Covid-19: ‘the government must widen the support to all that are told to self-isolate’

• I STAND in awe and gratefulness to everyone working at the Whittington Hospital.

The government keeps reminding us of how important it is for everyone to minimise contacts and protect the NHS. For this to really work they must provide financial support to all those who need to self-isolate.

As someone who tested positive for Covid-19 just before Christmas, filling out track-and-trace was not only hard, because the process is physically painful when ill, but mentally draining.

Knowing that to do the right thing I would have to condemn both my flatmates and co-workers to 14 days without work or wages was a guilt-filled nightmare. But I filled out track-and-trace with all the responsibility necessary to end this, even citing people I had met outside with social distancing.

As it happened, we also had a plumber come into our home the day before my symptoms started but, when I requested his full name and number from my landlord I was told he had refused.

While I was upset and worried with the possible ramifications of his choice, in the end I could feel only pity for the difficulty of such a decision in the lead up to Christmas and the lack of acknowledgement from government of the difficulty for those affected.

I was lucky enough to work in an environment that put the safety of our customers before profit. This has taken its financial toll on them and to know I would be responsible for the closing of our doors, lost pay of my colleagues, managers, and flatmates, meant this was extremely stressful.

I was eligible for a one-off £500 bursary from Islington (you have to be on universal credit or considered low income at the discretion of your council) and I was not only thankful to receive it but also for the painless process to apply. My colleagues and flatmates received no help at all.

To those adrift in the sea of a negative test or no symptoms, with bills to pay and no money coming in, isolating is not the choice everyone can afford to make; and government must financially help the many that are drowning in it.

I therefore call on the government to widen the support to all that are told to self-isolate, not just those on universal credit. And to not force people to jump through hoops to receive much-needed help.

This is not only fair to those people affected but will also help cut transmission, lessen the negative mental health implications, and reduce the pressure on the NHS.

To apply for the existing support payment visit: Coronavirus support and information.

DEVON OSBORNE
Islington Green Party