Throughout lockdown I produced a daily rant on the state of play and daily life. It provides a fascinating insight into what was happening during this historic period under an atrocious government.
I gathered the rants together into a book. This is the second volume.
The Corona Diaries – Day 211
Posted on October 20, 2020 by Opher
A warm day today. I chanced the supermarket today to get hold of some Pastel de Natas (delicious Portuguese custard tarts). Worth the risk.
I walked up my hill in sunshine and then went for a coffee with friends – topics of conversation included the loathsome nature of Trump, the ineptitude of Johnson and the fatigue that has been creeping in with this constant coronavirus.
It is the constant state of alertness when out, the artificial circumstances when meeting up, the lack of contact. It has a psychological effect.
The winter is closing in and I think we’re looking ahead with a bit of dread. With the cold meeting up outside is going to be a nightmare.
They are talking of a vaccine but not until after Christmas. That is going to be hard – not meeting up with family and friends. We all just want this to end. But we’re far from that. The virus is still surging. There were another 18,803 new cases with 80 deaths. The measures being brought in are not going to solve it. The medical guys have already said that.
Wales and Scotland have introduced a ‘fire-break’ – that’s a lockdown. They call it something else in order to be different to Johnson.
Johnson seems to want to dump the North of England and Andy Burnham has emerged as the new saviour. But after 5 days of talks the government has walked away and it looks like the North is going to be shafted again. They have to lockdown without adequate compensation. So much for Rishi Sunak’s we’ll do whatever it takes. They will if it’s in the South.
However the South will get theirs when the whole of the southern counties become a huge carpark for Brexit lorries and people and companies fleeing to Europe. Lol.
In the USA the election is hotting up with a desperate Trump calling the neo-Nazi militia out onto the streets, threatening not to leave the Whitehouse if he loses and calling his chief science adviser Anthony Fauci a disaster.
It seems there is only one candidate as a disaster and that is the guy who led the country to 220,000 deaths. There were another 64,218 new cases and 517 deaths. It’s no wonder most of the country think he’s an almighty fool. He’s got the worst record in the world.
I’m hoping that in two weeks’ time Trump is kicked out and we can all start to heal. As soon as Brexit is out the way I think the callous Tories will dump the liability of Johnson – just as soon as he’s served his purpose, got Brexit done and made them a lot of money.
Then there’s just that hapless Bolsonaro to go – the leader who presided over 154,000 deaths from that ‘little flu’.
Once all these divisive populist right-wingers have been kicked into touch we can turn our attention to healing, bringing people back together, dealing with the environmental crisis and biodiversity and healing nature. Until then – stay safe!
The Corona Diaries – Day 212
Posted on October 21, 2020 by Opher
I’m feeling crap today, no energy, listless and fed-up. I’ve got a bit of a cold and upset stomach.
It didn’t stop me doing my walk. I went up on my hill. It was cool and murky, overcast and misty. The air felt dank. But even so it was good to be out there in nature. That is revitalising.
Back home I’ve been working on my Harper book and playing a bit of Al Stewart. That takes me back fifty years!!
Life is very short. Make the most of it.
Out here in Coronaland the picture is looking grim. we’ve surged up to 21,330 new cases and 241 deaths. I can’t see Johnson’s tiers doing the job. I think we’re in for a lot of deaths.
The stupidity is scary. The Tories really don’t seem to care about the North. They don’t mind if businesses go under and people starve. Why aren’t they supporting people properly?
They have just brought in testing at the airports. Doors, horse and bolted come to mind. It’s Oct 21st. Surely that should have happened in March???
They are doing trials on a vaccine – they are deliberately infecting people to see if it works. (I think the government is secretly doing a big trial in the North of England). I hope it works I’m getting sick of all this. A bit of normality would be good.
Meanwhile there are only two weeks to go in the US election. I so hope that Trump gets dumped and the Republicans taught a lesson. Their attitude is brazenly corrupt. 4 more years of environmental damage and bitter division. Doesn’t bear thinking about.
In Brazil there were another 23,227 new cases and 661 deaths. I hope Bolsonaro is proud?
Stay safe everybody – the worst is yet to come!!
The Corona Diaries – Day 213
Posted on October 22, 2020 by Opher
i was feeling so much better toady – raring to go. I bounded up my hill in the bright sunlight – now achieved 213 consecutive 10,000 steps. I’m Covid fit!
Back home I’ve been working on my Harper book and playing a bit of Robert Wyatt. Such a distinctive voice.
A productive day!!
Back in Coronaland the Tories excelled themselves in nastiness – voting to let the kids starve. But then that is no less than I would expect of them. Evil snobs.
In the States there is record early voting and the polls are moving more towards Biden. I hope they are right. The chaotic Trump policies are so damaging – the environment, the WHO, UN and the extreme right wing Neo-Nazis. We so need rid of that division and stoking up of hatred, all these lies, conspiracy theories and belligerence. There’s much more to life than money!! Not that the chump is good with money – other than stealing it for himself.
Then there’s the callous Tories refusing to look after the most deprived kids – let them starve!! I hope it rebounds on them big time. They are so arrogant.
We are being told about long-covid now – and scared with the possibility that even if you get it mildly it can cause long-term damage to heart, lungs and brain (and just about every other organ) and leave you without energy. But what they don’t tell you is how many people are affected this way. Where are the stats???
We’re not having a lockdown but soon the whole country will be moved to tiers (it’s cheaper). It certainly leaves me in tears.
Scotland is preparing for a digital Christmas. Wales and Ireland are locked down. In England the new cases soar to 26,687 and deaths rise to 191. Out world-beating Track and Trace is only tracing less than 60% – more breast-beating than world-beating. The arguments go on with regional Mayors. The North is abandoned. Johnson is being ripped in half by his own MPs. Half of them want to throw the country to the wolves and the other half want tighter measures. The new northern MPs are watching with dismay as Cummings shows contempt for northerners and their chances of re-election dwindle. We’ve got Brexit looming – and the chaos, expense and job losses from that will have to be blamed on Covid.
Wow!! What a turbulent time.
In the USA the new cases have soared to 62,751 with an horrendous 1,171 deaths – some of the loony right might be regretting going to Trump rallies without masks and social distancing. They’ll be dying for a sinking cause as Trump’s popularity continues to dive.
In Brazil it is going up again – another 24,818 new cases and 566 deaths.
What a bunch of inept leaders we voted in!!!
Stay safe! There’s always tomorrow!!