A Lockdown Saturday In Beetley

~ beetleypete

Next Monday, the lockdown restrictions in England will begin to be eased.

All school pupils will return, depite some opposition from the teaching unions. One relative will now be allowed to visit the elderly who live in Care Homes, though they must wear full PPE, and be the only ‘nominated’ visitor.

On the 29th, outdoor gathering will be allowed, with the previous limit on numbers (six) applying, and outdoor sports such as Golf and Tennis will once again be permitted.

In late April, hospitality venues such as pubs will be allowed limited opening, restricted to outside service only. Not good news for businesses that have no outside space of course.

A full return to ‘new normal’ is estimated to happen by midsummer, but that might change if infection rates go up again.

Here in Beetley, Julie had her second Pfizer vaccination last night, and my second dose of Astra-Zeneca is due in May. We will continue to wear masks where appropriate or complusory, and keep any social mixing to the minimum.

Some people are rushing to book foreign holidays, in the hope that full international travel will be allowed again. I still think this is very risky, but it is up to those people of course. Let’s just hope that they don’t bring back new strains of the virus, and start it all up again. Just for the sake of two weeks on a beach in Spain or Greece.

For us, including Ollie, it will be a week on the Lincolnshire coast, 90 miles north. It is not until September, by which time travel in England should be permitted.

If all goes to plan, this will hopefully be my last lockdown report from Beetley.

Fingers crossed.

65 thoughts on “A Lockdown Saturday In Beetley”

  1. My parents and 6 uncle and aunts got their COVID vaccination this week. It was a relief that none of them suffered any problems, just a little temperature which was resolved by one dose of meds. 🙂 Hoping to get it soon myself.

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  2. I go back to in-person teaching in a few weeks, looking forward to seeing my students for the first time! Hoping the vaccine keeps me safe! We’ll be using distancing and masks for the rest of the academic year. I miss my kids so I’m hoping we can travel soon! Hang in there we almost have this beat! C

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  3. Good luck, Pete! Just be glad you’re not in Germany. Starting today, we should be able to buy self-tests, even get one free per week. But there are none to buy and the free self-test is not given because the relevant law has not yet been changed. I always thought, coming from old Prussia, the Germans had a profession in making and changing laws. Lol Best wishes, Michael

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  5. You have the common sense I wish everyone had. It sounds like your vacation is well planned and should be safe (and fun). I’ll be thinking about Ritu on Monday, back in the classroom.

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  6. I do wonder at those whose main ambition for the year seems to be to go abroad. Such little lives they must lead the rest of the time. It certainly isn’t my priority once things open up again.

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    2. I enjoyed travelling around when I was younger. But the desire to do that diminished with age, and with all the interminable delays at check-in, and around the airports. Unless I could go afford to go First Class, or by private jet, I have little desire to do any of that now.
      Thanks, Cathy.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  7. What’s the deal Pete? I thought Pfizer was three weeks apart with full immunity at 4 weeks. Is Aztra zeneca two doses twelve weeks apart? Or is it the wait until May because of the government’s policy of partial immunity with a faster roll out of one day for everyone then a follow up second prick?

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    1. The decision was to give as many ‘first doses’ as possible, so they extended the second dose to 12 weeks to make that happen. Whether you get Pfizer or Astra Zeneca depends on local supplies, but either way you wait 12 weeks until the second vaccination.
      There is also talk of an annual booster being required for life.
      Cheers, Pete.

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      1. I’m not surprised at the idea of annual boosters over the next few years. We’ll see. Well I’m glad both you and Julie have been vaccinated and look forward to you receiving your second jab. When’s your birthday?

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  8. All sensible suggestions Pete. International travel was something I sacrificed years ago due to my income and circumstances. When I went to London for two days to attend my sisters wedding it got the monkey off my back so to speak. It would be nice of course. Particularly for my sister to bring my niece to her grandparents in Canada or Australia. I think that would be very nice but another year or two can be endured. I haven’t experienced lockdown the way you have but I have to say I believe it should have happened sooner and could have saved more lives. My hope is that people keep up the good work, just a few more months and then things can start to get easier. I hope. Best wishes Pete.

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    1. Thanks, Lloyd. I agree, this country should have been ‘shut down’ in February 2020. Even then, it might have been too late. All we can do now is make the best of what’s left of 2021.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  9. I couldn’t even tell you what the restrictions are anymore over here. The shops are open, we went to the swimming pool two weeks ago and the kids are back at school since early January (not all kids, just those under 8 years old) We cant eat out at a restaurant, but then that was probably a once a year event anyhow 🙂
    As for foreign travel, we have no plans to leave Europe for a good while if ever again, so no great loss if the planes remain grounded.
    I feel for all of those that have lost their livelihood, but maybe this is an opportunity to create a better society as we rebuild. Shame Mr Sunak didn’t get that message!

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    1. I don’t see much chance of that better society. Just a crazy scramble to go abroad, and get rat-arsed here once the pubs open. I don’t really have much faith in human nature, as you know.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  11. Did that hard lockdown there help with illness and deaths? Does it seem to you that the opening is at a prudent rate? It is of course really hard to know about the variants, how long a vaccine might last, and many other things. I keep hoping that someone knows the answers and my husband has to keep reminding me that this is new to everyone and we are finding answers as we go along. Not very reassuring, but honest.

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    1. It dropped the death rate, and the infection rate too. But people are still dying from it. I fear that opening up foreign travel will be but more nails in the coffin. If I am wrong, I will be happy to be so,
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  12. Las Vegas news:
    “Beginning March 15, venues can host conferences, conventions, trade shows, professional seminars or similar activities for more than 250 people, up to 1,000 attendees. Plans for large gatherings may now be submitted for government approval, although meetings may not take place until March 1 and must be granted approval by local and state authorities. Capacity limits for restaurants, bars, wineries, gyms, gaming floors, arcades and theme parks have been increased to 35 percent. Meanwhile, museums, art galleries, aquariums, zoos and retail stores can operate at 50 percent capacity.” (Source: successfulmeetings.com)

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      1. Well, we have some of that as well…but 80-85% here will put us at “herd immunity” and let them have their health issues because they will no longer be able to infect us as easily.

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  14. I am not so hopeful that this will be all done with by the summer, or at least I expect new infections by the autumn. All these countries welcoming tourists who have had their second vaccine dose (Spain, Cyprus, Portugal?) surely have to have vaccinated ALL their population first? Otherwise anyone going from here can come back with an infection. As far as I am aware the vaccine has not yet proven to stop catching or spreading the virus, just prevent getting a severe infection. Until shops and hospitality open up, people start mixing again and using public transport we really do not know where this is going to lead.

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  15. I reckon it will take until 2022 is over before international travel and lifted world wide restrictions are over. I am vaccinated and take precautions. I’m so used to wearing a mask now, it’s second nature.

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    1. They are talking about those ‘vaccination passports’ here again. If you can prove you have had both vaccinations, you will be allowed to go abroad and return without having to go into quarantine.
      The next thing will be a booming market in fake vaccination certificates. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete. x

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  17. We’ve never had a lockdown here in Texas. “Texas Independence”, so much cherished by Republicans, means that it is better to die than to be cautions. In that vein, our gouvernor in his great wisdom – which means disregarding all medical and scientific advice – has “opened” Texas from next Wednesday on: no more limitations for restaurants and businesses [they can operate at full capacity] and no mask mandates. Businesses can still set theor own mask mandates, though – which has already led to accusations from the hard-core anti-mask people if businesses do impose their own rules.
    I’m sure we’ll see a spike in new infections and deaths soon. But “business must go on”. Sarcastically I’d say “business is good … for the funeral homes”.
    Take care, my friend,
    Pit

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    1. You be careful over there, Pit. The authorities in Texas don’t seem to be doing a very good job of running that state at the moment. At least you becoming an independent country and seceding from the Union appears to have gone away for now.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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      1. We certainly will be careful. Luckily we both have hd our second shot.
        As to Texas Independence: both the desater with our winter storm and lack of power and this new gouvernor’s order are actually praised as a sign of Texas Independence by the Republicans here. Unbelievable!
        Best wishes to you, too,
        Pit

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  19. If crossed fingers have any power, then surely we will see light soon. We’ve both had our shots but know that none of us is out of the woods yet. I’m hoping against hope that people don’t get reckless but know as sure as the sun sets that many will. Hoping to travel a bit in-country (i.e., by car) some summer or fall and very thankful for the hope that the vaccines give us.

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    1. We also have to hope that all of those refusing vaccines don’t end up reinfecting the rest of us with new strains, Angela. I don’t have a great deal of confidence about that, once widespread travel is allowed again.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  21. Our restrictions were eased last week, but we have not changed any of our behavior. Places like Texas are throwing caution to the wind and lifting all restrictions. At least here we still have restrictions on capacity and hours and our mask mandate is still in effect. I am hopeful people can self-police, but I do not realistically think they will. I read reports of staff at Disney being spit on because they tried to enforce the mask mandate if that gives you any idea how people might behave. I am holding out until we can see our family – safely.

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    1. I have not really been that surprised by the horrible selfish behaviour of some people during this crisis. Like you, we will continue to take all necessary precautions.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  22. this is such good news, Pete. i’m glad that you and Julie continue to take precautions. jun and i had our first doze (Pfizer) last week. we, too, feel optimistic. take care 🙂

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  23. I also hope, that Corona will be finished in summer – this year. I want to meet my family and my friends for talking and laughing and have a glass of wonderful red wine with them. I really wish having normality in my life, in our lives.
    Best wishes to all, Irene

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    1. I would like to predict that 2022 might be something like ‘normal’, once the majority are vaccinated here. But with new strains appearing, I’m not holding my breath…
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  25. Enjoy your away time. Mississippi is just killing more people by this rush to open up…..starting immediately…I will continue my precautions the governor can go “f” himself. chuq

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