I know that many people have gone through some of the toughest months of their lives this year, however we are coming to the end of 2020 with hope and good news.
As we edge towards Christmas, we have the prospect of an effective Covid vaccine, it’s a major breakthrough. Trials are ongoing with several vaccines, tens of thousands of people are being tested around the world, with the leading contenders being up to 95% effective.
We’ve secured some 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and over 300 million doses of other leading candidates – including the latest jab from Moderna. And we’re advancing our plans to distribute a vaccine once one is approved.
We’re also rolling out 600,000 rapid tests across England so that people in high risk groups can be tested weekly. These tests can tell whether you’re infectious in minutes.
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As we make great progress towards defeating this virus, we can look back with pride to how we helped our neighbours and those more vulnerable than us at the height of the pandemic.
You only have to go onto my podcast (In Conversation with Nickie Aiken’on all the usual channels like Apple and Spotify) to hear our council leaders talk about how our communities pulled together.
Of course there is still a way to go. As we enter the Christmas period, I would ask you to think local. Our central London pubs, shops and restaurants have been hit hard by this pandemic and they will need our support more than ever.
And as we get through this, let’s continue to look out for each other.
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