Forget the PM, we rely on each other

I HAVE always been a pessimist – expect the worst and you can only be pleasantly surprised.

Throughout the pandemic I’ve taken a pretty gloomy, negative scenario view – shout out to the Government for their tireless work assisting me in this pursuit.

I’ve erred on the side of caution, because I was scared, and wanted to do what I felt was the right thing.

I didn’t go on holiday abroad last summer. I saw the member of my support bubble, who gave birth to me, five times in 2020, all outside, even on Christmas Day.

I’ve had tense moments about sticking to the rules with friends and family repeatedly over the last eight hundred billion years, since this started. I’ve been told to eff off by maskless strangers in shops.

My new nicknames are Corona Police, and Major Buzzkill.

I’ve made my mum cry, more than once.

I’ve also been called Cassandra, which I took first as a compliment, because of legendary Mi r r o r columnist William Connor, who wrote under the name for 30 years. Then I realised it was meant as an insult.

In re a l i ty, Cass a n d ra is a character from Greek Mythology cursed to utter accurate prophecies, but never to be believed.

Like most women, she was right all along. And so was I – alas – about coronavirus, a fact my mum this week acknowledged, before apologising for railing against my efforts to keep her safe.

Once I’d come to, post-fainting in shock, I realised this was the first time there was no pleasure in vindication. I don’t want to be right any more.

Normally when there’s a national mood it’s an upbeat one, the whole country fizzing because something’s grabbed our attention, from world cups to reality TV shows and

whatever else between. There’s no doubt of the national mood after The Man Without A Plan’s Monday evening address, and not j ust because it delayed Eastenders.

Even Mr Positivity himself, Joe Wicks, broke down and cried in his latest video, because of where we – still – are. There can be few of us who haven’t shed a tear or two this week ourselves.

Thanks to the incredible scientists, there are vaccines. Unfortunately we have to rely on a government who have consistently over-promised and under-delivered when they promise they will deliver them.

Never has their i n c o mp e t e n c e b e e n more obvious than when watching – on telly, at home, of course – other countries, with proper leaders, celebrating New Year’s Eve as normal. Meanwhile, our borders were still wide open.

Rylan Clark-neal later said on social media: “We are an ISLAND. If we can’t shut the airports then instruct negative test before entry. Stop being silly and be more Scilly.”

That’s where we find ourselves: a joke X Factor act is more clear on what needs to be done than the Prime Minister. Makes better puns too.

I’d definitely vote for Rylan above Johnson – a reality star has been US President for the last few years, so it could happen. Usually when you say that, you’re really hoping it doesn’t. Welcome to 2021, where I fully hope it does.

However bleak today feels, we have to hope for a brighter future. If the Government isn’t going to look after us, we need to look after each other. Stick to the rules, wear a mask, stay at home.

We may be physically separated, but we can still be united. Our innate decency, compassion and care will see us though. So let’s check in on each other, treat people gently, and kindly.

Remember, this is hard for everyone. Consider strangers who might be struggling as well as our l oved ones. Notice when someone goes quiet, take a chance, put yourself out there and offer some comfort.

And then we need to – as the l ate Gerry Marsden sang – walk on, walk on, with hope in our hearts.

And tr y to remember that however it may feel, none of us are truly walking alone.

Notice when someone goes quiet, take a chance and offer comfort

REALITY Rylan has been clearer on what needs to be done than the PM