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The Human Cost of 'Too Little, Too Late'
29 Nov
Summary
- A husband died just over two hours after hospitalization in 2020.
- Lockdown prevented a mother from visiting her dying husband.
- A daughter asked, 'Is Daddy Going to be OK?' unable to be reassured.
A recent inquiry into the UK's pandemic response revealed a government reaction described as "too little, too late," a finding that deeply resonates with Emma Charlesworth. Her husband, Stuart, passed away at the age of 45 in April 2020, merely two hours after being admitted to the hospital. The strict lockdown measures in place meant Charlesworth was unable to visit him during his final days.
Unable to comfort her daughter, Rebekah, who was just 10 years old, Charlesworth faced the agonizing decision of whether to isolate herself from her child to say a final goodbye. Instead, mother and daughter said their farewells to Stuart via a Skype call. Charlesworth became a widow at 39, grappling with the immense loss and the surreal circumstances.
Charlesworth has since found solace and purpose through the charity WAY (Widowed and Young) and by writing, publishing a book titled "Is Daddy Going to be OK?". The book's title reflects her daughter's heartbreaking question during the initial days of the pandemic. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the devastating human impact behind the statistics of the global health crisis.
