A DOCTOR has issued a stark warning to anyone continuing to go out and socialise.

Brighton GP Jason Heath said he feared we may need the police and army to enforce social distancing.

He said: “Do we need to scare people absolutely witless to make more people understand?

“The more people that don’t listen to the advice and take responsibility for their actions and children the faster the infection will spiral out of control.

“The trouble is the virus can’t tell the difference between the stupidity and selfishness of people that think they know better and continue to mix and the ones that are trying to follow advice. It is going to rampage and the faster it does the less chance of our health care has of coping.

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“The Royal Sussex County Hospital is at current trying to quadruple its ventilators from 25 to 100. A hundred will not be enough and the faster the spread the worse the shortfall.

“Things are going to get very tricky.

“How long before people take social distancing into their own hands.

“We need police and army on the streets as soon as possible as too many people aren’t getting it.

“I know it’s going to be hard, but let’s look after each other but not put each other at risk.

“The more effectively we do this now the sooner we’ll come out the other end, and it really will save lives.”

• The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund or call the team on 01273 409440 or email stephen.chamberlain@sussexgiving.org.uk.