Living through coronavirus: Separation of Atherstone councillor's 82-year-old mum from her family inspires launch of We'll Meet Again forum

'MY MOTHER BROKE DOWN AND CRIED OVER NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE HER NEAREST AND DEAREST'

THE QUEEN summed it up perfectly when she spoke as a mother in her national address last month of the challenge coronavirus lockdown caused in the "painful separation" from family and friends.

And Boris Johnson returned to the theme today when he vowed to make it "gradually easier" to see loved ones – as he revealed that three out of five tests have been met to ease the unprecedented restrictions imposed on March 23.

The April 5 message from the monarch talked of "more to endure" before better days returned, adding that "we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again".

The Prime Minister, writing in the Mail on Sunday, urged the UK to be patient amid the frustrations. If the nation "sticks with it", then it will "gradually" be possible for families "to meet again" – as the Queen had suggested.

That message of hope – the lyrics for a classic Dame Vera Lynn song which rallied allied troops in the dark days of World War Two – has inspired Atherstone town and borough councillor Dawn Downes to turn to social media to help those struggling with mental anguish associated with self-isolation and being cut off from nearest and dearest.

The NHS frontline worker has launched a Facebook page titled We'll Meet Again – prompted by her own mum's anguish through the pandemic.

Like many, coronavirus has left 82-year Norma Cooper separated from those she wants to be with.

"When I was talking to my mum about living through Covid-19, she broke down and cried over not being able to see the family," Councillor Downes told Nub News.

So the councillor – an operating department practitioner Nuneaton's George Eliot Hospital – set about trying to build on the "experiences" of her mother's generation who have been through a world war which is similar in some ways to the trying to deal with the silent enemy of coronavirus.

"I want people to express their views and talk about 'nice times', not all doom and gloom," she added.

"Perhaps someone coming on to the forum can help give a recipe for a jam roly-poly –anything to cheer us up as I am concerned about people's mental welfare living through the difficult times."

Cllr Downes is concerned she cannot run her normal surgeries or knock on doors "without frightening some people".

She told Nub News: "How can I still connect with the electorate when I'm working at the hospital, fighting Covid-19 with the rest of the staff. It is very difficult.

"When I get home I ask myself, I still want people I represent to count on me for help."

She says the page, which already has more than 300 followers, is not just for Atherstone but for "anyone at home who is alone and worrying about the dreadful situation".

Cllr Downes says if she can make one person smile – she'll have "done what I set out to do".

New regulations announced last Sunday by the PM mean that Britons are able to have cleaners over to work in their homes and have people over to view properties on the market –but still can't see friends and family.

People can meet in pairs outside as long as they stay two metres apart – but can't see both parents at the same time.