The Coronavirus and my truth

While there are so many stories, rumours and misinformation going around about this global issue, I have been getting increasingly frustrated about how I can actually help people. For those of you that know me, you know that I am one of those annoyingly optimistic types who always looks for the good in everything. As selfish as it sounds, I always like to make people smile, even if it is just for a second. As optimistic and frustratingly cheerful as I am, it can be a challenge, but I would rather be one of those positive types than the moany, negative types. As the song goes, I am what I am. So, I thought it might be helpful (who knows?!) to just write about my current situation and the truth about the virus from my world.

The newspapers are shameful. If you look at the UK headlines today (which is actually what prompted me to write this article) you have a combination of headlines that all basically say we are f**ked in different ways. Apart from one which has a sexist comment about being stuck at home and therefore having to talk to the wife (don’t even get me started on that one). Even for the least paranoid of us it is worrying and very hard to ignore. Depending on which paper you read, you may think all old people are going to die or the UK government don’t know what they are doing. You might also think the police are now going to come after you if you have the virus and that there is no food or supplies in the shops. Some of you may (and do) think the world has run out of toilet paper. Some of us, research and explore and try to find out what the actual truth is. When I was growing up, the news was fact, truth and rarely questioned. I am spending a significant amount of time researching things to try and work out the truth, where I used to be able to just believe the news. But the problem is that many people do not do this. They will read one headline and that will be their truth. This ignorance is one of the biggest problems with today’s society. No one really knows what is going on. About anything. We need to open our eyes.

In my world — the Creative industry — gigs and events are being cancelled, every day and across the world. This is income. How do artists earn money if they are not performing? The Jazz industry, for example, is small and always struggles financially anyway, so this is significant and must not be underestimated. Some people forget that gigs and performances are not just for enjoyment, they are actual jobs and without them, musicians, technicians, venues etc. have no income. So, while for the general public, not going to gigs or shows for a few months might not seem like a problem, for the performers, crew etc. this will mean that they cannot pay their bills and therefore this could lead to dire consequences. Imagine if you didn’t have a salary for a couple of months and no idea of when you might get one. Stressful is an understatement. Many of my friends are now in this situation. What has been wonderful to see, is groups being formed on Facebook, to share stories, support each other, find ways to around the problems and I have seen people offering their spare rooms out for people who are worried about paying their rent. Incredible and inspiring.

I received a text yesterday from my doctors. They are closed and there will be no face to face appointments for the foreseeable future. Telephone service only. Well, let’s hope no one gets sick then. I have many friends who have received similar messages from their health centers across London. My Mother is in a care home with Alzheimer’s. I have been told no visitors are allowed for the foreseeable future, unless it is an end of life situation. For me, while I don’t know enough about this virus, I agree that the care centre should not have visitors. But of course, this does have an impact on me and my family, as my Mum does not have long left anyway, but it is what it is, and we just need to accept that. I worry about the health services and just hope that people will be sensible and only contact them if they really need to. Surely that pesky bunion or annoying wart can wait.

The negativity and bitchiness on social media is astounding. Apparently, the virus has given people the perfect opportunity to moan about everything that is wrong with the world, society and blame a political party or person. I have seen numerous posts where people have used the ‘c’ word to describe our Prime Minister. We all have our views, but this blame game and nasty language does not actually help anyone and only serves to anger people and make them more anxious and frustrated. I cannot bear it. Also, interesting to note that people have stopped talking about other issues — important issues that have not gone away. Inequalities, racism, gun control etc. have not disappeared because of the virus. We still need to have those discussions and resolutions.

There are quite a few events that I am supposed to be attending over the next month or so. I will go unless they are cancelled. I am not worried about going out but I will wash my hands more and be more aware of hygiene than I have been before. I will not be wearing a face mask. I will probably go to more events to try and support the artists and venues who are struggling. As a positive, theatre tickets in London are currently discounted, so I might be able to go to theatre, which quite frankly has been insanely expensive for far too long.

I currently have two toilet rolls. I am not worried about this and have no desire to go and bulk buy. I will need to get some soon and my local shop have some and their shelves are as full as normal. The wonderful guy who runs my local corner shop asked me the other day if I wanted him to stock up on anything as his other customers had been asking him. I nearly put in an order for a crate of vodka but decided not to. I have not asked him to stock up on anything on my behalf, but it was worth noting that many of his customers were worried about this. I go in there most days and the shelves have never been empty. It will be interesting to see if this changes.

For me and my daily life, I am working on my next album, so I can still do this. I am also a journalist, so I can still write articles and interview people, just maybe not so many face to face, but this is fine. If I get any symptoms, I will stay at home just so I don’t pass anything onto anyone. I am fortunate to have many wonderful people around me and we will all look out for each other if we need to. I worry about the people who don’t. I am extremely worried about the huge amount of homeless people and I am liaising with a few organisations to see how I can help.

I spend a lot of time on social media, mainly to promote my work and others, but I will be spending more time sharing other people’s work, suggesting ways to support people and generally being positive. It’s an easy thing to do, and if it helps just one person, then surely, it’s worth it. I don’t want to post about the virus every day, but also felt I needed to say something, hence this article. I’ll probably do a follow up article, a month or so down the line. It will be interesting to see how/if anything has changed.

Anyway, all we can do in this crazy time, is do what we think is right and be informed. If ever there was a time to look after ourselves and think of others, it seems to be now.