco found that “more than a fifth of Brits are now cooking every meal
from scratch, compared to just one in eight before the lockdown”. 37% of people said that
their lack of home cooking prior to lockdown was due to a lack of time. Has home cooking
made a comeback for good? (Hughes, 2020). People also seem to be using their spare time
for home baking as it was reported that flour sales were up 92% in March 2020 compared to
March 2019 (Morton, 2020).
There has also been an increase in demand for organic and sustainable food. Organic food
businesses like Nourish Organics have experienced a 30% increase in sales. (Ewing-Chow,

2020). Consumers may be trying to improve their immunity along with their dietary health. It
is well-known that COVID-19 poses a higher risk to people who have underlying health
conditions associated with being overweight or obese. Has the virus raised consumer
awareness of the link between health and nutrition?
The pandemic has also led to an increase in physical activity. Social media challenges such as
the ‘Run for Heroes 5km challenge’ has encouraged people to take advantage of being
allowed to leave their homes for one form of daily exercise. (ITV News, 2020). The Body
Coach, Joe Wicks, has been holding daily exercise classes online and is set to earn £10 million
during lockdown due to a large increase in people signing up to his 90-day diet and exercise
plan (Storey, 2020). Will this lead to a more active Britain after the Coronavirus pandemic?

999 words

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