MIKE HILL: Proud to see volunteers rising to the challenge

COVID-19, or Coronavirus, is spreading throughout the nation at a rate which is alarming and our readiness to deal with it, especially when the virus peaks, is woeful. But things are improving and the Government seem to be taking the appropriate measures now. I am devoting all my time and energy while in London to raising important issues that people are experiencing. Finally the distribution of fit for purpose personal protective equipment to our frontline Health and Social Care workers will be happening and I am also grateful to all those local businesses like Helios Engineering, run by Headland resident Bryn Flicker, who have volunteered to begin manufacturing much needed ventilators for the NHS.

The bold, but necessary, decisions made by the Government go to the heart of the problem. We need people to stay at home because our NHS has been hit so hard by ten years of cuts that they are now stretched to breaking point. Many doctors and nurses who had left, or their jobs had been cut, are now returning to their old wards.

I don’t say this as a Labour politician, but as the proud father-in-law of a front line nurse who is experiencing the hazards of not having the right personal protective equipment on a daily basis and being exposed to the virus as a result.

However, the hard work and sacrifices of our NHS workers and workers in other key sectors, are pointless if people do not start taking care to follow the rules about social distancing, hygiene and staying at home as far as possible. These measures are there to help our NHS manage the crisis so that they can save more lives.

I’m already getting emails now from people desperate for food supplies as they go into isolation and I’m proud of the response by volunteer organisations, like the Poolie Time Exchange, which are rising to the challenge of getting food out to the most vulnerable. It was therefore good to go and help out and see just how their frontline support was working. I will be helping them again this weekend.

There are many people out there to help so no need to feel on your own during this crisis, but please keep safe and well and look after each other.