Unlike many stories, COVID-19 is affecting people in similar ways across the globe. Fred Martino talked with former KRWG reporter Simon Thompson, who is now a financial journalist in London. Their discussion came in a week when Queen Elizabeth II made a rare address to the nation.
“While we have faced challenges before, this one is different. This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavor, using the great advances of science, and our instinctive compassion to heal,” said Queen Elizabeth.
In just her fifth special address to the nation in a 68-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II captured the unique nature of the COVID-19 crisis. Across the globe, we are facing many of the same challenges.
Working from home. Isolating from others, including friends and family.
Former KRWG reporter Simon Thompson is now a financial journalist in London. He used to take public transportation to a vibrant office. But now, like millions of others, he’s working from home in a flat overlooking a once bustling part of town.
“So, I’m in central London. It’s pretty much a ghost town. Normally, today is Sunday, there’d be a truck full of people shopping, socializing, going out, but it’s just empty, absolutely empty. Except for the last couple of days, Londoners love, British people love sunshine. So the last few days have been really sunny, so, there’s actually been a concerning amount of people kind of in the park, sunbathing. So the health minister said today there might even be locking and closing down parks,” said Thompson.
After we talked, some parks were closed in London. And Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned further closures could be on the way.
The Queen thanked those social distancing and acknowledged the difficulty.
“I’m speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time. A time of disruption in the life of our country. A disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all,” said Queen Elizabeth.
While lives have changed dramatically, Thompson says most people he knows are taking the Government’s warnings very seriously. And recently, with hundreds a day dying in the U.K., the news provides a warning for those who would ignore the rules.
“My whole office is working from home. But I ride my bike, walk down the street. I do live pretty centrally, so it’s pretty easy. I mean, most people, I don’t think I could hang out with somebody even if I wanted to, because most people I know are taking it pretty seriously. Or they have someone in their life that they’re pretty concerned about, that they don’t want to pass it on to,” said Thompson.
And the Queen said, there will be a reward for those taking the pandemic seriously: Victory.
“Together, we are tackling this disease. And I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it.”
Overcoming the disease will leave an enormous debt to our first responders, essential personnel in all industries, and healthcare workers. As we’ve seen in New York City and elsewhere, in London, people are applauding their dedication and sacrifice.
“The moments where the United Kingdom has come together to applaud its care and essential workers will be remembered as an expression of our national spirit and its symbol will be the rainbows drawn by children,” said Queen Elizabeth.
While the Queen’s address brought hope for the future, there is also great pain and worry, particularly in relation to the economy. As in the United States, Thompson says there were some promising signs. But then, COVID-19 changed everything.
“So with Boris Johnson winning the election, and winning a large majority, and him sealing and finalizing Brexit, all that kind of uncertainty that had been holding things back for two or three years had settled. And you know, I’ve got colleagues who are financial brokers and some of them were saying they’d seen 150% increase in their inquiries for their services. Just a massive boom, sentiment really high. And now, this coronavirus has happened, and it’s just kind of taken everybody back. It’s stopped things. So, I was writing about property before. And obviously, there’s no construction happening. People also can’t meet to make deals. So there’s this sense that there’s nothing inherently wrong with the state of the economy or the business, but that it’s totally stalled and stopped. And so, the main thing that seems to be the concern is just the uncertainty of how long it’s going to last. So, British people, British businesses are pretty good at planning, things of that nature. But the uncertainty of how long it’s going to last is really troubling and creating a lot of problems for people. So, there’s a sense that things will come back. But like I said, there’s just no way to make a contingency plan. And your guess is as good as mine. So that’s the main concern,” said Thompson.
While he’s no longer traveling to the office, Thompson says much of his work hasn’t changed. Even before the pandemic, he spent a lot time tracking leads on the phone and conducting interviews that way too.
“It hasn’t changed that much. A lot of phone calls. You know, just working from home. Obviously, you can sleep in later. And kind of, not have to get dressed up for work. So, that’s a nice little bonus. I might be driving my housemate a little bit nuts as well, being in the living room constantly. But in terms of the stuff I cover, I mean, total shutdown. You know, they reckon it’s a very relationship-based industry. So, no one can meet to broker or arrange deals. So it’s totally shutting things down,” said Thompson.
But this week, some hope. For the U.K., and the world.
“We will succeed. And that success will belong to every one of us. We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return. We will be with our friends again. We will be with our families again. We will meet again. But for now, I send my thanks and warmest good wishes to you all,” said Queen Elizabeth.