In what is a landmark event (or possibly the landmark event) in the history of public health, the first vaccine against the novel Coronavirus has been administered outside of a trial setting.
The results to date have been extraordinary, and the side effect profile, although heavily reported especially on social media, is quite minimal and the vaccine appears to be very safe. In fact, my own sister who is a research scientist in Texas, is receiving her first dose on Tuesday 15th December, and is very excited.
This vaccine, allied to others that are coming on line, provide us with our best chance of resolving the incredibly difficult challenges that have faced us all, both individually and collectively as a society.
However, there is still a way to go, and in rugby terms, we are probably into the last 10-15 minutes of the match, and we have all seen matches lost, and people injured and hurt, at the very end of games, so we still have to stay vigilant and stay smart about what we do and who we meet over Christmas.
Thus it is with a positive outlook and hope in my heart that I would like to thank all the COVID compliance officers, the coaches, the volunteers and the players for all the hard work and perseverance that they have led exhibited over the last 9 months, which has ensured that our club has stayed safe. Happy Christmas and here’s to a happier New Year.
David Bouchier-Hayes
Club COVID Safety Officer
