COLUMNIST

A LOT has changed in the few short weeks since I wrote my last column for this paper.

As my last article was going to print, I was seeking an emergency question in the Senedd regarding the growing outbreak of a new virus in China.

Who could have predicted that a month later we would be dealing with thousands of cases in Wales?

Who would have known that hundreds of families would be dealing with the tragic loss of loved ones to a virus that was unheard of just a few months ago?

SARS-CoV2, which we all refer to as coronavirus, has now infected people in 180 countries and regions of the globe.

The confirmed number of cases is now over one million, but the actual number of infected will be much, much higher. Sadly the death toll is around 50,000.

This is going to skyrocket in the coming weeks. Public health officials and governments around the globe are rushing to contain the spread of this disease, trying to ensure that healthcare systems don’t become overwhelmed with sick and dying patients.

Unusually for an opposition politician, I have nothing but praise for our government. They are reacting to a threat that simply didn’t exist a few months ago.

In a matter of days and weeks they have reacted to the threat by ramping up the numbers of hospital beds, the numbers of doctors and nurses, as well as the amount of equipment needed to deal with everything from patients in acute respiratory distress, protecting frontline staff and testing for disease markers.

Unfortunately, some politicians and media outlets have chosen to play upon people’s fears and attack the response to this new threat.

Thankfully all four governments in the UK have chosen to take a single, evidence-led approach and are doing everything that is humanly possible to protect us all. It is all too easy for armchair experts to attack and whip up fear and confusion.

I am all too glad that our governments are listening to actual experts in public health, virology and epidemiology, rather than Joe Blogs on Facebook.

Yes, we need to increase testing. Yes, we need to ensure frontline staff have the right protective equipment. Unfortunately, these things don’t miraculously happen overnight. Testing requires reagents, swabs, PCR machines and people trained to use them.

For once money is not an issue, as all four UK nations have committed to spend whatever it takes.

Thankfully they have also taken the decision not to cut any corners. It is important that testing is reliable, as false negatives could help prolong this outbreak, particularly in frontline staff.

There are those who point to other nations such as South Korea and Germany. Those nations had a massive head start on us. South Korea had a testing regime in place before this pandemic, because they have been dealing with SARS. Germany are the world leader in providing PCR machines. Most of the machines in use around the world are manufactured there.

Our governments are doing whatever it takes to protect us and save lives. Conservative, Labour, SNP and DUP Governments all working as one to limit the impact from coronavirus.

It is up to us to do all we can to assist that effort. If we follow the guidance, this outbreak will be over sooner. Less people will die and our NHS will not buckle under the strain.

So stay at home and limit contact with other people. Until we have a vaccine, all we can do to combat this virus is to deny it hosts.

Keep safe, everyone.

■ Caroline Jones AM is Brexit Party member for South Wales West