“We are all in this together”

Tuesday 24 March 2020

Jersey’s Bailiff has called upon people to support one another and “make sacrifices for the greater good” to see the island through the covid-19 crisis.

Bailiff Tim Le Cocq made the address of unity and hope at the beginning of an unusual States sitting held in Fort Regent’s Gloucester Hall, so that politicians could follow the current social distancing advice.

Addressing the Assembly, the Bailiff said: “All of us here can understand how uncertain, worrying, sometimes lonely and frightening a time this is for our people, particularly those who are vulnerable.”

Acknowledging that “these are very challenging circumstances for individuals, businesses and other organisations”, the Bailiff commended the work of politicians and islanders who “are stepping up to the mark, are working together, are volunteering through the Parishes or otherwise to help and support those who are worst affected by the measures that have necessarily been put in place and will be put in place".

He continued: “None of us are unaffected. All of our lives have changed, and where we shall all be at the end of this crisis, we cannot know for certain. However, I think that there is in every possibility that we as an island, already so deeply aligned with the spirit of voluntary service and care of our people will emerge as a stronger more cohesive community even than we are now." 

To get through the changes to daily life prompted by the virus outbreak, Mr Le Cocq said that joining together and following government health advice will be key.

“We are all in this together and we will all come through this by supporting each other. We have not faced a challenge like this before. We know, however, that we are a strong and resilient people. We know that we are capable of making sacrifices for the greater good and that good requires us all to follow the guidance given by the experts and by Government to constrain the spread of the virus.

“That is the best thing that each of us can do to look after those of us who are vulnerable and to create an environment in which our emergency and care services, our general practitioners and others are not overwhelmed.” 

The Bailiff also spoke about how Jersey’s unique history has well-equipped the island for weathering this crisis.

“We can have the confidence, looking back into our history, to know that this too shall pass. And whether it takes three months, six months or longer, life will return to a normal rhythm and pace. We all play our part in helping that to happen”.

During his speech, the Bailiff also praised the work of health and care professionals and those who are volunteering to help the vulnerable, for making “this time a little lighter and a little better.” 

Today, States Members will be debating a series of emergency measures designed to optimise the island’s response to the outbreak.