Mark Noble has paid tribute to the keyworkers who are giving their all to help others during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The spread of the respiratory virus has led to the suspension of Premier League football and all other elite sport, the closure of schools from Friday and unprecedented pressure being put on the NHS and other key services.
As a married father-of-two, committed family man and proud Newham native, captain Noble expressed his respect for those putting others’ lives before their own in his Evening Standard column.
I just want to say I take my hat off to the doctors, the nurses and everyone else who works in the NHS and I hope the Government and the people appreciate what they do for us
Mark Noble
“These are strange and worrying times for everyone,” said the skipper. “We’re all living from day to day as the situation unfolds and we’re also way, way out of our comfort zones as we try to adjust.
“One thing this dreadful virus has brought home to me is that the health of my family is more important than anything else in this life.
“Our domestic football has been suspended until the end of April now but, beyond that, there is nothing definite. Everything is up in the air, but me wondering about when and how we will be training means little really, up against the people in this country who are, like the NHS workers, on the front line every day, or the cab driver who is worrying about where his next fare is coming from.
“I just want to say I take my hat off to the doctors, the nurses and everyone else who works in the NHS and I hope the Government and the people appreciate what they do for us.
“We need to help the elderly, the vulnerable and the sick of our society and help minimise the effects of this illness. I can only try to imagine what it is like at the moment for an elderly person who lives on their own. We all need to chip in and help.
“What really concerns me far more than our training regime, though, are people, their health and their jobs. With that in mind, I’m going to donate the fees for my Evening Standard columns this season to the Newham Foodbank, a fantastic charity helping to feed the most vulnerable and at-risk local people in east London. At this difficult time, they need our help more than ever.”
Part of a nationwide network and based in Beckton, Newham Foodbank provides three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. For more information and/or to make a donation, click here.