Let’s step up our efforts in the fight against Covid
LAST week, as the news broke of the new variant, my tummy lurched. A sense of here we go again. I hear it from my patients every day but the fatigue and exhaustion of it all is taking its toll.
Over the last few months as travel restrictions have eased, case numbers have remained relatively stable, the vaccine roll-out proving to be a success, perhaps people have become a bit complacent?
This week Alex Beresford, the ITV presenter, admitted that he had become relaxed in his infection control measures and sadly landed up with Covid.
I hear cases of this everyday just now. We need to see this as a warning.
Nonetheless, the news of the Omicron variant has felt like a bit of a blow.
I guess what makes it harder is the way in which the media reports the news sometimes.
The headlines these past few days have been triggering for all which alongside the government briefings – that had become all too familiar and hated last year – has caused understandable panic.
As a nation, we haven’t even begun to heal yet from this pandemic; we certainly do not want to open up the wound again.
Everyone will have their story of last Christmas and a desire for this one to be different.
On Christmas day last year, me and my baby of eight months received that awful text to say we were both Covid positive.
It was her first Christmas and I had been so excited.
I had endured her first eight months of life without loved ones due to lockdown and I just needed to have a special first Christmas with her.
Instead I ended up self-isolating, away from my husband and son.
It was miserable and I spent the day crying.
I’d taken all the measures and precautions so I was gutted.
I’ve heard so many stories from people who endured all sorts of difficulties last year from isolation to bereavement to being unwell.
This year we have to ensure we do all we can to give each other a better Christmas.
The power actually does lie with us.
Having learnt that we have a potentially highly transmissible variant of the virus circulating, it is crucial that we all step up.
We mustn’t let the media panic get to us and so if it feels too triggering to you, switch off the news.
If those around you are speaking about it and you find it hard, politely tell them to stop.
Protect your own mental wellbeing but carry on doing your bit.
The vaccines are our first line of defence.
We are seeing across the world the more devastating effects of the virus in countries less fortunate than ours or where vaccine uptake is low.
The Covid vaccines are highly effective in protecting you against serious illness and in reducing your chances of ending up in hospital.
I get people saying to me “but it doesn’t stop you getting Covid!”. There is actually some evidence of it helping to reduce transmission but I tell my patients to view their vaccines as their seatbelt. Why chance serious disease?
The booster has now been extended to all adults over the age of 18 and the gap between this and the 2nd dose of the vaccine shortened to three months instead of six.
Young people between 12-15 are now also eligible for a second dose of the vaccine instead of just the one and the gap between doses has also been reduced.
These measures are all to equip us and strengthen our immune systems so that even if there is another wave, we are going into it strong.
It’s also extremely important to tighten up on the other measures which I know many may have become relaxed about.
They may seem basic but hand washing and sanitising.
Wearing your face covering will be protective not just against Covid but also the other virus circulating that causes chest infections and colds at this time of year.
I know I want a lovely Christmas this year, more than ever before.
Despite the challenges we have all faced, I like to focus on what I’ve learned through my own hardships.
My lesson from last Christmas was how much I value my health, the health of my family and how precious time spent with loved ones is. I want this for us all.
So let’s together step up our efforts to help each other have a truly special Christmas.
We deserve it.