Britons are being urged to rally together to help the elderly as coronavirus tightens its grip on the nation.
In an unprecedented peacetime intervention yesterday, the Health Secretary said the over-70s will be told ‘within weeks’ to stay at home – for up to four months.
Hundreds of thousands of volunteers have already vowed to join forces to help those in need, including delivering shopping and medication.
With the prospect of months of further disruption, volunteers have been trying to make the lives of others easier. Volunteers are pictured above buying food for the elderly in central Italy
Charities last night urged the public not to ‘back away’ from the elderly and instead get in touch with neighbours using postcards or letters to see if you can help.
An online movement to place volunteers with vulnerable residents is growing at an extraordinary rate, with almost 400 ‘mutual aid’ groups being established across the UK in little over 24 hours.
The call to arms coincided with Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s extraordinary announcement that the country’s 9.2 million over-70s will be told to self-isolate ‘within the coming weeks’. The measures are likely to last for up to four months.
In an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr, Mr Hancock said the over-70s and those with underlying health conditions will soon be asked to remain at home. He said the move would require a ‘national effort’ and a ‘massive community response’ and urged the healthy to help elderly neighbours
The UK death toll soared to 35 yesterday, with 14 deaths in just 24 hours. The youngest known fatality was last night named as 59-year-old former police officer Nick Matthews, from Nailsea in North Somerset.
The father-of-two was said to have underlying health issues. There are now 1,372 confirmed cases in the UK.
During another day of dramatic developments:
- Downing Street said the Prime Minister will deliver a daily press conference in a bid to gain control of the narrative on the virus;
- Hotels are set to be turned into makeshift hospitals to cope with an influx of coronavirus patients;
- The Government asked manufacturers to focus on building ventilators for the NHS amid shortage fears;
- School bosses and teaching unions will meet the Education Secretary today to discuss an extended break;
- The country’s major supermarkets signed an open letter urging shoppers not to panic buy;
- British holidaymakers were left stranded in Spain after lockdowns were put in force across Europe;
- The Queen will return to Buckingham Palace today to carry out her duties in defiance of the virus.
- The epidemic will last a year and could lead to nearly 8 million people being hospitalised, according to a secret Public Health England document seen by the Guardian.
In an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr, Mr Hancock said the over-70s and those with underlying health conditions will soon be asked to remain at home.
He said the move would require a ‘national effort’ and a ‘massive community response’ and urged the healthy to help elderly neighbours.
The comments sparked confusion about how the measures could be implemented and who would care for those who do not have nearby family or friends.
The youngest known fatality was last night named as 59-year-old former police officer Nick Matthews, from Nailsea in North Somerset
But they led to a huge outpouring of community support, led by the Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK Network, which is urging volunteers to form Facebook groups for their areas where people can share information on how to help those in need.
Many suggested dropping leaflets with contact details through the doors of neighbours so requests for food or medication can be made, or even just a friendly phone call.
Anna Vickerstaff, one of the movement’s co-ordinators, told the Daily Mail: ‘It has been incredible to see all of these groups spring up – and it goes to show that even in times of fear and anxiety we can come together and keep an eye out for the people in our neighbourhoods who need our help.’
With the prospect of months of further disruption, volunteers have been trying to make the lives of others easier.
Shop owner Zahid Iqbal, of Edinburgh, has distributed free coronavirus ‘survival kits’ – including a toilet roll, hand sanitiser and pocket tissues.
In Exeter, cabbies at I Taxi say they will take any over-65s trapped at home shopping for free.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said there was no reason to avoid visiting elderly relatives, but family members should keep at least a metre (3ft 3ins) apart and not offer kisses or hugs.
Many suggested dropping leaflets with contact details through the doors of neighbours so requests for food or medication can be made, or even just a friendly phone call. A man is pictured entering a coronavirus testing centre in London
She added: ‘Now is not the time to back off our older population, who need our love and support more than ever.’
Karl Wilding, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said he was heartened by the country’s ‘impulse to help out in tough times’.
Mr Wilding said people could donate to foodbanks, which may come under pressure.
‘The simplest thing everyone can do is look out for their neighbours and offer help with shopping and other errands if they can’t get out of the house,’ he added.