Teacher with MS who 'can't afford not to work' is 'dreading' winter Covid cases

ITV News North of England Reporter Hannah Miller hears what the people of Bolton make of the winter plan

A teacher with multiple sclerosis (MS) said she cannot afford not to work and is "dreading" the possible worsening of the Covid-19 situation in winter as Prime Minister Boris Johnson sets out a plan to tackle the virus.

Nina Matthews said it is "massively important" to her that cases stay low in winter due to her condition which makes her vulnerable to the coronavirus.

The early years teacher said the possibility that cases and hospitalisations could rise to dangerous levels is "nerve-racking" and she is so worried that she is avoiding going out to meet people and socialise.

Asked if she would still go to work if mask wearing didn't have to happen at her school, teacher Nina Matthews said: "I have to, I can't not, financially. I can't afford not to work.'

Boris Johnson, speaking at a Downing Street briefing on Tuesday, said if the Covid situation severely worsens, the government could implement Plan B, which involves mandatory face mask wearing and advice to work from home.

The government has refused to rule out any further lockdowns but said the tool would be kept only as a reserve.

Asked if she would still go to work if mask wearing didn't have to happen, Ms Matthews said: "I have to, I can't not, financially. I can't afford not to work.

"I've reduced my hours now. I was working full time and now I'm just doing afternoons. And even that, it's a massive drop in finances.

"It's not a choice. It's like health or finances at the moment - because obviously I paid so much money for the (chemotherapy) treatment that I had, we need to get some of that (money) back."

'In terms of what it's going to look like in winter, I'm dreading it'

Ms Matthews said despite feeling nervous about going back to school, she said her managers have been "brilliant" in terms of keeping her safe.

She is kept away from the children but still works in the building.

Asked if it feels possible to get back to normal, the teacher said: "I can't imagine being back to normal, ever."

She explained that even now, she does not go out to the shops, with the shopping either done by her husband, delivered or done by her mum.

But the teacher said new Covid-safe habits such as social distancing, mask wearing and hand washing have made her feel safer.