COVID two years on: a personal reflection by Hartlepool Borough Council’s Managing Director

Published Wednesday, 23rd March 2022

It’s hard to believe today – Wednesday 23rd March 2022 – marks the second anniversary of Boris Johnson instructing us all to stay at home to protect the NHS during the Coronavirus pandemic.

In some ways that Downing Street broadcast seems like it was five-minutes ago – in many other ways it feels a lifetime ago.

To mark the anniversary, I invited all Council staff to pause for one minute’s silence at 12 noon and I’m sure many people across Hartlepool have also taken the chance to reflect on the past two years in their own way.

Denise McGukin

Denise McGuckin

It certainly hasn’t been an easy time for any of us and my main message today to people across Hartlepool is very simple: thank you.

I want to thank those people who stayed at home to protect the NHS and save lives and I also want to thank those front line staff who couldn’t work from home.

As Managing Director of Hartlepool Borough Council, I’m very proud of the way Council officers worked together to ensure we were able to continue to provide vital services to our residents and businesses.

Whilst the Prime Minister has ended Coronavirus restrictions in England, we are now “living with COVID” and it is essential we all continue to exercise caution as we go about our daily lives.

Coronavirus is very much still with us in Hartlepool. In fact, the latest figures show we have 436 cases per 100,000 – an increase of nearly 100 on a week ago.

So whilst it is wonderful that we can enjoy our freedom, please remember that COVID-19 has not gone away and it is so important we continue to take the basic precautions that can do so much to reduce the risk of transmission. Remember hands, face, space and fresh air– and always do these as a collective measure, not one or the other.

I also understand these are worrying and distressing times as we now witness scenes in Ukraine that are nothing short of a tragedy.

I know many people across Hartlepool are deeply concerned about what is happening and are praying for a swift end to the conflict. 

It’s at times like this – as was also the case during the pandemic – that we are reminded of what is important in life.

Please do take care of yourselves and all those that you love.

Again, my thanks to you all.

Denise