Wear a mask; it’s the least we can do
So the government now think that wearing masks in shops is a good idea – which I assume will equate to a reduction of covid-19 infections and, at the end of that, less dead and seriously ill people. Good. About time. Actually, if we think it’s going to stop infections (and reduce dead and seriously ill people) why wait ten days? Why not say from Thursday, give people enough time to find a scarf or fashion something from an old pair of pants – anything. Why not? It absolutely beats me. And … come on, you know this is true … the government have known about the benefits of mask wearing since March. They have. And even if at that point the reduction in infections was only considered to be 10%, that would have saved in the order of 5,000 lives. Which is a lot of lives. And might have included my brother.
Ten percent. Now, today, some statistics say 75% in enclosed spaces. Just think … if His Borisness had said in April, ‘We’re going to steal the march on the rest of the western countries and mandate that masks be worn in all workspaces and indoor public places. We know there’s a shortage, so please make one using a piece of cloth and two elastic bands (video follows). Now I know some of you will be uncomfortable with this, but I really do think it will save a lot of lives and mean we will come through this quicker and more able to open schools, etc. Work with me. Let’s be world-beating.’
All of a sudden, when we’re shopping once a week, everyone’s in masks … and all workplaces have people in masks. And the numbers stay low. And we get ahead of the curve … and when it’s time to open up, we can do so quickly, but masks have now become part of our fabric until we’ve beaten the disease, so we’re very happy to continue to wear them. And we would look as a together country; people would admire the fact that we pulled together to beat the disease. And …
Just imagine if he’d said that?
I give up. This government has let us all down, has likely been party to the death of someone you know with covid-19, has failed to deliver a decent track and trace system, a working track and trace app and has opened up too early … and the numbers point to that. We are not world-leading, I’m afraid. And it makes me want to weep.
Never mind, because we’re heading for a Brexit deal which at best case will be not what was voted for and, at worst case, will be a no deal. The list of disbenefits is very long … and I’m not going to rehearse them here. The list of benefits is? Well, I can’t for the life of me name one. Not a single one. I like my Polish neighbour, so you can cross that one out. No … nothing. What a bunch of clowns we have in charge at the moment.
On more positive news …
[image error]major satellite servicing on Doris’s roof
We walked along Offa’s Dyke yesterday. It was our weekly ‘long walk’, although we only did five miles, but there were some ups and downs – and some fab views. And the MoD have been back in touch to do some more work for them, which I have accepted. I was in two minds, having not done anything over the past ten weeks. I was really enjoying not having any responsibility, other than writing. Anyhow, I’m doing a remote team 360 and then making some recommendations for how to get the best from a small team, split between office working and working from home. It’s money in the bank, so I can’t complain.
[image error]walking (close to) Offa’s Dyke
And we keep getting flashes of photos of what we were doing four or five years ago … us in Doris, all relaxed and carefree. Ho hum …
Keep safe, all of you. And wear a mask in the shops today … please. It’s for everyone else’s safety, not yours. Thank you.
