Coronavirus: National Day of Reflection – a message from Rachel Robinson, our director of public health
Today marks the first anniversary of the UK’s first national Lockdown.
As part of this year’s ‘National Day of Reflection’, Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, looks back at the last 12 months – and pays tribute to the frontline workers and community groups for all their efforts.
Rachel would also like to thank all of you for helping to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe.
Rachel said:
“Thinking back to March 2020, none of us could have imagined what the next 12 months would bring.
“I want to say a big thank you to you – our Shropshire residents. Everyone has had to make enormous sacrifices over the past year. We have missed out on so much. Many of us have lost family members, loved ones and friends too, and it is right that we recognise and remember that loss.
“It’s been hard, but every one of you has played an important role in the fight against coronavirus. Your efforts have, without a doubt, helped save lives – we have asked you all to ‘Step Up’ and you have done in so many ways.
“I want to thank to our incredible frontline workers. So many people continue to put others first in the fight against coronavirus, working selflessly every day to keep vital services running and care for those in need, maintaining some sense of normality throughout this very demanding period in all our lives.
“Finally I want to thank the community who have responded in so many different and imaginative ways to the pandemic and to the thousands who have volunteered and joined in this fantastic response.
“The shining light in all of the ups and downs of the past 12 months has been the way people have pulled together, gone above and beyond and put their families and communities first.
“There is now a real sense of optimism across Shropshire.
“Over 230,000 vaccinations have been delivered locally, and we expect the vaccination programme to continue to reach more and more of you in the near future.
“While we have lots to be optimistic about, it’s now more important than ever that we don’t let our guard slip. As lockdown measures are eased, it’s vital that we continue to follow all the measures designed to keep ourselves, our families and others safe.
“Experience shows that when restrictions are eased, we can become complacent and cases creep up. If we want to move back to something approaching normality as quickly as possible, it is vital that everyone keeps working together, getting tested and vaccinated when called, keep following hands, face and safe and the guidelines so we can get the rates as low as possible and move forward to release the restrictions.
“Once again, thank you for stepping up Shropshire.
