The COVID 19 Coronavirus

It is so crushing to see so many dead from Covid 19 across the world. Many countries have a hidden coronavirus pandemic where the official numbers are only the tip of the iceberg. Every day the figures are released and behind the numbers family and friends are left suffering unable to say their goodbyes.

We are told about flatting the curve and at the same time the graphs sky rocket at an alarming rate and countries are overwhelmed by body bags. Funeral parlours and morgues across the world are overflowing. What is the true number? I never believe a single word government says.

These are some of the toughest times we’ve faced The Covid 19 virus has triggered a devastating attack on peoples' lives and livelihoods. The economic crisis has been felt across the world, the worst in our lifetimes. The UK economy has haemorrhaged around 7 million jobs in April with people furloughed and the biggest drop in GDP in 300 years.

The front lines haven't been funded correctly for years. In the UK it's nothing new that since the banks went bust and the Tories took over that our NHS and public service aren't funded correctly. Over the last ten years we've seen so many cuts to health and social care services. Especially mental health services as I point out in my post: NHS cuts to mental health services.

In the UK we are told to pull together for a life and death public crisis. And yet who will take care of seniors, people with disabilities, domestic violence victims and the  most vulnerable people in society? We have to make sure kids get to school safely and have a clean, safe learning environment to return back home.

Only a few months ago world leaders and the certain media were calling Covid 19 a hoax or a mild flu. Later they would tell us to drink bleach and inject disinfectant to kill it.

Life hangs in the balance right now and governments across the world need to be held account for taking care of our communities and public safety. We need public service workers now more than ever. I thank the NHS staff, our carers and keyworkers for the courage they show every single day. I offer high praise to our NHS.

In the mist of the pandemic our government ignored the crisis in care homes and failed to test and manage the risk. The Nightingale hospitals that were built were just cosmetic with a lack of staff and equipment otherwise they could have used them instead of shipping the virus into care homes.

We could have stopped the pandemic in its tracks if governments used joined up thinking and took steps to perform testing, tracing, provided PPE and locked down the country and borders quicker. These are the things that could have suppressed Covid 19 and prevented so many deaths.

In all this Boris Johnson was always going to ousted and exposed. The lazy buffoon can't even be bothered to do the press conferences each day to face journalists questions and is hiding behind his Tory monkeys.

Now the agenda is just a scramble to get kids back to school and the economy back up and running. The dangers of reopening the schools and economy too soon could spark a second wave of infection and shutdown - sending us back to square one and even higher death tolls. Saving lives should always take priority over the economy or you kill the economy.

The bad news is more job losses and the deep economic downturn is still to come. As we head into recession us Brits have Brexit to face where we are burning trade agreements with our closest neighbours.

Over the next few years the recession will turn into a depression. I doubt capitalism will delivery for the poor and the peasants who eat from food banks. Which means more people dying and the death rates raising. Across the world our leadership is failing society and the planet.

Do the working class Boris lovers and Trump supporters really think they care about them and we are "IN IT TOGETHER?", if they do then they are brainwashed fools believing in political marketing slogans and fake news branded as real news.

Parliament and Congress that have a right wing agenda never deliver for the people that they are meant to protect and look after. They just want to remain in power and earn a fortune while the workers die.

Wake up and Stay Alert! Be on your guard. Don't let the virus sneak up on you during the bank holiday and be aware of sound bites and meaningless slogans.

In solidarity and harmony I hope God spares the rest of us.

NHS Cuts to Mental Health Services

It took many years before I finally had a diagnose for my moods swings and how my bipolar brain worked, or didn't work. These days is can take many months to get a consultant appointment and see a mental health specialist.

The problem is you can't wait for help, therapy or treatment of the mind because in many cases it can be too late because you're already dead. I have my own worrying stories to tell about attempted suicide.

All the long waiting lists of people needing mental health help isn't acceptable. Mental illness is a pressing issue for our NHS and it's about time the government funded it fully to support people in crisis. Many people need to be hospitalised and cared for straightaway.

Life threatening mental health conditions need intervention and resources immediately. For the suffer it can feel like no one cares and you're a burden to everybody and everything. Waiting for a therapy session or counselling maybe too late and any medication can take a few weeks to have a full effect.

Please remember that people take medications for all sorts of illnesses, and there is no reason to feel ashamed in taking them to improve your mood. It's important you take your medication as prescribed without missing dosages and inform your GP about how they are making you feel. Different medications have different effect on people so they need to be changed until the right medication works for you.

Experiences with NHS mental health services vary greatly for region to region. Therapy and counselling combined with medication often provides the best long term results. However the service can be lacking as mental health services are underfund and appointment can be cancelled.

The waiting lists for therapy are only getting longer due to NHS cuts and the increased cases of mental health issue people are experiencing. A three month wait or longer is too long for a consultation, especially if you don't have a complete diagnosis and you are passed around from department to department.

Referrals and appointments are taking too long for patients to be seen. Many NHS doctors and nurses are saddened that they can't do more. People can't wait for help to come and can't afford private therapists or psychologist to receive faster treatment and support.

Even if you are admitted quickly the aftercare facilities and support can be lacking in response times for many disorders. To save a life time is critical and there is no doubt that experiences and the level of mental health resources vary across the UK but the main issue is long waiting times.

This is leaving thousands of people without the help they require when they need it. While they are techniques to try and cope, such as depression tips and mania tips self help and self care doesn't always work and people need to see specialists for other mental health issues such as eating disorders and addiction.

The same thing doesn't work for everyone so procedures and approaches need to be tailored to the individual and circumstances. Feeling left in limbo and just waiting and waiting never helps sufferers and meditation can turn you into a zombie where you just feel emotional empty.

Everyday thousands of people are suffering from mental illness without the aid and care they need . The bottom line is that there simply aren't enough treatment spaces available for all the mental health problems. When someone is feeling suicidal the appointment may come too late.

The government talk and sound bites need to end and real action taken by increasing NHS funding. The government needs to make provisions for a quality end to end mental health service.

Our NHS

I want to offer high praise for the brilliant work and challenges that the NHS faces every day. I would gladly pay more tax to help fund our beloved NHS knowing that when others or me needed access to health care it would be provided.

The NHS is currently and always under pressure. A rise in income would help fund the NHS. The problem is are current tax isn't spent on the right things. It's not spent on healthcare or education it's spent on weapons that we hope never get used.

NHS targets fail because they are overwhelmed by patients who need medical help. Nursing staff and doctors went into healthcare to help people. The service the NHS provides will deteriorate if it's not funded and staffed correctly. This is especially true for mental health services.

It's hard to improve standards and spot the mentally vulnerability against all the cutbacks and slashing of public spending in mental health services and social care.

All GP's can do is listen and refer. Unfortunately without access to rapid help people suffering from mental illness can demise quickly. People with depression or in the middle of a breakdown can't wait a few months on a waiting list for counselling therapy and treatment.

That delay can swallow people up with are struggling in desperation and misery when they need relief and professional diagnosis. There can't be replaced if they commit suicide while on a waiting list.

The NHS needs to offer justice for those that need medical care for mental health problems. Currently I think the government is letting patients down. No matter what the illness or accident that befalls us all the NHS should have the resources to cope, day or night. And in the darkness of night is when we need it the most.