How we behave will make the difference
Royal Borough: Council leader speaks out on support and sacrifice
Residents in the Royal Borough have been urged to help ‘make the difference’ as England entered another lockdown this week.
In an address to the nation on Monday evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that tough new measures were needed to help combat the spread of coronavirus after a surge in cases and soaring hospital admissions.
In a statement following the announcement, council leader Andrew Johnson said ‘the behaviour of every single one of us will make the difference’.
He said: “With COVID19 cases locally and nationally showing no signs of easing, let alone plateauing out, I don’t think any of us find this announcement surprising.
“The new variant of the virus is between 50 and 70 per cent more transmissible. We’re already seeing our NHS under pressure, and sadly the death toll is rising once more. Our thoughts are with those of you who’ve already lost loved ones to this virus.
“Thanks to the fantastic efforts of British science, the Oxford vaccine is starting to be rolled out alongside the Pfizer vaccine, which are key weapons in our arsenal against the virus.
“The Royal Borough stands ready to support the delivery of the vaccine in any way we can. Nevertheless, it will take several months for our most vulnerable family members and friends to be safeguarded against this terrible virus.
“The pandemic is certainly not over, and now is the most dangerous moment – we cannot and must not allow our sacrifices so far to have been for nothing.
“Perhaps more than ever before, the behaviour of every single one of us will make the difference. By making these big sacrifices, we can give the NHS critical time and space to do what it does best, and to also deliver the vaccination prog ramme.”
He added the borough will support children and young people as they switch to remote learning, and ensure the Government’s business support ‘is available as swiftly as possible’.
One way the Royal Borough is lending its support is by making sure all students have up-to-date equipment for remote learning and checking in with schools to make sure their needs are being met.
Cllr Stuart Carroll, lead member for health, reminded residents to make use of the NHS.
“If you need talking therapies or need help with mental health, the NHS is there for you,” he said.
“If you feel unwell, see your GP – don’t wait. It might seem honourable but perversely it can have a negative impact. If your condition gets worse it can put more pressure on the NHS. We need to give the NHS the time and the space to roll out the vaccine in a timely and efficient way.”
He added: “The most important thing is to support each other and create community spirit. Check in with your family, friends and colleagues – and when you ask them how they are, really ask them.”
In his announcement, Mr Johnson said vaccines are being rolled out at an accelerated rate and the Government is aiming to have given the first vaccination to everyone in the top four priority groups by midFebruary.