Coronavirus: Peterborough ‘will rise to the challenge’

Only a few weeks ago, coronavirus had little to do with ordinary life in Peterborough, beyond the requests for handwashing. Now it has spread, we all need to do our part.

The Government is asking everyone to stop all unnecessary social contact and work from home when possible. If you have symptoms, you need to self-isolate for seven days. If you live with someone with symptoms, you need to self-isolate for 14 days.

The primary symptoms are a new, continuous cough or a high temperature which typically involves feeling hot to touch on your neck or back.

It also remains crucial for us to wash our hands for 20 seconds before eating and regularly at other times. If you cough or sneeze, catch it with a tissue or shield it with your arm.

These measures will save lives. Although the virus feels something like the flu in most cases, it is far more serious for the elderly and those with existing health conditions.

As the Prime Minister has said, many families will lose loved ones before their time. Slowing the spread of COVID-19 allows the NHS to manage and increase its intensive-care capacity. It means fewer people will die.

I know the advice to those aged over 70 is controversial. There are also some misconceptions about what it means in practice.

Let me be very clear. The advice is to practice social distancing, which doesn’t mean no contact with others. But it does mean limiting this contact to a strict minimum and, sadly, this includes with family members.

Only if you have an underlying health condition should you avoid all contact whatsoever with others. Even this doesn’t mean house arrest. You can go for a walk or do the gardening – just avoid other people and shops. This is where support getting food and supplies delivered to you will be so important.

Protect yourselves and protect others. The Government is doing this now because we are about to see a considerable increase in infection.

We know it will hit the economy. It will hit many businesses, in retail and hospitality particularly. It will hit some workers hard.

That’s why the Chancellor has already committed to £330 billion of emergency relief, equivalent to 15 per cent of our entire economy. Huge measures are being announced to support our businesses, from the smallest to the largest, with more to come. People’s jobs and livelihoods are at stake.

We will also protect those who lose income and struggle to pay their rent or mortgage. The self-employed and those without guaranteed hours are particularly vulnerable.

The Government will do whatever it takes. Our city council is also working hard and I will be leading the charge. We need to co-ordinate the groups and volunteers, whose help some of our residents will really need.

I know the wonderful people of our city will go the extra mile. Peterborough has shown what it is made of before. I know we will rise to the challenge again. Let’s look after each other and be proud of Peterborough.

If you need my help – or would like to contact me in these difficult times – please do email me at [email protected].