We must pay more attention to our wellbeing in future, warns Sheffield business leader

However, we need to extract the learning to recover in the post Covid-19 world, as, being optimistic, a life-saving vaccine must be on the horizon, given the huge international effort.

Before this arrives, we must address the crisis that threatens to engulf us also. The misery and suffering caused by an increasing NHS waiting list now running into millions for diagnosis and treatment for non Coronavirus cases cannot be underestimated.

These cases, if not treated will have the potential at best to cause pain and suffering .

Serious enough, but unfortunately conditions like cancer not being responded too will, at worst, precipitate life-threatening consequences.

So we have to do all we can to reduce the pressure on our NHS by following the recommended precautions, not only to save us and others lives from the pandemic but to save others on the NHS Waiting lists .

Given the millions on them it could be us, our family, friends and neighbours. What further incentive do we need?

We have seen the joy of schoolchildren returning to school , do we really want them to be blighted by more lockdowns , more jobs lost and more Care Home residents put at risk ?

The lesson that Health and the Economy is now inextricably linked .

So what about the future ?

If we have maintained the self discipline and the Public Health test and trace measures have been efficiently deployed and resourced, , hopefully we will have mitigated the damage done at the onset of the Pandemic .

Our lives will have been changed for ever and we deserve better future to look forward to .

We have had to be more innovative and creative both individually and organisationally to survive and this will make us more resilient in the months ahead as we adjust to a new normal.

The message about the benefits of us paying greater attention to our health and wellbeing will hopefully be more embedded in our future behaviour benefiting us , our employers and ultimately the hard pressed NHS.

Indeed if we all exercised more is estimated by some to save the NHS an estimated £ 9.5 billion .

The government has to support this by making Local Government spending on Leisure, Sport and Recreational facilities a mandatory obligation and of course giving them the resources to do it.

Planners and developers have to consider these being integral to making our City Centres more attractive as they balance retail offerings with residential and leisure ones.

We will come through the privations of the Coronavirus provided our city recognises the wellbeing of our citizens is a sustainable benefit not a cost.

We can contribute by walking more, eating better and prevent future damage to our health.