Book reviews – a section on classism in Agatha Christie novels has been added to the Agatha Christie Indulgence.
Television comments – a couple of observations about The West Wing have been added.
Local responses to Covid – personal and business
Personal– day 1
Well, now I have experienced Covid testing, and am part way through self isolation, while waiting the test results. My visit to Western Australia, the state of amazing freedom from Covid, where people actually hug and enjoy celebrations, has resulted in my having to take stock of travelling anywhere.
Having returned from the Ghan trip in time to avoid any Covid consequences, I am now experiencing not having done so on my second trip. Taking precautions without being told to, as I did after the Ghan trip is rather different from being under a ruling to do so. The difference – self satisfaction at ‘doing the right thing’. Now I’m certainly doing the right thing – but it’s hard to give up the smugness.
So, today the health warning came – go and be tested, and self isolate. We did so immediately, and found the experience extremely easy: the staff were lovely, as well as being very efficient, and the tests were not the horror I had contemplated. But that was the least of it. The practicalities of not being able to walk Leah loom large, and do we really have to live with an unemptied bin for a week? Why did I let the stores run down? Fortunately we have the Who Gives a Crap box of numerous rolls of toilet paper. On the other hand, a box of chocolates from a lovely person commiserating with us, a week of two extra hours because we are not walking Leah, and I’m sure many other benefits will be come apparent.
Personal – day 2
After having the test on day 1 at 5.00pm I received an amazing testing response – ping went my phone at 4.48am: my test was clear. Comforting, but I still face isolation. This is far from onerous – sleeping in, coffee on the balcony, playing with Leah instead of taking her for a walk, watching Rachel Maddow, and now Lawrence O’Donnell. A very pleasant morning indeed. This afternoon, tea in the sun on the balcony, Leah running after a treat filled ball, throwing another for her, and ignoring her look of despondency as she faces the front door. And her despair as she realises that looking out the window is a second order pleasure.
Personal – day 3
This is fine for me – lovely breakfast on the balcony in the sunshine, registering with Net Galley, writing, adding comments to Good Reads (Victorians! and Reading the Detectives – more of which will appear in Book Reviews) and some domestic chores. But poor Leah is even more despondent and is uninclined to follow her treats ball.
Western Australia has no more cases so it is likely that they will cease lockdown on Friday at 6.00pm, as we expected. We’ll be able to walk Leah at 9.00pm that night.
Business
A small business which now has returned to being one of our favourite coffee stops changed ownership early in the Covid 19 pandemic. Surely this was a risk? However, to all appearances it is thriving, always being busy during the various the times that we arrive. At times we have to wait for a table to empty or forgo our pleasant stop. After observing the same business through several iterations, one very good, the others less so, I wonder if it is the ability to know what people would like and serve it efficiently and with friendliness that is one key (although obviously not the only one) to small business survival during the pandemic? It was noticeable that tables were empty a lot of the time during previous ownerships, pre-Covid. But now, people have begun flocking to it again, often commenting that, after a period of unfriendly ownership and staff, they are glad to return. We are now greeted pleasantly, there is a fun vibe, once again the dogs are welcome at outside seating and the Covid protocols are observed.
Another favourite venue continued to provide takeaway coffee and food while lock down was in progress. Clay was fastidious in its implementation of Covid restrictions, with adherence to the 2 person rule and social distancing. No ‘keep cups’ either, alas. The day we were able to sit at tables again was terrific – particularly as the rules were maintained, with immediate sanitising of tables after people left. This venue also seems to be thriving. Thank goodness as it’s a great morning walk with the dog.
Vaccination in America
People wait to see if there is additional vaccine after the planned vaccinations take place. A great response, particularly as it is now being said that all five vaccines in use have led to declining deaths and hospitalisations.
Ingenuity at work – a vaccination team response.
Vaccinations in the UK
The NHS is rolling out what seems to be a streamlined approach to vaccinating as many people as possible as quickly as possible. I received my invitation over a week ago (I lived in the UK but having returned to Australia had to decline – great someone else will receive it), and friends even earlier. When Australia receives its vaccines the service is likely to be at least as streamlined because of the benefits of Medicare.
Thank you, Gough Whitlam and Bill Hayden. As I listened to Bill talking about the new health scheme in the early 1970s while sitting in my car at the University of Western Australia I knew that we had something special. Indeed we do.
Self Testing in the US
An Australian laboratory, Ellume, in Queensland is to supply America with home tests for Covid.
US Voting rights activist Stacey Abrams has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Perhaps some results next week?
American political stories that loom large are the 1.9 trillion Covid package, and the Senate trial of former President Trump. But speculation by Chris Hayes, Rachel Maddow, Kasey Hunt, Morning Joe, Lawrence O’Donnell, Brian Williams and Chris Cuomo is far more useful to watch than my comments. Next week there might be some results – or perhaps more erudite speculation by the above.
Robin's Room 