"Stay home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives"
The reason for this was to slow down spread of the Covid-19 virus currently ravaging the world and the UK. The symptoms range from none at all to full on respiratory failure needing to be placed on a ventilator.About 1 in 6 patients need to be placed on a ventilator. A ventilators job is to breath for the victim (I'm gonna say victim as the patient certainly didn't volunteer for this), from just providing an oxygen rich environment or actually breathing for the victim (after the muscles used for breathing have been disabled temporarily)
The main point of the protect the NHS is that ventilators are a finite resource. If demand exceeds the supply, more people would die. At present enough capacity is available as the spread has been slowed by people staying at home and only venturing out for essential supplies or exercise.
Its been over six weeks since the UK government issued this instruction (8 weeks for myself), its becoming normal to be inside and not venturing out unless necessary. On a daily basis people watch the government briefings to see how we are progressing in this fight, how many people have sadly died and if we are winning this battle.
The last time the UK had to deal with such a large threat
OK lets do a little wild comparison to the last time this country had to deal a very large threat.(pinch of salt)World War 2. This lasted 6 years with reduced food, rationing and the threat of being bombed. Your loved ones went to serve, fight and die to defend the England and the other neighbouring countries. These were harsher times, you could get work in factories making supplies for the war efforts. You had restriction on going out at night in the cities for fear of being bombed.
But the British coped, we engaged our stiff upper lips and dug in for the long haul. 6 years!!
Today the threat is an airborne virus, the people of England and to an extent the world are being asked to serve by simply staying at home. Only going out for the essentials (food) and exercise. I myself serve my country by following these instructions, and thereby protecting the National Health Service and other people in my community. It's been 8 weeks now, YES I am getting tired of it, I miss the great outdoors, riding my motorcycles and hugging my friends and family.... but this is a price I will gladly pay if it helps to save lives and for the UK to recover faster. Short term pain.
Good things have come from this.
Its not all doom and gloom. This crisis has brought out the best in some people, communities groups are forming everywhere looking out for one another, things such as food deliveries or even the simple act of just checking in with a neighbour. Video chat has taken off nudging families into more futuristic communications more than ever before. I myself actually see my mother more over WhatsApp video chat than when I normally go and visit her.Fundraising for NHS charities to help the less fortunate cope in these times, one of the most famous examples is Captain Tom who raised £33 million for charity. Amazing.
From Nurses, Doctors, carers and cleaners all the way to dustmen all providing essential much needed services are now being recognised as the heros, they are risking their lives by not staying at home. Every Thursday at 8pm the UK clap and bang pans making noise to signal our thanks to these people who put themselves at risk. These people should be paid more rather than just receiving claps and appreciation. (paled in comparison to over paid footballers.... sadly). A great example is how the US love their servicemen in the military, we should be the same with our NHS / health care staff and key workers. Thank you for your service.
Now a warning...
The 'R' value (ratio of how many people would get infected from one person) is currently below 1, it started at 3, so we are seeing results. BUT we must not be complacent, we must not drop our guard. Yes it is getting better because we have followed the very simple instruction to stay at home. If people get lax and decide we can return to normal and go out, we are in danger of generating a 2nd wave of infection overwhelming the NHS.Let me illustrate this with this little image:
I am seeing more and more people outside, people are relaxing and this worries me greatly. The risk is increasing of worsening this situation. Please stay at home.
Final thoughts?
I'm proudly doing my duty to my country. I am staying in, protecting the NHS, and saving lives.
I'm helping people in my community offering help if they need it.
What are you doing?
Be safe.
