The second anniversary of the initial national lockdown announcement was marked today (Wednesday) at a service remembering those killed by Covid-19.
The service - at Sunderland Minster - saw those who lost loved ones light candles and dedicate yellow ribbons their memory. It was led by the Rev Chris Howson who spoke movingly of how he still found it hard to forgive politicians like Boris Johnson who attended parties in Westminster during the pandemic, while he was presiding over traumatic funerals
One of those involved in organising the service was Susie Crozier-Flintham - whose dad Howard died on March 28 2020. Susie, who is part of the Bereaved Covid-19 Families UK group - read a poem entitled 'The Forsaken' at the service, while she also spoke of how it remained "heartbreaking" to see other families suffer like she did from Covid-related deaths even two years on.
Read more: Boris Johnson's garden 'party' is 'an insult' says Sunderland woman who lost her dad to Covid
She told ChronicleLive : "It feels incredibly emotional. The loss is still so raw two years on. We feel abandoned. We weren't acknowledged during the first lockdown - or since then. We have been messed around with the Inquiry. So it was really important for my city to do something to mark this."
Howard Crozier - like his daughter - was a teacher and spent decades working at Heathfield High School in Gateshead. Susie added: "The Government would have you believe that Covid is over. It's not, people are still dying. For those of us who lost someone in the first wave it's especially heartbreaking to know that this is still going on. If I was losing someone today I'd be furious."
She also said it was vitally important the British Government recognised that its policies towards Covid-19 had implications throughout the world, citing how it remains so important to ensure countries around the world have access to the vaccines they need.
Leading the service, Rev Howson said: "I looked at the BBC news headlines this morning and realised Covid wasn't even among them. That's interesting - because actually Covid is on the up. The numbers are very high again, though slightly lower here in our city."
He cited how there had been 1,751 deaths registered in the city - up until March 4 - due to Covid-19, adding: "That's such an immense figure. It works out that around one in 250 people have died in this city over the past two years. We want to remember those who died."
Families at the service reflected for 17 minutes and 51 seconds on those who had been lost and on the incredible sacrifices made by people across society during the pandemic so far. The minister said this tribute had been chosen because "it would be just too hard to light all of those candles".
Rev Howson also highlighted the apparent double-standards embodied by the currently under-investigation series of Downing Street parties during lockdown. He said: "So many people took a role to support others during the lockdowns, but I can't help but share my anger and disappointment when I discovered that in No. 10 Downing Street they were having parties when I was only able to hold funerals with three people or less.
"I am a forgiving man and in the business of forgiveness but it will take me a long time to forgive some of the things that happened. But today the most important thing is to remember the joy we shared with the people we loved and spent time with."
The Lord Mayor of Sunderland Coun Harry Trueman also spoke. He said: "It's now been two years since we all listened to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he announced the UK was to go into an immediate national lockdown. We were all told to stay at home, to work from home where possible, and to only leave the house for essential reasons like to go grocery shopping or to a medical appointment or your daily exercise.
"We all helped out with our neighbours and our friends. Schools were closed and most parents were also teachers - juggling household tasks too. Now we have all relaxed our Covid restrictions because of what the Government has told us but we must still do what we can to slow the spread of the virus."
The senior councillor said it was important to stay cautious and look after the vulnerable, and added: "The devastating impact of the virus has been felt everywhere in our city - we have sadly lost over 1,000 people. My thoughts and condolences are with everyone who has lost a loved one. We have all lost families, all lost friends to this awful virus. We must remember those who have died and recognise the grief and pain of those who have lost loved ones."
