In 2020 there was an outbreak of 'flu. It started in China, and by March 2020 the WHO labelled it a pandemic.
The UK government's response was to restrict people's activities in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. These policies meant many people, myself included, were unable to go to work.
I decided I should spend some of my spare time writing this journal. There will be no theme to individual entries; just whatever I feel like writing. The images are (with a few obvious exceptions) taken within a half mile radius of our house.
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We are preparing to go back to gym. Risk assessments have been completed, looked at and digested. It's been observed that the contents of the risk assessment are not so bad, until you remember you are supposed to teach gymnastics as well. Personally, I feel we are stabbing in the dark. We can't kid ourselves we know what what we are doing. We'll give it a go and see what happens.
The UK's world beating "track and trace" app was scrapped because it's crap. We need to get over our arrogance and fall in to line with what the rest of the world is doing.
We drove to Mum and Dad's on Saturday and camped the night in the garden. Camping is still prohibited, as is staying with someone who does not live on their own. There was no risk assessment, but we decided we'll follow our own rules. We staid outside, only venturing in as far as the outside toilet (which we had exclusive use of). We ensured we cleaned the toilet as we left and maintained our social distance throughout our stay (we'll not swear to the 2 metres thing). Totally surreal.
We got up early (04:30am) and walked to find a spot to watch the sunrise for the Summer Solstice. Of course it was overcast, but despite the heavy rain in the night, it was dry enough for us to have a walk and a shot of Sloe Gin.
Once home we went to the allotment to rescue the mange toutes. I thought I had planted peas and I was waiting for the pods to swell. We picked a gallon of mange toutes, many of which will be converted to petites pois.
Dame Vera Lynne died on Thursday. Aged 103. Hil decided she wants the song "The White Cliffs of Dover" played at her funeral.
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The government announced the next stage in the release from lockdown today. We thought all businesses would be allowed to open, albeit with varying restrictions according to the nature of the activity. Sadly, that was not the case. The pubs and restaurants can open, and hair-dressers can take on clients again. That is, after all, what the population needs more than anything. To get drunk and fat with beautiful hair. The gyms and swimming pools are to remain closed. Cinemas are open (an enclosed air-conditioned room you share with 100 other people for 2 hours straight). Any indoor activity involving fitness or well-being is prohibited.
British Gymnastics said they were "dismayed by Government’s failure to help the sport return" (BG news).
The 2 metre rule is to be scrapped as well. People should remain 2 metres apart where possible but a "one metre plus" rule will be introduced. This will allow people into the pubs and restaurants. Many of them have said 2 metres is impossible in the confined spaces they have.
And then I rant on how fast our population returns to fast food served in disposable wrappings. My idea of fast food is the raspberries on the allotment. The canes are producing food at a faster rate than we will ever eat.
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Today is 100 days since we shut down. It is just a number, but it's a pretty large one. It is also a very long time for the businesses to be shut down. I believe some gyms are still having to pay full rent, and government assistance is beginning to be reduced. There must be dust on everything again by now.
Watching world news is interesting (if a little worrying). Some countries (New Zealand) are seeing a resurgence of plague cases. You wonder what will happen in this country.
Yesterday was “Handstand Day”. I used it to try out a new hobby. Taking photos and turning them 90 degrees. I will try and take a few of these (I have some ideas). That does, of course, depend on the weather. Right now, it’s pretty wet and windy.