The Corona Diaries – Day 236

Posted on by Opher

Well day 236 finds us both fine, if a little jaded and out of sorts, but my younger sister and her husband have gone down with the virus. Hopefully they will be OK. It’s a bit scary.

This second lockdown doesn’t feel like a lockdown at all. There are a lot of cars on the roads, people on the streets and a general complacency. We’ll see if it works. I don’t hold out much hope for Christmas.

We went out for a two hour stroll around the village and back lane. It was a contrast to yesterday. There was a warm wing with grey skies and fast moving cloud – but we didn’t get rained on!

Out in Coronaland:

Here in the UK there was a small drop in new cases down to 27,301 with 376 deaths. It’s a move in the right direction.

What a mess Johnson has made of this – 50,000 deaths – the worst in Europe! The worst hit economy – The worst number of job losses. I hope they are going to be held to account for this fiasco.

At least getting rid of that arrogant git Cummings was a move in the right direction. That lying piece of scum has cost this country billions and created havoc. A complete slimeball. The question is – how will our brainless, lazy prime minister cope now? Will he get some other cretin in to do the work he should be doing?

Talking of lazy gits – my attention goes to the USA – Trump out on the golf course and not going to the Coronavirus meetings, in fact avoiding working at all – just in a surly temper tantrum. Meanwhile, the USA is in big trouble. The new virus cases soared to 181,194 with 1389 more deaths yesterday. That is staggering. It is a complete disaster – yet the moron responsible is out playing golf!! Unbelievable!! He’s still lying and falsely claiming fraud, not conceding and denying Biden access.

Not just a sore loser but a real threat to democracy. The sooner he gets locked up for dodgy dealing or tax evasion the better.

Vietnam and New Zealand continue to show us all how to do it. They both have just three new cases and no deaths yesterday. That’s not by chance; that’s planning and strategy. It makes Trump, Johnson and Bolsonaro look like fools!! I know, that’s not hard.

The big questions are – will lockdown work this time? How good is this fast speed testing?? And when do we get the vaccine??

Keep watching this space – and stay safe!!

The Corona Diaries – Day 235

Posted on by Opher

The sun was shining. The sky was deep blue. It was cold.

I walked up my hill humming to myself. Not only have we got rid of Trump but Cummings is going too!! The whole world is looking brighter. I think I can feel a poem coming – The Sleazebag and the Weasel! I’ll have a work on that later!!

It is good to hear the way the right-wing propaganda machine is pumping out crap.

It appears that 45 million Trump ballots were recently discovered in a crater on the Moon.

80 million Trump ballots were discovered on the International Space Station.

Add them together and he easily won!

It’s a bit worrying to think of his rampaging around in the Whitehouse with access to the nuclear button, replacing all the military hierarchy with loonies. What damage could he do in the next two months?? In the middle of a hissy fit he could nuke California!!

Back home I’ve been listening to a bit of Sleepy John Estes and writing. Feeling good. I was really out of sorts yesterday.

Meanwhile, in Coronaland, the government is imploding as usual. Following Lee Cain we now have Dominic Cummings. Johnson will be in a mess. He can’t think for himself. The lead clown will have to lead and he is a loose cannon. Anything could happen. The circus is collapsing. Brexit is looming. The pandemic is raging. The invisible clown has all his crew jumping ship!! Looks like Carrie Symonds is running the joint now!!

Where we live was the worst area for covid in the UK. For once it is not good to be number one! It would be a bit tragic to get really ill with it just when the vaccine is in sight!

There are concerns the the fake news, USA antivaxxers, are making intrusions into the UK. A lot of people are believing the conspiracy theories. We’re being injected with implants! The vaccine is lethal. It causes cancer and autism!

Bollocks.

Some people will believe anything.

The real worry is that all this false science undermines the efforts to solve the crisis. If people don’t get vaccinated then we do not get herd immunity and we are lumbered with the virus and all the disruption it causes. Personally I don’t want to be isolated for the rest of my life. Get bloody vaccinated!!

In the USA yesterday there were a staggering 163,402 new cases with 1,172 more deaths. We’re getting blasé. ONE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY TWO people died yesterday!! That’s a quarter of all the soldiers killed in Iraq!!! In one single day!!

Trump has let the virus go berserk! Telling people not to fear it, not to wear masks or social distance. There are going to be a lot more deaths. By the time he’s out of office his gullible base might be severely reduced!!

It’s not much better over here. Even with lockdown we’ve zoomed up to another 33,470 cases with 563 deaths. Trump-light Johnson is almost as inept and Bolsonaro is presiding over another 33,207 new cases and 906 more deaths – in a single day!!

We are being ruled by ignorant cretins!!!

In Vietnam there was 1 new case and no deaths.

In New Zealand there were 4 new cases and no deaths.

These things don’t happen by chance!! They are the result of preparation and strategy. New Zealand and Vietnam were properly prepared and took the necessary steps. We were unprepared, too slow, totally inept and stupid.

But hey, the people voted sleazeballs and clowns into power. What do you expect??

Stay safe – only a few more months to go!! (well, maybe six).

The Corona Diaries – Day 234

Posted on by Opher

The sun shone again so we decided on a visit to the sea and headed out to Filey, Filey is a little fishing village in a bay with cliffs all around. Very picturesque. Because we are in lockdown there was not many people around. We walked about, up and down, took a few photos and came home.

Having completed the first draft on my new book I’m now starting the redraft. It all takes time.

I’ve been playing some old Big Bill Broonzy records. Haven’t played them for years!! Good stuff.

Meanwhile, in Coronaland Trump is still in a sulk and refusing to concede and the Republicans are trying every dirty trick they can to overturn the result. They’ll fail. Biden won. Grow up and get used to it. Nobody likes a bad loser.

Meanwhile the fruit of Trump’s poor leadership is coming home to roost – another record 142,856 new cases with 1431 more deaths.

Just imagine if there were that many war casualties in a single day. There would be uproar. But there he is, ignoring it, pretending it will go away, offering quack remedies and encouraging people not to distance or wear masks.

Trump is a mass murderer!!! No doubt about it!! 242,000 deaths lie at his door!!! Most of those were preventable!!

Meanwhile in the UK we pass 50,000 deaths with the worst record in Europe!! We’re on a par with Trump and Bolsonaro as the worst in the world!!

UK – 22,950 new cases – 596 deaths yesterday!!!!

Brazil – 10,917 new cases and 231 new deaths

It’s official – we’re worse than Brazil. That’s bad!!

Vietnam – 26 new cases and no deaths.

New Zealand – 3 new cases and no deaths.

We’re a tragic mess!!

There is chaos in government – chief advisor Lee Cain resigns, Dominic Cummings is vacillating and disaster looms.

Brexit is on the horizon and there is an absolute mess. No deal with the EU, now that Trump has gone – no deal with the USA, no deal with Canada and chaos ahead.

Just what we need!! Turmoil, ineptitude, economic catastrophe, job losses, tariffs, lorry queues, covid-19 and Johnson floundering around like a headless chicken.

Stay safe everyone! Turbulence ahead!

The Corona Diaries – Day 233

Posted on by Opher

It was overcast today. I went for a walk up my hill with my friend Nick. We talked a lot – everything from vaccination to Trump! That was good

Back home I set to doing some writing and, amazingly completed the first draft of the book! – 58,000 words 190 pages! I’ve just started the second draft.

I’m feeling very weary!

Outside in Coronaland the excitement is building! A vaccine is on the horizon with a few worries concerning mutating viruses in mink farms in Denmark.

Sounds to me that this might be a good time to put a stop to all wet markets, killing and transport of wild animals and the keeping of animals in cruel conditions!

Haven’t we evolved away from this cruelty? Do we really need mink fur trim? Does that really justify keeping these poor creatures locked up inhumanely in tiny wire cages?

Time to change.

Animals are as conscious as we are. They feel pain.

Sometimes I think we deserve a far worse virus (I’m sure one will come) – we behave so stupidly and wickedly. We have no compassion or empathy for the suffering we are causing.

Two million poor mink – just for fur trim.

Trump is leaving his surly legacy – 139,855 new cases is a record as is 1448 deaths! Trumpism kills!

In Brazil there were another 23,976 cases and they’ve stopped recording the deaths. Bolsonaro is the South American Trump!

In the UK with have Trump-light Johnson – another 20,412 new cases and deaths soar to 532! We’re the first in Europe to exceed 50,000 deaths!!

Vietnam has a big surge – they zoomed up to 26 new cases – and no deaths.

In New Zealand they had just one new case and no deaths. Couldn’t we buy Jacinda??? It would be a hell of a lot cheaper that all the money the government is wasting!

Meanwhile the extremists are having a field day. They are using the web to radicalise a whole new generation. Conspiracy theories are rife. Trump and his minions are putting out a ton a day!

This pandemic is really showing up the North South divide. As long as the worst hit are in the north everything is hunky dory. The poverty and poor standards are being emphasised by government policy. It’ll carry on right up until they need votes.

But – hang in there – a vaccine is coming. By May we will be back to normal!! They just haven’t said which year!

Stay safe.

The Corona Diaries – Day 232

Posted on by Opher

I’ve spent most of the day writing – which has been enjoyable. It involves listening to a lot of good music!

I’ve been playing a lot Jackson C Frank which always makes me feel a little sad.

This afternoon we took a walk along the cliffs at Bridlington. There was a diffuse foggy, autumnal light that was very strange, eerie and interesting. Very different to last time we came. A carpet of leaves greeted us in Sewerby gardens. A pleasant walk.

Back in Coronaland I thought it would be interesting to compare the death rates of my chosen countries:

USA (top of the list) – 239,000 deaths (Population 331 million)

Brazil – 163,000 deaths (Population 212.5 million)

UK – 49,238 deaths (Population – 68 million)

Vietnam – 35 deaths. (Population – 97 million)

New Zealand -25 deaths (Population – 5 million)

Well, you can do the math. If New Zealand was compared, population-wise, to the USA there would be 1,650 deaths whereas Vietnam would just have 140 deaths. For me it clearly shows what a mess Trump, Bolsonaro and Johnson have made of things. Populism – inept and irresponsible.

In the USA it is continuing to surge with another 130,553 cases and 745 deaths. Despite this appalling record, Trump is doing everything he can to hold on to power. I notice that the international observers gave the election a clean bill of health. He doesn’t care if he destroys democracy! I see Biden is already taking steps to sort Trump’s mess out!

In the UK we have another 21,350 cases. They let it get out of control!! Can they get the genie back in the bottle??

Well mass testing might come to their rescue. That seems to be the best hope for the near future.

The vaccine might appear before Christmas but will only be used on Care Homes and key workers. It won’t get rolled out to us until Spring. That another four or five months to get through! I’m pleased to see that they are talking about funding the NHS to deliver it. Use the professionals!! That’s what they should have done with Track and Trace! We wouldn’t be in this mess.

This isolation is becoming very wearying!! I might take to drink or dope in a big way!!

Just 5 months to go Folks – Stay safe!

The Corona Diaries – Day 231

Posted on by Opher

I walked on a carpet of bright yellow and gold today as I started up my hill. It was worthy of a painting. The leaves had dropped in patterns. The colurs exquisite.

Around me the landscape was quiet, a hiatus before the cold of winter. Everything winding down.

After 231 days of weird isolation I’m becoming weary. I crave normality. I’m very busy all the time and wondering how I fitted a busy life into this schedule. I’m also wondering what it will be like when we emerge.

Out in Coronaland there is good news. The Pfizer vaccine has been shown to be over 90% effective. Of course, there are many more obstacles to be overcome yet. It will take months to fully check and get the vaccination out to the public – but we have already bought up 40 million shots. We could be back to normal by next Spring.

Next Spring sounds a long way off but it sure looks as if there is some light.

I have to laugh when I hear the ridiculous conspiracy theories already starting to hit social media. The vaccine news was deliberately held up in order to be after the election and Bill Gates in implanting chips into everyone. Some people are nuts!! They’ll believe anything. They’ll even believe the earth is flat and Jesus is coming back!

In the States there were another 103,657 new cases with another 464 deaths. Already Biden is putting out a different message – one of science and reality. He is telling everyone that the hospitals and deaths are rising and they need to distance and wear masks. It’s good to hear some sense for a change.

In the UK we have another 20,572 new cases with 156 deaths. The message is that we are unlikely to be out of the woods until next Spring – so keep distancing. With 1300 hospital cases we need to protect ourselves.

In Brazil it’s back up to 23,976 new cases while in New Zealand it’s 4 and Vietnam 2.

I have to laugh. I heard someone today saying that Johnson has been doing a good job. I had to put them right.

Johnson, Trump and Bolsonaro have done appallingly while leaders such as Jacinda Ardern have been outstanding.

So, stay safe until Spring!! I’m looking forward to gigs, plays and hugs!!

The Corona Diaries – Day 229

Posted on by Opher

Welcome to Isolation! The days are flowing by. It’s not too bad in here in isolation. We get by. There are good and bad things.

Here we are back in Lockdown – but this is lockdown light – not that any of it makes any difference. We cannot do a lot of things that we love doing. We can’t go to gigs, theatres or cinemas. We can see our family or friends. We can’t nip down the pub or go to the restaurant.

Thank heavens for nature, music and dramas. I’ve watched more dramas than I knew existed. Some good and some OK.

Thank heavens for telephones and walks.

Thank heavens for writing.

Today I’ve done some writing, listened to some music (Nick Harper) and I walked up my hill. This afternoon I watched the football. Life is still pretty hectic. I don’t have time to fit everything in!

But I’m suffering Lockdown fatigue!

This second lockdown is very different to the first. To start with, we’ve already decorated the whole house!

In general I think everybody has woken up to the fact that the government are a load of plonkers who don’t know what they are doing. Nobody is taking any notice of them any longer. We are sorting out what we think is safe. Some of their rules simply do not make biological sense!!

I weak a mask when shopping.

I socially distance.

I wash my hands.

I don’t ever go inside anywhere unless I have to. I only shop for essentials.

We don’t meet up with anybody unless outside, distanced.

We exercise each day.

That’s about it

Out in Coronaland:

I’ve noticed that unlike the first lockdown nothing looks any different. The streets are just as packed as normal. The roads are full of cars.

We can meet up with a friend, we can go in bubbles, we can do click and collect. Schools and universities are open. Public toilets are open. Preschool kids don’t count.

In the UK there were another 23,287 new cases with 355 more deaths. Now, I don’t want to read too much in this but New Zealand had 2 new cases and no deaths and Vietnam had 1 new case and no deaths.

I would suggest that this is almost entirely due to the fact that we are led by a bunch of Bullingdon Boy nincompoops who can’t find their own bottoms!

Brazil has another 23,976 new cases – there, more proof – another populist moron who doesn’t have a clue.

The USA – another staggering record 132,797 new cases with 1223 deaths. More proof – another populist imbecile who couldn’t care less.

Total deaths in New Zealand – 25! Every Trump rally kills more than that!!

I’m just hoping that the vaccine comes quickly and is safe and effective. I’m hoping that in between we can have fast, simple tests that may help us gain control!!

Until then – Stay Safe!!

And Congratulations Joe Biden!!!

Today’s Music to keep me SsSSAAaAnNnneeee in Isolation – Nick Harper

Posted on by Opher

Right now I’m playing his new album – Phantastes – it is sounding brilliant. The song writing, the poetry, that guitar playing. He’s a star!!

Here’s a few tracks:

The Corona Diaries – Day 226

Posted on by Opher

It was a bright sunny day as for our last day before the new lockdown starts tomorrow, so we went to the seaside! We walked along the front at Brid. It was delightful! The sun shone on the white cliffs, the town gleamed and the turnstones flocked around us!! Stunning!!

Back home I’ve been playing some John Renbourn (such a nice guy) and writing. All is good.

Tomorrow we go into lockdown!! It’s going to be more challenging in the cold and wet but it won’t make that much difference to us. We have been isolating anyway for 226 days!!

These idiotic politicians are acting too late again! They should have had a circuit-break a few weeks back when the numbers were lower. They could have got on top of it then. They could have shut everything for two weeks over half-term when the kids were off. The kids would only have missed five days then! Now there’s a lot more virus around and we’re going to be locked down for longer.

Some of their measures do not make sense. Why are we not allowed to play golf or tennis outside?? They couldn’t be much more socially distanced. They could shut changing rooms and club houses. But really?? There seems no scientific reason.

Why isn’t our invisible clown up there every day explaining the policies and spelling it out???

‘You are not allowed indoors at pubs and restaurants because the virus lives in droplets you breath out. They hang in the air inside buildings. You cannot keep them covid safe.’ He won’t because a lot of the measures (as with golf and tennis and 10.00 pm shutdowns, have no scientific basis! They don’t know what they are doing!! If he tried to spell it out he’d fall on his face – and he’s done that a few times, hasn’t he?

They missed their chance. In the Summer he could have insisted that all pubs and restaurants operated on an outside only policy. That would have been much safer. It was warm enough. Councils could have pedestrianized and enabled shops and eating places to operate outside. They could have reduced it right down. Then, with a reasonable Track and Trace, border controls and sufficient testing, we could have eradicated it just like New Zealand has done. We’re a bloody island!!

Instead – today we are going up – another 20,018 new cases today with 379 deaths. Johnson is determined to overtake Brazil in the competition for most inept populist leader – Brazil has another 11,843 new cases with another 243 deaths. Johnson wins today!! But the real dunce is Trump. The USA is soaring at 92,660 with another 1,130 deaths. And a lot of people still voted for the moron!! They must like brash ignorance and stupidity.

But then Frank Zappa said – ‘The only thing more common than hydrogen in the universe is stupidity’. They are proving it!!

Looks today as if the election is on a knife-edge. I reckon Biden will just shade it. it could spark big trouble either way.

Meanwhile, the countries that know what they are doing – Vietnam and New Zealand continue to show up our numbskull politicians. Neither had any deaths. New Zealand had 3 new cases and Vietnam ten new cases. Makes us look as stupid as the people we elect.

To leave on a couple of pieces of good news – it looks like the new saliva test (with a quick thirty minute result) is going to be out soon. That could be a game-changer. Then there is the prospect of a vaccine in the next five or six weeks. Something to look forward too!

Normality by next year? Unlikely with this mob in charge!! But…………

Stay safe!!

Today’s Music to keep me SssaaaaAnNnnEeEe in Isolation – John Renbourn

Posted on by Opher

One of the greatest exponents of the acoustic guitar and a really nice guy.