THE POSITIVE PROFESSOR

CMO of Rutherford Cancer Centres and Former Director of WHO Cancer Programme

SOCIAL media’s voice of calm Karol Sikora has been signed up by the Daily Express. Readers can now enjoy his soothing advice in these troubled times that has won him hundreds of thousands of followers on Twitter. If you need reassuring everything’s going to be all right read Professor Positivity.

FOR me, it’s always seemed clear that if the rules/ guidance – whatever you want to call it – are fair and reasonable, then far more people will do their bit.

If there are huge glaring inconsistencies then people will simply switch off and lose faith in the process.

One of the clearest for me are the restrictions surrounding funerals.

There is an absolute limit of 30 attendees, regardless of the size of the venue.

At the height of the crisis, sadly no corner of our lives went untouched and funerals were no different.

But now things are different, I walk through town and see busy bars and restaurants – so why are we having these limits on funerals?

I’m not suggesting to pack in 50 people in a small crematorium, but if the venue can take more people safely then for me that sounds reasonable.

I can only imagine some of the horrible choices people are facing and it’s happening all the time.

I’ve received dozens of messages from people who have had to tell family members and friends that they can’t come to say goodbye. It’s tragic, where is our compassion?

If everyone just happened to turn up at the pub down the road that would be fine, but if it’s an organised ceremony then it’s banned. I would really like to see some leniency given on this.

Of course we all have to remain vigilant and continue to be sensible, but does that mean we have to be so cruel and heartless along the way?

Exceptions are made all of the time for far weaker reasons than this, let’s hope the Government sees sense.