The gradual easing of lockdown restrictions has meant I have been able to resume some visits to parts of the Brentwood and Ongar constituency which have been on hold for the best part of a year.
I was very pleased to finally be able to meet the (nearly) new head at St Martin’s School in Hutton, Ian Smyrk, was took up the post in April 2020 and has spent the majority of his first year with the school under some form of coronavirus lockdown restriction. With his motto of “Be the Best You Can Be” I have no doubt this enthusiastic head will be a great asset to the school and help it go from strength to strength.
From St Martin’s it was on to Brentwood School to address a meeting of the Sir Anthony Browne Society and take questions from the school’s sixth form – it was excellent to see political debate alive and well (though, disconcertingly, a large part of the crowd was in camouflage get up as it was their CCF cadets day).
The chances for all of us to get out and get together increased on Monday with Step 3 of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown meaning more of us can meet, inside and outside, and take part in more activities, from theatre and cinema trips to foreign travel to green list countries.
There is no doubt caution is still needed if we are to maintain the current lower rate of infections, hospitalisations and deaths across the UK. The ‘Indian variant’ of the virus is of some concern – but is under close observation and swift action is being taken where infection rates are rising.
Vaccinated people are far less likely to get COVID-19 with symptoms. Vaccinated people are even more unlikely to get serious COVID-19, to be admitted to hospital or to die from it. There is also growing evidence that vaccinated people are less likely to pass the virus to others. If you’ve had the call, please get the jab.
This is the time when it is really important we all play our part, by getting tested twice a week, coming forward for the vaccine when called, and not forgetting hands, face, space and fresh air.
