Bugle Ed’s comment – September
As September and Autumn 2021 arrives, countries across the world continue to manage the coronavirus pandemic. Different parts of the world have all coped as best they can, but the impact of this dreadful virus is still here for all to see.
There is no doubt the UK is in a better place now than many others, having double vaccinated over 60% of the adult population, meaning some restrictions left can be eased. Covid-19 is possibly here to stay, infecting people who have even been vaccinated, but the jab is helping to minimise the effects and significantly cut down the numbers of those having the illness so severely they have to go to hospital or, even worse, do not survive.
We are learning to live with the virus, get on with our lives and work out what the ‘new normal’ looks like. Two things are for sure. Firstly, we have the flu jab to look forward to! Just when we thought we had got over our Covid jab our Health Centre will be contacting us for our flu jab very soon. Especially as flu almost disappeared last year being one of the success stories of the lockdowns, masks and isolation! The government is preparing to deliver the flu programme alongside any booster programme for COVID-19 vaccines as part of autumn and winter planning, which centres around protecting as many lives as possible. This signals what the future looks like with a Covid booster and flu jab in the autumn.
During the 2021 to 2022 season, which starts this September, the flu jab will be available to:
- all children aged 2 and 3 on 31 August 2021
- children in primary school and all children in school years 7 to 11 in secondary school
- those aged 6 months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups
- pregnant women
- those aged 50 years and over
- unpaid carers
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline health and adult social care staff
Secondly, a much happier and far more exciting prospect, designed to boost our mental health and well being… BNatural is back! Bildeston’s famous music festival kicks off proper at midday on 4th September on the main stage in Market Square. There is nothing that serves to demonstrate and underline everyone’s determination to get back to some kind of normality more than the return of BNatural. If the weather can play its part and the sun shines down on us, we can meet up with friends and family as we have done for the past 10 years and enjoy an amazing mix of live music… yes, real live music… a wonderful variety of food and drink and enjoy a weekend of being entertained. Not just that but mingle with villagers, guests and those who want to join us in such a special event. Here’s hoping it’s as great as ever. Meanwhile, well done and huge thanks to the BNatural committee and army of volunteers who make it happen.