Coronavirus: Why daily briefings from Boris Johnson and co are fuelling public anxiety – Jim Duffy

Cabinet ministers taking the daily press conferences about the Covid-19 coronavirus need to be more upfront and honest, writes Jim Duffy

Cabinet minister Michael Gove speaks during a Downing Street briefing about the Covid-19 pandemic (Picture: Pippa Fowles/10 Downing Street/AFP via Getty Images)

Did you know that we have some of the most sophisticated warships, fighter planes and computers ever? We have complex communications systems and tech that was unimaginable only 25 years ago. I could go on and on about how amazing our expertise and wizardry has become. But, right now, none of it is important. The fact that we are in the clutches of a world pandemic is focusing our minds on how futile and irrelevant half this stuff really is.

What matters more to us now is not stealth bombers, driverless cars and virtual reality headsets. No, what concerns me is the impact right now on my immediate reality. And that is causing anxiety and grief – for us all.Anxiety in that were are quite literally living in a world of chaos just now, where everything is turned upside down. And grief in that the life we had is no longer and we want it back, whatever that looks like.

Both of these put together are impacting our conscious and sub-conscious minds. It’s unavoidable and despite all the coping mechanisms on social media and Joe Wicks bouncing around on the TV screen, internally our cognitive and emotional software is freezing. Our locus and focus is not where it was four weeks ago and our mindsets, beliefs and hope are under pressure. All a bit gloomy I know, but there is an antidote for it all. It’s called honesty.

Coronavirus ain’t going away anytime soon. My brother is in day five. He is a palliative care doctor in Glasgow who has been battling away for weeks under very difficult conditions with all his colleagues, god bless them all. Coronavirus is real and humanity will have to deal with it.

Yes, this is causing anxiety and grief, but for me and many others it is not the virus and its consequences that place stress on us. It is the response by those charged with leading us that is actually making us anxious and worried for that life we once had.

Trump’s blame-shifting

When President “fake news” Trump went on TV only weeks back stating coronavirus was a hoax, just a flu, he caused more untold damage than he could ever imagine. And that stance and slow call to action is having dire consequences for the USA. Those of us in the likes of Italy and Spain were already being locked down as hundreds were dying. So, seeing the leader of the free world talk nonsense to his great nation caused me to clench my fists tightly. But, this week the reality has set in for Americans. And Trump looks exposed, weak and vulnerable, which in turn means he will get more defensive and look elsewhere to lay the blame. This whole methodology of government and communications is making us anxious, because our gut feelings can’t be reconciled with what we are being told by the likes of him.

Here in the UK, Boris Johnson’s Government is holding a nightly press conference to “communicate” with the people. Our top TV news journalists are asking questions. The likes of Beth Rigby from Sky News, Laura Kuenssberg from the BBC and not to mention Robert Peston from ITV are hitting them with non-accusatorial, fact-finding, forensic questions. Questions on personal protective equipment, chemicals, reagents and testing of NHS staff. But, despite all the theatre there is nothing actually being told from the muppet, sorry minister, leading the conference each night. In fact, it is so poor that top media journalists like Eddie Mair of LBC are dubbing out the pre-prepared ministerial spiels with Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights. In short, the whole thing is a waste of time.

Losing a loved one in lonely circumstances

And this is what is precipitating rising levels of anxiety in the nation. Please don’t think you are immune from this anxiety. It is currently affecting us, our friends, colleagues and families in different ways. We are used to politicians arguing the toss with other politicians, taxing us and spending the money where they fancy. But, right now, that is all on hold. The spotlight is well and truly fixed on them and they can no longer prevaricate and avoid straight answers. People’s lives, livelihoods and existence are at stake. So, the more they are economical with the truth, the more we get anxious. Anxious, because deep down we know things are not right.

And this leads me to the second symptom of lockdowns, lies and two smoking barrels. It is that feeling that the life we had has been shattered and pulled apart in the last four weeks. Worst still, we may never get it back to where it was again. Not in a doomsday scenario fashion where humanity is wiped out, but rather this has all hit us so fast, that we will be concussed for years to come.

Families who are losing loved ones in very difficult and lonely circumstances will never forget this. It feels like a low blow.

Business owners who are going bust, despite furloughs and loans, may never step into the ring again. NHS and care staff must feel punch drunk as they battle ten rounds each day. And while we deal with this, Westminster seems to be scuttling around for smelling salts to get us all back on our feet instead of dealing with what we have and simply telling us the truth, no matter how grim it may be.

Prince Charles was right this week – we will get though his. But, while we lockdown and work “together” we need clarity, honesty and straight answers from our politicians and their scientists. Take my advice Boris, be honest, upfront and candid with us for once. It will reduce our anxiety and grief, while we all battle to get through this.