Coronavirus is the biggest challenge the UK has faced in decades and that is why the Government has put in place strict social distancing – to slow the spread of the virus and save lives.
But we must begin to recover and eventually restore our way of life. The Government’s objective is to return to our way of life as soon as possible – focusing on not just saving lives, but also livelihoods. However, it is absolutely vital that as we do so, we avoid the risk of a second peak and importantly do not waste the huge sacrifices the people of Staffordshire Moorlands have made in lockdown to get the virus under control.
The Government guidance has now been adjusted to allow people more time outdoors in groups of up to 6, schools to re-open to some pupils and for some shops to re-open. Those people who have been shielding are now also able to leave their homes once a day for exercise, and meet one other person from outside of their household providing they observe social distancing.
As we take these small steps forward, it is important to stress that this progress is conditional and it remains critical that those from different households stay two metres apart.
There is no doubt that we are making progress and I am hopeful that in the coming weeks we may be able to do more, but of course, this will be conditional on the scientific and medical advice saying that it is safe to do so.
Finally I would like to thank HCM Printers for their kind offer to print me some cards featuring some of the posters entered in my NHS poster competition. I will be using these to send a special thank you to the many Moorlanders that have been nominated as hidden heroes.
