Dr Alfa Saadu did not need to work. But he did not hesitate to join 20,000 retired NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline.
After 40 years saving lives, Dr Saadu, 68, lost his own last week at London’s Whittington Hospital after contracting Covid-19.
The surgeon’s son described his dad as a “living legend”. And that is true of all those putting their lives on the line to tend to the sick and dying. All are living legends.
They battle an invisible invader with too little testing of their own health and not enough personal protection equipment to keep them safe.
Their willingness to cobble together kit from whatever they can find is inspiring, shaming and humbling in equal measure.
Inspiring, because it shows what can be achieved in adversity. Shaming, because, as a rich nation, we should have done more for them. Humbling, because they carry on regardless.
Dr Saadu was not the first medic to die of this nasty, creeping disease. And tragically he will not be the last.
Behind doctors, nurses and paramedics, a whole army of NHS workers are also toiling round the clock. The hospital porters, cleaners and caterers, the drivers, the volunteers, the maintenance and admin staff.
Alongside them are the key workers who keep our nation ticking over in these perilous times – the shelf-stackers and shop
assistants, the posties, truckers, delivery drivers, refuse collectors and utility workers. And the 750,000 selfless helpers who stepped forward to ensure the old and vulnerable are not forgotten.
Thursday, 8pm, is proving itself a moving moment as a grateful nation unites to honour them. We reach out to each other in the only way social distancing allows – by putting our hands together.
The response of our country to this calamity has been truly astounding. Even those twiddling their thumbs at home are doing their bit by staying there.
(Image: Reuters)
Astounding, too, is the response from Somerset Capital Management, the investment firm founded by House of Commons lounge lizard Jacob Rees-Mogg.
While Britain has all eyes on a multiplying virus, these virulent fatcats can see no further than multiplying pound signs.
While millions face being struck down by Covid-19, SCM delights in a “once in a generation opportunity” to make millions by cashing in on the crisis.
If Mr Rees-Mogg had an iota of honour, he would disown these grubby profiteers. A politician of real integrity would now sever his links with the company altogether.
He may be worth millions, but in the coronavirus stakes his value falls far short of a doctor or nurse.
It is their skill and dedication we rely on now to save our lives. It is their caring and compassion which will comfort those reaching the end of theirs.
We value their worth as never before. But the Commons leader belongs to a party which has consistently undervalued them. Tory austerity saw the pay of nurses drop by 14 per cent in real-terms. Earnings for midwives fell £6,000.
As they gave more to an NHS asked to do more, they got less.
Yet while Somerset Capital sees only a once in a generation opportunity, coronavirus will change our values for generations to come.
In lockdown, we discover the value of family. Of friends we no longer meet but hope to meet again. Of health workers fighting the corona war at the front, and all the other workers keeping the home fires burning.
If Rishi Sunak can find £350billion to give the economy a lifeline then surely the Chancellor can also stump up money for nurses not to rely on food banks.
We will need a comprehensive review before the next NHS pay round to reward not only what health workers do but the sacrifice they are prepared to make.
We need a government to reflect these new values.
Not one which knows the price of everything but the value of nothing.
