27 March 2020

West Ham's Longhurst praises NHS heroes and calls on people to 'stick together by not being together'

West Ham midfielder Kate Longhurst has called on the public to 'stick together by not being together' as the UK looks to move through the coronavirus crisis.

The Women's Super League, along with all elite football in England, has been suspended until at least April 30 in a bid to control the spread of COVID-19.

And Longhurst has urged people to abide by the Government's orders and stay indoors in order to prevent millions more from contracting the virus.

Speaking to the West Ham website, she said: “It is tough times and we all need to ride it out and stick together by not being together.

“You look what’s happening around the world and the situation is awful and we don’t want to get to that position. The only way people can affect that is by being responsible, following the Government guidelines and making the right decision."

Longhurst was also full of praise for the NHS staff who are on the frontline dealing with the huge number of cases.

“I hope those doctors and nurses in the NHS know that what they do is greatly appreciated. I think, when things were normal, people did take for granted what they did," she added.

"It shouldn’t take a pandemic for us to realise the incredible job they do, but these people are literally putting their lives on the line for the rest of us.

“The term ‘hero’ is used a lot these days but, for me, there’s no other word for it. They are heroes.”

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