There is no doubt that we are in unprecedented times. No one has ever experienced the extreme measures that have been taken by the UK and other governments around the world in an effort to slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Here in Hertfordshire we are of course as much in the firing line as anywhere else in the country and sadly the number of deaths in the county continues to rise.

However, I want to look at the positive things that are happening around the county and I must start with the amazing response to the call for volunteers. I have always been immensely proud of the fantastic number of Hertfordshire residents volunteering on a regular basis-far above the national average. And at this time-when the county and the country need people to step up to the plate-the people of Hertfordshire have been at the forefront of coming forward and supporting the most vulnerable in the community.

Our two NHS trusts are flat out coping with the influx of patients suffering from Covid-19 (as well as their usual workload) and are being supported by many others including amazing numbers returning to the NHS from retirement as well as student nurses jumping onto the front line to offer support in the hospitals. Talk about a baptism of fire! However both NHS trusts covering Hertfordshire, together with the Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust in Harlow, which covers many areas of East Hertfordshire, are short of a number of items that I believe can be sourced or manufactured in the county and I am holding a 'wishlist' of items and services urgently needed which I am happy to share with companies who believe they can help.

Others are delivering food and medical and other supplies to those self-isolating including the large number who are part of the 1.5 Million on the Government’s list most vulnerable people. It was inspiring to join the millions of people around the country applauding the NHS and also care workers on the last two Thursday evenings. However I would also like to express my thanks and appreciation to the many thousands of others working on the front line during g this critical time: to police officers and fire and rescue personnel keeping us safe, to postal workers and courier drivers delivering our mail and packages, to bus and train drivers transporting those able to travel to work, to the farmers and those working in the food supply chain keeping us fed, to those in food shop and pharmacies keeping us supplied, to those in education keeping schools open for children of those in critical employment, to those in the courts and the prisons, to those carrying out emergency repairs, and of course to the thousands of volunteers carrying out so many vital roles.

As her Majesty said in her recent broadcast to the nation: “I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge.”

In Hertfordshire there will be so many who will look back and be able to say “I was one of those that helped the county and the country get through this terrible crisis”.

  • Robert Voss CBE is Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire