Life

Marie Louise McConville: Lockdown dance videos are boosting morale - so quit complaining

Healthcare staff performing choreographed routines during lockdown
Healthcare staff performing choreographed routines during lockdown Healthcare staff performing choreographed routines during lockdown

There's just no pleasing some people.

You know the type - can't do right for doing wrong.

They like to complain, mostly about the most meaningless things and it's really starting to get on my wick.

Take, for instance, a recent Facebook video that to me was all about staying positive.

Dressed in their protective clothing, the clip featured a team of doctors and nurses performing a choreographed dance routine.

At the end of the footage, they held out message boards which thanked people for doing their part during this lockdown by staying at home.

The post, which is one of many, brought a smile to my face because there has been a lot of doom and gloom recently and this introduced a bit of much-needed light entertainment into my world.

In response, the vast majority of people hailed the brilliance of the video however there were also some comments criticising it, branding those involved lazy and accusing them of wasting time.

There was also a contribution from controversial commentator Katie Hopkins who had a real go at any healthcare staff who had been involved in making such videos, telling them to stop "pratting" around and asking them to be professional.

I know people like to complain but really, are these videos all that bad?

I think we all need to remember something.

The doctors, nurses and healthcare staff who are at the forefront in this pandemic are only human.

Can you imagine what it must be like going to work every day to be surrounded by sickness and most probably, death?

Many of them are having to live apart from their families, having to cope on their own, going into work knowing they will most likely hold the hand of one person or many people as they pass away.

Personally, I can't comprehend that. It is immense.

Therefore, don't you think they are entitled to take a break, relax with some colleagues, have a little dance?

Everyone's mental health is just as important as our physical health, especially during this lockdown and if a short, respectful video at the end of an exhausting 13-hour-shift is the worst medical teams can do, then I have no issue.

In the grand scheme of things, all I can do is open my door on a Thursday night and applaud these guys because what they are doing is brave and selfless and heroic.

We must remember they are not robots. They have emotions and limits and we can't expect them to do the remarkable job they are doing without a break here and there.

So, if anything, I say more dancing please.

Keep up the good work. We are with you in spirit.

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There was great news from the land of TV this week - Coronation Street actress Beverley Callard has reportedly become the first star to sign up for I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

Amid all the lockdown doom and despair that normality may never return, it was great to read that the popular reality show is looking towards returning later this year.

The 63-year-old actress, who has played Liz McDonald in the soap for 30 years, quit the show five months ago.

Sources have claimed that TV presenter Matt Baker and ex-footballer John Barnes may also feature.

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Well folks, we're approaching week eight in lockdown and I think, for me, the novelty is starting to wear off.

At the beginning, the idea of working from home, possibly in my pyjamas with Frasier on the background was an exciting prospect but now I think the concept has lost its sparkle.

Like many, I am really starting to miss my family, friends and colleagues.

While we received new homework packs for Abbie, I have been trying to think up new ways of making home-schooling more fun.

I was glad then when I logged on to BBC Bitesize.

What a great website this is.

With programmes tailored for primary one children right up to post-16, students can follow lessons in English, Maths, History, Music and Geography, amongst others.

Parents just need to select their child's school year and a whole host of resources appear.

This week, Abbie was able to develop her vocabulary through phonics, learn about body percussion and watch professional dancer Dianne Buswell read an extract from Funnybones.

And these were only some of the colourful lessons on offer. Parents can even go back and open previous lessons.

There's plenty there to keep school children of all ages busy during the day.

Enjoy.