DERRY JOURNAL Editorial: Let’s look to the positives in 2021

2020 was tough but we are a resilient people, an irrepressible city, and there are reasons to look forward with hope.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seemed at times like a nightmare from which we couldn’t wake. Yet it is possible that with a suite of further vaccines due to become authorised and available for use in the weeks ahead we may soon be about to snap out of it at last.

The World Health Organisation believes hundreds of countries will have access to vaccine doses in the first quarter of 2021. We are already ahead of the curve in that the vaccination of health care staff and care home residents in Derry began mid-December with great progress reported.

Robin Swann has said GP practices could start contacting vulnerable cohorts about vaccines this month.

Once this happens and progress is made in the march towards herd immunity there is no reason we cannot begin to think about breaking out of the cycle of lockdowns and restrictions that have been necessary but have caused such frustration and economic misery.

Could we see society reopen in the spring? Some of the doomier predictions are that it will be more likely the end of the year. We were once told it could take many years before we saw a single vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, let alone multiple versions. On New Year’s Day we can surely indulge ourselves the hope it’s sooner rather than later.

A note on Brexit.

For Derry it would have been better if it had never happened. A softer Brexit, including that afforded by Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement and the backstop, would have been better than what we have today.

Notwithstanding this let’s take the optimistic view and consider Bridgend, Muff, Killea and Lifford as trading posts within what is now the only anglophone member state of the EU. Next door Derry and Strabane are in the unique position of being allowed to trade freely with this hinterland so long as they follow EU Single Market rules yet they remain part of the UK’s customs territory. Brexit is what it is but perhaps our native ingenuity can somehow turn our exclusive new status to some advantage.

May a fairer wind blow for us all this year. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and contented 2021.