Health chief backs call on wearing masks
SEFTON Council’s director of public health, Margaret Jones, is echoing calls from health charities to keep wearing masks after the Plan B Covid-19 restrictions have ended.
People in England are no longer required to wear masks on public transport and in shops or use vaccine certificates.
Although the Government has stopped asking people to work from home, Sefton
Council is asking employees to continue working from home where they can. Risk assessments and safety measures are in place for those Council employees who do need to be in the workplace.
Margaret Jones said: “While Covid case numbers are falling they remain high, and masks remain the best way to prevent the spread.
“People around us with a range of invisible conditions or circumstances that mean their immune systems are weakened are still vulnerable to the serious, and potentially fatal, effects of Covid-19.
“Mask wearing is about protecting other people and research has shown them to be the best, non-medical way to do that.
“If we continue wearing them on public transport and in crowded places, it reduces the serious risk that we will accidentally pass it on to someone for whom the consequences could be very serious.
“Maintaining the two-metre distancing also helps, as well as thorough handwashing.
“People across Sefton have made great efforts and sacrifices and I know that after the previous, so-called Freedom Day last July, many continued to wear masks to protect those around them including their loved ones and friends.
“I am sure they will want to do so again.
“However, I recognise all of us have our own reasons for wearing or not wearing masks and I would ask everyone to respect those decisions.
“We are not fully vaccinated unless we have had two jabs and a booster, even if we have recently had coronavirus.
“Vaccination doesn’t mean we can’t catch the virus or be re-infected but if we do, we have stronger immunity and will be far less likely to be seriously ill.” Margaret also encouraged anyone still not vaccinated to book a jab now to avoid a serious case of Covid.
PEOPLE are being asked to support a road safety campaign in Southport at the spot where two beloved friends tragically lost their lives.
Marie Cunningham, 79 and Grace Foulds, 85, died after being struck by a vehicle on Lulworth Road in Birkdale on Tuesday, November 30.
The tragedy happened at 4.55pm and resulted in the road being closed for hours as a police investigation began.
Marie was described as “special” by her granddaughter Karla Rimaitis who said: “When you say the age 79 people tend to think of a frail little old lady but that’s just not the case. That’s something she would have hated to have been said about her.
“She was as young as she felt and she enjoyed being with people and being social.
“She was not sitting home in a rocking chair or dangerously trying to cross a road when she’s capable of crossing. This woman walked six miles a day, to the end of Southport Pier every day.
“I think if it can happen to my nan who was fit and active, it could happen to anyone.
“Imagine what it’s like for people like Grace who had a walking frame trying to cross the road. It’s not just older people, what about people with disabilities? It’s the viewpoint that people have got.”
The 34-year-old innovation and improvement coach, along with her family and Grace’s family, have started a petition to get a crossing put on Lulworth Road and create a plan throughout the area to make roads safer for pedestrians.
People are asked to sign petitions which are so far available in the Victoria Leisure Gym on the Promenade in Southport and in Rowlands Chemist in Birkdale Village.
If anyone else would like to join the campaign and host petitions, they are being invited to get in touch.
The Cunningham family said: “On November 30, 2021 our mum Marie Cunningham was sadly killed along with her friend Grace simply trying to cross Lulworth Road.
“Their deaths have shocked residents in the area who have said that a crossing has been needed for some time.
“With this in mind as a family we have engaged with Sefton Council and started a process to review the possibility of installing a pedestrian crossing to allow safe passage.
“As part of this process it is important that this crossing request is supported by residents so as a family, we are looking for your support.
“We are asking you to sign this petition so we can forward this as evidence to Sefton Council to show the need for change and protect pedestrians in the area. The petition is at Rowlands Chemist, Birkdale Village and The Victoria Gym, Southport. If you are passing either of these establishments would you please pop in and sign.
“If any other local businesses want to help us to get as many signatures as we possibly can then please message me and we can drop a copy off.
“From the end of Lord Street there isn’t another crossing on that busy road until Greenbank School.
“Birkdale has the highest population of over 85 year olds in the country. Surely they deserve the right to cross over that road with confidence and feel safe?
“We have to do a paper version first to present to Sefton Council and then if the outcome isn’t what we want we will then organise an e-petition.”
The family issued a moving tribute after Marie Cunningham’s untimely death in November.
They said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our special mum, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunty, Marie (Mary) Cunningham.
“Marie was an amazing person who lived for and loved her family and will be missed every day.
“Our family would like to thank the members of the public who stopped to give first aid and assistance to Marie and Grace at the time of the incident.”
Grace Foulds’ family said: “It is with deep sadness that Caroline Clarke and Victor Foulds announce the tragic and sudden death of their mother Grace Foulds, aged 85.
“Grace, who lived on Palatine Road, was a popular member of the Birkdale community as well as a regular at St Joseph’s Church. She will be sadly missed by all her family and many friends. Our family wish to pass their thanks to the emergency services and staff at Southport Hospital.”
Both families asked for privacy as they grieve for their losses.
Enquiries into the collision are ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to call our Matrix
Roads Policing Unit on (0151) 777 5747, email SCIU@ merseyside.police.uk, or DM @ MerPolCC on Twitter quoting reference 21000831536.