DUVET MUSINGS: Sedentary behaviour has been estimated to cost 70,000 deaths a year

However whether it will be against a background of coronavirus as a containable year on year illness like flu or something more challenging remains to be seen.

However what we can take great comfort from is that over our history science has been challenged to develop responses to respond successfully to all kinds of illness and infections and will continue to do so in the future.

The current vaccination programmes are bearing down on Covid infection rates and we can only marvel at the speedy responses of our scientists.

It has been inevitable that health has been the main preoccupation of our attention during the past year or so and in some ways that can only benefit us as we recover from the pandemic.

It has reminded us of our own responsibilities to protect ourselves by following the advice given and how our own behaviour affects ourselves and others.

Being fitter and having a healthy lifestyle has afforded some protection from the coronavirus as conversely failure to do so as unfortunately put some of us at more risk.

Indeed even without the current crisis, sedentary behaviour has been estimated to cost 70,000 deaths a year a tragic loss as well as the economic impact. So hopefully after this frightening period in our history we will emerge hopefully wiser to take care of our own health by exercising more and eating better in the years to come.

Moving more has been said to be the world’s most powerful medicine and after months of isolation after this crisis personal responsibility for our own health will have never have greater importance. We don’t have to rush to the gyms or grab a cycle we can just increase gradually our exercise routines before if we wish progress to more energetic routines.

Everyone will benefit as we have found the inextricable link between health and the economy. Hopefully we will all reflect on our own lifestyles and adopt healthier habits that will allow us to live our future lives to the full.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.