We need each other more than ever now we're apart

The sun is shining, it’s a beau tiful day in Derbyshire, but the roads are deserted.

It feels like one of those mid-summer days when I’ve got up to walk the dog before the world is awake.

But in fact it’s the middle of what should be the rush hour, when usually you have to wait your turn to back out of the drive and join the commute to work.

It’s clear that the coronavirus outbreak is having a massive impact on just about everything.

For some it will mean a very real and per sonal battle with the disease itself – and sadly, for some it may be a fight that they lose.

For others, despite the Government’s unprecedented promise of financial support, there are worries about how they are going to pay the bills as work dries up and stores are shut.

And for those who run their own businesses, there are real concer ns that the shutters on their shops may never go back up again.

Families have been separated as people self-isolate or try to protect elderly and vulnerable grandparents from picking up the virus.

These are worrying times – times we hoped we’d never live through.

But as we retreat into our own homes and see less and less of friends, families, colleagu es and neighbours, we’ve never needed each other more.

We need a strong sense of community responsibility to ensure that everyone of us plays our part in defeating the virus.

That means, however tempting it may be to meet up with mates or family, that we stick to the guidance we’ve been given and keep apart.

Staff at Chesterfield Royal Hospital have been working ‘flat out’ to keep on top of the virus – they need our help to make sure they are not swamped with cases.

It’s also a time to keep a careful eye on elderly neighbours – whilst also not getting too close. Are we able to pick up food and othe r essentials for them so they don’t have to place themselves in harm’s way by visiting crowded stores ?

We may be seeing less of other people right now – but we can’t defeat this crisis on our own.