Collective hard work mattered, says Newark and Bingham MP Robert Jenrick as Christmas festivities begin
With the nights drawing in and most of us leaving work in the dark, we all know the festive season is upon us, where we all look forward to spending time with our loved ones.
Last Christmas was tough for many of us, being separated from one another as we tackled coronavirus. As tough as this was, this year will be different. We can finally all sit around the table with one another and enjoy the season together.
Just the other day I enjoyed the atmosphere of the Christmas lights being turned on in Bingham and Newark. How lovely to see the market places decked out again.
Last year was sobering, not just because hospitality and pubs were being closed or restricted, but those little things we once took for granted were gone. However, down to all our collective hard work and effort we are looking at a brighter Christmas.
Although many people prepare and buy gifts well before Christmas, some of us have not, the latter being the category I put myself into.
For those late buyers like myself, we must make an effort to use our towns and villages by shopping local. Businesses have had it tough over the last 18 months, and to keep them thriving and open we need to use them and shop locally.
We are fortunate to be in this position because of the excellent progress we have made since the first vaccine dose was administered to Margaret Keenan nearly a year ago to this date. From then, over 115 million doses have been given right across the UK, but we must do more.
We have always known there would be a risk that a variant of the virus could reduce the effectiveness of vaccines. Although the new Omicron variant seems to have several mutations, which can reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines, it is even more important that we come forward for another dose, whether that is your first, second or even now your booster vaccine.
We are ahead in the race against the virus, with over 17 million booster doses being administered, higher than any other country in Europe, but we must not let up. This week, the time between your second dose and third dose has been shortened to just three months, instead of six, while those between the ages of 12-15 are able to have their second dose if it has been three months since their first.
Speed is important in this fight, which is a new target of offering a booster dose to everyone eligible by the end of January was announced. This is important, as by getting this extra top up, you and others will be n the best position of being protected against coronavirus and the Omicron strain. And we can guard against a return to further restrictions, which I desperately want to avoid - and expect we won’t need.
On a lighter note, I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and wish you and your family the best of luck in 2022.