It is hard to believe that in two short weeks our normal, everyday lives can have changed so much. Confined to our own homes, gone is our ability to move freely around our neighbourhood, take a casual trip to the shops, meet friends and neighbours for a drink down the pub. Live sport is a dim and distant memory. Astonishingly, some people have even become nostalgic about the routine of the daily commute. Zoom video conferencing, the daily Coronavirus media update and news stories about the police moving along people sitting on park benches, this is the new normal to which we have so quickly become accustomed.
As a nation we fiercely defend our rights to freedom and liberty but, when it comes to it, we also understand there are times when we need to act together. To rise to the challenge. This Covid19 emergency is a time when we all have a common interest, to thwart this deadly virus. We must act together, stay at home, reduce the spread of this virus, all for the common good.
The Coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced in many decades. In recent months we have seen, all over the world, the devastating impact of this invisible killer.
From the start our Government has taken a scientifically-led approach to dealing with this unprecedented challenge. The most important focus must be ensuring that our NHS can cope. Like any health service around the world –there are only a finite number of doctors, nurses, and specialist equipment. This means it can only deal with so many sick people at once. The more people that get sick with Coronavirus at any one time the harder it is for the NHS to cope. Therefore, it is crucial we slow the spread of Coronavirus so fewer people are sick at any one time. That is why, in addition to expanding the capacity of the NHS, the Government is asking everyone to stay at home. It’s the best way to slow the spread of the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.
This has clearly caused huge disruption for the entire country and the nation’s economy. And that’s why the Government has announced a huge and unprecedented programme of support for families, workers and for business. We need to do everything we can to ensure people can pay their bills, stay in their home and put food on their table. This will not be a short battle. Beating Coronavirus will take months, not weeks. But the Government is keeping all the current restrictions, and any further action that might be required, under constant review. They will be relaxed if and when the evidence shows that is possible. The way ahead is tough and many lives will sadly be lost. But as we have so many times in the past, the people of the United Kingdom will rise to this current challenge. We will beat Covid19 together.