A Twelfth View from The Apocalypse

 

It’s been a few months so it’s about time for an update. I’m presently fine & Zombie Bite Free – as are my family and friends. Although some are taking more risks than I would feel comfortable with so far we have collectively dodged whatever virus infested bullets there are out there. I still have my daily habit of wiping down any plastic bottles with disinfecting wipes as well as door handles, light switches and my stair banister. Mask wearing isn’t mandated outside but shops and public transport insist on you wearing them. You do see a few without but, I understand, shops in particular are pushing back on those who try to enter without one.

Not surprisingly we’ve had local and temporary lockdowns here are things closed in on normality with pubs & restaurants open(ish), schools back (mostly) and students back at University. I’m hoping that I was not the only one expecting the R Number to increase along with infection rates. Thankfully the number of hospitalisations and deaths haven’t increased anything like before the BIG Lockdown although there has been talk about regional or even a national lockdown again if people don’t take this seriously and keep spreading bugs everywhere. I think that the government are trying hard to please as many people as possible and are pretty much ending up with pleasing very few. Businesses are screaming that they’re dying on the vine without customers and most people are somewhere between resigned to how things are or just about fed up with the whole thing. Of course they’d be a LOT more fed up with things with a total lockdown and thousands of dead.

I tried to book my annual winter Flu jab at the start of the week but was told that they’ve had to delay things a bit because of greater than expected demand. I suppose that’s due to a mix of heavy government advertising of the service, the fear of the possibility of getting Covid AND Flu and, naturally, the belief that the flu shot either will protect you against Covid (it won’t) or is actually the vaccine (it isn’t). I’ll try again next week. My local supermarket is doing them for £9 – free if you’re over 65 – and it’s only a 20 minute walk away so it’s well worth it. From the booking website it looks that it probably won’t be until November. That’s slightly annoying but I can live with it. I actually think flu should be LESS of a risk this year if people are following the Covid guidelines as the transmission is similar enough.

I’m still anticipating that the Covid vaccine will be available in the 2^nd half or possibly the 3^rd quarter of next year (2021). They’ll prioritise the first roll-out to essential workers and the high-risk categories before moving to the over 65’s, children etc.. and then the general public. I imagine the whole process will probably take 4-6 months. You’ll probably get it slightly faster if you want to pay through the nose for it but if you’re willing to wait it’ll be free on the NHS. After that’s done and dusted we’ll be able to get back to ‘normal’ again although I imagine many things – like work practices and shopping – will never be the same again. I still find it pretty amazing that, since April, the only cash I’ve used is to pay my window cleaner. Every other transaction – no matter how small – has been by card and most of that was contactless without even a PIN required. Covid might has possibly killed cash. How strange is that!?! As usual stay safe and stay strong. See you all on the other side.       

[Oh, and I almost forgot.... No 'Christmas' trip to be with the family 'Up North' this year. My Mum is 84 and I certainly don't want to take the risk of having an extra 'present' with me when I arrive. Plus 3 hours each way on a train..... Not happening! That'll definitely be a post-vaccine trip!]