Extraordinary community spirit is crucial
Residents across Strathearn will now know only too well that, as we live through the latest lockdown introduced to contain the variant spread of Covid, we will need to dig deep and replicate the extraordinary community spirit that was shown in the first lockdown.
Despite enduring really tough restrictions in
2020, we saw, at first hand, the excellent community work throughout the region, ranging from the work of Crieff Community Foodbank to volunteers helping deliver food to some residents and to local teachers and care workers adapting to new, and ever-changing, Covid guidance.
They have all played a vital role in keeping up our spirits during unprecedented and difficult times.
Life is admittedly grim just now, but we need to hold on to that steely resolve that binds our communities together.
This was exemplified by the amazing efforts of Strathearn Arts, who managed to host the digital Strathearn Arts Festival online.
This donation-funded event saw the local arts community in Crieff rise to meet the challenges of engaging with lots of activities and events despite the current restrictions.
It had the backing of well-known local actor Denis Lawson, and just shows what can be achieved by residents even during a pandemic.
The way out of this crisis will, of course, be through the various vaccines that have been produced and regulated by way of an incredible feat of science.
I must praise all those involved in making the vaccines and also those nurses, GPs and health workers who have helped in the vaccination programme, which is one of the biggest logistical operations ever mounted in the UK.
It was good to hear the progress being made in local surgeries and hospitals and also good to hear the recent announcement that a £158 million‘super-factory’will be opening its doors.
Oxfordshire may seem a long way away from Strathearn but, nonetheless, the facility will be capable of producing 70 million doses of the emergency vaccine manufactured in the UK.
You only have to watch clips on our daily news broadcasts, especially those where reporters have been given special access to Covid hospital wards, to understand the ongoing seriousness of the situation we are facing.
We are so lucky to be served by the incredible professionalism of our NHS staff, working on the frontline but we must never forget that we must do our own bit by adhering to the rules and guidance whilst making sure we maintain the community spirit that has brought good cheer during these dismal times.