Town crier urges residents to ‘summon your antibacterial shields’ and stay home
A war cry was issued to the people of Worthing, telling them ‘home is your battlefield’.
Locked-down residents of a seaside town have been called to arms by a town crier to “engage the battle” against Covid-19.
The war cry was issued to the people of Worthing calling on them to stay home and “summon your weapons, your antibacterial shields”.
Streaming live on Facebook on Tuesday morning and dressed in his full regalia, town crier Bob Smytherman gave a blistering address to the citizens of his beloved West Sussex town.
It came as people across the country woke up to their first full day under the new restrictions announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday evening.
“This is a war like no other fought before in our lifetime, or even in history.
“Summon your weapons, your antibacterial shields, your human concern.
“Engage the battle fully and pray for a winning outcome.
“Prepare to fight Covid-19 to its defeat in our world.”
In the video Mr Smytherman, 52, who is also a councillor for Worthing Borough Council and West Sussex County Council, called on everyone to join the fight and support NHS staff who are working so hard.
He said: “Your weapons are not the usual guns and knives but even more potent – home is your battlefield.
“Stay there, except for essential frontline visits. Do not engage with other people.
“Fight Covid-19 germs with soap and water.”
Mr Smytherman also praised the many workers still out battling the virus, saying: “Give thanks and pray gratitude to those fighting on the front line, and risking their health and lives so that you may live and in good health!
He finished his speech with a simple and heartfelt: “God bless our frontline warriors against Covid-19, and God save the Queen.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Smytherman said it was really critical that people followed the new restrictions.
He said: “I think it’s just really, really important.
“I think with the Prime Minister’s clear statement from Downing Street yesterday, it’s absolutely clear that we have got to lock down.
“It’s just such a serious situation at the moment and we have got to stand together.”
