“Stay Alert” is the new formal government advice for our next stage of the Coronavirus outbreak. It’s common sense some say, while others hold their hands up and exclaim they don’t know what that means.
Well, in a world where we had to be re-taught how to wash our hands, here’s seven things you can do to help you stay alert.
1. It is all about how you relate to others
It may sound obvious, but right up front, Stay Alert is focused on how you physically relate to others. It refers to how close you are to one another as we move about and, how we maintain social distancing, as the lockdown changes. That includes remaining actively conscious of hygiene measures, cleaning our hands, covering any coughs, and wiping down surfaces.
2. Imagine you have never been there before
Everything is the same but, everything is different.
Wherever you live, go to school, or work, everything will still be in the same place, physically. Critically, everything that makes it work, the people who work there, and the ways you interact will all have changed, potentially for a long time. What was once a corridor in a work place may now be a one way route. The coffee room no longer exists, you can’t share that stapler, and hot desking is history.
You need to view your work or school environment as though you’re visiting it for the first time. Do not rely on what you used to do. Good organisations will help you to do this with brand new induction training.
3. Check how to commute
Don’t just assume that you can travel with ease. Confirm your routes, arrangements at each end, and identify anything you need to change.
In a few months you may well lament the good old days when you were lucky to get a seat in a packed carriage. With the need for social distancing it may be that your public transport options have just disappeared, and once you have arrived, moving across busy concourses and entrances has become a much slower process.
There will be other significant changes, and they will be different for each of us. The place you used to stop to collect your coffee is closed. So too are many of the places you may have sought shelter, for a rest, to use a toilet, or in the worst case, to avoid someone who was threatening you. In the warm summer months with longer daylight hours, this may not be such a problem but it will magnify once the nights start to draw in.
4. People will not always act as expected
Common sense is not common and, intuitive isn’t always so.
Going forward many things will be organised in different ways. Already your local supermarket probably has single direction aisles and 2m markings on the floor. For most people this new system may be common sense but some will not understand it. It’s the same as being confronted by the new “intuitive” software package on your computer. Change can be uncomfortable.
Over the next months you must look out for the new systems. Be prepared to pause and work out what is going on and, how you need to move through it.
At the same time, when you are getting it right, be prepared for others who have misunderstood or have deliberately chosen to ignore the system. Their actions may compromise your space. As a result of that happening to you, or other people, some will react emotionally. Expect such events to happen and determine to yourself that you will not be the cause of any unnecessary escalation or problems.
5. Watch out for one another
Social distancing does not mean ignoring your fellow human beings. Because of our need to remain physically separate from one another, it will be easy to think we don’t need to look out for anyone else. The reverse is true.
Staying alert also means noticing individually those people who are around you. Say hello, give them a nod, create the opportunity to smile at them. In that way you will become more aware of the people in your environment. In Street Safe Thinking, we talk about the people you are sharing a stage with. It’s much better when all actors are feeling great.
Through that, you may notice the person who does need help, and whether you are the one to give it or not, you may at least initiate the help. All of us will stumble and fall at some stage, figuratively and physically. We want someone to be there if we have a heart attack or some other urgent need. Keep your eyes open and decide when to step forward.
6. Don’t let yourself feel pressurised by the situation
It is really easy to think that everyone else is on top of the situation, knows what to do, and that it is only you who is struggling. You are not alone. None of know how things will turn out.
You can, however, ease the pressure on yourself by slowing down slightly and checking before you proceed with anything. Do not let yourself feel rushed into acting in any way which you think is inappropriate.
As some crime has dropped, fraud has risen during the lockdown. If you feel pressurised to give away personal or financial information by anybody stating it is for Coronavirus control reasons, pause, ask yourself if that makes sense. If necessary make another confirmation of who the person is. Don’t let normal precautions drop.
7. Watch out for the Sharks
You may be moving around at different times in a changed environment. Once busy places may feel emptier. With that extra space comes the opportunity for criminals to more easily pick out individuals.
Staying alert means being observant, including looking for people who are paying you any undue attention. Pay particular attention when you move through tight places where you are channelled into contact with others. Keep good control of your belongings and do not broadcast where you keep your money, phone or any other valuables.
If you are at all in doubt about the true intentions of people in your area, move to somewhere you believe to be safe and call for help.
To learn about our online training packages, please contact john@streetsafethinking.com.
