We must all play our part to bring virus under control

WE started 2021 full of hope that the vaccines would get us out of the woods and lead us back to normality and, in view of the imposition of another national lockdown, you could be forgiven for thinking that hope was misplaced.

What we have to remember is the announcement about the vaccines also came with a warning that the next few months were going to be very difficult. Huge numbers being diagnosed with the virus and the increasing numbers being admitted to hospital illustrate how true that warning was.

The massive difference from the NHS perspective between the start of the pandemic and now is the season. Every winter many more people are admitted to our hospitals, often with breathing related conditions and this, on top of Covid, has led to unprecedented pressure on hospital beds.

This lockdown is to go on for a number of weeks and I realise how difficult it is for everyone, especially our young people and those living alone. But I cannot stress enough, especially with the more easily transmittable new strain of the virus, that all of us – young and old alike – must play our part to reduce infection rates and bring this virus under control.

So now more than ever we all need to follow the rules: stay at home and only go out if it is absolutely essential. If you do go out wear a mask; if you pass someone, keep your distance – and wash your hands regularly.

The vaccine programme is being rolled out and will be in full swing in Derbyshire by next Monday. Royal Derby Hospital was one of the first six in the country to offer the vaccine to staff and over-80s who had an appointment or were in-patients at the hospital. Locally there will be a vaccination hub in Swadlincote and, depending on your location, you may be asked to go to Derby Arena, near Pride Park.

Going forward, some GP practices and pharmacies may be giving the vaccine in the same way they gave the flu vaccine. The timing of this extra support will be announced.

You should NOT contact your GP but wait until you are asked to attend one of the vaccination centres. There is a cascading eligibility criteria and you will be called when it is your turn.

This pandemic has created huge problems for our businesses, large and small, and the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has put in enormous sums of money to try to save jobs and get companies through this crisis.

The Furlough Scheme had already been extended to April as had grants to support the selfemployed. There are also monthly grants of up to £3,000 for closed businesses.

With the announcement of the third English lockdown, he has made an additional £4.6 billion available for the most affected businesses across the UK.

There will be a one-off grant for closed businesses of up to £9,000 and local authorities will get £500 million discretionary funding to support local businesses.

It is expected that more than 600,000 retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England will benefit from this.

Derbyshire County Council have been at the forefront of providing support throughout this pandemic to individuals, families and businesses alike.

It is the council who ensure vulnerable families have the help they need and who are in contact with those individuals most at risk to ensure that they have the right support.

All of that on top of keeping the day-to-day functions going.

I believe they have done an amazing job and know they will continue to support us all until this awful situation is over.

So once again. Stay at home. If you have to go out wear a mask. Keep your distance from other people and wash your hands regularly.

But most of all STAY SAFE.