Coronavirus - no Happy start to New Year...

From just after midnight at the start of Thursday, 31st December 2020 Shropshire moves into Tier 3 in an effort to subdue the spead and the effects of the new strain of COVID-19. Areas immediately adjacent to Shropshire (in particular, Staffordshire, Warwickshire with Wolverhampton and most of the remainder of the West Midlands conurbation) will be in Tier 4, while after a brief respite, Herefordshire joins Worcestershire and Shropshire in Tier 3.

For advice on what all this means, the Government guidance page is here.

The bad news is only slightly mitigated by the news that the Oxford vaccine has been approved for use in the UK. Not only is the vaccine easier to manage, but the Government has pre-ordered 100 million doses - enough to cover most of the population.

It is clear that proper physical Masonic meetings are unlikely until well into 2021, when the effects of the vaccination programme are seen. Please (and especially if you have a medical background) see our other News item concerning vaccination and volunteering.

It is some comfort that the determination, ingenuity and goodwill shown by Masons and their families in Shropshire and beyond has made such an impact during 2020, with over £110,000 raised for charity since last March, and Zoom meetings, social media posts and video messaging at an all time high in the Province! A daily advancement in Masonic knowledge is not only more possible than ever, but a welcome distraction. Let us not, however, at any stage forget those key workers who are at the ‘sharp end’.

To all of you, our best wishes for 2021, and let’s hope for an improvement soon.