Dear reader

March 23, 2020 is, of course, a very significant date in all of our lives, one that we will not forget in a hurry. 

It was a year ago today that Boris Johnson, the prime minister, announced the beginning of a national lockdown in an attempt to stifle the spread of the coronavirus. 

Throughout the last 12 months of the pandemic, the News Letter has tried to provide you, our readers, with the sad news of those who have lost their lives to Covid-19, and the wonderful stories about those who have successfully recovered. We have sought to update you about the rules and regulations associated with lockdown, and more recently with updates on the rollout of the UK’s successful vaccination programme. 

We have also always sought to champion the heroes of this pandemic, particularly our carers and healthcare workers who bore the brunt of spiralling hospital admissions. 

As I have written before, our own business has been struck by the pandemic, particularly when lockdown regulations contained strict instructions about people not leaving their homes. That had an impact on our newspaper sales, and our advertisers were badly impacted by the closure of their businesses for months at a time. 

Throughout this hugely challenging period, we are grateful that you, our readers, have stuck with us. Your support is really appreciated. We will continue to need your backing in the months to come. 

I do agree with what Arlene Foster said on Tuesday, that this year has been the “toughest in living memory” for just about all of us. 

It’s been devastating for all of those who lost friends, family and loved ones, for those who have been unable to spend time with friends and family, and for those who have seen their jobs and livelihoods destroyed. Children have spent much of the last year not seeing their friends and classmates. 

Our hope now is that with the vaccination programme already having put jabs into the arms of more than half the adult population in the UK, we are over the worst of this dreadful pandemic. 

Thanks again for reading us and let’s hope for better times ahead.

Alistair Bushe

Editor

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