By the time this issue of the Post is published, many of those reading my column will be almost a week into Tier 4 restrictions due to a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in both Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire.

There’s no doubt these restrictions will present challenges for us all, especially as it felt as though we were just beginning to get back to some sort of still-curbed normality.

Those shops classed as non-essential and hairdressers have had to close, as have our restaurants and cafes, with a number of them already moving to a takeaway or delivery service.

We all know these steps are necessary if we want to stop this virus in its tracks, and we all know that we must comply to make sure that happens.

But that doesn’t make it any easier, especially for those businesses who were preparing for the Christmas period, which as we know is often their busiest time of the year.

Our communities will be affected too – and unlike the last lockdown, many of those third sector organisations and vital community groups who stepped up earlier in the year to continue delivering essential services to those most in need are now facing extinction or severe funding cuts.

I saw for myself when I volunteered at the G13/G14 Hub how important that project was to many people – whether that was because of the project’s volunteers delivering food, picking up prescriptions or just knowing someone was there to speak to and offer advice if you needed it. That was a vital reassurance for many that they weren’t alone in this.

Those community links are crucial as we continue to face the ramifications of this crisis. Even with a vaccine now very much in our sights, and people beginning to believe and think of a future that does not include Covid-19, we must think of those with issues that won’t disappear when this pandemic is over.

I truly do fear what we will find in the aftermath of this crisis - but we all must prepare ourselves for that and be prepared to tackle those issues as they appear to us.

Whether it’s saving jobs and businesses or looking to the challenges that face our communities - it is clear we must work together to not only get our city through the tough economic times ahead but to ensure our communities are supported and safe.

For me, that work begins with the Scottish Government and the UK Government acknowledging the level of support Glasgow needs – and giving us that fair deal that our people are depending on.