‘THE SINGLE BEST PRESENT WE CAN GIVE IS TO SPARE MUMS THE RISK’
“much more likely to die”. His grim Mother’s Day message comes as the NHS in England prepares to contact the 1.5 million most vulnerable people with severe health conditions to tell them they must go into complete isolation from tomorrow.
Mr Johnson admitted that “unless we act together, unless we make the heroic and collective national effort to slow the spread, then it is all too likely that our own NHS will be similarly overwhelmed”.
It comes as the Government prepares over the next few days to launch a massive volunteering campaign to help those who have the virus or who are stuck at home because they are elderly and vulnerable.
A total of 72,818 people had been tested for coronavirus by yesterday morning, with 5,018 coming back as positive – up from 3,983 a day earlier.
The death toll rose by 56 yesterday to 233, with a 41-year-old patient thought to be the country’s youngest since the outbreak began.
In a letter to the nation, Mr Johnson said: “Today is Mother’s Day. It is a day when we celebrate the sacrifice and the effort of those who gave us life, and across the country I know that millions of people will have been preparing to do something special; not just a card, not just flowers.”
Reflecting on the heartache of families being apart, he went on: “I know that everyone’s strongest instinct is to go and see their mothers in person, to have a meal together, to show them how much you love them.
“But I am afraid that this Mothering Sunday the single best present that we can give – we who owe our mothers so much – is to spare them the risk of catching a very dangerous disease.
“The sad news is, that means staying away. This time the best thing is to ring her, video-call her, Skype her, but to avoid any unnecessary physical contact or proximity. And why? Because if your mother is elderly or vulnerable, then I am afraid all the statistics show that she is much more likely to die from coronavirus.we cannot disguise or sugar-coat the threat.”
Pointing at the unfolding tragedy in Italy, he said: “The numbers are very stark and they are accelerating.we are only a matter of weeks – two or three – behind Italy.
“They have a superb healthcare system. And yet their doctors and nurses have been completely overwhelmed by the demand.
“The Italian death toll is already in the thousands and climbing. Unless we act together, unless we make the heroic and collective national effort to slow the spread, then it is all too likely that our own NHS will be similarly overwhelmed.
“That is why this country has taken the steps that it has, in imposing restrictions never seen before either in peace or war.”
However, he praised the spirit of the British people.
“This crisis is also bringing out the best in us all – in the army of volunteers that has sprung up to help the vulnerable, in the millions of acts of kindness; in the work of all the people who are continuing to provide essential services, from transport workers to supermarket staff to health and social care workers.
“Yes, this disease is forcing us apart – at least physically. But this epidemic is also the crucible in which we are already forging new bonds of togetherness and altruism and sharing. This country will be changed by coronavirus but there is every reason to think we will come through it stronger and better than ever before.
“And the more effectively we follow the medical advice, the faster we will bounce back to health – medically and economically.
“So on Mothering Sunday let’s all do everything we can to show our respect and love to those who gave us life – and minimise the risk to their own lives. Bit by bit, day by day, we are all helping to delay the spread of the disease, and to give our amazing NHS staff the time to prepare for the peak. So let’s follow the advice, stay home this Mothering Sunday.
“Let’s stay at home, protect our NHS, and together we will save literally thousands of lives.”
Meanwhile, the new isolation measures are to apply to up to 1.5 million people in England living with conditions, or are taking medication or receiving treatment, which health experts have identified puts them at a much greater risk of developing serious complications if they get the virus.
This includes those who have received organ transplants, are living with severe respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis and severe chronic bronchitis or specific cancers, such as those the blood or bone marrow.
It will also apply to some – though not all – of those receiving certain types of drug treatments, including ones which suppress the immune system and so leave the body less able to fight off the virus.
People identified as belonging to one or more of the at-risk groups will be contacted by their GP practice, specialist or both, and be strongly advised to stay at home for at least 12 weeks.
In the first instance, they will receive a letter this week and,
‘Stay home and protect our NHS’