A message from News Letter Editor Alistair Bushe

Covid-19 responsible for NI's 'toughest year in living memory' says Arlene Foster

View email online

Subscribe              Mar 23, 2021           Dear reader March 23, 2020 is, of course, a very significant date in all of our lives, one that we will not forget in a hurry.  It was a year ago today that Boris Johnson, the prime minister, announced the beginning of a national lockdown in an attempt to stifle the spread of the coronavirus.  Throughout the last 12 months of the pandemic, the News Letter has tried to provide you, our readers, with the sad news of those who have lost their lives to Covid-19, and the wonderful stories about those who have successfully recovered. We have sought to update you about the rules and regulations associated with lockdown, and more recently with updates on the rollout of the UK's successful vaccination programme.  We have also always sought to champion the heroes of this pandemic, particularly our carers and healthcare workers who bore the brunt of spiralling hospital admissions.  As I have written before, our own business has been struck by the pandemic, particularly when lockdown regulations contained strict instructions about people not leaving their homes. That had an impact on our newspaper sales, and our advertisers were badly impacted by the closure of their businesses for months at a time.  Throughout this hugely challenging period, we are grateful that you, our readers, have stuck with us. Your support is really appreciated. We will continue to need your backing in the months to come.  I do agree with what Arlene Foster said on Tuesday, that this year has been the "toughest in living memory" for just about all of us.  It's been devastating for all of those who lost friends, family and loved ones, for those who have been unable to spend time with friends and family, and for those who have seen their jobs and livelihoods destroyed. Children have spent much of the last year not seeing their friends and classmates.  Our hope now is that with the vaccination programme already having put jabs into the arms of more than half the adult population in the UK, we are over the worst of this dreadful pandemic.  Thanks again for reading us and let's hope for better times ahead. Alistair Bushe Editor   Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier.   Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our Subscriptions page here.             Covid-19 responsible for NI's 'toughest year in living memory' says Arlene Foster           First Minister, Arlene Foster, has said the last 12 months have been the worst 12 months Northern Ireland has endured in living memory.                 SSE Arena taking bookings for Covid-19 vaccine   People from Northern Ireland can now book their Covid-19 vaccine at the SSE Arena ahead of its opening on March 29, 2021.           Top doctor warns of 'huge surge' facing NHS after Covid crisis ends   Northern Ireland's NHS must find the resources to prepare for a coming "surge" in demand for medical services once the pandemic crisis has receded.           I've just held my wife's hand for the first time in a year: MLA tells of Covid agony   A former health minister has spoken about the heartache wrought by the coronavirus lockdown exactly one year ago today, shortly after his first visit to his wife in 12 months.           IN FULL: Boris Johnson's address to British nation that launched lockdown one year ago   The following is the full televised address delivered by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the evening of March 23, which officially launched the first coronavirus lockdown.           Lockdown one year on: Looking back we could've done things differently says O'Neill   The leader of Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland has said that in hindsight things could have been handled differently during the past year since lockdown began.           £220 million support for Northern Ireland confirmed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock   Northern Ireland is to receive £220 million for the NHS and social care services under plans announced by Matt Hancock last week, it has been confirmed.           Maskey pays tribute to those forced to mourn loved ones 'in most difficult circumstances'   The speaker of the Stormont Assembly Alex Maskey has led the Province's politicians in paying tribute to those who have died or been bereaved during the Covid-19 pandemic.           You could be fined £5,000 for going abroad under new Covid laws - the rules explained   A £5,000 fine for anyone trying to travel abroad on holiday from England is to come into place next week, as part of new Covid laws.                 View more news

Please note Due to the unprecedented nature of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic we have launched this new daily newsletter to keep you up to date with the latest official information and advice. How to opt out of these emails We are sending these daily Coronavirus email bulletins in addition to our daily newsletter emails. If you would like to opt out of only these additional Public Interest emails, and continue to receive your regular daily newsletters, please click here.         You have received this email as you have an account on the News Letter, published by JPIMedia Publishing Ltd. To manage your individual newsletter preferences with us, please click here and log in to your account.     Alternatively you can update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive from JPIMedia Publishing Ltd, or unsubscribe from all future emails.     JPIMedia Publishing Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with registered number 11499982, having its registered address at 9th Floor, 107 Cheapside, London, England, EC2V 6DN, United Kingdom. We will process your personal data in accordance with our privacy policy.