Weathering the Storm

‘In this short compendium, Liz Rothschild has accomplished the remarkable. In account after account, the myriad voices of Covid loss, loneliness and lessons learned rise from the page. I can nearly hear the accents, see the faces, feel the pain, the pride, the perseverance. As a psychologist, I have spent the better part of the last three years researching the impact of pandemic anxiety and grief and walking alongside clients suffering unspeakably complicated bereavement. Remarkable in its plainspoken eloquence and critical commentary, this book captures the panoramic impact of the global crisis as revealed in the lives of the healthcare workers, teachers, immigrants, youth and families who have “weathered the storm”. I recommend it to anyone compassionate, curious or concerned enough to dive deeply into the experience of trauma and resilience, tissues in hand, and open to cultivating a fuller humanity.’ -- Robert A. Neimeyer, editor of The Handbook of Grief Therapies and Director, Portland Institute for Loss and Transition, US; ‘The Covid pandemic is already becoming the subject of much reinterpretation over time. Covid is now the stuff of myths and legends for politicians and scientists in their autobiographies and books, and there is a lot of revisionism too. This is why the accounts in this book of ‘ordinary people’ whose voices have gone largely unheard are invaluable. Looking forward, the real challenge is to ensure our parliament commits to new legislation that will rebuild and reinstate services to safeguard the public health against future pandemics.’ -- Allyson Pollock, clinical professor of public health, Newcastle University, and former member of Independent SAGE; ‘As we who have survived emerge from our places of shelter and safety in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, we must confront our losses and reflect on life itself and reasons to go on. Liz Rothschild’s book provides us with the reality of others’ experiences, the sharing of which allows us the opportunity to further reflect on how devastating a time we have all endured. Above all, these powerful accounts provide us with a sense of self, of how precious life is, and how we must continue to survive for those whom we’ve lost. This is an immensely emotional and extremely important book.’-- Sonia Winifred, psychodynamic psychotherapist and supervisor, CBT practitioner and local councillor, London Borough of Lambeth; ‘This important book reminds us that the deaths caused by Covid pandemic were not simply a national tragedy and a scandalising testimony to incompetent and corrupt government; most of all, they were deeply personal instances of love and loss. We need texts like this to tell the truth about the pandemic. Health and social care workers and the other essential workforces held up their side of a public service obligation to put people first while politicians shamefully served their own interests, with fatal and long-term debilitating consequences. These workers are the true heroes of our times, and for far too many this recognition has to be posthumous. When we fail to learn the lessons of history, we are undoubtedly condemned to repeat egregious mistakes. We must do so much more than merely clap for carers. If we are to weather future storms, we must assertively defend and bolster the NHS and wider welfare systems.’ -- Mick McKeown, professor of democratic mental health and member of Unison’s National Nursing and Midwifery Sector Committee; ‘These stories take us to the epicentre of UK citizens’ experiences of Covid. Liz Rothschild has simply asked people what happened to them, and here are the truths. I am impressed by her torch shining into dark corners to seek out those not expecting to be asked. It is a harrowing, compelling and uplifting read, reflecting the Covid years in a carefully crafted and digestible way. Professionally or anecdotally, this book is a must-read. Long Covid is put out on the table as a main course, not as an unpleasant left-over. The prevailing attitude to education, public health and the way our young people have been affected is clearly and strongly described; the commentaries are intelligent and helpful. The inclusion of individual artwork and poetry lifts us into that healing sphere of imagery and imagination, while the personal reflections are inciteful and heart-felt. This is a very important book in the context of the re-evaluation of the pandemic.’ -- Jo Bousfield, community theatre director, writer, and part of the Good Grief Project www.thegoodgriefproject.co.uk; ‘At a time when the truth about the pandemic is so contested, it’s a relief to find here a multiplicity of different personal stories, all speaking their truths, even as they sometimes contradict each other. How refreshing to hear from the bus cleaner as well as the doctor; from the child suffering with long Covid as well as the teacher. As any storyteller knows, a story can only unfurl itself fully when the listener is attentive. Liz Rothschild has clearly listened well, and the result is a satisfying collage – each voice and each chapter offering colour and contrast in relation to the others. As we begin to look back on the pandemic and look forward to what comes next, this compassionate collection of stories will help us to hold more of the diversity and complexity of what we collectively experienced.’ -- Jackie Singer, storyteller, musician and author of Birthrites: Rituals and celebrations for the child-bearing years.