2020: How Lincolnshire coped with COVID
A rollercoaster year moving at high speed
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
2020 has been a tumultuous year. What we expected to be another 12 months of droning on about Brexit turned out to be much worse.
When leavers celebrated Brexit Day in Lincolnshire on January 31, all we knew about COVID-19 was a brief offer of support and guidance from the University of Lincoln to students and staff with connections to China and Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have originated.
But by the end of February warnings were on the increase, a Skegness GP closed its doors temporarily due to fears patients had been infected, Lincoln Cathedral was giving advice on the virus, new “coronavirus pods” were set up at hospitals to deal with travellers returning from China who felt unwell, schools had closed as tests began and five local pupils had been isolated following a ski trip to Italy one of the countries the virus rapidly spread to.
The Lincolnite Person of the Year: Jonathan Van Tam
A “Van-tastic” achievement
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam has a gift of using metaphors to explain various situations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Boston-born Jonathan Van Tam, England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, has become known for his colourful metaphors and straight forward nature when delivering the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic.
From late-minute equaliser goals, to waiting for a train and how coronavirus is not like a yoghurt, he has brought us the details in easy to understand and rarely convoluted messages.
He once said while answering public questions during a BBC interview: “It’s clear in the first half, the away team gave us an absolute battering, and what we’ve done now is the 70th minute, they got a goal, and in the 70th minute we’ve now got an equaliser.
More than 14,000 sign up for Universal Credit during coronavirus pandemic
More than 14,000 people in Lincolnshire impacted by the coronavirus crisis have claimed for Universal Credit since the pandemic began.
The latest job centre figures have been released by the Department for Work and Pensions and show how COVID-19 has seen a big increase on the number of claimants.
Universal Credit covers six major benefits and the figures cover those both in and out of work, including self-employed and those who have been furloughed.
Employment advisor at Boston Job Centre Stuart Roberts said support was out there for people who were going through difficult times including help with claims, looking for extra work or even extra training.
Another one! Month-long lockdown begins Thursday, November 5
Four weeks shutdown incoming
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a second month-long lockdown due to COVID-19.
England will go into a second national lockdown, for a month from Thursday, November 5 to Wednesday, December 2
Non essential shops, leisure and entertainment will close.
Pubs, bars and restaurants must close, except for takeaway and collections.
Workplaces can stay open if work cannot be done from home.
Schools, universities and education settings will remain open.
The furlough system will be extended until December.
The Prime Minister said that tough action now should hope families get together by Christmas, but not as before.
A 44-year-old nurse in Boston has sadly died of coronavirus, becoming the youngest COVID-19 victim in Lincolnshire.
Anujkumar Kuttikkottu Pavithran, who was known as Kumar to his colleagues, was a staff nurse at Pilgrim Hospital in Boston.
He had worked for the NHS for the past nine years before sadly losing his battle with the virus on Monday, April 27.
Andrew Morgan, Chief Executive at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, paid tribute said: “I am deeply saddened to share the news that one of our colleagues, who had tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19), sadly died last night.
“Anujkumar Kuttikkottu Pavithran, known as Kumar to his colleagues, was a staff nurse at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston. He was a very well liked, professional, respected member of the team and will be greatly missed.