Michael Broomhead: We all have so much to be grateful for

I was reminded of this a few days ago, when Royal Mail delivered a pack of rapid coronavirus tests to my door – less than 24 hours after I’d ordered them for free from the Government website.

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I took a test that morning – I found it very straightforward to carry out – and I received my result (negative thankfully) within around 30 minutes.

It made me stop and think – in those dark days of the first lockdown this time last year, nobody could have imagined that within 12 months we’d all be able to do quick Covid-19 tests from the comfort of our homes.

How absolutely amazing.

I’m incredibly grateful for those tests – and I’d urge everyone to visit www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or call 119 to order some so they can help to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

I’m also incredibly grateful for the quick development of the vaccines and everyone involved in the superb roll-out in our country.

Here in Derbyshire, 67 per cent of all adults have now received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccination.

This is just extraordinary – and again, who’d have thought 12 months ago that in April 2021 more than half of the UK’s adult population would have first dose protection against the virus.

We live in a wonderful part of the world - and we should all be very grateful for that.

All those lockdown walks have been wonderful because Derbyshire is, quite simply, a wonderful place.

And, of course, we should all be very grateful for all the amazing people (like you, dear reader), organisations, charities, groups, schools and businesses in Derbyshire for making a difference during the pandemic.

There are definitely a number of lessons to be learned from the past 12 months – indeed, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously committed to an independent inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic.

Personally, a lesson I’ve learned is to regularly take time to reflect on life – and count all my blessings.

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