Survey reveals growing concerns in Falkirk of impact of second COVID wave

With restrictions tightening this week, and a new three-tier system of localised measures impacting south of the border, our findings give an insight into the views of local people.

The Big Conversation, conducted by JPI Media, publishers of the Falkirk Herald, to take the temperature of the nation as it tapped into our readerships in regions across the UK.

We put questions to our readers to find out what has changed since lockdown - and what the new society which emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic should look like.

Those questions ranged from what is important to you in the light of lockdown to gauging public confidence as we adapt to life with a raft of ever changing restrictions - ones which may be about to be tightened once more

The issue of a second wave delivered a very clear message.

Asked about the impact of a potential second spike, 56% said they were very concerned, and 27% slightly concerned.

Only a handful - just 6% - were not worried.

And the ‘Rule of Six’ - one of the ways the Scottish Government has tried to limit community contact - was not seen as effective in the event of more positive cases.

Asked how it would help reduce the chances of a second wave, 38% said it would not be effective - and 26% said it wouldn’t be effective at all.

Some 26% said it would be effective, with under 4% seeing it as a very effective step.

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Our survey also revealed more about how society has changed in lockdown.

A total of 87% said they were visiting our town centre a lot less often - only 22% had not changed their habits

.In terms of daily activities, most were fine about visiting family.

Some 40% were very comfortable and 47% comfortable.

There was less confidence about going to a gym or taking an exercise class - only 20% were very comfortable and 32% comfortable.

Just 12% were very comfortable going to church and some 35% were not comfortable about volunteering for community groups.

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