The National Day of Reflection - Lockdown - 1 year on

2020 was a year we’d all like to forget. But we should remember  the countless lives lost in the NHS and the patients they were treating. 

 

Today is the first anniversary since England went into lockdown in response to the pandemic. Recent figures show that over 4,000 people have died just in the Lancashire region. 

 

It seems fitting  then that at 12 noon today a  host of organisations throughout the Lancashire Resilience Forum will observe a  one minute silence in honour of those whose lives were cut short because of the virus. It will be a profound  moment to reflect on the many challenges we’ve all had to overcome during the last 12 months. 

 

By 8pm local people have been asked to stand outside with a light, a candle, a torch or even your phone as a poignant reminder of someone who has died and to show our solidarity for the bereaved. 

 

Residents can also shine a light in their window for locals to see. The colour yellow will symbolically represent those whose lives were taken because of Covid-19. 

 

In addition, County Hall in Preston will be lit up with the flag flying at half mast. March 23rd will be known as The National Day of Reflection. It has been initiated by end of life charity Marie Curie and may become an annual time for remembrance each year. 

 

Angie Ridgwell chair of the Lancashire Resilience Forum and chief executive of Lancashire County Council commends local residents but also warns us  not to become too complacent as restrictions lesson, 

 

“Many sacrifices have been made by the people of Lancashire to prevent even more people more people falling victim to corona virus, and for that, I want to say thank you. 

 

As the lockdown eases and we begin returning to some form of normality, we must remember that there are still risks, especially from new variants.

 

Please embrace the new freedoms and remain vigilant - the mantra of hands, face, space will remain a vital tool to help keep the virus at bay. Covid will likely stay with us for some time, but please hold on to that community spirit, and remember, there is light at the end of the tunnel”. 

 

When we consider the vast amount of change this has brought to society it is quite a staggering concept. Prior to the pandemic a portion of us knew little about how to interact online by means of Zoom, Skype or Facetime. Now we have seen this form of technology  becoming  a vital tool in preventing severe isolation and lonlieness for a lot of people. Some have even capitalised on the experience and developed further skills online. So there are some positive outcomes from the last year. 

 

But let us not forget that sad death toll it’s taken on people we know and love, friends, families even neighbours. Please show your support at both 12noon and 8pm today and reflect on the past year for everyone. 

 

^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger