Queen Elizabeth Addresses The Coronavirus Pandemic

An official statement from Buckingham Palace encourages everyone to “to work as one”

Queen Elizabeth II has issued a statement asking the nation to work together during the coronavirus pandemic. In a press release from Buckingham Palace, the queen spoke of the uncertainty that people experience during quarantine, and the importance of community efforts in overcoming the crisis.

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A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Mar 19, 2020 at 9:32am PDT

She acknowledged the challenges of the new social realities due to lockdowns, and thanked healthcare workers, saying “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.”

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Catherine and I were proud to visit staff working at NHS 111, to pass on our personal thanks, along with those of my grandmother and father, to staff working around the clock to provide care and advice to those that need it most. • The last few weeks, and more recent days have been understandably concerning with the continuing spread of coronavirus. • But it’s at times like this when we realise just how much the NHS represents the very best of our country and society – people from all backgrounds and walks of life with different experiences and skills, pulling together for the common good. • Not only are NHS staff and emergency workers responding to the needs of the public, they – like the rest of us – are concerned about their families, friends and loved ones. • They need our support as much as we need theirs. • All of us have a part to play if we’re going to protect the most vulnerable. • That means acting on the latest expert advice, staying home if we or those we live with have symptoms, and avoiding non-essential contact to help reduce the spread of the virus. • — The Duke of Cambridge

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The message comes ahead of the Queen’s move to relocate to Windsor Castle in Berkshire, where she and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, will be spending the Easter holiday. As the world’s reigning monarch, the advanced age of the Queen and Prince Philip put them at greater risk of complications from Covid-19 infections. The younger British royals have also been encouraging the public to stay strong during the epidemic in different ways. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have made an official visit to the NHS to show their support for medical professionals, while Harry and Meghan’s official Instagram account has promised to share accurate and up-to-date information for public welfare.

Lead image courtesy of Twitter/TheRoyalFamily.