Mrs F's Diary: January 2022

January 7^th 2022.

Happy New Year.

Let’s get the Covid update out of the way 1^st. It’s a bit patchy but that’s the way things are at present.

As predicted the infection rates are enormous but hospitalisations and deaths although exponential, they are not as high as with previous waves.

Staffing shortage is the main problem at present with the NHS being hit badly.

Things are changing daily as the rate increases. Travel restrictions are being eased as they say there is no benefit from having a red list as the whole world is suffering with the Omicron variant. Also testing has changed, it a bit of a minefield as to what you do or don’t do now.

If you have covid you must stay at home and self-isolate. (time of isolation changing not sure if its 5, 7 or 10days)

If you test positive on an LFT you now don’t have to have a PCR test.

LFT are very good at identifying high levels of infection, so you can have a neg LFT but still have covid.

If you are not vaccinated and live with someone who has covid you are legally required to self-isolate.

If you are vaccinated, you do not legally have to self-isolate but should take an LFT for 7 days.

Got it?

Travel.

When you arrive in England – fully vaccinated

After you arrive in England you must take a COVID-19 test. This is the test that you booked before travel.

This must be a PCR test if you arrive in England before 4am Sunday 9 January. If you arrive after 4am, 9 January you can use a lateral flow test. You will be able to book lateral flow tests from 7 January.

You can take the test any time after you arrive and before the end of day 2 at the latest. The day you arrive is day 0.

If your test result is positive, you must self-isolate.

From 4am 9 January you can take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test. If the result of the lateral flow test is positive, you must self-isolate and take a PCR test.

Depending on where you are travelling to at the current time there are no pre departure tests required.

Proving your vaccination status

If you are fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme, you can prove your vaccination status using either:

· NHS COVID Pass for England and Wales

· NHS Scotland COVID Status app

· COVIDCert NI in Northern Ireland

Paper certificates are also available.

Jan 6^th daily infection number was 170,756. Deaths were 231 and people admitted to hospital 2078. 2,031,729 tests were carried out.

Personally, I don’t know what to make of it all, rather confused as I think most people are. I feel like it’s all a bit out of control and no one knows what to do, so it’s a bit like let’s let it all go and see what comes out the other end. Perhaps there is no other alternative now.

One thing is for sure that A. We are all going to get this at least once and B. We’ve got to have a strategy (worldwide) to cope with it going forward. Any ideas anyone? Answers on a postcard to 10 Downing ST please. (Just writing that “Answers on a post card” made me realise that the younger generation will have no idea what I am talking about, I can barely remember myself)

Rates are increasing and will get worse for the next 2 -3 weeks as the after effects of Christmas and New Year are felt. Restrictions are being relaxed to help with staff shortages and LFT’s don’t seem to be that brilliant unless you have a high infection.

LFTs are being issued to key workers who must test every day.

Masks are to be worn in Secondary schools, that is if any schools are fully operating as there is also a lack of teachers as well as pupils.

The MOD has been called in to help with NHS staff shortages. Hospital shortages are up 60% in England.

Summary for 07/01/22

1. The changes, which kicked in at 04:00 GMT, mean fully vaccinated travellers to the UK no longer have to take a pre-flight Covid test

2. The new rules also mean fully jabbed arrivals do not now need to isolate while waiting for their post-arrival PCR result

3. From 04:00 GMT on Sunday, fully vaccinated travellers to the UK will be able to take a cheaper lateral flow within two days of arriving

4. Arrivals who receive a positive lateral flow result must take a PCR test - which can be a free NHS one

5. Travel companies say bookings have already risen since the rule changes were announced on Wednesday

6. The devolved governments of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have confirmed they will follow England’s changes

7. With Omicron now spreading widely in the UK, ministers say the tougher testing rules are no longer necessary

Novak Djocovic has been denied entry into Australia as he is unvaccinated. Currently held in a hotel, perhaps awaiting deportation. It is claimed that he has a medical exemption from having the vaccination, but it is known he is an anti vaxxer. Well everyone is entitled to their beliefs, but you cannot expect to be allowed to do just what you want to because you are famous and or a top sports person. Australia are very strict on on visa rules even without Covid. The papers are making a meal out of it some saying he is being held prisoner with no change of clothes. I despair of the media. Anyway, he should have watched “Nothing to declare” on Sky witness and he would have known the Border Force would be onto him. Hahahaha.

Well we survived Christmas and New year and without getting ill. We did not go out to restaurants/ pubs just to avoid having to self-isolate or get ill over the Christmas period. Although we did have a sneaky Harrow and Hope rose in Grape expectations on Christmas eve. Some fresh air was achieved most days despite poor weather.

Christmas dinner was a great success perhaps due to the temperate consumption of Champagne by both chefs! The magic kitchen fairy cleaned up whilst others snoozed!

Culham house was a nice walk on the Tuesday after rescuing Rhiannon’s collapsed Marquee which had blown down in a freak mini tornado.

We had to give in and venture to a restaurant on the Wednesday to get a break from the cooking and washing up. We had a very nice lunch in Cote before taking Joyce back to Heathrow.

We had just one day to chill before New Years Eve which started off with breakfast at the Old Brewery with Max and Jack. A quick drink in the Britannia at 6pm with Martyn, Sue, Colleen and Pauric turned into a return home at 11. Not in the pub all that time I hasten to add. We had made sure that we ate beforehand as we know how often these quick drinks turn into several hours! Back indoors before the witching hour to save Willow from the Fireworks that went off across the valley from Henley to Bourne End.

We started 2022 with a brunch of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs and a glass of Champagne while watching the News Years day concert from Vienna, bit of a tradition now. Then down came all the decorations, packed away for another year. Ian commentated that the house looked like it had been burgled. Not that we overdo the Christmas theme, but the living room looked quite bare after.

Sunday, we popped over the road to raise a glass and a quick catch up and that’s it all done. It’s been a busy time, but we made the most of it. Other friends have had broken limbs and Festivities curtailed by Covid in one way or another.

Everything crossed for a better 2022 even though it’s a bit grim at present we are still in a better place than we were this time last year.

We have several holidays booked and are looking forward to travelling again. Bring it on!

Some 2021 highlights.