We’re entering a new year with optimism!
I’D like to wish all Examiner readers a very happy new year, and all the very best for a healthy, happy and prosperous 2021. It is always great to be out and about locally. Before Christmas, I participated in a fundraiser for the Emley PTA with community campaigner Tim Bamford and residents on the Christmas lights trail. Also, I joined Martin Ward and his helpers, who organised a safe and enjoyable sleigh ride for Santa round Kirkburton and Highburton.
As we enter a new year, we can do so with some real optimism about the future. We’re off to a strong start already with more people vaccinated than anywhere else in Europe. We also begin the year as a fully sovereign, independent nation outside of EU rules and in control of our own destiny for the first time in almost fifty years, free to chart our own course and ensure 2021 is a year of opportunity and prosperity for every region of the UK.
Whilst there is a lot to be optimistic about, we now face a new variant of the virus, spreading rapidly across the country. Rates are rising again here in Kirklees, and we need to do more to bring this new variant under control while our vaccines are rolled out.
Many people have questions about vaccines and the progress of the vaccine rollout programme. Presently in Kirklees, there are three categories prioritised to receive the vaccine: those aged over 80, anyone over 65 who is in a residential care home, and health and social care
staff.