We must plan ahead for the future

As much as we would like the coronavirus to just disappear, it’s clear that the virus is still with us. According to Dr Liz Robin, director of public health for Peterborough City Council, (pictured) our city is still an: “area of concern”.

I know that everyone is exhausted by lockdown. I get a limited sense that the economy is like a coiled spring, straining to pop-out once the restrictions are lifted. Rather, businesspeople I speak to are uncertain at best: Will the coronavirus surge back? What is going to happen with the furlough scheme? What will betheimpactofapossible no-deal exit from the transitionperiodwiththeEuropean Union?

I know that people don’t want to think about 2021 just yet, except in the vague sense that it will be a relief when 2020 is over. However, we do need to plan ahead. Our city council needs to anticipate rather than react.

It is entirely possible that we will experience disruptions in trade if we exit the transition period without a deal.

This could cause a spike in food prices and shortages of essential supplies such as pharmaceuticals. What is our contingency planning around this? How will we alleviate hunger in our city? It’s unclear.

Thefluseasonisnearlyupon us. I would like to express my appreciation for the NHS in their valiant efforts to get vulnerable people vaccinated. But what if we are hit with a double whammy of a flu season and a coronavirus resurgence? Howwillourcitycope?

What provision will we make for the vulnerable who must remain shielded?

I wonder: how are we going to come together as a community during the holiday period? There are many events like the lighting of the Christmas tree which provide a festive spirit for our city. Pantomimes are likely to be cancelled. Shopping in the usual way is probably impossible. This could be a grim seasonbotheconomicallyand socially.

Readingthislistofpossible events is perhaps exhausting. It is no doubt unpleasant. But we need to think about the future. Perhaps we’ll be pleasantly surprised and a vaccine for the coronavirus will be with us soon.

However, even if a safe vaccine were found tomorrow, it would take some time to ramp-up production to sufficient levels in order to ensure widespreadcoverage. Perhaps therewillbealast-minutedeal withtheEuropeanUnion: The guaranteeoffrictionless trade wouldeasetheburdenonalot of companies. Buthopingfora positive outcomeisnotaplan.

TheLabourgroupisactively thinking about the autumn and beyond. I am pleased to say that we are working to get more donations in to food banks.

We will keep pushing the council to supportlocal charities andothers, whohavebeen doing such a good job in filling in the gaps during the pandemic period.

We will draw up contingency plans should the worst happen; if and when we are elected to office next Spring, wewill have a full programme ready to implement to help our city through what could be a very difficult time.

For the moment, however, we will continue to advocate, push and work to ensure that we are as prepared as we can possibly be.