Freedom now in sight but virus threat still real

After a long, dark winter marked by more grim milestones in our ongoing battle against Covid-19, there was an indisputable air of optimism this week as we basked under blue skies and took our first tentative steps out of lockdown.

‘Happy Monday’ marked the first time in many long months we were once again permitted to socialise outside, a welcome moment to finally catch up with friends and family who may have only been glimpsed via screens during the latest lockdown.

The collective desire to embrace these smallest of freedoms is very real and entirely understandable. A pandemic winter has tested our resolve, and the losses we have suffered will leave longlasting scars.

But there still remains a need for caution. The battle against the coronavirus is far from over, even if the initial success of the vaccine programme gives plenty of cause for hope. The authorities will, however, be watching closely to ensure the loosening of restrictions does not lead to people taking unnecessary risks which could contribute to the virus taking hold once more.

In Maidstone there are already fears playgrounds could be closed once more if social distancing is not maintained, and there’s every chance that even once pubs reopen we will not be able to simply pop for a pint, instead we may have to book well in advance to secure a Covid-safe table outside.

But a little further inconvenience is manageable. We have come too far and given so much that it would be such a shame to blow it all now.

Freedom beckons, so let’s take the final steps together.

‘We have come too far and given so much that it would be such a shame to blow it all now.’