David Simmonds CBE MP article for MyLocalNews - April 2020 

Since I last wrote a column in this publication, our entire world has become almost unrecognisable. So many simple pleasures and daily occurrences which contributed to our realty have been suspended, and we are all asked by our Government to accept unprecedented restrictions on our way of life.

There is not a single person in our constituency who has not been affected by the impact of Covid-19. My inbox and mailbag have been overflowing with correspondence from residents and local businesses who have been adversely affected; whether they be struggling to return from overseas, facing a reduced income, fearing job insecurity, facing uncertainty over their exams, learning to home school their children (including myself), or concerned for their elderly or vulnerable friends and family.

I will support you in any way I can, and I continue to speak to the Government on behalf of my constituents, albeit from the constituency rather than the House of Commons itself. As always, please do continue to monitor my Facebook page here and my website here, where you can view my updates and sign-up to receive my bulletins.

It is important that we all recognise the unprecedented challenges which the whole country is facing, as our Government works at breakneck speed to introduce new programmes to help as many as possible. The national response has been exemplified by the truly incredible actions of those who work in our NHS, including locally at Harefield Hospital, Hillingdon Hospital, and at Mount Vernon. Like many of you, I have family who are working on the front line in our hospitals. They are putting themselves at risk and dutifully treating those who are struggling with this virus. We must (metaphorically) stand shoulder to shoulder with them at this time.

I have been inspired and overwhelmed by accounts of a multitude of individual acts of kindness. From those who answered the Government’s call to arms and registered to volunteer, to those who have established community groups to support the self-isolating members of our community by collecting groceries and delivering medicines, and of course so many other key workers who continue to keep the country going by keeping our essential shops and services open, including teachers and the staff in supermarkets.

For now, for the rest of us, we can play our part in supporting the national effort by following the Prime Minister’s instructions: stay home, protect the NHS, save lives.

First published: MyLocalNews - April issue