Richard Fisher

The COVID Diaries – 23 14th April

If the display that the world was treated to in a White House briefing yesterday had come from a stroppy toddler, then we could all have left it to their parents to give the little child a dressing down after the event. The problem was that this wasn’t a toddler, but the President of the United States who cannot cope with the fact that the coronavirus crisis is demonstrating his complete failure to provide the leadership and statesmanship that we expect from the leader of the Western world.

The president boasted about his own record and angrily dismissed negative press coverage of his ongoing failures. This was on the day when the USA virus death toll passed 23,000. Unemployment claims have rocketed past 15 million, and more and more Americans are becoming dependent on food banks.

But the President only seems interest in himself. In the middle of this catastrophic crisis, he is more interested in his own image and his re-election campaign. He appears to be unable to grasp the scale of the crisis, and as hundreds of thousands of people have died all around the world he talks only about himself.

The COVID Diaries – 22 12th April

An Easter like no other. Even in wartime, families and relatives could sit down and share a meal together. This year we’ve all been in isolation. No visits, no shared meals (apart from in our immediate “lock-down” households).

We managed a skype session with our three sons and two daughter-in-laws. It’s made more difficult because we are on our own while one of our sons and our granddaughter are with his in-laws. Each time we skype or facetime it just reminds us how we can’t see them. The kiss our granddaughter gives us by kissing my son’s phone will never be the same as a real kiss.

Sunday morning services are highlighting the exclusion some experience because they are not on-line or internet savvy. Some churchgoers share in worship while others cannot access it. The position is further complicated because of privacy and security concerns around the very popular Zoom conferencing facility.

We should take hope from the Easter message Out of disaster and death comes new life. The creator will make all things new.

The COVID Diaries – 21    11th April

It seems millions of pounds have been spent on inaccurate coronavirus antibody tests, with payment guaranteed even if the tests don’t work. Pressure is on to reveal the companies that supplied the tests and why payment is being made even though the tests appear to be useless.

Meanwhile there is a backlash against the health secretary who has claimed that NHS staff have “overused” personal protective equipment. This comes at a time when the government is continuing to fail to supply adequate equipment to health service and care workers. Rather than trying to blame the dedicated and selflessly hard working NHS staff, perhaps Matt Hancock should blame himself?

The COVID Diaries – 20   10th April

The sun shone and the weather was beautiful, but it has been a grim Good Friday

The churches are closed and there have been no Good Friday processions in the streets. We all continue to stay at home to stop the coronavirus spreading and to protect the NHS. Last night we clapped for the carers again at 8pm.

A grim milestone was passed today, with the worldwide total of deaths from te virus exceeding 100,000. Many more are expected in the future.

In Britain, the daily death toll is rising, with 980 announced today, taking the total to 8,958. Meanwhile the government still seems to be failing to get enough personal protective equipment into our hospitals, with staff feeling they are being led like lambs to the slaughter.

The COVID Diaries – 19   8th April pm

France is now officially in recession after the most severe fall in economic activity since the Second World War. It is difficult to see how the UK will avoid what seems to be an inevitable consequence of the Coronavirus outbreak.

The lockdown is due to be reviewed early next week. Nobody is expecting it to be lifted.

In the United States, Bernie Sanders has withdrawn from the campaign to be the Democratic Candidate in November’s Presidential election. This leaves the field free for Joe Biden to take on Donald Trump, who is flailing in all directions as he struggles to cope with the current crisis. His dismantling of important health services has been exposed as the reckless act that it really is.

The COVID Diaries – 18   8th April am

The Prime Minister remains in intensive care at St Thomas’ hospital. We are told he is comfortable and in good spirits. There is a suspicion we are not being told the whole truth. Everybody hopes he will recover, but you don’t return to work quickly after such a serious bout of COVID-19.

This raises the question of the power vacuum that is emerging at the top of government, just at the moment as the crisis deepens and clear leadership is needed. Dominic Raab, a man who appears to have had a charisma bypass, is the nominated deputy. He insists he and his cabinet colleagues are implementing the Prime Minister’s plans.

But what are those plans? It was becoming increasingly clear that there wasn’t a clear plan as to where we go next. Nobody can say when or how we will move on from the current lock-down. The government has been on the back front throughout this crisis.

The COVID diaries – 17  6th April  8.40pm

It’s just been announced that Boris Johnson has been moved to intensive care after his symptoms worsened. This demonstrates just how serious the affect of the Coronavirus really is.

The COVID Diaries – 17  6th April

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was taken into hospital over the weekend. He has persistent symptoms related to COVID-19. Whatever our political views, we all wish him a full recovery.

Today’s government press conference was a strange affair, presented by Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary. He is the cabinet member that the Prime Minister has  nominated to take over the reigns of power in his absence. Yet Dominic Raab insists the Prime Minister is still in charge.

Eventually, when pressed by reporters, the foreign secretary admitted that he hadn’t spoken to the Prime Minister since Saturday. Just how “in charge” is Boris Johnson, and are we being told the truth about his current state of health?

The COVID Diaries – 16    3rd April

A strange day, interviewing four candidates for a director appointment by video conference. Although it worked well, there is something missing when you don’t have the candidates sitting in front of you.

The subtlety of body language is lost and there is the possibility that a candidate is presenting a false “picture” that is more difficult to detect when they are not in the same room as the interview panel.

And what about when the successful candidate starts in post? If the lock-down continues, then it will be sometime before they actual meet the rest of the team. We live in strange times!

The COVID Diaries – 15    2nd April

Today we reached a very grim milestone with confirmed global coronavirus cases passing a million. The nuber has doubled in less than a week.

In the UK, controversy still rages over why so few people are being tested for the virus and the inability of government to ensure adequate supplies of personal protection equipment for people working in the NHS and care homes.

Most of us feel powerless, but at least we could all join in the national clap for carers at 8pm this evening. This is set to be a regular feature of Thursday evenings.