Sunday 9 March 2025 is the Day of Reflection across the UK for the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

It is an opportunity to come together to remember those who lost their lives since the pandemic began and to honour the tireless work and acts of kindness shown during this unprecedented time.

 

2025 marks five years since the pandemic began and we continue to honour and remember those affected.

 

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'In the year 2020 our lives changed for ever. A pandemic of a previously unknown virus to which there was no immunity was sweeping across the world. The name of the virus soon became all too familiar: Covid-19. At 8:30pm on the 20th of March, the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that there was to be a legally enforceable restriction on our freedom and activities; we were to stay at home to try to reduce the spread of the infection. All but essential businesses and premises were closed. Our streets were deserted, and traffic noise no longer drowned out the sound of birds singing. This was the first lockdown.

 

Few of us were spared the effects of Covid-19. In the early months of the pandemic, the mortality associated with infection was high and hospitals were overwhelmed with cases. Many people lost their lives and even those who survived risked long-term illness, now known as “Long Covid”. The introduction of effective vaccines changed everything and gradually the pandemic subsided and life returned to normal.

 

Despite the loss of lives and the disruption of normal activities, the impact of the pandemic was not all negative. Communities rose to the occasion. In Tavistock, volunteers working with “Tavy Helps” made sure that vulnerable and elderly people had food in the house, were able to get their medicines from the pharmacy, and had somebody to turn to in an emergency. Neighbours helped neighbours and friends and families helped one another. Our local shopkeepers delivered food to our doors when we were unable to leave our homes. Strong relationships developed between customers and shopkeepers that, in many cases, continue to this day. We learnt to communicate using Zoom and we rapidly became accustomed to a new “virtual world” where we could work and keep in touch, even if it was from the shoulders upwards. The Town Council could no longer meet but finally the Government agreed to virtual meetings of Council that allowed our normal functions to continue, albeit in a modified format.

 

I welcome the Covid Day of Reflection. As time passes, it becomes harder to recall just what an extraordinary and tragic event the pandemic was. We must remember what happened and learn from the experience. It is easy to become complacent about infectious diseases in a world of antibiotics, but they have not gone away, and it is only a matter of time before another pandemic occurs. Let’s hope that we will be better prepared next time.'