Weariness with wariness

Hi everyone

There is a weariness about – a weariness of wariness. The result is people doing their Cummings interpretation to the rules or simply ignoring them - and at the other end others fearfully remaining in lockdown.  The one set of behaviours feeds the other.  Pictures of Bournemouth beach packed with day trippers are alarming (and yet it had a low risk of transmission being outside, in the sun, with a light breeze, and most people bringing their own pieces of beach equipment.  Unfortunately too many then decided to leave them there causing a litter mountain.)

Taking the law into one own’s hands gives a sense of power but it is coupled with a selfish intolerance for others and a throwing out of the ‘we’re all in this together’ that has been such a feature of the pandemic.  One aspect of this is to fail to communicate one’s own recent history of contacts to give future contacts the opportunity to make their own decision about meeting up. When I had the swab test some weeks ago I chose not to tell a neighbour who was coming for a cup of outdoor tea and cake.  This was on the basis I was sure the result would be negative. When she later discovered I had had the test (even with its by then known negative result) she was furious that I had not told her earlier.  She was disempowered and felt deceived. That is exactly the result of what I had done under the guise of ‘not wanting to worry her.’ It was a mistake on my part. Communication is key.

As more and more of the old life opens up, I am wondering whether this is just the beginning of a move back to our focus on ourselves as separate individuals and away from community and our dependence on all around us.  That would be a great disappointment and a huge missed opportunity for a re-visioning of how we live.  

Answers to the quiz.

1.      Can you play tennis doubles outside with people from four different households? Yes

2.      Can you buy a second home? Yes

3.      Can you visit from England a second home in Pembrokeshire? No – travel in Wales limited to five miles

4.      Can you sleep in a second home in England? Not until 4th July nor any other house not your main residence

5.      If you visit a relative living alone, can you sleep over? See 4 – unless you are visiting someone living alone or you are living alone. So Q. 5 – yes.

6.      If you are visiting a house with only a back garden, can you go through the house to get to the garden? Yes

7.      Are public toilets open? Some

8.      Are playgrounds open? Very few

9.      The Premier League has restarted.  How many substitutes can a team now use each match (it was three previously)? Five

10.   If you are a fruit picker coming from the EU, must you be in self isolation for two weeks after arrival? No. 

11.   Can you currently book a holiday abroad? Will travel insurance cover you? Last week yes and no.  This week, yes and yes if the Foreign Office is allowing travel to your destination. 

12.   After the USA and Brazil, which country now has had the highest number of recorded deaths? UK ☹

13.   Which continent is now the epicentre of the pandemic? South America

14.   New Zealand had eliminated covid-19 until two infected women arrived there from abroad earlier this month. From which country did they come? UK ☹

15.   Which football team do I support? Leicester City and they need support now please!

It may be that I shall take a break next week from the blog – this is no. 15! – but I shall be back…..

With love

Derek