I have been retired for a couple of years now, and have become more self sufficient and flexible during that time. I considered myself one of the fortunate ones during lockdown. I had read about people volunteering to provide food parcels, medicine supplies etc, and thought, this is wonderful. Two weeks into lockdown, I received a letter from the Social Work Council I had been a member of, asking if I would like to return to work for the local authority. Under normal circumstances, I would have accepted that invite. But these were unprecedented circumstances. What would I be getting myself into? Should I do it?

I spoke to my wife, Jane. “Are you crazy, what are you thinking of?” she said. She was right. I was putting myself at risk. I was sixty two years old and BAME. And, crucially, I could potentially expose Jane to the virus. She had suffered cancer and her immune system was compromised. How could I return, even if I would be doing the right thing? I would just put myself and those closest to me at risk. That would be selfish and irresponsible. I know many NHS workers on the frontline have been dealing with similar dilemmas. But I could afford to say, thanks, but no thanks.