Israel is reaping the result of its unfair nationalist policies for the past few years. Does criticising the Jewish government of Israel make me anti-Semitic? Personally I do think so because I really do not know or care what a persons colour, religion, orientation, etc. is. There have been many things that seem wrong to me that have happened in the Middle East – most emanating from Post-War British rule. I am not sure the situation was ever manageable, but it seems like we did not try too hard!
BANWELL BYPASS
Probably 50 years too late to be useful! And possibly obsolete within 10 years! But I have just received a questionnaire about it. It is from Sandford Neighbhood Group – whoever they are? Their names are not published. And I will question the motives as there is no mention of costs/benefits to surrounding villages and communities.
CITIES
This might develop into a longer post than usual.
Levelling up is a favourite term for our misguided mob leading the country. Something they themselves have decried for decades. Ebbw Vale was built for steel, and now that industry has gone there is little point in pouring money into a failed site. So is this true of the north of England (or Wales, and parts of Scotland)?
NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM
A sort of who am I? I was born in Essex to Essex parents. So I am Essex, and therefore English, British, European and a member of the human race. I vote on the left/green, I support Sunderland and Forest Green Rovers. I have lived in Cornwall, London, East Sussex, Hertfordshire, West Midlands, North Somerset, Avon, Devon (some for a very short time). My children were born in Cornwall, East Sussex and Avon (Bristol). my children live in Bristol and Cornwall. My grandchildren are all Cornish.
CITIES
GEOGRAPHY
Large sections of the Jurassic Coast have collapsed, the largest being 4000 tonnes. It is thought to due to the ground drying out after a wet period.
A new white paint has been found to be able to reduce the ambient temperatures of buildings as it greatly increases the albedo effect. Using the paint on buildings would not only reduce the greenhouse effect, but also reduce use of air conditioning.
French wine production this year may be affected badly by the recent cold weather with frosts affecting the vines.
All cars sold in the USA by 2035 could be electric. Biden has promised 500000 more charging points in the next decade. With less maintenance and cheaper travel costs the savings for consumers could reach £2 trillion by 2050.
COVID STATISTICS 9 APRIL 2021
Vaccination
Interesting times? First of all Chile – 3rd in world league table of % vaccinated but has a spike in infections. This is put down to easing of restrictions too fast. Vaccination is not the answer, just part of the solution. Social distancing and mask wearing indoors, are probably here to stay for some years. Opening the doors for foreign travel would seem to be over optimistic (or culpable?) until the worldwide pandemic has abated. I think the theme time for the detective series in the 60’s was called ‘Softly, softly, catches monkey”. – Probably classed as racist now – but an approach favouring caution is needed.
Secondly the Astra Zeneca – definitely the most world friendly one, but would it have been approved under normal circumstances? Almost certainly not without caveats. But has it been a success? Apart from the 7 deaths and 23 other cases it has – without it, the number of deaths would have been thousands – but no solace for the deceased’s relatives. Given a choice I would want my children to have a Pfizer or Moderna one; but definitely have the jab.
There are still many things that are unknown – how long do the jabs work? Are they successful against variants, are they ok for children? What level of protection is necessary for ‘herd immunity”. – if this exists at all.
Brilliant – yesterday Maz, Rich and Erin and Adam came up -first time we have all been together since 2020 I think. No hugging, just sensible distancing, so hopefully all ok – patio door open all the time too. Cornwall and here have very low rates of the virus at present so I hope all is fine.
COVID – WORLD PERSPECTIVE
Interesting radio programme on this topic. Asia countries have done much better than Europe. They acted faster than we did and seem more efficient – thus have not had to lockdown late and hard! South America has in general been abysmal!. Brazil’s President is a danger to his country and the world!
COVID – RELAXATION
Again the government is slow to react – lorry drivers coming into the UK will have to be tested, unless they stay for less than 48 hours – please explain the logic of this, and why has it taken so long to come up with this. New variants have been around for months.
Relaxation of rules today which to be honest should not make a difference to numbers of infections as they refer to outside activities. It is good that schools do not seem to have caused a spike. The main concern I have now is the situation in Chile – why have they got a 3rd surge when their vaccination % is higher than ours. Is winter approaching there? But temp today is 25C and at night 11C so hardly cold? Is there a new variant?
Outside activities are fine, but then changing rooms, club houses? Shared cars?
Modena vaccine comes in at £24 per dose compared to Oxford/az at £3 per dose. Yes Mr. Johnson capitalism and greed do work ‘for the rich’.