JEmma Bufton Concludes her look back at how the coronavirus pandemic affected us in Worcester

AS the nightmare that was 2020 drew to a close, it was important to reflect on all the positive things that had come from the pandemic.

Worcester rose to the challenge in the face of adversity, people became kinder, more caring and considerate. The indiscriminate coronavirus that tore through our community didn’t divide us but in fact made us stronger than ever.

Although many Christmas events were cancelled due to Covid, Worcester still did what Worcester does best and made the best out of a bad situation.

The Victorian Christmas Fayre in Worcester was cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis, as was the annual Christmas light switch on.

Organisers announced they had cancelled the events as the risks associated “were simply too high”.

The Fayre normally attracts an estimated 150,000 visitors to the city over the four-day period and contributes an additional £7.3 million to the Worcester economy.

In a statement, the organisers said: “The decision to cancel this popular event has not been taken lightly.”

Instead, it was Worcester residents, led by Oscar Saxelby-Lee, who turned on the city’s Christmas lights – ready for a very different festive season.

Visit Worcesterthe hosted the Light Up Worcester campaign to ensure that a Covid Christmas would still bring a seasonal smile to the faces of old and young alike.

“We want to see your Christmas tree lights being switched on at home or in your garden,” says Sam McCarthy of Worcester BID.

On Thursday, November 26, at 6pm, a short film showing Worcester’s family Christmas lights switch-on was posted on social media pages.

The Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Jo Hodges added: “Whilst it’s not appropriate to hold a mass switch-on event in the city centre this year, we encouraged people to brighten up the lives of those around them by adding light and sparkle to their homes to share the festive spirit.”

December also saw the UK become the first country in the world to approve the Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech.

Tens of thousands of people were being vaccinated following the ‘first in the world’ jab in Coventry on December 8. Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother, became the first to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 jab, following its clinical approval.

Michael Shuck, 83, and James Crossland, 82, became two of the first Worcester patients to receive the vaccine when the pair, from Ombersley, got the jab on Monday, December 14.

Dr Gemma Moore, practising GP and lead for Droitwich and Ombersley PCN, said: “This is the greatest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the NHS and, to help vaccinate people safely, we will be delivering it in convenient and familiar settings.

“As a GP I’m proud to be part of this huge national effort to protect our patients against the virus and I would urge the public to come forward when they are called up for the vaccine.”

As the nationwide roll-out of the vaccine began on December 14, Worcester MP Robin Walker called it a “watershed moment”.

He said: “I think this is a major moment in terms of rolling out the vaccine both locally and nationally.

“To be doing it less than a week after it started is great.

“It is being targeted at first, so the elderly and the vulnerable will be receiving it, so my advice to people would be to be patient and wait until you are contacted by the NHS.

“The timing of it is perfect as well, spreading some hope during the season of hope.

“I hope it can coincide with Worcester moving back to tier one either in the new year or just before.”

The year 2020 was one of selflessness, of helping thy neighbour. A year of cherishing the people we love and protecting those we don’t know.

As we look forward to 2021 we can say with some certainty that whatever comes next will be met with courage and love.