So the UK government has officially downgraded the alert level for the Coronavirus, from 4 to 3. All the schools are set to go back in September, hotels are opening in July, and non-essential shops opened earlier this week. The two-metre social distancing is set to be reduced to one metre soon, and all public transport is running, with the requirement to wear a face-covering of some kind inside trains and buses.
Sounds positive, doesn’t it? Well, I don’t think so.
Too many people are still dying, and too many people are still carrying the virus without any idea that they have it.
The track and trace app has been abandoned in favour of something else provided by Google and Apple. No doubt a company somewhere made a mint out of the failed experiment, and some officials pocketed a nice payoff too. The fall in the numbers of deaths is hailed as a great success. Try telling that to the people who died this week, and their bereaved relatives and friends.
Speaking from his luxury home in Florida, where he travelled to by private jet, the odious Lord Sugar, he of ‘The Apprentice’ fame, denied the very existence of the virus, for the simple reason that he doesn’t personally know anyone who has died of it. That man has a vote in The House of Lords, let’s not forget that.
I had to drive into the nearby town of Dereham yesterday, to go to the bank. It was a Friday as normal, as far as I could tell. Car parks almost full, crowds of eager shoppers everywhere, and few bothering about social distancing. You could have assumed it was still 2019, and nothing had happened. There were measures in place at the bank, and around half the shops and all the cafes and pubs were still closed until July.
But it was otherwise very ‘normal’. OId normal, that is.
Far too normal for me, I assure you.
Not a good thing. We have cases in all surrounding buildings here because they lifted the lockdown. I am just waiting for my number on the line of infected. This is a huge disaster.
Stay Safe😞✌😤
LikeLiked by 2 people
You take care, dear Suzan. Are they testing you and your family? They should be.
Best wishes, Pete. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is just a symptom of the fact that the government hasn’t found a way to protect the most vulnerable in society without still creating trillionaires off the back of the poor.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You sum it up nicely, Abbi.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suspect you will see a new surge of infections. Our teeny tiny state of Massachusetts has had over 7,000 deaths. We are very slow on reopening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a lot of deaths in one state indeed.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re now close to 8,000.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Here we have a share of weirdos also either denying this is happening, or insisting it is some sort of conspiracy to do with… well, all kind of things, including the App that they are not using here anyway. We are not in a state of emergency any longer and the numbers are looking better, but there are also some places that have decided to go back due to increased contagion, and I worry people are too complacent. People’s memories are very short and some have never quite got it into their heads. I do worry as well, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just watching the news of another serious outbreak in Germany after the relaxation there. It seems some people are prepared to chance dying, to be able to work or socialise. Unfortunately, they are still putting us all at risk!
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
I keep talking out loud: IT IS A PLAGUE – what do these people not understand? I told my grand child today she will have this in her life story – something she survived at age 15/16.
LikeLiked by 1 person
History will judge us harshly for this great mismanagement of the pandemic, I believe.
Thanks, Lara.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who cares that people are “tired” of restrictions. I am more interested in staying alive!
LikeLiked by 2 people
My thoughts exactly.
Thanks, Elizabeth.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My bank has a person at the door checking temp and asking questions about my health….and they allow only 10 people in the bank t a time….I had to wait for entrance and of course masks are required…..my area is becoming a “hot stop”….we will see if these precautions will help. be well….chuq
LikeLiked by 2 people
The silly thing was, that while we were lining up outside the bank, people were squeezing past us on the street, close enough to touch. They appeared to believe it was all over.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Those people need to get a grip….I do not care what they do to themselves but do not infect me with their stupidity. chuq
LikeLiked by 2 people
Chuq – I want to steal that line – do not infect me with stupidity!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreeing to all of it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, FR. I am worn down by ignorance!
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with Frank. Our lockdown was far too late, we should have shut the borders in Feb like Australia and NZ did and tested, tested, tested. The knee jerk reaction was to allow the NHS to have the resources they have been denied for years. Why were schools closed when most people dying from this are elderly? And they (us) are dispensable – think of all those pensions saved! And now we are on the brink of opening up our borders again, without a track and trace app (and wasn’t that a mate of Cummings?) when we still have more deaths per day than Australia and NZ have had in total and they are still not opening their borders, not even the state borders! It’s all a bit of a mess and god help us this winter. Maybe the virus will simply disappear, but if it doesn’t…
LikeLiked by 2 people
To save typing, I will just say I am 100% in agreement with all you said.
Best wishes, Pete. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Well, sadly you are right in that “too many people are still carrying the virus without any idea that they have it.” and “So many people are tired of the lockdown, they seem to have abandoned common sense.”…….I’m taking things slowly, see how things pan out in the next weeks
LikeLiked by 2 people
The most sensible plan, Sue.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Totally agree, Jude
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sugar sounds like he’s a friend of Trump
LikeLiked by 2 people
He is certainly an arsehole, Don. He fronted the version of ‘The Apprentice’ here, and he has a luxury estate in Florida too. Sounds familiar to me my friend!
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The government seems to sugar coat the virus these days. Nevada is one of the states that has seen an increase in cases…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some governments have been patently irresponsible, David, including the one in the UK.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pete, here in the US, a dozen states are reporting their highest numbers ever, the death toll climbs steadily, and our President is holding a rally in a closed building where tens of thousands of people will stand – proudly without masks, as their “Emperor” says they don’t look good on…
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s just crazy, John. I think they call it ‘mass hysteria’. When people don’t know anyone who gets it, they somehow think they are immune.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Our President is pure evil, Pete – in all of his actions and words…his re-election campaign actually got caught using Nazi symbols in their materials….
LikeLiked by 2 people
He has certainly lost any respect due to his office, John. At least as far as I can tell from over here.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Everyday is a new low, Pete. Our election will end up at the Supreme Court, because he will claim voter fraud – but it won’t work and we will put his evil legacy behind us
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hope so John, stay safe.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was watching people waiting for the rally tonight in Tulsa, and I lost count of the number of times I heard “Well it’s my right as an American,” and “It’s my health.” No one seems to care that they’re not just putting their own lives in danger. This is humanity at its worst.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This year has shown us the best and worst of people all over the world, for sure. Those who sacrificed their lives to help others, contrasted with the selfish ignorant bastards, and the outright ‘deniers’.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They are being guided by pure evil….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not to mention the health of those poor health workers who will be expected to save their lives! Have they all been forgotten about so soon?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes they have. Student nurses contracts cancelled today, and no pay rise agreeed as per the claim from qualified nurses. Tory scum, showing their true colours! I hate them so much, a firing squad is too good for them!
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Arrgh! It wouldn’t be so bad if they could occasionally apologise for their actions (or inactions) but they are all so bloody full of themselves! The OH wonders if they all attend ‘Smirk School’. All nurses should go on strike. They all deserve a 15% rise AND a bonus payment. It’s despicable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep.😒
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I go to the supermarket, all arrows and marks for social distancing have been taken away, but by and large people are still trying to stay 2m apart. Unless I really need to visit a non-essential shop, I’m not going to!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Morriisons have taken all that away too, but Tesco here is still sticking to it. Glad to hear you are staying firm, Stevie.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I shall stick with my small and local Tesco where so far I have only seen half a dozen people in the store at a time and we all grin sheepishly at each other as we skip past someone who is dawdling! I am in no hurry to go shopping elsewhere and in fact most of my shopping is carried out online anyway. At the moment I have no need to buy any more stuff though I do need some electrical work carried out on the house.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t do online shopping, but my huge Tesco has excellent controls in place. I had someone here today, tiling the kitchen. But he was over 25 feet away from me.
Best wishes, Pete. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I might see of my electrician is happy to work. I need new lights and a new hob, we’re down to 2 rings working now so it is getting serious! I don’t want to order goods though until they can be fitted as the warranty / returns option will be running from the delivery date.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have had three tradesmen in since the lockdown. No issues, they just stand across the room.
Best wishes, Pete. x
LikeLike
Yes the virus is spiking in many places and some folks choose to remain ignorant of the fact as if it could never happen to them; and they don’t seem to care about others. Here in Washington state where things have slowed on the virus front, reopening has been in phases by county. Our county finally moved into phase 2 of 4 yesterday, which still has many restrictions in place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear things are not too bad where you live, Susanne.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Pete. Our governor took action early and decisively and it seems to be working out okay so far even though there have still been thousands of cases and many deaths. We do what we can to stay safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have seen that the Brits are very emboldened, Pete. So are the Americans in many places. Here in SA our figures are climbing quite quickly now. It is bizarre to me that our gov shut the economy down when there were no infections and now it actually is a problem, everything is reopening this week. They have run out of money.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems that so few countries have managed this well, Robbie. I can only think of New Zealand, Greece, and South Korea as examples of where they have genuinely minimised the death rate. I hope things don’t get too bad for you down there once it all reopens.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We both know Pete that capitalism wasn’t going to shut down so that a couple hundred thousand mostly old people didn’t sicken and die. They were always expendable. The big deal about restrictions was just to “flatten the curve” to make sure one died in an ICU room with a ventilator and not out in the hallway of the emergency room. Now that the hospital system has caught up we can all go back to buying shit we don’t need.
We are on our own until a vaccine or an effective therapy.
Stay well. Best from “opening up” Florida.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You take care, Frank. We hear that things are bad in Florida.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Best wishes Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would be nice if people stayed out of your personal bubble. Well we’ll see what happens. Who is this Lord Sugar? Sounds like a right old fool he does.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alan Sugar, the former barrow-boy, self-made billionaire, star of ‘The Apprentice’ here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Sugar
He is totally obnoxious.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What is it with that show and ballbags? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suppose you have to be a boastful idiot to want to be on it, Lloyd.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’re onto something there mate. Best wishes Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s v tricky returning in phases……I’m in town and few people are obeying distancing. ..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that was my experience. Like they think it’s all over.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
non-essentials have opened here and people wearing masks are out shopping like business as usual. some stores are allowing only certain number of shoppers at one time for social distancing which is good. but like you said, people are still dying and there is not vaccine yet. it’s a little too soon to be out and about. best to you, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Wilma. I am sure you are being careful, and staying safe.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
we’re very cautious, Pete. thank you. you, too, stay safe 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pete, everywhere here that has opened up has seen a resurgence of the virus. 16 young women in Florida went to a bar together and all 16 contracted the virus. In California, restaurants are closing again because staff members have contracted the virus. In our state, we had over 1600 new cases yesterday and everyone is pushing for even more lessening of restrictions. No regard for those at risk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry to hear that, Maggie, even though it serves to confirm my worst fears.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I cant imagine what it must be like in the UK, with the virus having had such a light touch over here. Although I did speak with someone from Krakow the other week and they said that restrictions are a lot tighter in the city.
We actually went out yesterday, not something we do very often, first to the swimming pool, then a restaurant and onto the playground. And the only place that required the wearing of a mask was a supermarket that was next to the restaurant. Non of the venues were very busy so much of the tension that I may have otherwise felt was soon forgotten.
I doubt I would feel the same in the UK, where I get the impression from listening to the UK radio that science and politics are going in separate directions, the latter being driven by people in the wings rather than your beloved leader who comes across as some kind of delirious fool (no change then) 🙂 It seems the state is passing responsibility back to the people, if you get ill its your own fault, which to be fair is the way they look at it over here, but then with a little over a thousand deaths the Poles have that luxury.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Once they make ‘the public’ here responsible for their own fate, that is the edge of a very slippery slope. Just look at the online demands for Wetherspoons to reopen their pubs so they can go and watch football while downing pints, shouting loudly, and jumping up and down. The simple pleasures of life, undoubtedly.
Hopefully, the chlorine in swimming pools should make them quite safe places.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The cynic in me might even think that the government is happy to loose those that are a drain on the coffers, the elderly and disadvantaged. Think of the money they can save in the future, no need to raise taxes to pay back the money they have borrowed, the overheads will be much reduced in the future! I heard that care homes are already going out of business as they no longer have enough clients!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have no doubt that Boris and his gang of Bollinger-swilling mates are delighted that so many ‘plebs’ are dead.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Our non-essential shops will re-open at the end of the month. We expected outdoor eating places and beer gardens to open this week but Nicola said, ‘not yet’ so we’ll wait. It gives us a tiny window to watch what happens in England as your restrictions are lifted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
From what I saw in just one hour yesterday, I still fear the worst, Mary. Once the pubs and bars are allowed to open, I can only imagine that ‘summer of sport’, and all the drinkers.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
NZ is importing the virus again from other countries, quarantine does not actually mean quarantine and never has here. It seems more lets stay in a nice hotel, go for a walk and mingle. Oh and since the re-emergence our illustrious health minister has actually made an appearance which has been long overdue ( not the same as when he breached lock down protocol twice,) before this it was just to apologise , but now to say he will not resign. Another minister seems to be leading the quarantine issue. Our PM, well not seen her front up all week…………..
With great sadness a police officer was shot and killed yesterday, My thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw on the news that two women from England arrived carrying the virus after various airport stop-overs. Then they were allowed to visit a dying relative, miles away from that ‘quarantine’ hotel. NZ did so well with controlling the virus, they should never have let those women do that. I can’t go to my mate’s funeral in south London, but they can travel to NZ because a relative is ill? Crazy!
Sorry about the police officer, I hadn’t heard about that.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Does he not realize this Pandemic is still in the world….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly, I don’t think people like that care about anyone they consider to be ‘below’ them.
Best wishes, pete.
LikeLike
Glad to hear you say this Pete. I was beginning to wonder if it was just me
LikeLiked by 1 person
And Alan Sugar is an arse
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely not just you, Sarada. At least the supermarkets, GP surgery, and some other establishments are continuing the measures ‘for the foreseeable future’.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same thing everywhere. People are not observing those protocols. It’s as if there is no pandemic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many people are tired of the lockdown, they seem to have abandoned common sense.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I share your belief that things are opening too soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lauren. I understand that the economy is suffering, but I feel that too many people are still dying, and the government sees that as acceptable ‘collateral damage’.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person