An excellent article here from Rewilding Britain
GEOGRAPHY OF COVID
Fascinating stuff. Apparently the first deaths in Europe were just 4 weeks after the first in Asia and then another 2 weeks to get to USA and another 2 to Africa.
I know we should be careful regarding the statistics for some African countries, but there does seem to have been an absence of the devastation caused in e.g. New York; Manaus, Brazil and Peru where bodies were stacked up. Why this should be is a puzzle? Why should countries with advanced medical services struggle most? Is it a societal thing – the ‘Robin Hood Syndrome’. There is probably more interaction between individuals in the west? But surely not true for the Far East? (e.g.Japan). I guess the reasons for differences between countries will be studied for years!
Minority groups, whether strict Jews in Israel or BAME communities in this country have certain things in common. Firstly they have a higher death rate from Covid (social and economic reasons?), and they are less likely to take up the vaccines offered. T~his last one is more difficult to understand – especially when we read of health workers refusing the vaccine. What is it, no I will start that sentence again, How sad that these communities have so lost faith in the government.
PANCAKES
END OF YEAR SCHOOL REPORT
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson – For a Head Boy this term has been a disaster until the last few days. His cronyism and unfortunate friendships led to some potentially criminal proceedings. His endless enthusiasm soon wore off as reality crept in. Still too keen to elbow bump and hyperbolic speeches, he has calmed down somewhat.
Rishi Sunak – after a stunning introduction and the discovery of a money tree, Rishi has begun to struggle. The money tree needs nutrients and he is left in an invidious position. Cutting public services has been denied him by the brilliance of the NHS and the fact that everything else had been cut. The only option to cut deficits is taxation – which all his friends are against.
Matt Hancock – well, what a year you have had! Surviving as the stool pigeon wheeled out for ritual humiliation. Puppy dog eyes helped. Do we see a glimpse of a terrier rather than a mouse? Although why you want more power concentrated in Westminster is beyond me.
Grant Shapps – Minister for Transport – which bits did you not understand when taking the job? Dover being a port of importance was something you obviously had no understanding of. Being better than the last incumbent of the position is not good enough. How can you have got quarantine so bad having had examples from all over the world for the last 12 months or more. We will leave Brexit shambles for another day.
Robert Jenrick – Robert – why have you not resigned already, do you need more humiliation? Grenville Tower. Planning scandals. Oh and a good idea if you were born in 1821 – lets have a new coal mine!
Priti Patel – You must be disappointed that the Channel is stormy and cold. No opportunities to lock children and homeless, traumatised mothers in obscure places. I guess we will hear from you shortly as you have had nothing to say of any interest for a while. Although presumably you had an input into the quarantine of foreign passengers from selected countries.
Gavin Williamson – last but not least in my selection of Cabinet Ministers in need of resigning. Gavin, are you awake today – just testing. So basically you have screwed up. everything from GCSE’s and A’levels, City and Guilds, (basically all exams), and Universities by allowing them back to. spread the virus (how many deaths were you accountable for?), backs to school or not, mass testing or not? Complain to ousted, not providing laptops.
Michael Gove – you cannot wheedle your way out with lies and half truths at the end of the day. Ah, the end of the day is not yet, so he can continue to peddle his bullshit.
And whilst these people are incompetent – I worry more about the quite ones! Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Rees-Mogg has been keeping his head down.
And we have not got on to Brexit.
VACCINATION
Wow, that was quick. I was 20 minutes early, straight in, name, confirm address, have you had, covid, any other vaccination, any allergy, any medication – which arm? Done. 2 minutes max. It took me longer to park!
I had the fizzy one – ok, Pfizer. Now wait 12 weeks for next one.
Playing with statistics. 18% of population are 16 and under, and not being vaccinated. UK has a population of 68 million. So about 55 million eligible for vaccination. 15 million done.
So 40 million and about 250.000 given per day. so to do everyone would take 160 days, but we are likely to see at least 25% plus not take it up – so 120 days max. for everyone who wants it. I suspect therefore that anyone who really wants it will be done by end of April at the latest.
Then what to do about the rest? Vaccine passports. We know that the government is waiting for Nicola Sturgeon to decide what she will do, before deciding. Israel are thinking of issuing Vaccination Passports that will be needed to enter many public places like pubs, etc. I can understand a reluctance to do this regarding the civil right to not have the vaccine. However there is the “Hot Fuzz” thing of ‘for the greater good’. Personally I would issue the passports, but then leave it up to publicans and restauranteurs and others to decide whether to enforce. A night club could ignore it, and those who wish to go there could decide whether to attend or not?
It becomes more complicated with places like universities and colleges. With the great Williamson in charge it will be a fiasco, he has spent time appointing someone to ensure free speech in universities – surely he has something better to do. However laudible, it would surely keep for a while, or at least until they go back to running normally.
COVID STATS 16 FEB
TORIES LEAD IN THE POLLS
I guess this is not such a surprise given that most of the media gloss’s over the rank incompetency shown for the last year and concentrates on vaccines.
Starmer must be held accountable for allowing them to get away with this. What does Labour under him stand for? I read something about flag waving, but nothing to show that he has a grip on policies, or basically anything. Jezza had policies but not the charisma to deliver them – and to be honest showed a little naivity in the way he went awol from sensible behaviour at times.
So come on Starmer – get your arse in gear and deliver a manifesto for a better Britain. You have had a year to get it sorted – you are like Williamson at Education at the moment, man without a clue.
Elections are coming up at local levels, so lets see a labour manifesto for jobs in the green sector especially in the North; plans for exams and schools/universities; detailed consideration of Hancock’s plans for the NHS – with credible alternatives if necessary; innovative ideas to solve the growing unemployment problem; tax proposals; a raft of proposals regarding g Brexit (which is proving to be a disaster); the foreign aid budget (which will be core to a better world post-covid); a review of all contracts made in last 15 months; a policy for the armed forces which puts them in a logical and practical situation (and cuts the overheads by at least 50%) but also recognises the fantastic resource they can provide in emergencies here and abroad; abolish or change the honours system; get rid of hereditary peers in the HoL; Greater devolution (with safety checks if thought necessary!) – for all sectors of public services at all levels; Greater accountability for all decisions.
And an overall policy of inclusion a1nd responsibility which encourages greater participation, by all, in society, but also calls out those who refuse to participate.
WHY PEOPLE MISTRUST POLITICIANS?
So Trump gets off – no surprise there then. However – and it is not just Republicans at fault – all politicians do the same.
This impeachment was unique, the jurors werebvthe victims, they hid and barricaded themselves in rooms in fear. They have been reminded by video, they have heard the words of Trump. But they put themselves and their political careers before justice and doing the right thing for democracy and the diminishing esteem of the rest of the world.
For sure nearly half of the electorate voted for him; just as in the UK nearly half of the electorate voted against Brexit. We, I, have just about got over it! No violence – just a lot of ‘told you so’. However Trump can now claim vindication and continue his obnoxious tirade of hatred. So those who voted to allow him to continue can be seen as career crazy lunatics who represent all that people mistrust in politicians.
CHICKEN RECIPE
Well I am experimenting a bit.
First off I have a free range chicken fillet. I am thinking a slice of cheese and then wrap in bacon, drizzle with olive oil and then bake in pre-heated oven for 20 mins at 180C. We will see what happens!. OR instead, I am thinking crushed nuts or peanut butter? Or maybe breadcrumbs and parmesan in garlic butter sauce marinade for chicken for a couple of hours before baking? Maybe with rosemary and/or thyme and/or lemon mint or lemon verbena.
Then parsnips – not a great fan so roast in a honey sauce seems an interesting idea.
And then some slow carrots
TEAR AND SHARE BREAD
I have got have a go at this bread. I need to get some quality olives first.
