While I have spoken many times about my desire to write a column about something else other than Covid-19, I hope that this reads as one of the more positive ones of the past 18 months.
I very much welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement of his intention to lift all remaining restrictions on July 19th (although the final decision will be made on Monday) as it must be recognised how successful our vaccination programme has been.
Thanks to the wonderful efforts of the NHS and fantastic volunteers, the level of vaccination here in Somerset - and across the country - is at such a level now that we must fully open our economy and learn to live with Coronavirus. However, I do also understand that some may feel concerned about the lifting of these measures, but the best thing everyone can do to protect themselves is get vaccinated and it will be in the gift of individuals to make their own decisions regarding social distancing.
The new Health Secretary has been clear that there are other health and mental health implications from the past 18 months and that the focus cannot always be on Covid-19. This approach is necessary as we continue to vaccinate at pace and create an immunity wall around this terrible virus and we can all get back to normality.
