PUBLISHED ONLINE ONLY THIS MONTH DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Message from Edward Argar MP, Minister of State for Health WHILE I, and my team, continue to work hard on local issues in Groby and individual pieces of casework for constituents, it will not surprise you to know that, as Minister of State for Health, much of my time recently has been, and in the coming weeks, will also continue to be, focussed on our national effort to tackle the coronavirus. For that reason, the theme of my Groby Spotlight column on this occasion, is on that topic. As you will have heard my colleagues, the Prime Minister and Health Secretary, set out, the coronavirus outbreak is the biggest public health emergency in a generation, but it is one we are determined to meet and beat together. Coronavirus calls for dramatic action, here and abroad, and will require us all to play our part in tackling the virus, from washing our hands more regularly, to following measures announced that will disrupt the usual patterns of our lives, like staying at home, save in very specific circumstances. The key message of ‘Stay At Home; Protect our NHS; Save Lives’ is a very tough one, but it is a necessary one. The objective is clear and simple: to protect life and to protect the NHS through the Government’s strategy of contain, delay, research and mitigate. Our clear action plan is based on the evidence and is led by the expert scientific and medical advice. As Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, has made clear we will do the right thing, at the right time, based on that science. By acting to contain the spread of the virus early on, and having conducted some of the highest numbers of tests in Europe, we have been able to slow the spread down, avoiding adding additional pressure to the NHS during the busy winter season, and buying valuable time to prepare. Recently we have seen a major further step up in the actions we are taking, and the actions we are asking the public to take, with the stay at home instruction, again based on the scientific advice. The most up to date guidance can be found on www.gov.uk/ coronavirus and on www.nhs.uk. These are regularly updated where guidance changes or is added to, and sit alongside the extensive public information campaign being run. I would strongly encourage anyone with questions or concerns
to refer to these as their starting point as it is the best, up to date, expert advice. We also recognise that what we are telling people to do will entail real challenges for individuals and businesses, so we are clear that we must support individuals and businesses to do the right thing, and that is why on 17th March, building on what he announced in the budget, the Chancellor set out a package of financial and practical measures to assist individuals and our economy. He has been clear that he will do whatever is necessary, and since that time has continued to announce further measures, for example, to help the self-employed.
Once again, full details can be found on www.gov.uk/coronavirus. I am, however, conscious that there may be some people who don’t have access to the internet, and the Government is also ensuring that all other information routes are also used, such as TV, radio, and newspapers. As the Health Secretary wrote recently: “We must fight the disease to protect life. Everyone will be asked to make sacrifices, to protect themselves and others, especially those most vulnerable to this disease. With our clear action plan, listening to the advice of the best science, and taking the action we all must, I am sure we will rise to
Groby’s Rainbow Wall
this challenge.” Groby is a strong and vibrant village community, driven by community spirit and individuals working together, doing the right thing in good times and bad, and I am confident that Groby, and, indeed, the whole of our county, will rise to this challenge, and we will all play our part in this collective, national effort. I conclude with a big thank you to all of our NHS and social care staff, the volunteers who have come forward to help, and everyone else who is working so hard to beat this virus and keep people safe and well.”
Next Issue of Spotlight is out on 16TH/17TH MAY DEADLINE for Receipt of Articles and Adverts is SATURDAY 2ND MAY.
Myself and my two boys, Alfie and Harry decided to chalk our front wall to cheer people up on their daily walk.
Hayley Lambert - Anstey Lane
THIS IS SUBJECT TO THE CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN BEING RELAXED IN TIME FOR PRINTING AND DELIVERY TO TAKE PLACE SAFELY.