£5.69

I had a phone call this week it was my Brothers’ “Temporary new Social Worker.” I asked Bethany, “How long have you been his Social Worker?” She replied, “Since February.” Bethany went on to tell me, “Your Brother needs to see a Doctor, I’m not worried, but amongst other things he is VERY breathless,” I said to Bethany, “OK I will phone his Doctors now and make an appointment for a home visit, as he’s a recluse,” She said, “Thank you, keep me posted.”

I then rang my Brothers Doctors surgery and I asked the Receptionist, “Please can my Brother have a home visit, as he is VERY breathless, and has a sore throat?” Her reply was, “No Doctor will come out for home visits for anyone, anymore, if he is unwell, he can buy medicine over-the- counter from the chemist, or ring 111,” I said, “He is a recluse, he doesn’t leave his flat,” She said, “That’s the only advise I can give you, sorry.” I replied, “OK.”

I was shocked, for without me, my Brother who has a sore throat and VERY breathless, and is undiagnosed, it would be impossible for him to walk the short distance to the chemist.

So, it opened my eyes, to something new, to those who have no one at all, those without a doubt will die in their homes. They won’t die from the virus but, the lack of a Doctor. It’s very important for the Doctors to be kept alive and in the Surgery, for if he or she is dead, he or she is no good to anyone.

I rang my Brother and asked him for his symptoms, he sounded dreadful, he was VERY out of breath and his voice was slurred I could hardly understand him he said, “I have a sore throat,” I did wonder if he would be alive when I went next to bring him his shopping, I wrote down what was wrong, it was a big responsibility on my part, as I’m not a Doctor and went to my local corner shop.

Behind the counter, I could see two different, over-the-counter-medicines, so I wasn’t able to pick up the items and read what they were good for, so I asked him the prices, there was only 20p difference in the prices, so I asked him to, “Read out to me what they were for,” The second one was for sore throat, so I said, “I will have that one.” It seemed expensive, but it is a corner shop, and many have panic buy medicines, 2 weeks ago, leaving none to buy in the shops. I also bought him aspirins, NOT ibuprofen.

When I saw Eric 2 days later, I tried to explain to him how much to take, up to four times a day. I wore a mask for the first time, for he has lots wrong with him and it’s to protect us both.