Coronavirus newsletter: Psychologists want your views

Good evening
The latest figures showing the death toll in the UK from the coronavirus pandemic make for sobering reading.

Weeks ago we were all horrified at the shocking events unfolding in Italy...now the number of people who have died here is greater than there.

Because cases of Covid-19 have been more regionally spread in the UK, we have not seen our health services teeter on the brink of collapse as they have done in parts of mainland Europe. But that is no comfort to those who have lost their loved ones in the past seven weeks.

There is a growing feeling that the UK acted too late in both locking down the country and in getting testing up and running.

We have a chance to do better as we move into the next phase with the launch of the trial of the tracking and tracing project, including the launch of a phone app to give early warning of those who may have symptoms. This will only work if as many of us as possible download the app to add to traditional tracing methods.

If you are wavering, think of the thousands who have died - and press the button.

Gillian Parkinson
Editor