Exhausted doctors and nurses need the support of an army of 250,000 volunteers — can YOU help?
Health heroes
NOT since World War Two has our country needed us more.
The NHS is doing heroic work battling Covid-19. But as the disease relentlessly spreads and deaths soar, it will not cope without a monumental national effort of a kind not seen for 80 years.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
The exhausted doctors and nurses on the frontline, dealing with stricken or recovering patients, now need the support of an army of 250,000 volunteers. If you are in good health and unable to work, why not join them?
It has been moving beyond measure to witness the 11,788 retired or former medics, nurses and pharmacists rejoining the NHS to fight this disease.
They could be safe at home. Instead they have put themselves in harm’s way. That takes great courage and public spirit. MPs may not be popular these days, but those workers include Tory Maria Caulfield and Labour’s Dr Rosena Allin-Khan. We salute both.
And we wish luck to the 5,500 final-year doctors and 18,700 student nurses who, at the very start of their careers, are tasked with tackling the gravest public health crisis in a century.
They and all their colleagues should know, from the thousands of “I Love NHS” messages pouring into us from Sun readers, how grateful the nation is.
Millions are doing their bit just by staying home. Many are going the extra mile to help friends, neighbours and OAPs who are self-isolating. Some, with their own jobs in peril, have poured money into good causes close to ruin.
For their part, some of our businesses are repurposing factories to produce ventilators and other vital supplies.
Now, the Government is asking every one of us to volunteer for the NHS if we can. Together we can help the health service beat this virus and restore some semblance of normality while minimising casualties. And it is desperately urgent.
As the latest heartbreaking death toll shows, this crisis is likely to get much worse before it gets better.
Britain listened
THE eerie, deserted streets tell their own story. Britain has begun to listen and obey.
More than 27 million of us watched Boris Johnson’s stark, historic address to the nation — among the highest TV audience figures ever. And it hit home.
Yes, there were still some crammed carriages on London’s depleted Tube yesterday. There is still confusion over some of the guidance and rules — and more clarity would be welcome.
MOST READ IN OPINION
But there WILL be mistakes and inconsistencies from the Government. It is having to react minute by minute to a sudden, global catastrophe. It cannot cover off every individual situation. We all have to use our common sense too.
The vast majority of people get that. They back the PM and the lockdown and are grimly but calmly sticking by it.
We are reacting with fortitude. Let’s keep that going.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]