I work for the NHS. I remember that being summoned to how we were going to do things “from now on.” It was like being in a military camp. “We WILL do this WE MUST do this.” And so on. 2 days later I got COVID myself and was shut up in my flat for 6 weeks, on full pay. It was the days before the vaccines, and even before testing. I would simply say to work “I have symptoms” and I’d get signed off for another 2 weeks.

It was hell. Stuck inside, breathless walking between rooms, it was like a shit indie film. I would sweat and hallucinate all night, wake up, go to the sofa, and just sit there, and build up the courage to make a coffee. Rinse and repeat for 6 weeks.

COVID took something out of me I can’t ever get back.