There is no denying that Coronavirus is the biggest threat that we have faced as a nation – and as a global community – for many generations. The number of fatalities is unfortunately rising each day, and the virus has particularly affected our communities here in the West Midlands. The Government is currently providing over £40 million to enable rapid research into Coronavirus, with the aim of increasing the capacity and capability of testing and surveillance.
The Government’s guidance has also been updated to reflect the fact that the UK is currently experiencing sustained transmission of COVID-19. This alone gives reason, if nothing else does, to respect the Government’s decision not to suspend the partial closure of businesses and the ban on public gatherings in other social institutions such as pubs, bars, and restaurants yet.
While the Office for Budget Responsibility’s latest report earlier this week made some gloomy economic predictions, the public health risks of reversing the Government’s social distancing measures outweigh its economic costs. Any early relaxation of the measures would do more damage to the economy over a longer period as it would undo the progress made on slowing the spread of the virus and would require an even longer period of more stringent social distancing measures.
Over the last few weeks, I have been inundated with casework. My office and I have been working around the clock to ensure constituents have accurate information or are signposted to relevant bodies and appropriate external agencies. Some constituents have asked for my view on complex policy issues. When this happens, my team and I investigate the case that constituents raise, raise queries with relevant departments, and respond to the constituent as soon as possible.
While some queries take longer to be answered than others, I aim to respond to constituents as soon as possible. With the unprecedented amount of emails, this can take up to ten working days. We are prioritising the most urgent emails first. No constituent should be hesitant in getting in touch with me; my team and I remain fully committed to serving the good people of Wolverhampton South West on every issue.
Many constituents have been getting in touch with me about what they can do to support the national – and indeed, local – effort to combat Coronavirus. First and foremost, the Government’s advice is the best thing that anyone can do to halt the spread of this virus and to help protect our wonderful health and social care system, including the NHS, is to stay at home. However, I have also been touched by the selfless efforts of many charities and amazing volunteers. Last week, I joined volunteers at a food distribution centre that is supported by the City of Wolverhampton Council. I helped to package essential food supplies being sent out to the elderly and medically vulnerable in our communities and saw first-hand the hard work being put in by all involved. If you want to volunteer here, please get in touch and we will signpost you in the right direction.
Individuals who wish to volunteer can sign up to become an NHS Volunteer Responder at www.goodsamapp.org/NHS or volunteer via Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council at www.wolverhamptonvsc.org.uk/covid19/
If your business is able to help, please visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-from-business where you will be asked to fill out a simple online form, detailing the assistance that you can provide.