Calls, no hugs: UK moms spend Mother’s Day far from family

Sunday is Mor’s Day in Britain and government has a stark mess for millions of citizens: Visiting your mom could kill her.

In a mess to nation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored Britons to forego day’s tritional family visits, parties and Sunday lunches since authorities could t “disguise or sugarcoat threat” poised by coronavirus pandemic.

“If your mor is elderly or vulnerable, n I am afraid all statistics show that she is much more likely to die from coronavirus,” he said. “This time, best thing is to ring her, video call her, Skype her, but to avoid any unnecessary physical contact or proximity.”

As Britain struggles with how strongly to crack down on residents’ movements to fight spre of COVID-19, Johnson has been accused of sending mixed messs. On Friday, he said he hoped to see his 77-year-old mor on Mor’s Day. His office later said he would speak to her by Skype.

Some sons and daughters left Mor’s Day bouquets on doorsteps, speaking to ir mors from outside. Or families planned to sit down for a meal at same time but in different homes, linked by FaceTime or Skype.

Middle Eastern countries faced same dilemma when y celebrated Mor’s Day on Saturday. Many people took to social media to lament fact that y would t be able to visit family members, while ors thanked mors who spent holiday working as doctors or nurses. One popular online greeting card praised mors as original vocates of hand-washing.

U.K. government is scrambling to toughen its response to coronavirus outbreak amid criticism it did t act quickly eugh to close schools, pubs and restaurants. Britain has 5,018 confirmed cases of virus and 233 deaths but is following a similar contagion path to hard-hit Italy, which w has most virus deaths in world at 4,825.

Johnson warned late Saturday that Britain will face a crisis on scale of Italy’s in just two or three weeks, saying health system will be “completely overwhelmed” if people do t heed instructions to stay home and avoid contact with ors w.

For most people, new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever or coughing. For some, especially older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. Worldwide some 312,000 people have been infected and over 13,000 died from virus, while 93,000 have recovered.

As virus upends daily life in Britain and around world, authorities, charities and individuals are seeking ways to make people feel less isolated.

British government has told up to 1.5 million sick and elderly people considered most vulnerable to stay home for at least 12 weeks due to virus. Special deliveries of groceries and medicine for those in isolation will brought in by public ncies, military, food retailers and volunteers.

Churches across Britain held services Sunday without congregations, streaming m online. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, he of Church of England, led a service on national rio, urging people at home to join in with prayers and hymns.

(im credit: AP)