Better Health For All

I and my wife have been adopting strict social distancing practices for a week. We are both in the group that has been told that it needs to be shielded for at least 12 weeks.

I have been following the evidence about Covid19 very closely and because of my assessment of the literature, I and my wife started strict social distancing shortly before it became national policy.

Part of my response to a feeling of some helplessness as a pensioner confined to home has been to ensure that I have contributed on-line to the professional debate about how to combat the pandemic. My portfolio career in retirement has included roles with the Faculty – I am the Treasurer – and with the BMA on many committees and this has facilitated this aforementioned activity. Indeed I agreed today to join another BMA committee on Covid19. Gradually my diary which had been a sea of cancelled meetings is being replaced by on-line (unpaid) work!

I am deeply appreciative of the work done by PHE and other public health staff in planning for the epidemic and attempting to control it. The pressure on the public health and national health service will be immense over the coming weeks and months but I am confident they will rise to the challenge.

The goodwill shown by my local community in suburban London has been heartwarming. It looks like we may have secured a mechanism to reliably receive a home delivery of food. My wife and I were quite emotional about the support that has been arranged by the United Synagogue and offered to all sheltered members in its community.

Social isolation is a real issue. I have made a point of trying to contact all people we know who are also in the moderate to high risk groups requiring sheltering. I am preparing for seeing many repeats on TV.!

My wife is a pianist and musician and thought she may not be able to continue working. However virtually all the people she teaches have already agreed to have their lessons by Skype or Facebook! Maybe her choirs might also be able to reform!?

My sons and their partners live some distance away but are in regular contact. My 5 year old granddaughter whose school closes tomorrow, has begun regularly calling us from Leeds after she returns from school. Seeing her happy face is always a comfort.
Ellis Friedman
March 19 2020