This week I thought I would begin by giving you an insight into my life as a Westminster politician during the unprecedented crisis that is the invisible killer, coronavirus.

Before the House rose for recess social distancing was implemented in our day to day lives as MPs. This meant when we were in the Chamber, we sat two metres apart and only those who were taking part in a debate or question time were allowed in. In the tea rooms we also observed social distancing.

I am now back in the Stourbridge constituency for recess and in accordance with Government guidance on social distancing I and my team have been working remotely. My surgeries are temporarily being done over the phone.

While I would normally be meeting dozens of constituents, charities and businesses face to face, I have instead moved my meetings to individual phone calls and conference calls. I have been calling local care homes to ensure they have the personal protective equipment they need. Speaking with local stakeholders such as the police, Dudley NHS, the chief executive of Dudley Council, local banks and the other borough MPs to ensure there is a joined-up approach.

Emails and calls to my office have more than doubled in the last two weeks. Among my priorities has been finding a way home for many constituents stranded overseas and working closely with HM Treasury to ensure employers and employees have the most up to date information on COVID-19 business support.

It is important that scrutiny of the Government continues and even though I am not in Westminster the Select Committee I am on still meets by video conferencing.

I am incredibly proud of the efforts of everyone in this constituency; whether you are being a Good Samaritan helping local neighbours with essential food parcels and medicines, to the supermarkets keeping us fed and watered and to all our emergency services, you are all heroes to me.

I am also incredibly proud of my team who have been working 24/7 to ensure the most up to date COVID-19 information is available to every single one of you.

Thank you also to all who have been observing social distancing, those keeping their shopping down to essentials, those keeping their travel to the bare minimum, and those who are staying home.

COVID-19 will not be a short battle – beating it will take months, not weeks. But the Government is keeping all the current restrictions, and any further action that might be required, under constant review and they will be relaxed if, and when, the evidence shows we are able to.

Easter is on its way and at this moment of national emergency, with cases on the rise in the Midlands, it is vital that we all stay at home.

We will get through this, and we will get through this together, as a community.

We will beat this by staying home.