Week commencing Monday 12th October 2020. CV 19 kicks off big time again. At present there is no easy answer to this problem so why do we keep expecting one to appear or the government to magically pull something out of the hat. On one hand the virus is rapidly increasing, this calls for a national lockdown which was proven earlier in the year to reduce the infection rate. On the other hand there is a need to keep the economy going. Hello! We cannot have it both it just does not work. There is no balance between the 2 and that folks is that sad place we find ourselves in. The country said that a national lockdown would be disaster for the economy and peoples heath and that hot spot lockdowns were what was required, Boris then instigates hot spot lockdowns but no, that is not right and the new out cry is for a National Lockdown. God help me. What is happening is a disease and no one here is to blame for it. We have to get on with our lives as best as we can. I do understand that as I sit here in my ivory tower that I do not feel the weight of hardship of not being able to work, pay the bills or look after children. I am trying to record how I feel about what is happening for my diary and do not wish to offend anyone. But the reality is the disease cannot be allowed to run amok. The infection rate is over 16 thousand people a day here in the UK compared with 6 thousand at the earlier peak. Thankfully the death rate is nowhere near what is was then but people are still dying. Hopefully it will remain at a low rate but if it increases at the same rate as the infections it will be a total disaster. As I started out saying there is no easy answer to this I only wish there was. This week saw the introduction of a 3-tier system of lockdown for England Medium, High & Very High.

Nightingale hospitals in the North are to be put on standby. Buckinghamshire rates are increasing dramatically 87 per 100k compared to 22 per 100k last week. It has quadrupled in less than 7 days. Infection is predominantly in younger people but this is beginning to change. Wales is trying to implement a ban on travel into the country from Covid hot spots. Lancashire moves into Tier 3 whilst Manchester refuses to accept the situation. Slovenia tightens restrictions as cases spike and Poland urges people not to travel abroad whilst France reported over 30,000 new cases on Thursday. Other countries across Europe introduce tougher restrictions as cases surge. On a happier note (not) Brexit is looming fast and not so furious, it will creep in under the door and none will notice that we have a no deal or a bad deal. Autumn is in full swing and we have had some lovely days weather wise. As I look out of the window of my Ivory tower I can see the leaves turning colour on Winter Hill and recall watching the spring unfold whist I wrote my diary during the early hours of the morning of lock down 1. We have been out for a few walks this week but not ventured too far. I am currently engrossed in a jigsaw of Trafalgar Square which is quite difficult as it has so many windows. Looking forward to the weekend as Jon and Sarah are coming to stay and we are going to the VP for lunch. There is nothing else of note to report, not even anything exciting to eat. Spaghetti meatballs. Lamb Steaks. Pulled pork (not as good as last time) Smoked haddock risotto (which stank the house out for days.) Steak & frites. Chinese stir fry. Breaking news! Boris has just given a briefing 16.10.2020 and the infection rate per day is anywher from 22 thousdand to 74 thousand.