At 2pm on Sunday 9 March 2025, the Edinburgh Interfaith Association held an event at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh to remember and commemorate those who lost their lives since the COVID-19 pandemic began five years ago.

It was a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many, and the impact on us all;  a time to honour the work of healthcare staff, frontline workers, researchers, social care and volunteers who looked after patients, families, friends and who showed acts of kindness during an unprecedented time in history.

The ceremony was led by Mark Evans, Head of Spiritual Care for NHS Lothian and there were also readings from The Reverend Dr Festus Ogunmola, (Christian), Ruhy Parris (Bahai) and Safeena Rashid (Islam).

Although there were only six of us there, it was a very moving ceremony. In a way it was a bit like some of the early Covid funerals: we were speaking on behalf of so many people who simply could not be with us.

I read a poem called “These are the Hands”, by the author, broadcaster and humanist, Michael Rosen. He contracted Covid-19, and just before his doctors put him into an induced coma, they told him he “might not wake up”. Well, he did, and after weeks of rehab, he immortalised his experience of that strange, benumbed land between the living and the dead in a book.

It’s called, ‘Many Different Kinds of Love’ and one reviewer called it “an unalloyed homage to the Health Service, and to the enormous, ‘above and beyond’ commitment of its staff to a duty of care.”

It’s a very funny book, as well as very moving one. As he wrote, ‘They’ve been worried about my low blood pressure, but they’ve brought me the Daily Mail, so it’ll be fine in just a moment.’

What makes the book particularly touching is that Michael included excerpts from the patient diary that his nurses kept for him, to acknowledge the love and care they showed him while they themselves were suffering unimaginable trauma in their own lives.

These are the hands
That touch us first
Feel your head
Find the pulse
And make your bed.

These are the hands
That tap your back
Test the skin
Hold your arm
Wheel the bin
Change the bulb
Fix the drip
Pour the jug
Replace your hip.

These are the hands
That fill the bath
Mop the floor
Flick the switch
Soothe the sore
Burn the swabs
Give us a jab
Throw out sharps
Design the lab.

And these are the hands
That stop the leaks
Empty the pan
Wipe the pipes
Carry the can
Clamp the veins
Make the cast
Log the dose
And touch us last.