On 31 December 2019 WHO were notified of a cluster of pneumonia cases in China. For anyone who wants to look back on the last year the @newscientist chronology in the still availble christmas double issue is sobering

A year later, we have vaccines. We have lost many people. for some of us seven day weeks and 13 hour days have been a norm. People have had tough times. many if us have lost friends or lived ones or colleagues. walls and homes protect some, but confine and diminish others

Ive had the privilege of serving in my role locally, and nationally in my @ADPHUK and @guildofhealth @FaithActionnet and other roles. I have seen the stunninh care by our Team at @StJoHospice . A quick breather then we do it again in 2021. Colleagues/partners, you’re awesome

The virus has taken its heaviest toll on the poorest. Everyone seems to have become an epidemiologist. misinformation, conspiracy theories - for what benefit to their promoters I just cannot fathom - abound. One could assume this virus has brought the worst out of humanity

But it has also brought the best in us. Solidarity and love for each other. Acts of kindness. The living out of principles of care for others. Colleagues astounding you on a daily basis by their sheer dedication and love. moments of beauty and joy.

many of you have sounded a symphony of hope, endurance and resilience, emptying yourself for the good others. that has made it easy to stop my ears to those who sound the discordant notes of hate, conspiracy and misinformation. We can just stop listening to them. (Blocking helps)

contrary to myth and misinformation, data from experts like @ProfLAppleby show there is no evidence suicide rates have not risen dramatically http://research.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/cmhs/research/centreforsuicideprevention/

Contrary to myth and misinformation, we are in a really difficult period. And contrary to myth and misinformation, we have vaccines which will work. And we have seen shifts in services to online rapidly. I never thought my cancer follow up would be done mostly online. Its great

2021 will be challenging. But to each and every one of you I have encountered I send you my thanks, my goodwill and my determination to do my bit to exit this pandemic. This will pass. We will win. And yes the recovery will be a marathon. But this too we can do.

this too shall pass. And so I wish you and yours a Happy New Year and an improving 2021. this year more than ever the gift of @carmelnunsgb and the wisdom of Teresa has been apposite. Amazing what we can do if we pull together.