Awkward

It is amazing what people working in the NHS, GIG, care industry and numerous other professions have done over the last few weeks. They deserve every bit of praise they can get.

There are heartwarming stories of ageing people doing amazing feats of endurance to support the NHS. And there is the Thursday clap. This is obviously a great thing, although I personally find it awkward.

But when all the fine words have been said, and all the effusive thanks has been given, I think what I’ll do is to give my vote to someone who’s actually going to look after the NHS. Don’t get me wrong: the NHS is facing unprecedented (though not completely unpredictable) stresses, and any government would find it a struggle to keep things running smoothly. But at some point, somebody is going to have to say, this is going to cost you more taxes: are you willing to pay for it? (And that goes for education, too – even more so). The ‘small state’ is completely unsuited to dealing with anything like this.

I am a bystander here. We are retired and don’t really have any role to play. We are well and haven’t had the virus. We are surrounded by hills, and an allowable short walk takes us to reservoirs or fields. There are local shops and postal options. Not everyone is so lucky. Many live in the city, lucky even to see the hills. For huge numbers of people in the UK and worldwide, this is a grim time. May God bless them.

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