Corona virus

Pretty much a repeat of yesterday – cold, overcast, misty but not raining or windy. I was back wearing a scarf for my walk. I don’t mind. As long as I’m wrapped up. I don’t much like driving rain, gusty wind or sleet. The rest I can cope with. Over the course of my 344 days I’ve been walking in all sorts. Today was good.

I visited my adopted horse who came over to receive his carrot.

Back home I’ve have been doing a last read through my Harper book before it goes off to the publishers and I’ve started writing a new Sci-fi novel. I’ve nearly drafted out the first chapter – lots of ideas. It’s flowing.

I’ve also been playing some uplifting Coasters! A fun band!! I do like 50s R & B.

Meanwhile out in Coronaland it’s a mixed picture – mainly good though.

The new vaccines are proving exceptionally safe and remarkably successful at preventing illness and death. More even than the scientists and politicians could possibly have hope for. The death rates are now coming down so fast in the older groups who have been vaccinated that we will soon be recorded far fewer deaths than normal.

I bet this is making the antivaxxers feel really silly for believing all those rubbish conspiracy theories and not having more faith in science. I blame fools like Trump for undermining belief in science.

It is becoming more and more obvious that we will be having vaccine passports as countries are already making demands.

I have noticed a real upward note in the scientists as they see the fantastic effects of the vaccine. There is talk of getting back to normal by summer.

When the vulnerable are all vaccinated it will take the pressure off the health service. People will not be getting ill enough to require hospital treatments and the death rate will come right down. The only people at risk will be antivaxxers, those unable to have the jab for medical reasons and an unlucky small number for whom the vaccine is not effective.

It is rare for the young to get very ill.

That then poses the question – do we have to stay locked down in order to protect that minority when the bulk of those more vulnerable are choosing to put themselves at risk by refusing to be vaccinated?

I would suggest not. When all those above fifty are vaccinated I reckon we could completely open up and go back to normal.

There are only a few major obstacles:

Firstly we have the possibility of variants, such as the Brazilian strain, which might make the vaccine useless. If they were allowed to spread (now that our inept government with its lax border control has allowed them into the country) we could be in trouble. That could keep us locked down under a modified booster jab is available in Autumn.

Secondly, there might be too many antivaxxers so that the strain on health services would be too great to allow opening up.

Thirdly, vaccinated people might still be able to spread the disease (athough the evidence is mounting that this is not the case).

Let’s hope!! I want my freedom and a big dose of normality!!

Stay safe!!

It was a fabulous day in Yorkshire – clear blue skies and warm sun. There was no wind at all. It felt very spring-like. We took a long three hour walk and had lunch on a bench in the countryside. The birds were chirping in the trees and bushes.

Unfortunately it is not going to last. Next week looks to be cold and cloudy all week. At least it’s not going to rain!!

Back home I have been listening to the early Animals and doing a bit of writing.

Meanwhile out in Coronaland our lying government continues.

I think it is worthwhile every now and again to remind ourselves of the sheer level of incompetence of our populist macho leaders.

Even accounting for the differences in size of population the differences are stark. Vietnam with a population one and a half times the size of the UK, a massive border and close proximity to China, has only 35 total deaths compared to the UK’s 123,000.

The three macho populist leaders – Trump, Bolsonaro and Johnson have nearly 900,000 deaths between them. They three non-populist leaders have less than 1000.

Why is that?

The reason is obvious – policies. Trump, Bolsonaro and Johnson were complacent, denied, dithered and were slow to act.

The successful countries were quick to act, decisive and quickly got outbreaks under control.

Simple.

My conclusion – macho, populist leaders are crap and should be held to accound for the massive death tolls their attitude has unleashed!!

We’re still not on top of things. Despite the vaccination programme now rolling out to the over forties, the damage has already been done!!

One thing I’m perplexed by is why are we not hearing anything much about long covid. It seems that between 10-15% of covid cases end up with long-lasting effects – brain fog, lack of energy, aches, pains, headaches, difficulty sleeping……….. Why aren’t we hearing more? Is it brain damage? Liver damage? Kidney Damage? Damage to blood vessels? Heart or lungs? We are not hearing. I’m sure people are looking into it.

So, as the vaccination rolls out – get yours as soon as you can, get yourself safe and help protect the community. As the Brazil variant starts to appear in our midst we need to keep the virus down to a minimum all over the globe to stop new variants and protect us in the future.

Stay safe!! The nigh has an end!!

There was a cold easterly wind today that was blowing rain into my face as I walked up my hill. Not my favourite walk!

Back home I warmed up with a cup of tea and some Elvis Presley Rock ‘n’ Roll.

I’ve been carrying out the final edit on my Roy Harper book. I’m halfway through. I have to send it in before the end of the month. I still need more photos.

Outside in Coronaland there are some interesting debates taking place. As the vaccine rolls out it brings a few things into sharper relief.

At what point do we have enough vulnerable people vaccinated before we can start to lift the lockdown?

Will we have achieved herd immunity by summer?

Will our pathetic track and trace system cope with mopping up local outbreaks?

Shouldn’t we have brought in stringent health checks and monitoring at our borders long ago (like other countries)?

When will we get our second shot?

Will the variants evolve faster than we can react to them?

How long before the vaccines no longer afford defence against the variants?

With the older generations vaccinated should they have freedom to move around freely while the younger ones have to distance and isolate? – Particularly after the young peoples’ freedom has been curtailed to protect the elderly.

Should we introduce vaccination passports to give freedom to the vaccinated or does this discriminate against the unvaccinated?

Will companies such as travel agents and airlines require proof of vaccination?

Will countries demand vaccination proof as an entry requirement?

Meanwhile, the infection rates in the UK continue to come down, as do hospital cases and deaths – but they are still high. It’s also coming down in the States – though the number of deaths 3,570 yesterday, is frightening! Perhaps they are mainly the fools who refuse to socially distance or wear masks?

I’m off to do another hour of editing before watching the rugby and then the football. I might even have a beer or two!!

Stay safe! The end is looming.