Not Emotionally (788)
So, I am currently holding my mobile in my right hand – whilst trying to type with my left. It is like I am nursing my phone; as I try and charge it. It is currently on 1 %. The way it is going I am going to lose it altogether.
In the grand scheme of things, it does not matter a great deal. However, I just may need to use my phone if an emergency does occur.
How many lives have been lost now? Over 13,000 – that has to be about the capacity of the current Anfield Road stand at Liverpool’s ground. It does not bear thinking about but what is even more scary is that the number of deaths is just going to rise. Just when will the curve flatten?
Of the tv I have watched, the programme which got to me the most was when Ross Kemp donned all the PPE going – two pairs of gloves, a mask and a gown plus a plastic visor, to film at the front-line, where Covid – 19 cases were actually being treated… It was a real eye-opener. It made me feel very humble at the work the doctors and nurses were carrying out with such love and care. I don’t mind saying I felt quite emotional. People do survive. It could be me there in that ward or my brother or my mum – whom I again yesterday stressed to, not to go out. It could be anyone. Young. Old. Healthy or un-healthy. This thing is not fussy – it attacks indiscriminately.
Then I just flicked over to ‘Question Time’ catching the last two minutes. The message was that the NHS are incredibly, still crying-out for all this PPE – it would be like a soldier going into battle without his helmet, body armour or gas mask. We are apparently the 5th richest nation on earth. It is Just scandalous. Why are we in this position?
I am not political or religious – the nearest I come to this is following Liverpool FC. Surely this situation could have been prevented? Or am I being naive in thinking that the Government were not aware of the deaths occurring in China – because we were; every day.
Good news – my phone is now on 3% and it is on the floor – almost flat-lined but not quite. This has enabled me to type with two fingers now; but not necessarily meaning that I am writing anything decent or legible.
Wednesday marked the 31st Anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster. When 96 Liverpool fans never returned from the FA Cup Semi-final clash with Nottingham Forest. I am old enough to remember it. Old enough to have been going to watch Liverpool; old enough to have nearly been there that day but I wasn’t because I was with my mate, an Evertonian and so had ended-up at the other, almost forgotten, semi between Everton and Norwich. That was weird. I love watching football – any live football and in that period, enjoyed going to watch the blues with him but would always of course, be thinking about how Liverpool were doing and just like now, would never be happier than to hear that they had won.
Everyone knows what happened. I was upset and shocked, as were the Evertonians. Football took a back-seat for a while but I was relieved when Liverpool FC eventually decided to carry on playing. because I had gone to Goodison, I was lucky enough to have a ticket for what turned out to be an emotional and dramatic cup final.
On Wednesday, inspired by one of the good people on twitter, I decided, for a change to wear a Liverpool top; putting on a white number, circa 2008 – think Torres, Gerrard et al. I kept an eye on the time, counting down the minutes to ‘3.06’ just sat on my sofa. Silently. 96 fans – if you look at their ages, a fair few of them would be just either side of 50 now, the same as me and as I type this, a cold shiver goes runs through my body.
The cd was ready. After a technical hitch, I put it on our song, ‘You know the one’ as Trevor Hicks says, blasting ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. I did not care if my neighbours heard it. I hoped they did. Maybe it may have helped them even in the present circumstances. It helped me as I sang badly and loudly, imagining myself on the old standing Kop with thousands around me; all in unison, all bonded together as though some mighty hidden hand had brushed superglue all over our heads.
I may have been physically alone but not emotionally.
17/4/20.
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