MIKE HILL: Sacrifices now will mean a better tomorrow for us all

As London goes, rather belatedly, into Tier 3 and a new variant of Coronavirus rages through the South and, as we learn of our own fate in terms of tiers here in Hartlepool and throughout the rest of the North East, you have to wonder: is the lifting of restrictions for a period of five days over Christmas worth it?

So, is it really worth lifting the rules on families meeting over Christmas?

Common sense should tell you the answer is no.

Even the scientists and the epidemiologists, say it simply doesn’t make sense and there will be a consequential spike in the virus in January; similar to that witnessed in the USA following the Thanksgiving holidays.

So, is it really worth it? Especially now that our "R” rate is rapidly coming down in the town and some semblance of returning to normality is within our grasp if we keep the faith and if we stick to the rules that have thus far kept the majority safe.

The problem is that too many rule makers have turned out to be rule breakers and, ever since the story broke about Dominic Cummins and his infamous trip to County Durham during the first lockdown, people have begun to question the Government’s handling of the pandemic and the decisions they are now making.

People are rightly confused about things like “bubbles” and who and how many can meet and where over Christmas.

Businesses reliant on the Christmas and New Year period, especially the hospitality industry, are on their knees and on the brink of collapse in many cases.

Taxi drivers, pubs, restaurants and shops, even places of worship, will all suffer whether Christmas restrictions are lifted or not because of the tier system.

So, is it really worth lifting the rules on families meeting over Christmas?

Does the phrase "dying to see our loved ones” hold new meaning?

Let’s just stick this one out together and act sensibly, otherwise everything we have done will be undone.

Difficult circumstances dictate difficult decisions and sacrifices.

We all need reasons to be cheerful so let’s stop and think about that.

Christmas is a special time for all of us, but our sacrifices today will mean better times tomorrow for all of us.