A Green Pathway for All?

Thursday 2nd July, 2020.

Yesterday I waited for a telephone call from the local NHS Trust. I had been to a pre operation assessment on Tuesday whereat I had undergone a multitude of tests. Would I be sufficiently fit to go ahead with the operation scheduled for 14th July? I was still in bed tied up to all sorts of tubes (I'll spare you the details) at 9am when the phone rang. A very cheery lady, called Karen, said all was well and the operation was to go ahead. Had I received the package of instructions, rubrics, and regulations she'd sent a few days ago. I had not. "It is snail mail but if the package has not arrived by Monday, please ring..."

The package arrived this morning. A comprehensive 'Green Pathway' was outlined. What a relief I felt: first to be given the green light and second to have received the details. Of course, I am in isolation and Karen will telephone to see how things are going ( not at 9am I hope!). Also I'll be visited at home for another Covid test on 11th July. Then to be at the Perth Royal Infirmary by 7am. Perth is about 40 minutes away by car. Detailed instructions as to mask, open window policy and seating in the car for that journey already arranged for 14th July.

All very impressive and reassuring. I'd not be fully human if I didn't have questions, concerns and anxieties as to whether the operation will be successful and as to side effects etc. I am a statistic but I am also a human. As all the MInisters in Government keep noting the number of deaths from Covid 19 are not just numbers but humans whose deaths will have a ripple effect of grief and loss. When someone notes 'only three deaths today' it is still three people usually with families and friends.

At present I feel a goodly statistic: good Covid test, go ahead with operation. How fortunate am I.

As I write this so I recall the horrifying statistic of '12,000 lost jobs in the High Street last week' which I saw on a news website. 12,000 people: people, humans probably with families, maybe the only income earner in a household, maybe terrified of unemployment, it's consequences, it's indignity, maybe deeply anxious and frightened. They are not statistics.

Did they all wait for a phone call?

Did they hope they would be spared?

What is their prognosis?

Is there a Green Pathway for them?

What will the side effects be from their loss of job?

Will they be a statistic of those made redundant who find another job?