On Monday the Prime Minister announced the closure of all places where people can gather. This is a deep blow but a necessary one.

If we minimise the transmission of the virus, we can avoid the fate of Italy, where the disease took hold before they had sufficient capacity to withstand it.

The reason for slowing the spread is so we can build up stocks of ventilators, protective personal equipment, and testing kits.

In general I don't inflict my private life on you but on this occasion I thought I'd share what we are doing.

On Sunday, my wife and I both developed mild symptoms which might, or might not, be Covid-19. We are self-isolating in our cottage, near Great Bedwyn, and I am trying to do my job as an MP while helping my wife manage three children - who seem convinced they are on holiday!

I have every sympathy with families suddenly facing the challenge of home-working and home-schooling.

Our village is like so many across the constituency – there is a huge store of goodwill.

I want to praise the work of parish and town councils, and brilliant volunteers, often organised through churches, who have sprung up to offer support. And above it all, Wiltshire Council, whose staff and leadership have been exceptional.

It's been a strange time since I last wrote, with Parliament effectively closed.

I've spent a lot of time on the phone to businesses, councils, hospitals, and community leaders, to understand the pressures they're under and how government can help.

A huge number of people have been in touch with problems, offers of help, or suggestions

for national policy, and my brilliant team and I have been busy responding as fast as we can.

We must all act to stop the virus spreading.

For some that will be a greater sacrifice than for others, but we are all called to carry the burden that is placed upon us, and to put others ahead of ourselves.