Leicester locals worried about extreme measures after seven-day Coronavirus infection rate spikes

By Adam Rear

Leicester’s seven-day Coronavirus infection rate is now at the highest point it has ever been, causing a great deal of stress and worry to those confined within the city.

The city has had more infections confirmed in the last seven days than before it was put into local lockdown on June 30, with the infection rate reaching 278.1 cases per 100,000 people.

The infection rate was less than half of the current infection rate when the local lockdown was introduced.

With the sharp surge in Coronavirus cases, many are worried that strict measures, as seen across Wales, will be introduced in Leicester.

Supermarkets in Wales have been slammed with complaints as products deemed ‘non-essential’ have been covered up. In some cases whole aisles have been blocked off to stop customers buying products.

There has been much controversy over the term non-essential being used on certain products such as shampoo, period pads, clothes and cooking equipment, with many arguing that these items are essential.

The most prominent issue being women focussed products, such as tampons and period pads, falling under the non-essential bracket.

Civil servant and Leicester resident Anita is unhappy with the drastic measures set in Welsh supermarkets and hopes they aren’t enforced in Leicester.

“Surely buying cooking equipment and clothes is only non-essential if you have them, they’re very essential if you don’t,” she said.

“As for saying tampons and period pads are non-essential, I can only assume it was a man who said that.”

Other issues have arisen regarding the restrictions as pens, notepads and certain other craft items have also had their sale restricted in Wales.

Leicester College student Imogen fears those in education would also be affected if the restrictions were introduced locally.

“I think it is not really for the shops to decide what is essential as the needs of different people varies,” she said.

“It isn’t fair that notebooks and pens are considered non-essential when schools and colleges are still running.

“Women products like tampons are very essential. It is something that happens naturally, it is not a choice.”