From Bill Moore, Gunville:

When numbers are quoted in their thousands about the extra deaths and infections caused by the Covid pandemic, we cease to regard these figures as human beings, they become just numbers, that can be argued over as to whether they are accurate.

My wife died two years ago from cancer, however both the children and I were with her to the end, talking to her, holding her hand, even though she was unconscious, in the hope she might still hear us.

Compare the situation now, if a Covid patient is in hospital on a ventilator or isolated in a care home, the best you can hope for is wave at them through a closed window, or if they are conscious talk to them on a mobile phone. They could be facing death on their own.

The family survivors have to deal with restricted numbers at the funerals to celebrate their life, and no possibility of a gathering of friends and relatives afterwards.

Alone the spouse, parent or children have to deal with sight of the empty chair, the double bed that seems so big and empty now only one person sleeps in it. Dealing with survivor guilt, feeling you failed, because you were not with them.

I am crying when I write this, but I want to offer support to all of you who have lost a loved one, you did your best in the circumstances which were completely out of your control, remember them, celebrate them because they are not numbers, they are human beings.