While a lot us are currently confined to the safety of our homes, around 20,000 former NHS workers have returned to the health service to battle coronavirus. It is clear, the risk of complications increases sharply with people over 60 years of age and these selfless key workers, despite the risks, are putting themselves on the front-line to protect us.

Can we say we are ‘doing our best’ and honouring these heroes by allowing vulnerable retail workers to remain in stores and continue being exposed to undue risks?

We must go further, calling for the government to redefine ‘the vulnerable’ and enforce shielding measures of employees over the age of 60 who work in a customer facing-role to be automatically furloughed without delay. 

With respect, retail staff are working tirelessly and doing the vital job of keeping the food on the shelves, and although they will be missed, we can afford to temporarily fill-in for over 60s. There are currently thousands of workers made temporarily redundant within this sector.  

Let’s put up a defence, shield our vulnerable, stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.