The Great Omission

Has the Church been locked down and out?

History will bear witness, in the weeks and months following the Coronavirus pandemic, of those
who stepped up to the plate … and those who may have seemed to be silent in the national
narrative that unfolded as we were herded into our homes during lockdown, while the cruel virus
raged relentlessly. Many risked their lives in acts of self-sacrifice, some even gave of their lives. I am
deeply humbled by these acts, as we should all be, especially as we have considered our current
generation ‘the snowflake generation’, in marked contrast to those who fought for their country in
the two World wars. Over a half a million volunteered to help the NHS, people of all religious and
cultural background and ages. The first two doctors to die of the virus were of Sudanese origin, who
had dedicated their skills to our country for decades. Doctors and nurses, knowing of their
vulnerability to the invisible menace, came out of retirement to help the national effort. Once such
doctor was Dr Alfa Saadu, originally from Nigeria, who returned to the NHS to help out, after 40
years of service, only to be one of the first to die. One of so many tragic but heroic stories that could
be told.