We are fighting back against COVID-19
As we live through extraordinary times, experiencing government controls that are unprecedented in the UK since WWII, our actions are reminding us what people are made of: indomitable courage and a fierce community spirit.
The highest respect needs to be paid to those healthcare workers who are putting their lives on the line each day when they go to work to help those who desperately need it. As HCPs struggle with a critical lack of PPE and the availability of testing kits, for both antibody tests and to show current infections of COVID-19, world leaders are playing catch-up as they urgently seek the equipment and medical and scientific expertise needed to effectively beat this virus.
Of course, there is another section of the population that is raising their hands to be counted. This is the 750,000 people and counting who answered the Royal Voluntary Service’s call to volunteer to help those who are in the vulnerable group. The initial call was for 250,000 volunteers. That was filled within 24 hours and now the NHS Volunteer Responders are ready to carry out simple, non-medical tasks to support people in England who are self-isolating as per government advice, including those with underlying health conditions and those who are over the age of 70.
Another new initiative, TeamGP, was launched by a team of doctors and supporters and called for GPs to help the NHS 111 phone service cope with the overwhelming workload caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Hundreds of GPs across the country have volunteered to work outside their usual hours and have dedicated time to speak to 111 callers to support the NHS.
To all those who are putting themselves on the frontline to help save lives, and to all those who are following government guidelines by are staying at home and practising social distancing, this is how we win the war, and a war it most certainly is. A war against a deadly, invisible enemy that caught us all unawares. A war that is affecting us all. Here’s to you.
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