Coronavirus, it’s here and it’s taking over. Why? Because we, the public are letting it by not listening to the advice being given by health professionals who know what they are talking about. Yet still there are many people in the country who think they know best. Don’t listen to those who think the virus can be prevented or cured by having honey and lemon with a bit of turmeric and maybe ginger, no, no no! This will help boost your immune system but offers no protection against the virus, there isn’t a cure, there isn’t a vaccine and even though it is great to have a faith, group prayer en masse will not help. Which brings me onto people who are still visiting heavily populated areas, you are that close to each other you might as well sit in someone’s lap. Remember just because you feel fine doesn’t mean you are not a carrier who could pass the virus onto someone who will not be fine. Seeing Facebook comments such ‘I don’t see any evidence of social distancing working to prevent the spread’ is worrying, have these people not seen the news, China, Italy?
We are being told not panic buy and hoard food people as there is plenty but it isn’t helping to alleviate fears. By seeing others scrambling to get their hands on toilet roll, hand sanitiser and pasta but if you’re in the Asian community then its chappati flour, or any flour for that matter, lentils and rice even the levelled headed people are thinking they need to do the same or face living off whatever they can finding hiding at the back of their cupboards! Supermarkets were meant to have dedicated time for the elderly, NHS staff to do their shopping, this has been difficult to enforce because instead of respecting this have chosen to ignore and go shopping at this time anyway. Nothing like a pandemic to show the selfish side of the human race.
To some I might sound a bit harsh but both myself and husband work for the NHS, me non clinical, husband clinical, just travelling to work is putting his health at risk. He moved into training future staff 2 years ago and like his colleagues is being called back to work on the wards, it’s all hands on deck.
I am one of the fortunate ones who can work from home but not everyone is able to. You will still want to have your supermarket stocked so you can have another run of supermarket sweep. Don’t forget pharmacies that will remain open to ensure people can still get their medicines. Teachers who are working on a rota to ensure children of key workers are looked after so their parents can still work. Don’t forget the take away restaurants staying open so you can have your Friday night fried chicken and chips. This is just to name a few.
We all have a responsibility to do our bit to help curb the spread of the virus. Wash your hands properly, that might be like teaching people to suck eggs but I’ve seen people leave public toilets without washing their hands. Be sensible about how you interact with people, we want to try and avoid putting extra pressure on our strained NHS because of arrogance and stupidity.
The NHS staff are doing the best they can to care and protect you, help them by staying home.
Fozia 