Pandemic must act as an incentive for us all to live more healthily, says Sheffield business leader
Optimism around a vaccine gives us motivation to replace the stresses of lockdown with the normal ones associated with preparing for Christmas.
It has been a testing eight or so months, but we have new resiliences and that will endure whatever our future fates are.
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Hide AdHopefully we can continue the momentum of recovery to build our lives, our jobs and education, as well as ensuring those who lost their jobs get ongoing support.
Things will never be the same, but the spirit of togetherness to grit our teeth and get through this will endure.
No matter what our NHS was faced with, they did not buckle and coped with depleted staff numbers as they were not immune to their colleagues falling victim to the coronavirus.
We must look after their staff health and welfare needs as we have to be exemplars of best practice as we care for the carers to care for us.
All employers will reflect too on the benefits from both a productivity and morale point of view of keeping their employees fit and healthy.
Mental health first-aiders will become as needed as conventional ones were and the rising interest in courses is welcome testimony to enlightened employers.
The health needs of the elderly were highlighted in the pandemic and we need the NHS/care sector resourced to cope with their needs.
Additionally, all those with underlying health conditions were more at risk to falling victim to the coronavirus, which should encourage all of us to consider our responsibilities for our own health.
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Hide AdIt should motivate us to get more exercise and live more healthy lifestyles – just a few extra steps a day would be good start towards a regular routine.
Getting the city to move more with be helped by the greater investment into walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure.
Our council has had the vision to resource extensive sports and leisure facilities and it should continue to make them attractive and accessible.
Good health is essential for a vibrant economy and such investment has to be seen as essential by the Government and local authorities supported to make it a mandatory, not discretionary obligation.
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Hide AdAs we recover from these unprecedented restrictions, certainly in peace time, we owe a huge gratitude to those who maintained all the services to us including the numerous volunteers and not least the charities who had to do more with the pandemic compromising their fundraising abilities.
When we breath a sigh of relief as we look forward to enjoying Christmas we could express our gratitude by both random acts of kindness to others and supporting our hard-pressed charities who were there for us when we needed them most.