Well it’s been a long time since I reported on the Coronavirus so I thought I would give a bit of an update. Following a delay of restriction lifting on June 21st most legal restrictions were lifted on July 19th, 2021. This is not to say that the virus has gone way, quite the opposite in fact. The Delta variance is rife in the UK, but the level of hospitalisations and subsequent deaths remain low. This prompted the government to relax the rules and to try to get the economy lifted.
Track and trace are still in place and the NHS app is causing havoc with millions of people getting pinged, me being one of the many.
As people are getting out and about, going on holidays, having gatherings and generally mixing more the virus is spreading and so are positive cases. Therefore, it is only natural that the amount of people in contact with confirmed positive cases will in turn rise and therefore we are now in a “pingdemic”.
Food retailers are among the many suffering with a lack of work force with people having to self-isolate. Police forces, lorry drivers, delivery men, food manufacturers and depot workers are badly hit and in turn food on the shelves.
A move is being put in place to make some work forces exempt from self-isolation if called by track and trace or pinged by the app.
Several shops, pubs and cafes in Marlow have had to close because of either a covid outbreak or the lack of staff due to isolation.
We went to Brighton for a day and I got pinged. I was with 3 other people and we were together all the time, none of the other 3 got pinged and we were never apart for longer than a few minutes for loo stops.
Last Saturday there was a report in the papers of a large exodus of people flying abroad for holidays. Several countries have moved onto the amber list which at present means isolating upon return.
On August the 16th if you get pinged and you have had both vaccines (doubled jabbed) you will not need to isolate. This might be brought forward or moved backwards.
On July 18th Savid Javid tested positive, it was announced that Boris and Rishi whom had been in direct contact with him would not have to isolate but take part in a testing scheme. There was a huge outcry and within hours the decision was reversed. We cannot have 1 rule for 1 and another for others but surely with all the testing that is going on and the jab, If you get pinged test every day and test negative get on with life!
Today the papers say that the infection rate has halved, well that may be that the rate has come down after the rise following the Euro football championship. But they do say it will be 3 weeks after the Grand opening on July the 19th that we will see the real story.
There is still a massive push to get the younger generation jabbed before the autumn, but the uptake has fallen in recent days.
Yesterday there were 5000 people in hospital and 36, 389 new cases reported.
Friday saw the opening ceremony of the 2020/21 Olympics which had been postponed last year. There are no spectators and some athletes have tested positive. It is very strange to watch with no crowds.
Football, cricket and other sporting events continue to have increased crowd levels here in the UK. Australia and New Zealand have pulled out of the rugby league world cup due to covid concerns. British Lions are on tour in South Africa and had a super win yesterday.
Sydney is once again in lockdown following a spike in cases. France has very high levels of the Delta variant and there have been demonstrations about restrictions.
It is still a case of wait and see how this is all going to turn out. The variants are causing big problems and we can just hope that the vaccines we have offer a good level of protection. However, I do think (and hope I am wrong) that things will get worse again in the autumn and winter.
What else have we been doing. We had a few get togethers with people for the football. Went to Tenby for a week. Newcastle for a few days and stayed with Liz and ray for a couple of nights.
We had a lovely but very expensive meal at Vassu in Marlow for my birthday. Did a bit of a boat trip in Henley and a good night at the “Staying Inn” Ian cooked a Tomahawk steak for my birthday dinner.
The Staying inn is still going but rather intermittent with people now able to enjoy a bit of freedom.
It’s been a bit of a typical British summer sometime very hot and then lots of rain and cloudy days. The garden has suddenly grown out of control and I can’t get the enthusiasm to sort it out.
Willow is OK he was a bit poorly but has seemed to pick up and has put weight on and enjoys sleeping in his chosen place of the day. He continues to leave a trail of fur behind him and bites me if I over groom him so I guess he's ok.
Ian is well although his fingers continue to be a problem, Physio is required but it's a long wait.
Its either been too hot or too wet for any running or big walks, must get back to doing some good exercise!
 |
| St Marys Island Newcastle |
 |
| Walking back from Whitley bay |
 |
| Seaton Sluice art |
 |
| Druridge Bay Nortumberland |
 |
| Wallington Hall |
 |
| A little Welsh Robin |
 |
| Beautiful Caldey Island |
