Political View by Coun Carole Mulroney - A personal reflection on the pandemic
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THIS is a political slot, but to be honest I don’t feel like writing about politics. We all have different views on the current situation, which we can do little individually to affect.
At the end of all of this there is going to be an humungous inquiry, no doubt lasting years and there will be recommendations on how things could have been done differently or better. But for those who have sadly passed and their families, that is little comfort now.
Everyone will have a different story, some have suffered loss, some have had to self-isolate the whole time, some have ventured out for daily exercise and some sadly have made things difficult for others through their actions or criticism.
Whatever the political persuasion of the Council, I am sure all councillors will in some way have been doing their bit for their community. Some themselves will have had to self-isolate. But behind the councillors there is always the phalanx of officers who actually have to deal with this at the coalface. We councillors come and go but the staff and the systems are always there to do what is necessary.
And it is a tough job because there are so many aspects to this disease, outside the medical, and how it affects people in their daily life, whether it be for getting adequate supplies or dealing with the untimely passing of a loved one.
You will all know that the Council has been organising help for those in vulnerable positions, and that isn’t just the elderly. Being cooped up for long periods without a break, gives rise to frictions, arguments, unhappiness and this affects everyone of all ages. It affects mental wellbeing which is such an important area and has to be supported, as well as any issues around domestic violence, rough sleeping and disability. The list is endless.
I have had to consider with the officers how we move forward on a range of issues and we have had to take some tough decisions. Like restricting access at funerals at the one time when people need the comfort of family and friends to get them through.
There are other issues that my colleagues have had to deal with in ways that go completely against the grain, like telling people that at this time they are not welcome to our wonderful seafront – that is a hard message to give – but the right one.
Hopefully the Government is going to recognise fully the role that local Councils have played when this pandemic is over, because there will be lingering consequences for all the service areas and for colleagues within the health, social and children’s services their decisions going forward are supremely important.
For me the concern is our environment, which is vital to our well being and cuts across all areas. We have seen the effects the lockdown has had on air quality, we have seen what fresh air is like in the last few weeks – we cannot muck it up again. So lets think before we rush to get back to ‘normal’.
There are downsides of course - our parks and green spaces will need some TLC, and we will need to control the disposal of waste from the house clearance spree. Veolia have done a magnificent job keeping our services going and you have been sensible in storing the rubbish, so I ask for your patience when the time comes to get rid of it.
Words cannot express how we all feel about our NHS and care workers, clapping is not enough, we have seen how important it is to support their needs, so we must manufacture our own equipment
specifically for them – not rely on others to do it for us. This country has a willing workforce – build on that and give them the wherewithal to do it.
Without them we would be sunk and all the other key workers and volunteers in whatever capacity, who have put themselves out there for all of us. I think the word ‘professional’ should be redefined - they have earned that title.
They may not be highly paid, but at this time, in this year and in the future, they keep us safe, cared for and supported in so many ways and we must be forever grateful and humbled by that and do everything humanly possible to see they never have to risk their lives like this again.
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