Column: Dr Keith Souter - The best new year resolution you can make

The new year is upon us and January beckons. The month was named after the Roman god Janus, the deity thought to preside over doorways, entrances and beginnings and ends.

He was depicted as an elderly bearded man with two heads. His two faces looked in opposite directions, one to the past and the other to the future.

This New Year’s Eve is undoubtedly a time to reflect on the past year and contemplate the next.

Although we face uncertainty about the future, yet there is every reason to be hopeful after the development of the various vaccines against Covid-19.

We certainly have much to thank all who work in the NHS and the army of key workers who have worked so hard to keep vital services going throughout the year.

Yet it has been a time of loss for so many people.

The virus has an unpredictable effect, causing only a mild illness in many, while others become seriously ill and require hospital care.

Sadly, as we are all too well aware, a significant number of people have died as a result of the disease.

In addition, we now know that there are a large number of people who do not recover swiftly, but go on to experience what is termed Long Covid.

There is still much to learn about this debilitating condition.

Over much of the year I have written about Covid, and the history of vaccination all the way to the current scientists who have developed the vaccines against this potentially deadly disease.

I have also talked about the science of epidemiology, a subject that everyone is now quite familiar with. I have a practical interest in this, having worked as a clinical caseworker with the Test and Trace service.

Effectively I joined the virtual call centre, working from my own computer, having swapped a stethoscope for headphones and microphone.

Normally, new year is a time to make resolutions. This year I imagine most people will be thinking of how best to stay healthy.

In my opinion, if you are offered the vaccine against Covid, the best resolution is make sure you have it.

Happy new year.