The infection rates in York are demanding tighter restrictions are in place, as the NHS is becoming overwhelmed.
I, as the MP for York Central, have appraised the infection rates in York, together with the restrictions that are in place, and make the case that there are too many opportunities for person to person contact causing Covid19 to rip through the city. Now with infection rates double that of the region, York must bear down on Covid19, by minimising social contact.
This approach has worked in places like New Zealand, where a rapid response to Covid, freed the country from infection. The same is needed here so we can return to normal activity as soon as possible.
Cases are rising in the over 60 year old age group again, one of the key indicators that the virus is out of control. There is also a higher prevalence amongst children than the city has seen previously. The new variant of Covid19 spreads far more easily and therefore we cannot let it transmit further into our community through social mixing.
We are now seeing the damage caused by the pre-Christmas movement of people from Tier 3 coming to York, something I tried to get Government to enforce restrictions on, and of social mixing over Christmas. SAGE advised the Prime Minister of the risk of this, and now we are seeing the consequences. This has left York in the worst of all positions.
If people are infected, then they must rigorously stay at home. There can be no exceptions. I am calling for the isolation payments to be extended. I know that family finances are really tough, it is cold and heating bills need to be paid, and people need to eat. If you are struggling, we will find support, but please stay at home.
Every time, you feel frustrated by Covid-19 restrictions, please think of our exhausted, broken NHS staff, having to wear full PPE all day long, unable to cope the sheer volume of infections coming through their doors, not to mention all the other medical problems they are dealing with.
They need you to stay put for now as the NHS is at capacity and difficult clinical decisions will need to be made if more demand is placed on it.
As a politician, the very last thing I would want is to see harm caused to our economy, people isolated and freedoms taken, it goes against everything I believe in, but we have no choice. As your MP, I am asking employers to allow their staff to work at home, unless providing absolutely essential services to residents. I am asking parents, unless they have no other form of childcare to keep their children at home, and I am asking venues that are open to assess whether they really need to be.
Furthermore, I am asking people to end their social mixing, unless it is with someone in their household or social bubble, and to stay home. At all times, Hands-Face-Space (at least 2m) must be adhered to.
The Government have to provide the economic support for us to get through this, and I will do all I can to make this happen, but now is not the time to break, bend or flex the rules, it is the time to make this sacrifice for our whole community.
I know this is hard, I too am missing my parents, who I haven’t seen since the summer, and am refusing to travel to Parliament until it is safe to do so. I live alone and know how hard that can be, but I want to see York back in that place where we can enjoy the company of one another as soon as possible.
Finally, if you are called to have your vaccine, please take up this opportunity. It is the efforts of us all that will keep one another safe. If you have difficulties travelling to the vaccination centre, then other arrangements can be made.
It is tough. Just a month ago, we had just a handful of cases each day thanks to the incredible work of residents across York, but as we have proved before as a city when we all work together to bring infection rates down, we can do it. Now is the time to do it again. Stay safe and stay in touch.
[email protected] 01904 623713
