ASSISTANT CHIEF CONSTABLE

Don’t underestimate coronavirus

he Assistant Chief Constable of Sussex Police has published a powerful open letter, reflecting on his experience of contracting coronavirus and urging people to stay at home.

Dave Miller tested positive for the virus six weeks ago, along with his immediate family, and is continuing to suffer from coughing fits and fatigue. He said: “The reason I wrote the letter is that I wanted to personalise this. I’m really, really lucky that I wasn’t hospitalised, thankfully I didn’t die as many people do.”

He said the virus left him breathless, struggling to get up and down the stairs, fatigued, coughing regularly and experiencing brain fog, which he said was ‘scary’.

“I’m no spring chicken but I’m fit and healthy,” he said. “I have a family to look after, I have a responsible job.

“This is impacting as well on our health care workers, they are looking after us at our greatest hour of need. If they are unwell, they are not going to be able to do that.”

Dealing with the pandemic was also having an immense psychological toll on NHS staff, he said. “I know the devastating personal impact this has had on them – having to deal with people who are critically unwell or have died, and the families of those people who have died,” he said. “It’s just awful for them.”

While he praised the majority of Sussex residents for following the regulations, he said there remained a small minority that continued to flout the rules. There are currently almost 10 coronavirus-related deaths in Sussex everyday, he said. “You will be part of perpetuating that if you don’t listen to the guidelines. It’s that stark.”

Of those who ignored the lockdown measures, he said: “It’s just selfish, there’s no other way of putting it, and dangerous.”

TIt also increased the danger for police and front line workers who were out doing an ‘absolutely amazing job’ keeping people safe, he said. “If you don’t abide by the rules, you are putting them at risk.”

Last weekend, Sussex Police issued 45 Fixed Penalty Notices to people across the county who were found to have wilfully disregarded the lockdown measures. Mr Miller said police were continuing to adopt an approach which centred on engagement, explaining and encouragement, imploring people to make good choices – but would take action in appropriate cases, such as where people were holding huge parties or refusing to wear masks.

When questioned about the vagaries of some of the rules, such as exactly how far people could travel for exercise, Mr Miller said: “The rules have been put in place to protect people.

“We could get into how many miles or what occasion – but people need to use their common sense. If they are travelling to do something away from the place they live, ask yourself, does it fit with the rules?

“The rule of thumb I use is, if you’re not sure, don’t do it. This is not complicated, I don’t think.”