A successful vaccination drive is crucial to Boris Johnson’s government
It would restore faith in his premiership and deflate the Conservative Party’s lockdown rebels
IN MEDIEVAL TIMES pilgrims came to Lichfield Cathedral to visit the shrine of St Chad, the dust from whose bones was said to cure all manner of ills. Today, a scarcely less miraculous scene is unfolding. A trickle of pensioners, bundled against the cold, leaning on sticks and walking frames, processes through the great arched doorways. Beneath a crucifix, around 700 a day are being vaccinated against covid-19. For some, it is their first journey outdoors since England’s lockdowns began in March, says the Very Rev Adrian Dorber, the dean. “This is quite a big act of faith for them to come.”
This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Restoring the faith”
Britain January 23rd 2021
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