As the days turn into weeks and the weeks to months there is a danger that we become complacent about our role in combating the COVID-19 crisis.
At the outset we realised how important our behaviour was going to be in reducing the spread and therefore the infection rate and ultimately the fatalities. My concern is that at this important stage we lose focus and slip back into old habits.
Like everyone else I look forward to the day when the lockdown is lifted and we can visit friends and families, go to the park or even just go shopping without observing social distancing rules, but we are not there yet.
Increasingly my office is being contacted by people complaining that their sacrifice and self discipline is being undermined by a few selfish people who think the rules don’t apply to them. I have already written that I believe we are not ‘all in this together’ and it is harder for people who live in more crowded conditions and people without gardens but the fact does remain that anybody can contract COVID-19.
Having your own garden won’t protect you if you invite friends and family in. COVID-19 could yet prove to be the ultimate social disease. Don’t give it the opportunity to spread. Many people who show no symptoms may be carrying it and that includes you.
Please keep your distance and self isolate to the very best of your ability. The rules governing the lockdown have not changed.
- You should only travel for essential reasons such as buying groceries, healthcare, caring responsibilities or essential work.
- You can have one form of outside exercise each day, for up to an hour in length.
- Public gatherings of more than two people are temporarily prohibited.
In years to come there will be many enquiries into this pandemic, scientists and politicians will be scrutinised as to what decisions they made and what mistakes they made.
If you want to be on the right side of history then you need to make the right decisions today, tomorrow and each day until this crisis is over.
Stay safe and stay healthy.
Ronnie Cowan MP 