A recent poll of 2,000 parents found that the extra time we are spending at home because of coronavirus is bringing families closer together by giving parents and children more of an opportunity to bond and spend time together.
The lockdown has forced many families to spend time together in quarantine and has given us the opportunity to consider what is really important in life; our children, our parents and the community we live in – a community we are part of. The family is the most important unit in society – the bedrock.
The poll highlighted that the majority of parents believe the crisis has made their children more 'community minded', with more than half going out of their way to help friends and neighbours, picking up groceries for vulnerable people and collecting medication for at risk neighbours. Hastings and Rye families have been amazing in their support for elderly and vulnerable people in our local communities and I want to thank them and all our volunteers and NHS, care and other key workers for all they have done during this difficult time.
Time spent with our families costs virtually nothing but is priceless in its value. This natural catastrophe, and all the restrictions that we are enduring, has made us take stock and shown how we can do things differently; many of us can work from home, which means more time spent with our families. There is no reason why working from home should not continue to be the norm after the crisis is over.
On this note, I would like to raise the subject of pregnant women - who have been placed in the 'vulnerable group' by the Chief Medical Officer. There is no evidence to suggest being pregnant means they are more likely to get coronavirus, but, for a small number of women, it does mean being pregnant may change the way their body handles severe viral infection.
Pregnant women are advised to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures. This especially important in their employment if they cannot work from home and pregnant women should not be penalised by their employers for having to do so.
After all, we do not know how, if at all, coronavirus may affect an unborn child; we know some viruses do, such as German Measles, and until we find out more about this virus, there is a strong argument that pregnant women and their unborn children need to be ‘extra’ safeguarded, particularly if they are employed. Vertical transmission is probable – there are cases reported showing convincing evidence of Covid-19 being transmitted to a baby during pregnancy.
The Government needs to consider clear guidance for employers which follows the Health and Safety Act 1999 to safeguard pregnant women - and their employment during Covid-19 – making sure that if employers cannot remove the risk of infection for pregnant women or offer working from home or alternative employment, pregnant women receive full pay, not Statutory Sick Pay.
We have to look at pockets of joy; lockdown has strengthened our families and helped us to appreciate the small things in life; things that have no monetary value.
We can see that our stronger families are promoting social responsibility, a feeling for community and ultimately a strong, compassionate and giving society.