Row over vaccines as the eu threatens to restrict supplies to other countries if it doesnt get what it says is its fair share. As the uk says supplies here wont be affected, the eus Health Commissioner vows to take tough action. In the future, all companies producing vaccines against covid in the eu will have to provide early notification whenever they want to export to vaccines to third countries. Im very confident with the team. We talk to them all the time. They are confident they will deliver for us, yes. And astrazeneca, the bulk of Astrazeneca Oxford is manufactured in the uk because we made that early investment. Well be asking if this row might affect supplies of vaccine here. Also this lunchtime 10 days quarantine in a hotel when you arrive back in england and you pay. The government plan which could scupper Summer Holiday plans. The growing toll of coronavirus. New figures which suggest more than 100,000 people have now died with covid i9. Bracing for the worst on the frontline at the Midlands Hospital which says the virus peak is yet to come. What did china know about the virus, and when . A special report on how officials controlled information in the first weeks of the pandemic. And coming up in sport on bbc news chelsea are set to name former psg and dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel as their new manager, following the sacking of frank lampard. Good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at 0ne. The supply of coronavirus vaccines is now a critical issue
as countires try to stem high infection rates. And the eu is angry because it says its not getting its fair share. Its threatened to impose controls on the export of vaccines made within the bloc, and that could affect the uks supply of the Pfizer Biontech jab. The eus Health Commissioner has criticised astrazeneca, saying the company hasnt delivered the number of vaccines it promised. The company says its because of supply problems. What does it mean for us . Well, the British Government says supplies of vaccines are tight but is confident it will receive enough doses to meet its targets. 0ur europe correspondent nick beake reports. The lorries leaving the main pfizer factory this morning bringing hope to the world. Laden with one of the vaccines that will help transport us out of the covid i9 nightmare. With such precious cargo on board, they are escorted all the way, but now there are concerns that few of these jabs could be coming to the uk. The
european union is angry that another company which makes the Oxford Astrazeneca shot will be sending it millions fewer doses than promised. It wants to know why. And in response, it has announced that vaccines leaving the eu are to be more tightly controlled, including those destined for britain. This new schedule is not those destined for britain. This new schedule is not acceptable those destined for britain. This new schedule is not acceptable to those destined for britain. This new schedule is not acceptable to the i schedule is not acceptable to the european union. In the future, all companies producing vaccines against covid i9 in the eu will have to provide early notification whenever they want to export vaccines to third countries. They want to export vaccines to third countries. European Union Countries have third countries. European Union Countries have been third countries. European Union Countries have been criticised. Third countries. European unionl countries have been criticised for the slow roll out of vaccines compared with the likes of the uk, and they wont be helped by the temporary slowdown in production here in belgium at the main pfizer plant. But this latest row over the supply of vaccines, who gets what and when, threatens to make this
international Health Crisis even more political at a time when countries are being told they need to Work Together to get us out of this crisis. The uk was the first in the world to approve a vaccine and more than 7 Million People have now received at least one jab. The minister responsible for the Vaccine Programme conceded supplies were tight but said the uk would still get enough doses. Im tight but said the uk would still get enough doses. Tight but said the uk would still get enough doses. Im very confident with the team. Get enough doses. Im very confident with the team, we get enough doses. Im very confident with the team, we talk get enough doses. Im very confident with the team, we talk to get enough doses. Im very confident with the team, we talk to the get enough doses. Im very confident with the team, we talk to the team l with the team, we talk to the team all the with the team, we talk to the team all the time and they are confident they will all the time and they are confident they will deliver for us and the bulk they will deliver for us and the bulk of they will deliver for us and the bulk of the Oxford Astrazeneca is manufactured in the uk because we made manufactured in the uk because we made that manufactured in the uk because we made that early investment in manufacturing capacity in the uk, which manufacturing capacity in the uk, which is manufacturing capacity in the uk, which is also good news, so i am confident which is also good news, so i am confident that we will meet the mid february target and then vaccinate mid february target and then vaccinate beyond that. The midfebruary target and then vaccinate beyond that. The global race to vaccinate vaccinate beyond that. The global race to vaccinate against vaccinate beyond that. The globali race to vaccinate against covid19 race to vaccinate against covid i9 has exposed big inequalities, with poorer countries, particularly outside europe, facing a long wait. The way out of this pandemic is by no means easy. 0ur Political CorrespondentDamian Grammaticas is in westminster. Is there a concern that this row could escalate and affect supplies here . fist could escalate and affect supplies here . �. , here . At the minute, what the government here . At the minute, what the government is here . At the minute, what the government is saying here . At the minute, what the government is saying is here . At the minute, what the government is saying is that i here . At the minute, what the i government is saying is that they are on track, on target to meet the 15 million doses offered by the middle of february two those priority groups. The government says that supply is lumpy, by which they mean it comes in spurts, but they think it will continue and will be fulfilled, and partly because this is about the oxford vaccine, much of which in the uk supply is made here. Some of that is made in the eu, and thatis some of that is made in the eu, and that is where the eu has its own argument with astrazeneca about reducing the supplies they are being promised there. The separate concern about the Pfizer Vaccine made in the eu, the eu is talking about a system
of notifications, not yet it seems any export controls, just notifying the eu about what is leaving the block. That is a dose that comes from the eu to hear. No worries about that at the minute, but what all of this shows is just how much countries, particularly in the eu, are relying on these vaccine supplies. You have other nations, australia, new zealand, taiwan, who have suppress the virus much more, but here the hope is all resting on these Vaccine Programmes and that all rests on the continued delivery of the vaccines themselves. Damien, thank ou of the vaccines themselves. Damien, thank you very of the vaccines themselves. Damien, thank you very much. Ministers are expected to approve plans could require some people arriving in england to quarantine in a hotel for ten days at their cost. Its not yet known if the restrictions would apply to everyone, orjust those returning from countries with more contagious variants. If implemented it is likely to be a further blow for the struggling International Travel industry, making holidays abroad an unlikely proposition. Theo leggett reports. Hotels are fine for foreign travel, but would you really want to be cooped up in one when you get back home . Under plans being discussed by the government, british citizens and residents arriving in england from countries deemed to be high risk would have to go into quarantine in hotels, which they would have to pay for. It is part of a strategy to limit infections from potentially dangerous new variants of the coronavirus. The government has already barred foreign nationals from entering the uk from most of south america and Southern Africa as well as portugal. This afternoon, the home secretary was tight lipped about the plans being discussed. It i may, the honourable gentleman has referred to newspaper reports and speculation will stop it would be wrong of me to speculate about any measures that are not in place right now, as policy is being developed. But the honourable gentleman to speak about quarantining and claims his party has called for tougher restrictions, but i think also the party opposite, if i may say so,
should also reflect on their position. Should also reflect on their position should also reflect on their osition. ,. ,. , position. Hotels are now being reared position. Hotels are now being prepared for position. Hotels are now being prepared for the position. Hotels are now being prepared for the challenge position. Hotels are now being prepared for the challenge of i prepared for the challenge of looking after people who cannot go out, may be infectious and could become ill. Out, may be infectious and could become ill out, may be infectious and could become ill. ,. ,. , become ill. Since the beginning of the pandemic become ill. Since the beginning of the pandemic we become ill. Since the beginning of the pandemic we have become ill. Since the beginning of the pandemic we have done become ill. Since the beginning of the pandemic we have done over. Become ill. Since the beginning of. The pandemic we have done over 300 risk assessments on our activities and how risk assessments on our activities and how we risk assessments on our activities and how we operate and changing our protocols, and how we operate and changing our protocols, so this would just be in addition protocols, so this would just be in addition to protocols, so this would just be in addition to that. Everything in the Hospitality Industry in terms of how we operate has changed and this would we operate has changed and this would he we operate has changed and this would be a further change. We obviously would be a further change. We obviously wait for the government guidelines to tell us specifically what guidelines to tell us specifically what we guidelines to tell us specifically what we need to do but we are well on our what we need to do but we are well on our way what we need to do but we are well on our way to be able to achieve it. For the on our way to be able to achieve it. For the International Travel industry it is a deeply worrying time. The new measures may have little Immediate Impact because very few people are arriving from abroad. But if they last into the peak summer period, or make people unwilling to book Summer Holidays, its could spell disaster for already struggling as nurses. The risk is we have already struggling as nurses. Tue risk is we have these already struggling as nurses. Tte risk is we have these restrictions in place and into the autumn and the sector is not able to have that summer period it was banking on to
earn money and bring in much needed revenue to replenish those Balance Sheets which had been decimated since march last year. It is sheets which had been decimated since march last year. Since march last year. It is still not known since march last year. It is still not known exactly since march last year. It is still not known exactly who since march last year. It is still not known exactly who will. Since march last year. It is still. Not known exactly who will have since march last year. It is still not known exactly who will have to go into Hotel Quarantine over how long or who will be exempt. All four uk nations are discussing the issue and are likely to adopt similar measures. The delay between contracting coronavirus and later being admitted to hospital means that despite a recent fall in cases, the pressure on the nhs continues to grow. With different parts of the country experiencing a peak of infection at different times, our Health Editor hugh pym has been to ashfield in nottinghamshire to see the impact on the frontline there. People need to know it is not a game. It is frightening. Barbara lived with cancer before it went into retreat. Theyre brilliant, lovely nurses. Then she was struck by covid. She was keen to get this message across. Just wear your mask and wash your hands. Thats all it is, isnt it . Thats all theyve got to do. I think it was last wednesday when i came in, i think, i dont remember. Going in . No. Along the corridor is paul who is 53 and considers himself fit. Hes over the worst now but he says it was a frightening experience. Yeah, i fought it for at home . At home, ijust couldnt cope any longer. Much of this floor of the hospital has always housed wards for those with respiratory conditions. And now theyve been expanded with room for nearly 100 patients in bays and cubicles. Almost all of them with covid. From experience i can tell you that im seeing more sicker patients this time than i saw in the first wave. Umar is a doctor in a e. He says theres been a huge influx of covid patients. In both his professional and personal life hes seen the savage impact of the virus. My parents have got covid, my mother in law is in icu at the moment, i just lost some very dear family relatives of covid. So when you see these patients in the hospital, itjust gives you that flashback as well. But you have got to shut that down and youve got to continue looking after your patients as best as you can. After every patient is seen, diane and her colleagues have to deep clean the cubicles, floors, walls and surfaces. She is on the covid frontline as much as anyone. Cant see no end to it, to be fair. And i think if you could see the light at the end of the tunnel, and somebody to say, its going to turn off, then that would be brilliant. But were soldiering on and were trying our very, very best to work as hard as we possibly can. How do you feel personally sometimes . Me . Upset, i go home and sometimes i could just sit and cry. Itsjust because its demanding at the moment. Machines beeping
this isnt a big city teaching hospital, so covid puts even more of a strain on resources. Theyve had to triple the number of intensive care beds, including converting a former childrens recovery area. Jen is a nurse whos been redeployed from another role to help out. Ive been a nurse for 21 years. Some of the shifts that i have had are the toughest that ive ever had, in particular one night shift that i had last week was one of the worst shifts ive ever had in 21 years of nursing. There are signs of hope in the hospital. A trial of a 24 7 Vaccination Centre has proved popular with nhs and care staff, getting theirjabs after changing shift. Youve got to have a sticker all right . Yeah. And in the maternity unit, life goes on. New life, with sam cuddling her new baby son 0liver. So it is difficult because we are not able to see family and things, but weve just welcomed a new little person into the world and, you know, it is a nice time for us, its a happy time. Its something to be celebrated. While there is hope, there is also sadness. Barbara died yesterday. Her family were keen for us to use her interview to warn of the serious consequences of covid. That report from hugh pym, camera journalist Harriet Bradshaw and producer dominic hurst. More than 100,000 deaths involving coronavirus have been registered in the uk by one measure. The office for National Statistics says the figures, which go up to 15 january, are based on death certificates that mention coronavirus. Dominic hughes reports. Jonathan is on the long, hard road to recovery, physically and
emotionally. A Front Line Health Care worker, he fell ill with covid 19 in october last year. Not just him, but members of his closest family as well. I just him, but members of his closest family as well family as well. I went into hospital on the 18th family as well. I went into hospital on the 18th of family as well. I went into hospital on the 18th of october family as well. I went into hospital on the 18th of october and family as well. I went into hospital on the 18th of october and my family as well. I went into hospital on the 18th of october and my mother was admitted in the early hours of the 20th of october and by sister was admitted to antrim hospital because the other side was very busy and she was admitted in the afternoon of the 20th of october and i was in on the evening of the 20th of october. I was in on the evening of the 20th of october of october. Jonathan ended up in intensive care of october. Jonathan ended up in intensive care and of october. Jonathan ended up in intensive care and then of october. Jonathan ended up in intensive care and then on of october. Jonathan ended up in intensive care and then on the i of october. Jonathan ended up in i intensive care and then on the same respiratory ward on which he worked, in the same hospital as his mother martina, he was able to see her and be with her when she died. To martina, he was able to see her and be with her when she died. Be with her when she died. To know that our be with her when she died. To know that your mother be with her when she died. To know that your mother wasnt be with her when she died. To know that your mother wasnt coming i be with her when she died. To know. That your mother wasnt coming home was very hard. Mum was the link. She was very hard. Mum was the link. She was always here and its a very, very lonely house. A very lonely house, and that loneliness and emptiness is their 2a hours a day,
it never leaves you. Emptiness is their 24 hours a day, it never leaves you. It never leaves you. Jonathans sto is it never leaves you. Jonathans story is one it never leaves you. Jonathans story is one of it never leaves you. Jonathans story is one of 800,000, i it never leaves you. Jonathans story is one of 800,000, as l story is one of 800,000, as confirmed by the latest figures from the office for National Statistics. Of the office for National Statistics. Of100,000. The office for National Statistics. Of100,000. Database the office for National Statistics. Of 100,000. Database shows nearly 103,000 lives have been lost, and then the third highest rate in the pandemic, but it is likely that total deaths are much higher as that data is now 11 days old. There is another measure of deaths, the one we mention on the news everyday which covers people who died within 28 days a positive test, and that is likely to breach 100,000 either later today or tomorrow. For some, it is a sign of devastating failure. Just generally we have not responded to the just generally we have not responded to the warnings as quickly enough, and remember early in the pandemic ofthe and remember early in the pandemic of the government hesitated in terms of the government hesitated in terms of what of the government hesitated in terms of what they should do in terms of the lockdown and they did not do that quickly enough and whenever we made that quickly enough and whenever we made progress in the lockdown, they
quickly made progress in the lockdown, they quickly came out, so they werent decisive quickly came out, so they werent decisive enough. The quickly came out, so they werent decisive enough. Quickly came out, so they werent decisive enough. The past year has tau~ht us decisive enough. The past year has taught us that decisive enough. The past year has taught us that some decisive enough. The past year has taught us that some are decisive enough. The past year has taught us that some are more i taught us that some are more vulnerable to the virus than others. More deprived communities have seen a proportionately higher death toll, as have people from black, asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. Muhammad died from covid 19just last month. From his daughter, susanna, a reminder that each one of these deaths is a terrible loss. For each of us. These deaths is a terrible loss. Fr . Each of us, the trauma, the upset, the distress, the loss is great, and please dont see it as a figure, it is somebody� s husband, somebody� s brother, some of his father and we need to remember that each time we see the statistics increasing. find see the statistics increasing. And be ond see the statistics increasing. And beyond the see the statistics increasing. And beyond the deaths caused by the virus itself, there are those lives lost through delayed treatments or missed symptoms. Today is a fresh reminder of the immense toll taken by this virus. The time is just after 1 15pm. Our top story this lunchtime row over vaccines as the eu threatens to restrict supplies to other countries if it doesnt get what it says is its fair share. In the future, all companies producing vaccines against covid 19 in the eu will have to provide early notification when they want to export vaccines to third countries. Im very confident with the team, we talk to im very confident with the team, we talk to them im very confident with the team, we talk to them all the time and they are confident they will deliver for us, and are confident they will deliver for us, and the bulk of Oxford Astrazeneca is manufactured in the uk because we made that early investment. And coming up on bbc news Sport England says it will invest another £50 million to help people get active again. The main focus will be grassroots organisations hit hard by the pandemic. Its just over a year since china imposed the worlds first lockdown, on the city of wuhan. By then, coronavirus had been spreading there for several weeks, time in which the Chinese Government had insisted that everything was under control. A new bbc documentary co produced with pbs frontline has revealed the gap between what was happening on the ground, what chinese officials and scientists knew, and what the world was told. Caroline hawley reports. New years eve 2019. By now, its been 30 days since a chinese man in his 70s was hit by a mysterious pneumonia like disease, but the world is still blissfully unaware of the virus thats about to change all of our lives. Preparing to ring in the new year, an american virologist takes a call from this man, george gao, director of chinas centre for disease control. Hed identified the virus, it was a new coronavirus. And it was not highly transmissible. This didnt really resonate with me, because id heard about many, many people who had been infected. The World Health Organization in geneva should have been officially informed about the new disease, but it first learned about it from social media. At internal meetings, who officials made their frustration plain. The Associated Press shared with pbs frontline and the bbc some leaked recordings from the second week of january. Back in wuhan, hospitals were filling up and Health Workers were becoming ever more alarmed. They are not allowed to talk to the International Media without authorisation, but one has spoken anonymously to the bbc. Their words are voiced by an actor. One patient in hospital in late january was 76 year old zhang lifa. His son had driven across china so that he could have an operation in his home town, after hed broken his leg in the fall. As he was recovering from surgery, he got a fever. The Chinese Government has told us that it has always acted with transparency and in a timely fashion. But it wasnt until seven weeks after the first known patient got sick that it announced there was, indeed, human to human transmission and, by then, covid 19 had a deadly momentum that would carry it into every corner of the globe. It has now killed more than 2 Million People. Caroline hawley, bbc news. Britains jobless rate has soared to its highest level you can see more you can see more on you can see more on that report at nine oclock tonight on bbc two. Britains jobless rate has soared to its highest level for more than four years. Latest figures showed 1. 72 Million People were out of work in the three months to november but economists say the picture would be far worse without the furlough scheme which has been extended
until the end of april. Sarah corker reports. In retail, we are always at risk, we never know whats going to happen because you know, it is struggling in recent years because of the rise of online. � , in recent years because of the rise of online. � ,. ,. , in recent years because of the rise of online. ~ ,. ,. ,. , of online. Abby was made redundant in september of online. Abby was made redundant in september when of online. Abby was made redundant in september when american of online. Abby was made redundant | in september when American Fashion brandj crew pulled out of the uk. I would say ive probably sent 30 or 40 would say ive probably sent 30 or a0 applications in the last six months, the majority of which it just goes into the abyss. Todays fi. Ures just goes into the abyss. Todays figures for just goes into the abyss. Todays figures for the just goes into the abyss. Todays figures for the three just goes into the abyss. Todays figures for the three months i just goes into the abyss. Todays figures for the three months to l figures for the three months to november showed unemployment rose to 5 , with more than 1. 7 Million People out of work, the highest level in five years, and a number of people claiming benefits hit 2. 6 million in december. It people claiming benefits hit 2. 6 million in december. People claiming benefits hit 2. 6 million in december. It would have been significantly million in december. It would have been significantly worse million in december. It would have been significantly worse without i million in december. It would havel been significantly worse without the furlough been significantly worse without the furlough scheme. Just to put it into context. Furlough scheme. Just to put it into context, over the last 20 years, the Unemployment Rate on average was 5~7 ~ Unemployment Rate on average was 5. 796. ,. ,. ,. ,
5. 796. Hospitality and retail continue 5. 796. Hospitality and retail continue to 5. 796. Hospitality and retail continue to be 5. 796. Hospitality and retail continue to be the 5. 796. Hospitality and retail continue to be the hardest| 5. 796. Hospitality and retail. Continue to be the hardest hit sectors. The high street was already struggling, but the pandemic has accelerated the shift towards online shopping, and in 2020, nearly 180,000 retailjobs in the uk were lost, and predictions for 2021 are grim. And debenhams is the latest casualty. It survived recessions and world wars, but after nearly 250 years, it is disappearing from the high street. 0nline retailer boo hoo is buying the brand but is not taking on the stores or its 12,000 strong workforce. I taking on the stores or its 12,000 strong workforce. Strong workforce. I dont think weve ever strong workforce. I dont think weve ever seen strong workforce. I dont think weve ever seen anything i strong workforce. I dont think weve ever seen anything like | strong workforce. I dont think weve ever seen anything like this, and unfortunately i dont think its going to stop. This and unfortunately i dont think its going to stop and unfortunately i dont think its going to stop. This cheshire based recruiter says going to stop. This cheshire based recruiter says despite going to stop. This cheshire based recruiter says despite the going to stop. This cheshire based recruiter says despite the obvious l recruiter says despite the obvious challenges, there are new opportunities, also might. Retail is massive. Opportunities, also might. Retail is massive you opportunities, also might. Retail is massive. You have opportunities, also might. Retail is massive. You have the opportunities, also might. Retail is massive. You have the distribution | massive. You have the distribution network, online, and there are new jobs that have been created in
e commerce, marketing and lots of other places. For ecommerce, marketing and lots of other places other places. For the last 28 years, andrea has other places. For the last 28 years, andrea has worked other places. For the last 28 years, andrea has worked for other places. For the last 28 years, andrea has worked for fashion i other places. For the last 28 years, | andrea has worked for fashion brand jaeger, most recently as a manager in leamington spa, but the chains collapsed and she lost herjob does make weeks ago. Collapsed and she lost her ob does make weeks ago. I collapsed and she lost her ob does make weeks agoi make weeks ago. Obviously, im t in to make weeks ago. Obviously, im trying to keep make weeks ago. Obviously, im trying to keep my make weeks ago. Obviously, im trying to keep my flat make weeks ago. Obviously, im trying to keep my flat on. Its i make weeks ago. Obviously, im i trying to keep my flat on. Its hard to feel trying to keep my flat on. Its hard to feel suddenly that there is no salary to feel suddenly that there is no salary coming in and youve got bills salary coming in and youve got bills to salary coming in and youve got bills to pay. Salary coming in and youve got bills to pay salary coming in and youve got billsto a. Bills to pay. The government says rants bills to pay. The government says grants and bills to pay. The government says grants and loans bills to pay. The government says grants and loans are bills to pay. The government says grants and loans are helping i bills to pay. The government says grants and loans are helping to i grants and loans are helping to protectjobs during these difficult times, but economists warn the furlough scheme is hiding the true picture of unemployment, and worse is still to come. Sarah caulker, bbc news. Democrats in the us house of representatives have officially delivered their article of impeachment against former President Donald Trump to the senate. Its the first step in the process of putting him on trial, accused of inciting the insurrection when his supporters stormed Congress Earlier this month. In india thousands of farmers protesting changes to agricultural law have entered delhis historic red fort complex. 0n foot and in tractors, they fought through police
barricades and tear gas and one at protestor has died. The farmers say theyll lose income, but the government insists it is liberalising the sector. Northern irelands executive is to publish a report this into the treatment of women in mother and baby homes and other institutions. The document is expected to outline a litany of abuse suffered by about 10,000 pregnant unmarried women and girls between the 1920s and the 1990s. Heres our ireland correspondent, chris page. The first thing they did was they took my name from me. They said i could no longer use my ordinary name and i was given a name to use while i was there. I wasnt to discuss where i came from, or any of my circumstances, with any of the other girls. Adele, who doesnt want her full identity revealed, is almost 70. When she was 17, she became pregnant and was sent here. Marianvale in newry in county down was an institution for unmarried mothers. It was very austere,
very regimented. One other thing that really struck me was the attitude of the nuns. They repeatedly called us fallen women, bad women. We had to pay for our sins. On one occasion, we had to put on a show for them and we had to dance for them. Dancing like dancing monkeys for their entertainment. It was horrendous. And that has stuck in my head and will stick in my head until the day i die. She says her experience of childbirth was traumatic and lonely and, afterfour months, she had to say goodbye to her baby boy, when he was adopted. I was told in no Uncertain Terms by the nuns and by my parents, by my mother especially, that the baby was not coming home and that was it. There were no other options and i wasnt given any other options. Adele met her son when he contacted her a0 years afterwards. But other children didnt get
to know their mothers in later life. Marks mother was also in marianvale. He discovered her identity recently. Her name was kathleen maguire. Shed moved to england and, he says, died young. You know, istill should have been afforded the right to have met with my mother. I was the only child she had. Ifound out she had no other children. She subsequently married, i think, when she went to england, and i really hope she was happy. The stories of shame, stigma and secrecy in Northern Ireland echo those in the irish republic, where there has been a government apology. Campaigners in this part of the uk want the same. Abuse of women and babies did not stop at the border. The state here not only permitted but policed what happened and is ultimately responsible for the grave and systemic human rights abuses of these women. Today, ministers in belfast will discuss what should happen next. Adele hopes there will be a Public Inquiry into the organisations who ran mother and baby homes. They took our dignity, they took our rights, they took our freedoms. We should have been wrapped in care and love and looked after and our children looked after, not given away. Chris page reporting. The impact of covid 19 continues to be felt notjust by the families of those who die but also by those who help support them as they make final arrangements. For funeral directors, its been an exhausting and emotional 12 months, as tim muffett reports. West malling in kent, and an extra delivery of coffins to keep up with demand. Normally, wed have a larger, sort of 20, maybe 30 coffins being delivered here, but again, because of the levels that weve seen, weve had to have more frequent deliveries. Ive been in the profession for over 20 years, and ive never experienced anything like this before. Viner and sons was established in 1777. Right now, its conducting twice as many funerals as normal for this time of year. Covid cases, i would say, were around 80 of the deceased that we are dealing with. Its been a struggle for us. Obviously, we are dealing with bereaved families in general anyway, and when you are under such circumstances as covid, it just heightens everything. It heightens emotions, and you know, as much as we are here to to deal with that, obviously we cant get involved obviously we cant help but get involved with families emotions as well. A crematorium in maidstone, and the funeral of 86 year old beryl hook. My mum was a lovely lady. Well, she gave birth to me, brought me up, and i could not fault her. She was very generous, very caring. What else can i say, really . She was my mum, and already im missing her. Unfortunately, she contracted covid in hospital, and sadly,
within a week, she passed away. Its extremely frustrating, because obviously we couldnt go and see her when she was conscious still in the hospital, and you know, i weve come here today, and it still doesnt feel. Like proper closure, because there was no contact from her going into hospital to the death to the funeral. | go getter. How draining is that for you and your colleagues . Emotionally, very draining. You know, when we have to deal with the families coming in to us, but physically as well. You know, its a very manualjob, its a very hands on job. This sort of profession has been taboo for many, many years, but i think that its quite sad, but Something Like this has had to bring it to the forefront. That report from tim muffett. Time for a look at the weather. Heres chris fawkes