We are in uncharted territory with COVID-19, our daily lives are changed and many of us will know people in our family, our friends and in the wider community who have been affected, either because they are isolating themselves because they‘ve had the virus themselves or even for some people that they didn’t make it and that very difficult circumstance where you’re not able to be by the side of a loved one as they pass away and even more that you’re not able to attend the funeral in the way that we are used to.
That means it’s really taking its toll on emotional energy collectively, but we’ve also seen the best of our community when we pull together. You know we have seen the very best of our public services whether it’s the NHS, whether it’s the social care workers, whether it’s frontline workers in neighbourhood services, just making sure the bins are emptied.
You know those are things that we take for granted, actually in times like this are a real feat to pull together. Our food workers working to make sure that the supermarkets can stay open and the drivers who make sure that the goods can get to stores but also right through that supply chain people in food manufacturing, people in the field picking the food, these are all really important cogs in the wheel to make sure that our country can continue to function.
But we know because things are changing on a daily basis those stresses and strains are significant for many people. I just want you to know that if you’re not clear where to go for support if you’re confused by some of the advice has been offered particular if you’re in financial hardship or if you have loved ones who are stuck abroad and not able to get home, or if you have a business and you’re really worried about the future and a range of other issues too.
If you’re not sure where to go, then you need to know that my office is here to support you, we’re still providing telephone advice surgeries and now we’ve moved on to video advice surgeries too to make sure you get support when you need it. You can get support by emailing my office at: jim.mcmahon.mp@parliament.uk
You can also check out my website jimmcmahon.co.uk, where you can find very useful links about where to go for formal advice and guidance too. These difficult times, we’re all pulling together to try and work through it and get through the other side together.
Stay safe everyone, these are testing times, but I know that we will see the very best of our country through it.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 