An elegant Covid memorial was unveiled in the heart of Sheffield yesterday, exactly three years since the first lockdown.
The stainless steel willow tree memorial was designed by architect George King and commissioned by Sheffield City Council.
Despite the memorial being well received, some Sheffielders have questioned whether it is the best way of remembering those who lost their lives during the pandemic and the vast effort from NHS and frontline workers.
When commissioned for the memorial design Mr King explained: “The Willow tree has a strong trunk which symbolises how people worked together to create the strength that was needed at such a difficult time. It is also a flexible and resilient tree…
“When a storm hits the tree bends with it.”
However, Frederic House, 20, a student who has had Covid three times said: “The sentiment of the memorial is really nice. It’s good that as a community we are always going to remember the pandemic, the people we lost, and the people who helped to get us out of it.
“But, we need statutes and not statues. Nurses and frontline workers need to be properly rewarded for their efforts during the pandemic with better pay.
“For ages now, nurses haven’t been paid enough and I think Covid exemplified that. Right now people all across the country are struggling with the cost of living as MP pay continues to rise.
“Gestures are nice but we need proper rewards for the true heroes of the pandemic.”
Councillor Terry Fox, leader of the Sheffield City Council has said the unveiling of the memorial “brought us together to show our respect for those who have lost their lives and those who have worked solidly throughout the pandemic to keep people as safe as possible”.
The Balm Green Gardens was packed on Thursday with people who hoped to see the unveiling. They also made speeches and shared personal stories from the pandemic as a poignant reminder of the struggles the community faced during the pandemic.
Millie Dunn, 20, a student who volunteered in hospitals during the pandemic said: “The memorial gives us an important opportunity to reflect on the pandemic and those who lost their lives.
“It’s also an opportunity to remember and thank the NHS for their critical work during the pandemic and to admire their selflessness when caring for those in need.
“But it’s important for us to thank the NHS in a more appropriate way.
“Right now there are nurse strikes due to an unprecedented struggle within the whole of society and within the NHS. Perhaps, that’s something that should be considered the more pressing issue.”