Susanna Reid has revealed that she was forced to stay away from her mum on Mother’s Day amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 49, is currently staying in self-isolation after one of her children showed COVID-19 symptoms, but ensured she still caught up with her mother Sue Smith on Sunday.
Taking to Twitter, Susanna sympathised with those who are also unable to see their loved ones, amid government advice to reduce social interaction, particularly with the elderly and vulnerable.
Kept apart: Susanna Reid has revealed that she was forced to stay away from her mum Sue Smith on Mother’s Day amid the coronavirus pandemic (pictured in 2016)
Susanna penned: ‘Just spoke to my amazing Mum via FaceTime. Happy Mothering Sunday everyone – it’s time to come together by being apart!
‘Sending love to those who can’t be with their Mums today and to those for whom today has always been hard.’
As well as calling her mother, Susanna recorded a video from home just in time for Sunday’s celebration.
On Saturday, she shared a gushing tribute to mothers as part of ITV’s Britain Get Talking campaign.
She stated: ‘Happy Mother’s Day to all the special, wonderful, amazing mums out there, and a virtual hug and kiss to my mum, I love you. To all of you, have a happy day.’
Sweet: As well as calling her mother, Susanna recorded a video from home just in time for Sunday’s celebration
On Monday, Susanna reassured GMB viewers she had no symptoms, explaining that one of her children had mild symptoms that appeared on Monday.
At home, she told Piers: ‘One of my children has a cough, a persistent cough. And that came on yesterday. Before the briefing yesterday afternoon, the advice had been the person themselves would be confined to the house for seven days.
‘Well, suddenly with these new drastic action measures, that changed yesterday afternoon. It meant if one member of your household had the cough or fever you would all have to go in self isolation for 14 days. Immediately, I thought I can’t go into work and work with you guys for 14 days.
Susanna shares three teenage sons with her ex husband Dominic Cotton, and pointed out that one child’s symptoms have meant both households are self-isolating.
For you mental health: Susanna’s post comes after Ant and Dec called for the nation to ‘get talking’ for ITV’s Britain Get Talking campaign
Moving: In a gushing tribute, Susanna said: ‘Happy Mother’s Day to all the special, wonderful, amazing mums out there, and a virtual hug and kiss to my mum, I love you’
Susanna’s post came after Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly called for the nation to ‘get talking’ for ITV’s mental wellness campaign during the coronavirus crisis.
The Geordie duo, both 44, announced the return of the Britain Get Talking after the latest episode of Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, and reminded viewers that it’s more important than ever to keep talking with one another.
Calling for people to stay connected with another now the pandemic has led them to remain indoors, they told fans of the show to contact their loved ones on the phone, as well as share stories with ITV on social media.
What to do: Calling for people to stay connected now the pandemic has led them to remain indoors, they told fans to contact loved ones on the phone, and share stories on social media
Once again working alongside YoungMinds and Mind on the project, the campaign will also see ITV play a selection of the videos sent on the channel every day, for a month, in the hope of lifting spirits.
In the video explaining the campaign, Dec began: ‘Chances are you’ve just watched the show at home, a place we’re going to be spending a bit more time over the next few weeks.’
Ant followed up: ‘Yes, now more of us will be apart or by ourselves than ever before, and it’s going to be harder for some of us more than others.’
Dec went on, ‘Which is why its never been more important we keep talking, just hearing someone’s voice has been shown to reduce anxiety and distress.’
‘So, if there’s someone you can’t be with right now, pick up the phone and show that you care to the ones that need it most,’ Ant added.
Reiterating ITV’s desire to share viewer’s videos, Dec said: ‘And if you want to share a message with the nation, just post it with the hashtag ‘#BritainGetTalking’ and @ITV and we will try to broadcast as many as possible.’
Helping others: Once again working alongside YoungMinds and Mind on the project, the campaign will also see ITV play a selection of the videos sent on the channel every day
‘We have never needed each other more, so come on Britain, get talking,’ he said in conclusion.
Of looking after our mental health during the coronvirus pandemic, Clare Phillips, Director of Social Purpose for ITV said in a statement: ‘Physical isolation doesn’t have to mean social isolation.
‘Britain has never needed to connect more, and through Britain Get Talking we want to use ITV to help people feel good, talk more and establish a feeling of unity through these challenging and unprecedented times.
Worrying: In the video explaining the campaign, Ant said: ‘Now more of us will be apart or by ourselves than ever before, and it’s going to be harder for some of us more than others’
‘Hearing someone’s voice is a proven means of decreasing anxiety and stress so we want to encourage more talking and more connecting.’
The Britain Get Talking first launched in October 2019 and is part of ITV’s ongoing campaign to help the public do what they can to look after their mental health.
As a result, 2.8 million people began a conversation or had more meaningful talks with their family and friends thanks to the campaign.
You can do it: In conclusion, Dec said to viewers, ‘We have never needed each other more, so come on Britain, get talking’