Coronavirus: Queen issues rare rallying call, ‘we are up to the challenge’
Queen Elizabeth issues a rare rallying cry as Prince Harry postpones the Invictus Games that were to be held in May.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the country “can turn the tide’’ on the coronavirus crisis in 12 weeks, while Queen Elizabeth issued a rare rallying cry, assuring the nation that amid tightening restrictions on everyday life that “my family and I stand ready to play our part’’.
Her Majesty told the country that “we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals’’ and thanked scientists and front line workers battling the virus spread.
“At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal,’’ she said.
“We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services; but now more than any time in our recent past, we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals — today and in the coming days, weeks and months.
“Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge. You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part.’’
A message from Her Majesty The Queen.https://t.co/xVJmB7aU40 pic.twitter.com/HLHqRnZGIP
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 19, 2020
The Queen’s message came as the Bank of England lowered interest rates to the lowest since it was created in 1694 in an emergency move and said it will buy up £200bn of UK government and corporate bonds to purchase debt.
The UK interest rate now stands at 0.10 per cent after the Bank cut the main rate by 15 basis points in a significant step to keep the economy going.
The Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey said it was important the Bank moved now and not at its scheduled meeting next week because “it will be too late by that point”.
The economy has tanked as social distancing measures come into play, but Mr Johnson said the government would stand by companies and urged them not to lay off staff.
In a bullish mood Mr Johnson said: “I do think we can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks, I am absolutely confident to send a coronavirus packing in this country but only if we all take the steps outlined’’.
Later he elaborated that scientific developments, such as testing for antibodies to discover people who have already had the virus, and the beginning of a vaccine trial — using a first British coronavirus patient on Thursday — would “start to come into play’’.
The antibody test, which is still to be confirmed, would be like a pregnancy test, but using a prick of blood, Mr Johnson said. It would be a game changer because it would identify everyone who has already had the virus.
Britain’s death toll stood as 137 on Friday, from 2717 cases.
Mr Johnson didn’t announce any feared quarantining of households in London, the centre of the disease in the UK, but urged people to maintain social distancing, work form home and avoid pubs, clubs and restaurants. He said tougher measures could be introduced at speed if required.
“We are rapidly becoming so much better understanding the genomics of this virus, and better at understanding the medicines that may treat and cure it. The first coronavirus patient was put into a randomised trial for drugs today, and UK experts start trials for a vaccine within a month. This crisis is so difficult because the enemy is invisible.’’
The Queen has been reunited with Prince Philip at Windsor Castle, after the Duke of Edinburgh was flown by helicopter from his usual residence at Sandringham House.
The Duke of Cambridge is expected to take over many of the Monarch’s roles, while both the Queen, 93, and 71-year-old Prince Charles are shielded from the virus.
The Queen’s message read: “As Philip and I arrive at Windsor today, we know that many individuals and families across the United Kingdom, and around the world, are entering a period of great concern and uncertainty.
“We are all being advised to change our normal routines and regular patterns of life for the greater good of the communities we live in and, in particular, to protect the most vulnerable within them.’’
Invictus Games postponed
The Invictus Games for wounded servicepeople have been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, Prince Harry said on Friday.
The Olympic-style sports event featuring athletes from 20 countries was due to happen in The Hague in The Netherlands from May 9 to 16 but is now likely to be in 2021.
The Invictus Games are the brainchild of Harry, who served with the British military in Afghanistan.
“I’m really sorry we couldn’t make this happen,” Harry said in a video message on Twitter. “This was an incredibly difficult decision for all of us to have to make.”
Harry said it was the “most sensible and the safest option for all of you, for your families and everybody else involved in these games.”
“I know how disappointed you all must be, this is a focus that so many of you need, I would encourage you to maintain that focus as best you can. The good news is that you have an extra 12 months to get even fitter!”
Organisers said in a statement that they were “investigating all options to reschedule the Invictus Games, subject to the availability of key facilities and resources, to May or June 2021.” They are the latest in a series of sporting events to be cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak, including the Euro 2020 football championships.
Harry was in The Hague last year to mark one year until the games — and was presented with a romper suit for his then new-born son Archie.
The games would have been one of his first public appearances since he and his wife Meghan withdrew from royal duties.
The Netherlands has reported 2468 coronavirus cases including 77 deaths.
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have also urged people to show “empathy and kindness” in the face of the pandemic.
The couple took to Instagram to post a statement.
“This moment is as true a testament there is to the human spirit. We often speak of compassion. All of our lives are in some way affected by this, uniting each of us globally,” they said. “How we approach each other and our communities with empathy and kindness is indisputably important right now.”
Harry and Meghan told followers they’ll be sharing trustful news and informing the public of safe and healthy practices.
Starting at the end of this month, the Sussexes will no longer use their royal titles and pursue a new life of financial freedom in North America.
With AFP
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