An Open Letter - Why The Current Guidelines Cause A Gender Bias

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you as a concerned Constituent around the current climate around Covid-19. I have been in touch with Tommy Shepard to urge a reassessment on the guidelines surrounding Government Financial Aid, but today I write to you to explain how Covid-19 is affecting local businesses in ways that are not yet being recognised. 

It has been researched in Europe of the disproportionate effect of Covid-19 on Women and female-led businesses, but there is little discussion of this in the UK as we see women bearing the brunt of the impact caused by numerous lockdowns and the Tier System.

Personally, I am a Self-Employed Personal Trainer and Freelance Fitness Instructor. I am ineligible for all UK and Scottish Government grants and have pulled through the last ten months with my own creativity and support from family.  Obviously, my gender would not have changed this, but I have no dependents and no caring responsibilities. I have been able to focus on how to keep my business alive, I haven’t had to worry about caring for children, elderly relatives or other family members. For many women, the eligibility for Government funding or the survival of their business is what determines how much food is on the table that night; if their child will have to continue to wear the school uniform that no longer fits; whether they can meet a friend for a walk and have to continually contemplate putting their elderly parents at risk when caring for them.

The unpaid labor of Women has long been downplayed. In the UK women do, on average, 60% more unpaid care work than men, leaving them less time for paid work. This means we are more likely to live in poverty, rely on public services and more likely to be exposed to the virus. Women also make up 77% of Frontline workers and are 69% of the ‘low paid’. A study carried out by Care International found that 55% of Women reported losing their job or income, and were 60% more likely than men to report this as being Covid-19’s biggest impact. But there are still no conversations around how to mitigate this impact.

I come at this from a ‘female in the leisure industry’ viewpoint. Currently in these enhanced Tier 4 Restrictions, gyms are closed and we are being encouraged to exercise outdoors. This is also causing a Gender bias. In the UK, 1in4 Women will experience domestic violence and 1in5 will experience sexual assault. Having worked predominantly with Women for the length of my career, I can anecdotally say, with confidence, that the threat of assault when walking alone is very real. This is without the added threat of a dark night, or a length of a journey without streetlights or any previous threat of assault.  The Government is now telling me that for the foreseeable future my ability to earn is capped by the daylight. Asking people to exercise outdoors in winter is dangerous and causes undue stress to the majority of the population. Ask yourself, how would you feel if your daughter, sister or mother were to go on a run after work on a January night?

Outdoor exercise also increases the risk of injury, of assault; moreover, it doesn’t take into account those who are disabled or vulnerable. All of which could put greater pressure on the NHS as more people are admitted into hospital. These are potential injuries and illnesses that could be avoided if a more measured approach to gyms and leisure centers were discussed.

Currently there are a few problems with the Tier System and how it relates to Gyms. Having been a gym user for over 10years, the place where there is the most control over members is in a class environment. However, indoor exercise classes are not permitted in Tier 3 and 4. Although I understand the risk of transmission – it will always be easier to control social distancing and cleanliness in a class environment. Being responsible and policing Gym members cleaning kit, exercising individually and maintaining a social distance becomes a game of whack-a-mole when moved from Tier 2 to 3. As a Fitness Instructor for PureGym and a freelance Cycle Instructor for Tribe Yoga in Edinburgh has given me first hand experience of this ‘game’. I have been sworn at, disrespected and laughed at while trying to juggle the responsibilities of my job as well as Government Guidelines.

When in Tier 3, we lose indoor exercise classes, which again disproportionately affects Women. 80% of group class participants are Women (This Girl Can) who are now being left without their predominant form of exercise. There are many reasons Women are more likely to participate in Group Classes but as it is now not an option, Women are less likely to exercise appropriately.

Between Tier 3 and 4, gyms close. Not only does this affect the physical and mental health of members, but impacts the livelihoods of those who work in gyms and leisure centres. When gyms are generally ‘membership-exclusive’, there is the argument that this is a Track and Trace dream. We know exactly who has been in the gym and when, and through CCTV are able to track who they come into contact with. With this in mind, the current ‘all or nothing’ approach does not hold up.

Why has there been no discussion of other options; mandatory bookings; limited timings; Personal Training Clients only? There are multitudes of ways to mitigate the risk whilst keeping gyms open. I work at PureGym (Edinburgh Quartermile) where it would be possible for seven Trainers to be in the gym and socially distanced (over the 2m guidance) whilst still offering sessions. This would minimise those relying on financial aid and grants, keep more of the population healthy and help combat the obesity crisis that currently exists. When Gyms are currently grouped with Bars and Restaurants, it is obvious that there is no clear line of thought around the health of the nation.

I understand that these measures are knee jerk reactions that make sense to minimise transmissions and try to drive numbers down. However, we are now ten months into dealing with this pandemic. Why are there no conversations around how to better help the population long term? The opening of gyms will have a positive effect on the mental and physical health of the population, combating some of the risk factors for Covid-19, and yet there has been no reassessment of whether the measures in place are fit for purpose.

I urge you to reassess how the current restrictions are working. We have been dealing with this pandemic for almost a year, but the restrictions appear to come from a Parliament and a Party that meets for a few hours one day. You cannot believe that all approaches are discussed in this time. I am not trying to downplay the severity and the need for restrictions, I am asking you to look at the bigger picture. Some more thought, or consultation with Business Owners would reduce reliance on Financial Aid, minimise pressure on other areas of the NHS and contribute to a healthier population – both mentally and physically.