We’re all tired of it. We’re wandering around checking Omicron updates shouting like Al Pacino in the third Godfather film. Just when we think we’re out, it pulls us back in again. Such is the growing frequency of Covid pings that the nation’s mobiles are ringing out like the chorus of Ding Dong Merrily on High.
The streets begin to empty. The hospitality sector is taking another hammering. The plans for some kind of break, a Christmas to beat last year’s limits, are no longer fixed. While so far there hasn’t been a spike in deaths, it’s easy to feel a bit defeated.
We’ve been around this way before. In March 2020, as we lurched into the unknown, things were darker, certainly for The Big Issue. It was a time of crisis, for our vendors and for us as an organisation. But we emerged.
The Big Issue was strengthened by the support of tens of thousands – of friends, new readers and an army of subscribers. It allowed us to stay upright, and to get over £1 million in support out to our vendors. This tricky time requires an additional hand up. We encourage you to support vendors when you can if you see them on the street. If things get even quieter, consider a subscription.
It is not too late to treat somebody to a New Year gift. What better way to see in 2022 than with The Big Issue guaranteed on your doorstep every week!
There are always green shoots. Manchester United look like they’re finally getting their house in order. There is a new Mrs Brown’s Boys set to bring festive cheer. I know EVERYBODY likes it. And we should all have the positive mental focus of the determined group of girls I passed in Glasgow city centre a few days ago, heading (masked) towards the pub. “Have you rung in sick yet?” one asked the other, more in demand than query.
