Coronavirus - The Biggest Crisis Since WWII

I've been putting off writing this entry for several days now, I really don't want to keep reliving all things Coronavirus. It is clear Britain is heading into a huge emergency that will last up to two years. The scale of the challenge on our hands is immense, circumstances I have never witnessed in my lifetime. All our lives will change over the next few months in a way we will never forget. The outcome remains uncertain and all of us are nervous as the Coronavirus pandemic begins to take hold. I remain scared and frightened about the future, not only for me but my family and husband on the other side of the World!

I'm in close contact with Darrell, who remains as depressed as I about this virus. This is a time we should be together, not living apart and that makes it hard to deal with. Not having the person you are married to with you during a crisis of this magnitude is an intolerable burden. With all flights in and out of Australia grounded, neither of us know how long it will be before we see each other again, and we are just hoping his visa to live in the UK, does not expire before he returns, that would leave us both in an unprecedented position. For now, we are both OK where we are and just need to stay safe until this finally ends!

Of course this pandemic is bigger than Darrell and I and people are dying all over the globe. This is the biggest threat to public health since the Flu Pandemic in 1918, where between fifty and a hundred million people died, and we are entering uncharted waters. The numbers of deaths have once again gone up today by another 29, predominantly in London and hospitals in the capital are under increasing strain. With all schools closing indefinitely tomorrow, it won't be too long before the government will have to consider locking down London. This virus can not be allowed to become endemic in the whole country. China however seems to have the virus under control, with no new cases locally and Italy is now the epicentre of the outbreak with five hundred people dying yesterday. This is indeed a World problem and something we can not clear up on our own.

When schools close tomorrow, it is likely Coronavirus cases will start to rise, as children mix with the community a lot more. It is up to parents to do the right thing and keep their children at home during this crisis. I understand the difficulties many families will endure, trying to find childcare for their loved ones, whilst juggling their work commitments, trying to pay the mortgage and rent and continuing to put food on the table, but it is so important to stop the virus, before we reach a situation here, that Italy and Spain are now experiencing. Parents are not encouraged to leave their children with grandparents either, the usual port of call, but rather work with friends and neighbours to ensure their children have the best care they can. I have understandably come in for criticism for daring to suggest this, but this is what NHS England recommends, so more lives are not lost.

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Working life isn't easy for anyone any the moment. With the British economy all but shut down, people are losing jobs faster than at any other time in History. Airlines are grounded, shops, pubs and restaurants are closed and many thousands of people are being laid off. I am lucky enough to work in a sector that is one of the few doing well at the moment. Working in a supermarket has really brought home the panic that now ravages our country.

Panic buying is now common place as people prepare for the possibility there will be a total lockdown across the country soon. Directly items are put on shelves, they are bought by a twitchy public, storing staples for an uncertain future.

This is a natural reaction to the current crisis we are in, but it isn't rational. If people would only refrain from misguided hysteria, there would be enough for everyone. We are now in the absurd position where some customers, usually older and more vulnerable, can't get enough groceries to survive. The lack of compassion towards others is palpable and supermarkets are now rationing everyday items, unheard of since the Second World War.  Of course the crisis could last for months if not years and all of us have to ensure we play our part in helping to win the war on Coronavirus, anyone of us at any age could be the next victim; this is not just an old peoples disease! Coronavirus respects no one demographic, no class and no border, this is a huge threat to human existence!

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In a sign of the times, it was time to say goodbye to Janet, a colleague from Cancer Research who is heading into self isolation for the twelve weeks this weekend recommended by the Government. Like all over seventy-year-olds, including my father who I also spoke to today, Janet will be staying firmly at home for the duration of this pandemic. These are the people we need to protect now, before they also become victims.

This week I have withdrawn from my voluntary position and stopped working at The Newcome Arms, also recommended by the Government. I will only be working my normal shifts at Tesco and will spend the rest of my time isolated away from other people. As someone who remains high risk, I can not afford to ignore the measures asked of us at this time. Yes we are all pulling together to beat this pandemic, but we are also distancing ourselves in order to survive the next few months, the most difficult time in all our lives!

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