Kevin has been asked to write a fortnightly column for the new Torbay Weekly and you read the first edition of it (Published on Thursday 9th April 2020) below:
Coronavirus
It is a strange feeling to see sunny weather across our beautiful bay and yet feel the strong urge to stay in rather than enjoy it in one of our beauty spots or with a walk along the beach.
Yet our community faces an invisible threat, one which cannot be seen, but whose effects are all too visible if it is caught. This may be a new threat, yet some of the oldest tactics against the spread of disease can help defeat it. Staying at Home and following guidelines on social distancing when essential to leave, means the virus cannot spread quickly and will start to decline in numbers.
The current restrictions are the most extensive placed on daily life in our bay since the 1940s. I hope all Torbay Weekly readers will see the necessity of them and be understanding if stopped by the Police when out and about to be asked their reason for doing so.
What Will Be Different?
Many reading this column will be looking forward to life getting back to “normal” and being able to enjoy a pint or two at their favourite bar.
Yet the current period is bound to leave a legacy in terms of how it might change our daily lives. Many businesses who invested in cloud-based software as a handy way to share things are now finding it is a vital way to keep connected as their teams work from home, with the ultrafast broadband link bought to watch high definition films now a key tool of their trade. Others who resisted the attraction of online shopping before, are now depending on it for a range of deliveries. Whilst some businesses who have always relied on custom coming through the door are now innovating with home delivery services.
Once this period is over pubs, theatres and garden centres will re-open, yet for many this could be the start of a very different model of working life as opportunities to work from home increase. The need to remodel our Town Centres will also become more urgent as having changed the shopping habits of a lifetime some may now stick with their newly found home delivery service.
Amidst this change the natural beauty of our bay and the resourcefulness of its communities will remain to face whatever challenges lie ahead for us.
Thank You
Whilst the majority have followed the advice to stay home or self-isolate, there are many who must continue heading to work in order to keep essential services and businesses which cannot work from home running.
They deserve a big thank you from all of us.
Surgery Times
Based on current advice relating to the Coronavirus I have cancelled my regular advice surgeries and drop-in sessions at my East St Office until further notice.
I hope to restart them as soon as possible, but in the meantime a telephone call surgery appointment can be arranged. Please note due to the current level of demand these telephone surgeries are for urgent personal matters, such as welfare, immigration, problems accessing support and benefits, rather than to discuss policy or the wider situation nationally.
You can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989 and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
