Horsham woman whose husband died with Covid-19 calls for memorial to coronavirus victims

Seventy-eight year old Liz Paffett’s husband Peter died with the virus on April 11.

She said: “It’s a terrible thing to see. It’s absolutely horrendous.

“It will be years before I can come to terms with it.”

Peter, 85, caught coronavirus while in hospital, despite the best efforts of NHS staff, Liz added.

She praised the ‘magnificent job’ the doctors and nurses did but said Peter’s death will haunt her for the rest of her life.

Liz is urging West Sussex County Council and Horsham District Council to commission a memorial to pay tribute both to victims of the virus and ‘unsung heroes’ who have helped during the pandemic.

She said those doing a ‘splendid job’ should have their work highlighted in a roll of honour, alongside a tribute to those who have lost their lives.

But she is also calling for the public to have a ‘wake-up call’ and to continue to follow the rules as lockdown eases, to avoid a second wave.

Liz said: “I’m urging people to take responsibility for their actions and consider others.

“Over time people get used to it – it gradually goes downhill.

“It’s important to still follow the rules.

“Their stupidity can pass it [the virus] onto other people and their families.

“I just want people at the moment to be aware of what’s out there.

“Are they aware until it hits them personally? People should be responsible for their actions.”

Liz is inviting people who have lost someone due to coronavirus to get in contact if they would like.

She added: “If you haven’t been through it you don’t understand what those people are actually going through.”

A West Sussex County Council spokeswoman said: “Thank you to your reader for this idea, we are keenly aware that Covid-19 has affected so many people in so many ways.

“We value all the hard work and effort that all key workers and NHS colleagues have contributed to support the residents of West Sussex through COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown.

“Even though lockdown restrictions are easing we are doing all we can to help all key workers from across the county to help and support to our residents.

“West Sussex Record Office, The Novium Museum in Chichester and Screen Archive South East are currently working on capturing West Sussex’s response to the coronavirus outbreak and have invited residents to share their lockdown diaries, posters, poems, artwork, objects or videos to become part of history.

“We will continue to work with partner organisations to consider how we mark this time which has been so tragic for so many.”

A Horsham District Council spokeswoman said it was grateful for the suggestion of a memorial to coronavirus victims and tribute to key workers.

She added: “We are working in conjunction with West Sussex County Council to gather sentiments and ideas from our residents at this difficult time.

“We continue to look at ways our local communities can contribute to create suitable memorials and are working with our various partners to consider an appropriate mark of remembrance and thanksgiving for victims, as well as a fitting mark of respect to the outstanding work of our key workers in supporting our residents in these unprecedented circumstances.”