Common Sense is Ringing Out the Bells
I watched Mr Johnson’s news conference this evening at which he stated what every sentient being in the country knew and which, only three days ago, he criticised Keir Starmer for saying: the relaxation of rules for Christmas is/was an error that has had to be reversed. At the time of writing, I haven’t seen anything of substance* today about this new, faster-spreading variant they’ve hung the change on. Part of me is now so conditioned to their spin and mendaciousness that I suspect it is the epidemiological equivalent of a fig leaf excuse.
*By anything of substance I mean an article in New Scientist (or similar) online or a link to an abstract that’s in semi-comprehensible English. On the other hand, I think if Valance is concerned then there will be something to it.
Given the speed at which things have changed, I get the impression that the politicians are donning the brown corduroys and adult nappies. The most recent update in New Scientist is four days old and doesn’t say much more than Valance said this afternoon. That update is here. There is also the following which is in technical rather than plain English: https://virological.org/t/preliminary-genomic-characterisation-of-an-emergent-sars-cov-2-lineage-in-the-uk-defined-by-a-novel-set-of-spike-mutations/563
Scottish Government have decided that, while cases of the new variant appear to be low in Scotland, the precautionary principle applies and strict measures have been instigated. Speaking personally, the effect is that we are prohibited from doing things we had no intention of doing anyway. The perceived danger as I see it is that more people will get sick over a shorter period and thus overwhelm healthcare.
As this is currently functioning as a Covid diary, I ought to record that I’ve noticed my general anxiety level going up. I take Blood Pressure readings twice daily and send them in to NHS Lothian. My results tend to cluster around a particular norm, and I’ve come to realise that, if the initial reading is on the high side, ten minutes of relaxation will bring it down. For the past few days it has taken longer for that process of relaxing to kick in and bring the numbers down. This is, I think, entirely to do with anxiety about the virus, which is increasing in local prevalence in Lothian and has impacted the lives of family and friends.
Meantime, my Twitter timeline, that an hour ago was foaming about Covid restrictions, is now focused on Strictly Come Dancing. Panem et circenses.
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Music: I had second thoughts about posting this, and it certainly isn’t Christmassy, but what the heck. I’m generally agnostic on the subject of Chris Rea, although I like Dancing Down The Stony Road and am always happy to say he is a much-underappreciated guitarist. Anyway, as what is, to all intents and purposes, lockdown is reimposed and reports start coming in of people scrambling to get out of London; and pre-Brexit logistics brings massive lorry tailbacks in Kent approaching the channel ports, the song seems appropriate.
Chris Rea : The Road to Hell. I habitually play this one as loud as I can get away with.
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