(Probably) The Last View from the Apocalypse

Not that I’m going anywhere – but I think the zombies are slowly dying out around here. With more than 50% of the population having their first jab and with numbers for infections, hospitalisations and deaths dropping month on month it’s starting to look like things are approaching an end point. Not only is the light at the end of the tunnel on, we can actually see it. We came out of what I do hope is our last lockdown on Monday 12^th. Just walking around in my local area it’s starting to seem more ‘normal’. You still see lots of people wearing masks and they’re still required in shops and stores but there’s definitely more traffic on the roads and air pollution is getting back to pre-apocalypse levels – a sure sign things are getting back to normality!

Both my Mum and older brother have now had both of their shots and I’m due for my second next month. I think all of my gaming friends have now had their first shot too and a few will be having their second in the next few weeks. Much more importantly, of course, is that book shops are now open again [does Snoopy dance!] so there’s a Mall trip in my near future – super fuelled by the fact that I haven’t been able to shop for my birthday yet except on-line. I’ll also now be able to physically shop for shoes – I like to see and touch what I’m getting [old fashioned I know but I’m ‘built’ that way] – as well as some tools & things for future projects in and around the house.

Longer term I’ll actually be able to go ‘Up North’ later in the year and see my family for the first time in around 18 months or more. I wonder just how tall the kids are by now and if they still remember who I am [lol]. Prior to that I expect pretty much all travel restrictions – at least inside the country – to be lifted so day trips etc will be featuring more which is good news with summer almost upon us. My ex-work colleagues have also been in touch regarding my [very] late/rescheduled retirement drinks which will be happening when the pubs fully reopen. It’ll be nice to see them again and find out what’s been happening to everyone in the last year since I left [crazy to think that I’ve already been retired a whole year].

So, over all things are (generally) looking positive for a change. No doubt in years ahead we’ll look back on these days and laugh – not. It’s definitely been a strange and often difficult 12 months all round. But I think, for many of us, it’s finally coming to an end. Covid-19 is still going to be in the news for some time to come though. A lot of the world still needs fully vaccinating and there will be, no doubt, investigations into what went wrong and what we can learn from the pandemic because, sure as God made little green apples, there will be others. Let’s hope that lessons are learnt and we’re far better prepared next time.