Lord John Mann urges Bassetlaw residents to harness ‘community spirit’ and ‘traditional British values’

While warning people not to ignore government advice on social distancing and evoking memories of WW2, Baron Mann said ‘don’t be the person who kept their lights on when the Luftwaffe was bombing’.

In a letter shared with the Worksop Guardian John wrote how the NHS was ‘calling the shots’, adding ‘it is why we will see off this attack’.

He wrote: “This is the biggest crisis facing the country since the war.

“Anybody who tells you otherwise doesn’t know what is happening or is deliberately misleading you - do not be fooled by the fools.

“The Government, laboratories, universities and health services here and in every other country are attempting to find a vaccine - an effective way of testing who has had the virus and medicines that can treat it.

“Nobody can be certain how long this will take but we can be certain the scientists and health professions will succeed in this.

“Our problem is that the virus is spreading and killing people and will continue to do so.

“And as we try to minimise its spread our economy is being decimated - as it is across the whole world.”

Lord Mann wrote how members of his own family had been ‘laid off’ without pay while friends lay in critical care in hospital and older loved ones were isolated in their homes for 12 weeks.

While issuing a caution about the elderly he said ‘older people are most vulnerable’, adding: “You need to understand this – they are more likely to die and more likely to get the virus and spread it to others.”

He wrote: “As hospitals fill up everyone will really see how bad this is - so if you are not prepared, you need to be.

“We have enough food in the pipelines and that will continue - do not ‘pop out’ to the shops, go less frequently.

“If you are a pensioner then ideally get someone to go for you and keep a distance from everyone as you do go out - one coffin’s distance - and help stop the virus spreading.

“Tidy your garden, paint your bedrooms, bake scones but do it at home.”

Directly addressing the ‘older generation’ John wrote: “Use your experience and your wisdom.

“Stay in and share your wisdom to your younger family members and neighbours - it won us the last war.

“The same discipline and spirit will win this one.”