Day Thirty Seven - Lockdown Knockdown, Soup and Scrubbing

I think my neighbours may be among the group of people who have adhered to lockdown protocols initially but are now fed up and prepared to relax them. They've had their daughter to visit a couple of times this week, sitting in the garden, chatting and looking at photos, I think, from what I could hear. I was not eavesdropping! Their voices were quite loud. I had to stop reading. It's none of my business, I know, but I do think they are foolhardy given their health and age. But I don't think they are alone. My other neighbours have had a couple of friends call today. Admittedly they are chatting on the drive with an almost social distance. There's a definite shift I feel. Traffic and passers by continue to be more plentiful. I suppose it is inevitable. I'm not going to break lockdown though. I am too scared! No more news on Auntie Pat and I'm not going to make a nuisance of myself and keep on asking, I'm sure we'll be told if there's any significant change.

Someone on social media yesterday reckoned that in the winter of 1999/2000 there were 20,000 deaths in the UK from flu. Mr. Blair was the PM and he didn't order lockdowns etc. They were suggesting our current situation is an over reaction. To date in the UK there have been 17,337 deaths from COVID-19. But surely it depends on how any months those statistics were complied over for there to be a viable comparison. The UK figure has been accrued in what seems to me to be a short space of time comparatively.

After curtailing my walk this morning because yesterday's garden activities were hurting me I feared today might be one of those unproductive days which frustrate me dreadfully. But I found a burst of motivation, more than energy since I don't think my energy is actually lacking! And I scrubbed the glass cabinet! I washed all the glasses and shelves.I took down all the photos on the top and cleaned them. I sorted through the drawers and put it all back before lunchtime! Then I made some soup again. Lots of people are making sourdough during this lockdown. I'm making soup! I make a big pot and have it all week for lunch. It makes for an easy lunch. Previously, (i.e. B.C. Before Coronavirus) - I might have gone out and bought something specific for lunch or had a lunch out with friends maybe. Can't do that now. 

I find that though I feel lonely I am not craving company. It's almost the reverse. If I get a call or text message I'm almost groaning at the interruption. I was pleased to hear from mynfriend in Portugal yesterday but I think there's a subliminal acceptance of this isolation as the norm. I think that's quite worrying. 

I've been writing bits and pieces. I wrote this skit which is a bit silly but it amused me to do it!

Global Pandemic Project 

Representatives from all countries are in a school room. Their Global Pandemic Projects have been submitted for a ‘halfway’ assessment and students are being given their marks and a brief critique on their attempts by the World Health Organisation.

WHO1: Thank you everybody. We have looked at all of your efforts. Some very good work from many of you. Unfortunately there are some of you who just haven’t been listening to us and really haven’t put enough effort into your projects. It’s very disappointing. 

WHO2: I’d like to make special mention of some outstanding work. New Zealand? Do we have a representative?

JACINDA ARDEN raises her hand.

WHO2: Ahh, yes, Jacinda. Please stand up.

JACINDA STANDS

WHO2: An excellent approach, New Zealand. You may want to check on your immigration policies as I think many people will want to come and live in your country! You locked down before you had any deaths at all. A very smart move. The result of that is your country has suffered 12 deaths only. A*. Very well done.

The rest of the class starts clapping.

JACINDA holds up her hand: No, no, no applause please. 12 deaths is still 12 deaths too many.

The class stop clapping and look down at their desks in sobering silence. Jacinta sits down.

WHO2: And now to Singapore. Halimah Yacob?

HALVAH YACOB stands up.

WHO2: Oh, Singapore, you started so well. Suppressing but without a lockdown. Your army making all those face masks for everyone. It was inspirational. Then it went wrong didn’t it? I’m afraid it was bound to happen without a lockdown. You failed to consider the numbers of migrant workers didn’t you? And how quickly the disease spread amongst them? I’m sorry but we can only give you a C.

HALVAH JACOB offers an unsmiling nod and sits down.

WHO2: South Korea, please? Moon Jae-in?

MOON JAE IN stands.

WHO2: Well done. Your policy of testing, tracing and treating without lockdowns has been most effective. Congratulations. It is also worth mentioning that with this country’s action we have been able to identify that people are testing positive twice for the virus leading us to think that having it once does not necessarily lead to immunity. Another A*.

MOON JAE beams and puts his hands together in namaste.

WHO2: United States of America?

Silence. 

WHO2: Do we have a representative? Donald Trump?

Silence disturbed by some vague mutterings. 

The Canadian representative JUSTIN TRUDEAU stands.

JUSTIN TRUDEAU: I think he’s suing China, sir.

He sits down, shrivelling at the look of disdain from the WHO personnel.

WHO2. USA does not get a pass. F for fail.

WHO2: United Kingdom. Boris Johnson?

DOMINIC RAAB: He’s off sick, sir. I’m taking his place.

WHO2 stares silently at Raab saying nothing for several minutes..

WHO2: Oh dear, UK. One of the most disappointing performances worldwide. You wouldn’t listen. You stopped testing. Bleating about herd immunity for a virus that we don’t know enough about. You left it too long to lockdown. Your population don’t seem to understand what lockdown actually means. The deaths tell us all we need to know. This is a fail. A spectacular fail. 

DOMINC RAAB sits down without changing his expression. 

Thank you and goodnight.