What a great word! I am mulling over what to write!
Lots of nice words – baobab, granite, sesquioxide, cumulus, cirrus, Belem!
Christmas 2020 Quiz – 1
1. In which country was Silent Night composed?
2. Wenceslas Square has a memorial to whom?
3. Who is seen as the first Martyr of Christianity?
4. What does the word Islam mean?
5. What does the word henotheism mean?
6. Which football club is known as the hatters?
7. What is an Oryx?
8. Watling Street roman road went between Dover and …?
9. Who is seen as the richest person ever in financial terms?
10. How big was the wood Winnie the Pooh lived in?
11. In which book was the main action taking place in 1929?
12. What is the county town of Wiltshire?
13. ‘Something in the air’ was a No.1 for 3 weeks in 1969 – who by?
14. The Coronation Stone—is an oblong block of red sandstone that has been used for centuries in the coronation of the monarchs of Scotland, and later also when the monarchs of Scotland became monarchs of England as well as in the coronations of the monarchs of Great Britain and latterly of the United Kingdom following the treaties of union. What is it better known as?
15. Born in Portsmouth, WHO? left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors’ prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed readings extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children’s rights, education, and other social reforms.
16. Who was the 5th president of the USSR?
17. What number did Michael Jordan wear on his shirt for Chicago?
18. Which British Prime Minister was assassinated?
19. At what temperature are Fahrenheit and Celsius equal?
20. Which 2 planets lack moons?
COVID STATS
EDUCATION
A considered answer. I think I have this right.
In January students at all secondary schools will have a staggered return (apart from Years 11 and 13 and the children of key workers and ‘at risk students’ (there is probably a better title for them, but they must feel shit to be in that group whatever the label). All or some of the students will be given a test (which is about 50% accurate) by persons unknown. Oh and this is a good news story as stated by Gibbs; as long as all the negative aspects about it are ignored! DfE’s civil servants have been offered £1000 to work over Christmas. But none for teachers! No pay, no play should be the motto. The first day/week back will therefore be chaotic. Will the tests be in school, who should administer them? Will heads allow unverified volunteers onto school sites?
On a superficial level suitable for readers of the Express, Mail and Sun it is a brilliant idea – mass testing at last, and being stopped by snowflake left wing whingers! They will ignore the facts – unworkable at such short notice, not practical without education about what a negative result means (possibly negative), not necessary in some areas. Basically they are admitting that TTTI has been a billion pound failure!
All this is not hindsight – I have posted similar posts for months!
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
2020 has been a bit crap. But 2021 is already looking good.
Trump has left the White House and things look better already.
Vaccines are on the way so we can cope with Covid.
Some of my bulbs are already growing
My car will be mended – hopefully!
And then a wish list – justice, law and fairness replace avarice, greed and selfishness at the heart of government. Climate change becomes the centre of government and media concern (without disasters).
CUPCAKES
A CHRISTMAS QUIZ 1
Christmas Quiz – part 1
1. OS maps show height above sea level – where is the base line for this in the UK?
2. Where can you see the QE2 liner?
3. Where is the centre of London – as used for mile posts in the past?
4. Who, based on Ely, led a rebellion against William the Conquerer?
5. Who invented the horse drawn seed drill in 1700, and whose name became well known in the 1970/80’s?
6. Her picture is probably one of the most seen photographs of 2020, in every news paper repeatedly – What is the name of the girl Prince Andrew is accused of ‘meeting’?
7. In what year was NASA formed?
8. The 1980s model had no indicator for either the headlights or turn signals, no fuel gauge, no rear seat belts, no external fuel door, and drivers had to pour a mix of gasoline and oil directly under the bonnet/hood. It sold over 3 million models.
9. Where would you be to see a broken spectre?
10. A question which is difficult but given the genius of the discoverer he name should be well know. Which Greek clever person calculated the circumference of earth in the 3rd century BCE?
11. In which country is the Duke of Edinburgh seen as a divine being? This is not a joke at any level!
12. What country is this? 17th largest by population and area; they drive on the right, most popular sport is football, and highest point is 5610m asl.
13. If you look at a magnetic compass; north is actually which direction?
14. What are the names of the 4 families which have provided more than one POTUS?
15. What is Bob Dylans highest selling single?
16. What is the top selling vinyl record of the last decade? I can also do top 3 if needed?
17. What order comprises of 30% of all known life forms?
18. Who has given more than $4billion to charity in the last 4 months?
19. Where can you see the Mappa Mundi, the largest map of the medieval world known to exist?
20. Which American state has an Union Jack on its flag?
EDUCATION
Why are the ejits who run Education (if only) surprised that there are predictions for a surge in Covid numbers. After all it is the government who made the fatal decision to reduce restrictions over Christmas. They also have had access to data about growing infection rates amongst school students. I am fed up with people saying that this unprecedented pandemic is throwing curve balls. Yes it was unprecedented and there is some leeway in excusing incompetence back in March/April. However the last 6 months have produced a litany of bad decisions whose consequences should have been foreseen.
So teachers have to prepare lessons for remote learning, to teach those exam classes that are in school together with those vulnerable children. And organise testing. Even if the Army or volunteers are roped in to help, it is still the school that has to organise it. And they will probably give a contract to Serco to provide the tests! I am not sure I would want a random stranger poking things up my Childs nose and throat! The tests are also not particularly effective, some say it is better than nothing; but it might give false results, a negative test might give false confidence, and the accuracy is said to be about 50% Will they all be verified – which normally takes a while. On a phone in I heard someone complaining about left wing union snowflakes whom should just get on with helping the nation in this pandemic – my response would be that maybe all lorries should have loads of 100 tonnes?
But perhaps more than anything I would ask Mr Williamson and his sidekick Gibbs, why this was not planned for during the summer? This WAS predicted.
So a prediction. There will be a surge in January and some schools will be shut in some areas. This will result in discussions about exams in England. Someone will have a bright idea that test, track and then isolate could work really well if administered via a school. And proper testing of those who need it rather than a politically motivated mass testing. Are Cornwall, Isle of Wight, etc. also included?
DARK MORNING
MORE MIS-INFORMATION
All countries in Europe are suffering. This is a true statement. But look closer. We have had about 3 times as many deaths as Germany. We are about on par with Italy. Everyone is struggling, but most are taking more stringent measures than us.