As Westminster is caught up in a furore over whether or not the UK took a political decision not to join EU procurement of medical equipment, two things are clear: frontline workers are not well enough protected, and central government has made an almighty mess of helping them.
Every Thursday evening, a wave of UK-wide community spirit pours out. Clapping and cheering, the nation roars, standing united to thank the NHS, care workers and all those who continue to work on the frontline.
But the constant backdrop to our appreciation for key workers has been the grim reality – we are exposing people to COVID-19 with inadequate protection. There is a grim hypocrisy to our appreciation when we thank carers but we fail to look after them.
Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives. The simple mantra, repeated daily on the press conference lecturns, may mean more if Government helped protect them too.
When it comes to care staff, the problems are even more acute. Accessing personal protective equipment has become harder – usual routes have been hijacked as central Government redirects supplies to the NHS, leaving those caring for the elderly and vulnerable in the community without equipment.
It is available, I am told. Distribution is getting better, but is not resolved. But suppliers are bumping up the cost in a bid to make money while they can. Supply and demand at a time when people are dying. Perhaps we are not all in this together.
Throughout this crisis, local government has done an extraordinary job in extraordinary circumstances, galvanising their own staff, the community, businesses and the voluntary sector to work with health colleagues and look after people. All with just a fraction of their costs covered.
But they have been hampered. Central Government has bumbled about and thought mostly about health. Over the years, politicians have learned the nation’s love of the NHS wins votes – but this is not a political game. As care home deaths soar, the public is waking up to the reality that care matters.
As the ONS starts to reveal that the true death toll due to COVID-19 extends far further than just the hospital figures announced daily, Government must abide by its own mantra. Protect the NHS – and all frontline staff. Save lives.