COVID-19
Huge crowds flocked to beaches and parks across England yesterday.
Nurses and other healthcare professionals across the UK have taken to social media to express their frustration over the actions of some members of the public.
It comes after huge crowds flocked to beaches and parks across England yesterday – the hottest day of the year so far.
Earlier this month the Government eased lockdown restrictions, encouraging many back to work alongside allowing unlimited exercise and the ability to travel around the country.
Lockdown rules in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland remain unchanged with the devolved Governments advising the public to stay at home.
One nurse, who wishes to remain unnamed, told NursingNotes; “I have spent my whole day wearing PPE – I am both emotionally and physically exhausted.”
“Today I’ve witnessed three patients die [of COVID-19] and had to tell two families they couldn’t visit as they were symptomatic.”
“I get home, turn on the TV and see crowds on people on Bournemouth Beach – it frustrates me when we are trying so hard to protect the public.”
“I beg you. Stay at home as much as you can.”
Becky Hall, a nurse who witnessed similar crowds, commented; “My colleagues and I sat and watched people from the staffroom windows and we felt utterly deflated.”
“We are starting to feel like our efforts are for nothing,” she added.
These opinions have been echoed by nurses and other healthcare professionals across social media.
Dr. Hans Kluge, European Director for the World Health Organization, told the Telegraph that now is “time for preparation, not celebration” as a second wave is highly likely and would be just as deadly.
When easing the lockdown measures the Prime Minister warned that should the rate of spread (R) increase above 1 additional restriction may need to come back into force.
Anthony Johnson, of grass-roots nursing organisation Nurses United UK, said; “In a crisis you need clarity. We’ve all said things to patients that weren’t clear and haven’t been understood and we’ve learned from it. You’d expect this Government to do the same and it’s frustrating as a Nurse to watch the public be blamed for mixed messages from our leaders.”
