A thread about my father, Peter Burnett

A larger-than-life figure. An entrepreneur, a raconteur, a hell-raiser, an occasional scoundrel but with a huge heart

He died yesterday, of #COVID19

He was 58. He had no preexisting health problems.

/1

On Saturday, I had less than an hour's notice to say goodbye. The last words I'd ever say to him, after a lifetime

And I had to say them in my kitchen, alone. An amazing ICU doctor held a phone to his ear

Dad was on a ventilator. He wasn't conscious. He never would be again

/2

Quite easily the worst experience of my life to date, wouldn't wish it on anyone

Although making me openly weep in front of a medical professional is exactly the sort of thing Dad would have liked. He loved embarrassing his kids. He was annoying like that

/3

There was so much stuff I never got to say, and never will. So many who would have dearly wanted to say goodbye too. So much left undone.

But the situation is what it is. Brutally, sadistically unfair and cruel. And I've no choice but to accept it.

/4

So, now I've got to grieve for my father. He had a large family and huge friend circle.

I can't see them. I can't go near them. Lest I risk losing them too.

It is, to say the least, difficult right now. But, we'll get through it. Not got any choice in the matter, really

/5

And you know what really smarts? When they announce the daily #coronavirus death toll today, if it's less than yesterday, it'll be presented by the Govt and media as a positive

My father died yesterday, and it will be considered *good* news. So that's helpful

/6

Please don't think I'm being all flippant and aloof because I'm in denial or anything, I've broken down several times while writing this, I assure you. I'm owning my grief, and will be for some time. But I wanted to get this out there, as I feel it's important.

/7

Thing is, I'm not alone in experiencing this. Horrific as it is, plenty of people, way more than it should be, are going through exactly this right now. And many will have it worse than me

/8

This is the most agonising time of my life. But I've got my brilliant wife and kids with me, I've got my health, my own house, an incredible support network, I've not even taken much a financial hit (books are still selling)

Despite everything, I'm still lucky, I know that

/9

There are people going through what I'm going through, ON TOP of single parenting, financial ruin and homelessness, disability, or still going to work to keep the country running and the population safe

The strength and fortitude of these people is unfathomable to me

/10

But the thing is, I'm a straight white male, financially secure and able bodied, with a media profile to boot

For too many, a problem isn't *really* a problem until it starts affecting people like me

Rest assured, this pandemic *IS* affecting people like me. And my Dad

/11

I doubt this will change any minds, or even be seen by those who'd need to hear it, but just in case;

The risks and dangers of #COVID19 are 100% real. Lockdown may be 'inconvenient' or 'frustrating', but it's necessary. I just lost a parent to the disease. You could too.

/12

So as politicians and ideologically-driven pundits debate these cold stats and the oh so important issues of whether they're good for the government or economy, please remember each one of those digits was once a person. Someone who should still be here now

Like my Dad

/end