Thursday, 25 February 2021

More on Lockdown Life

 Friday 25th February.

 

Exciting news Ian’s got his letter and is getting his jab on Sunday. Mind you trying to book online for the vaccine venue in Marlow was like getting tickets for Glastonbury. Refresh, refresh, refresh. He could have gone to any number of venues ranging as far afield as Hemel Hempstead, St Albans and Oxford. There are several ones local to us but the option to choose them did not come up, they were not even available when we rang up and tried to book. Nothing available, they told us that you can book up to 15 days in advance. But they get booked up pretty fast.

Sara that volunteers at a vaccine centre said they were calling 30 extra people a day but a lot of the time they are hanging about with nothing to do. They also have plenty of vaccine and says it’s just because they are able to process people quicker as they are fitter and able to understand things better.

Just waiting for my turn now.

A lot more gardening being done here, glad to be able to get outdoors, it’s so nice to have something to do each day and perhaps having a better choice in the matter too rather than Walk, Jigsaw, TV, book, cleaning and repeat.

I am feeling so much more positive, I know there is a long way to go and if you take Ian’s 2nd jab is not until May 16th it will be the 1st week of June that he has the full benefit.

 

 

Some other things of note.

 

500,000 people have died of Covid  in the USA.

Teachers are to decide upon exam grades this year.

France v Scotland 6 nations game is postponed on Sunday due to the French team having 11 members down with Covid.

Covid cases in North and West Marlow have risen and are now up to 4 having been down to 0.

A lot of cases are still occurring in High Wycombe. Note – went to Aldi, not happy as very busy, going back to click and collect whether Ian likes it or not.

Portugal is seeing a steady decrease in cases after a surge in January. They had the highest infection rate in the world during this time and the healthcare service was under immense strain. Some patients were being flown to Madeira for treatment and Doctors from Germany were being flown to Lisbon.

Reduction in rates of stamp duty is to be extended and lower rates of VAT for Hospitality industry. More info on this in the budget next month.

Prince Phillip is still in hospital, he is said to have had an infection, this is his 10th day.

Ikea to launch its buy back scheme. If you bought a desk or home office from Ikea and now are back in your workplace, Ikeas are offering to buy it back from you.

I remember last year when shops reopened after lockdown that winter clothes were the only things for sale. So, when the shops reopen on April 12th will we just have the option of left-over Christmas jumpers?

 

 

Update from Martin Tett of Bucks Council

I’m pleased to be able to let you know that we’ve also been able to stand down the ‘Major Incident’ that we declared back in December when our local health services were under severe strain. This week’s decision reflects that we are no longer in a crisis situation although I must stress that we still have COVID-19 patients in our local hospitals. Also please do bear in mind that national infection rates are still far higher than when we began the last major unlocking process last year, and overall the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 nationally has very recently been around the same as at the height of the first wave last April

 

Hmm not so good news

Extensive surveillance of COVID-19 has identified a case in the Wooburn Green area of the variant first discovered in South Africa. The person has self-isolated and is following all of the guidance. 

 

It means that, working with NHS Test and Trace, Buckinghamshire Council is encouraging every person over the age of 16 living or working in the Wooburn Green area and parts of Flackwell Heath to take a PCR COVID-19 test regardless of whether they have symptoms. If you live in or close to the Wooburn Green/Flackwell Heath HP10 postcode area please use the online postcode checker to see if you live in the ‘surge testing’ area – it takes in some, but not all HP10 postcodes.

Rapid testing sites

If you have to leave your home to work or volunteer, then please visit one of our rapid testing sites to get a COVID-19 test. We have four sites in the county, in Amersham, Aylesbury, Buckingham and Wycombe. You can find out more information including opening times on our website. You can book your test online at this link too or simply walk in at a time that suits you. I do urge you to get tested if you are having to leave home for these reasons as it will help us to keep families and communities safe and to drive down infection.

 

 

Last night’s dinner was Sea Bream, new pots and Broccoli. Not one to complain about Mr. F’s cooking but the broccoli could have done with another minute or so, bit hard. 

Dinner tonight is Chicken Piri Piri, Chips or jacket pots (Chips I say) and salad.

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