I just let Olga outside and noticed the unusually shaped moon. Apparently we're in a "waning gibbous" phase, meaning the steadily decreasing period after a full moon before its illumination reaches 50 percent.
Have I mentioned that Dave and I are off work this week? I know it seems ridiculous given that we each just spent ten days home for Covid, but at least now we're not quarantined. It's our school's February break. I'm hoping to get a couple of little day trips in, depending on what the weather does.
Speaking of quarantines, have you heard that Boris is set to announce an end to mandatory self-isolation for people infected with Covid? Apparently we are pretty much washing our hands of all the rules. As I understand it, it will now be up to infected people to stay home (or not), just as they would (or not) with any other illness. We're also debating a reduction in the availability of free tests.
I'm of two minds about this. On one hand, all the rules about Covid (vaccine mandates, masking, distancing etc.) have placed unbelievable stress on our free societies -- not just here but all over the world. People are really chafing against them in the long haul. The Canadian trucker protests are just the latest example. (Those protests are also about many other things, but they ostensibly started with Covid rules.)
I see the value in the isolation and other measures, but I also think we do need to find some way to move forward. I tend to agree with Boris (surprisingly) when he says we've learned a lot about this virus in the last two years, and we have better defenses now. They're still not ideal, but as long as the milder Omicron and its descendants remain the dominant variants I'm not opposed to relaxing the rules. I realize there's no guarantee of that, but it's the world we live in now.
Heck, even our 95-year-old Queen is reporting only "mild cold-like symptoms"!
I think some of us resent giving anti-maskers and Covid deniers a "win" by abandoning the restrictions, but it has to happen sometime. I'm not sure why that time shouldn't be now.
I noticed this cheeky note on a garden wall across the street from our flat -- "DO SOME WEEDING." Things are looking a bit jungly there.
I took Olga to the cemetery yesterday and she was downright energetic. I think she's feeling better. Whether it's the antibiotics prescribed by the vet for her mysterious nose bump or the daily half-paracetamol, something seems to be working. The vet said she may not even need the imaging tests if the antibiotics work, so that would be nice -- it would save us a bundle of cash.
She discovered not one but two discarded footballs at the cemetery. My theory is that these footballs get lost over the course of the year and emerge from the undergrowth when it dies back for winter. Why else would there be so many of them around right now? (Remember how she found another one a few weeks ago?)
I discovered a helpful culinary hack this morning. Ever wake up to find there's no more sugar for your coffee, when honey is also unavailable? Try maple syrup. It works!
It really looks like she is trying to eat them. she's a lovely girl.
ReplyDeleteShe loves gnawing. Whatever that lump is on her snout, if it's dental in nature, it doesn't seem to curtail her chewing!
DeleteVaccine mandates are what have got us to the point we are now at, as have masks and keeping a distance. I can't see any good reason for them to stop. I don't really have a view on self isolation if infected, beyond it seems like a wise thing to do for the benefit of others. Isolation and lockdowns were what troubled us the most. We are well past that now and I am happy to still mask even when not compulsory and to keep away from unmasked. We still have to show our ticks for cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs but it is little checked in cafes.
ReplyDeleteDo Some Weeding is a little like writing on a dirty car window, Wash Me.
Absolutely -- the rules we've had up to now have helped us reach this point. I don't dispute that they have been valuable. But I think we're at a tipping point where the damage of continued mandates (on society and individual mental health, for example) outweighs their value in fighting what is now a much milder form of Covid.
DeleteHaven’t you ever heard of football hyacinth? You’ve stumbled across a field of them. Very rare.
ReplyDeleteIf the people at that house did some weeding, they’d have no green at all.
Great moonshot.
The "weeds" are actually a variety of daisy that bloom in summer -- so there's that!
DeleteThings won't change here as I've never worn a mask or followed the rules as they were not needed. You know my opinion on things Steve and I think the whole charade was an exercise in gaining control over the populations, easy wasn't it, just turn flu into a killer virus, put out a lot of propaganda to scare the wits out of people and they all comply.
ReplyDeleteCertainly the lot in Parliament weren't scared were they, they partied away and enjoyed them selves and notice how not many of them were ill.
Here I go ranting again, lol.
Glad Olga is doing well.
Obviously you haven't spent any time in an emergency room lately. I did yesterday and the admitting woman at the desk was telling people who had been waiting for many hours, "We have no rooms in the back. Or upstairs. No rooms. And not enough staff. They've either quit over covid or have covid." I live in Florida where the "rules" have been lax and "freedom" has been "protected." So there is that.
DeleteBriony, as you know, I wouldn't go THAT far. I don't get why the government would want to "control" us. To what end? I think we have been faced with a legitimate public health emergency and we have dealt with it, for better or worse. I think if anything the concerns about "control" are a symptom of the mental health stress the mandates have subjected people to. They've made us a little bit paranoid.
DeleteWhat's interesting, Ms. Moon, is that Briony's son is an NHS nurse. I gather from her posts and comments that he has been extremely outspoken against the mandates. (Particularly vaccine mandates.) So even some people with medical training dispute the rules.
For what it's worth, our health care system in the UK has struggled with many of the same overcrowing and staffing issues that you describe -- and we've had plenty of mandates and rules in place, where Florida has had none. So maybe, in the end, they don't make much difference?
Perhaps you are right, Steve. I acknowledge that my one experience in the hospital lately may not be indicative of all situations.
DeleteIt's throwing things back on us....if anything happens, it's now our fault.
ReplyDeletePlus no free testing..yet more money for his mates.
It's politics and money now..notice that Chris Whitty hasn been seen, nor any other scientific advisor
I have read that public health experts question the decision, so even though we haven't seen Whitty I know the concerns are there. It's pretty clear that Boris is doing this primarily for political reasons. Still, I'm not sure it's wrong.
DeleteThroughout the pandemic, Britain's chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser have spoken in relation to the progress and dangers of the pandemic. Now it seems that Johnson has gagged and sidelined Professors Whitty and Vallance. We have not seem them on our TV screens for weeks. Johnson is being over hasty because of his "Partygate" pickle - cynically expecting to curry favour once more. Yes - we have to move on and learn to live with COVID but not right now - it is too soon and most public health experts agree.
ReplyDeleteI know the public health experts agree, but I guess I'm just not sure what's to be gained by waiting longer. What are we waiting for? Numbers to go down?
DeleteI also think public health experts look at these issues through a relatively narrow lens. They're focused on the virus. But there are broader complications -- such as stress on our social and political systems -- that should be considered.
Oh, and yes, of course, Boris is doing this for political reasons. No argument there.
DeleteIt boggles my mind how so many people opt for what they want over what is needed for the public health. But that Olga! She's really, really cute.
ReplyDeleteI think frustration levels are just so high that people are saying "the hell with everyone else"! That's not a good thing, but it's where we are.
DeleteI love to watch a dog play. It gives my heart joy. Glad that you have the week off. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. Olga lightens my mood every day!
DeleteI was kind of dumbfounded to discover that I no longer need a covid test to board the plane or to enter your country. This change happened within days of me buying the tickets. I was very decided that I would have a covid test before leaving just in case things changed on the drive to the airport. However, as I see things relaxing more and more, I've begun to wonder if I should even bother.
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't even realize those requirements are gone, but I guess it makes sense given everything else that's happening.
DeleteAustralian borders are now open but people must have a negative test before boarding planes to come here AND they must be double vaccinated.
DeleteI am fully immunized.
DeleteI remember as a kid staying home when I had a cold so as not to give it to anyone else.
ReplyDeleteNow people think if it's suggested that you stay home so as not to infect another human, your rights are somehow being infringed upon.
We're stupid, stupid people a great deal of the time.
Yeah, and I'm certainly not saying people shouldn't stay home! Of COURSE sick people should stay home. But I realize that inevitably some idiots won't.
DeleteSee above my reply to Craft Cat's comment.
ReplyDeleteHonestly? I think we've just given up. And our medical system here has about crashed.
Meanwhile, I am very glad that you get some time off while you are feeling better and can get out in the world. And that Olga is happier and more energetic, finding the balls that the world has lost!
I don't think we've given up. I think all the steps we've taken up to now have managed the virus (with varying degrees of success). But we are finally reaching a place where we need to think about ending this. All the experts say this is going to be endemic, and whether we declare it endemic now or two months from now seems more or less immaterial.
DeleteI guess I'm speaking specifically here about Florida. Which gave it all up about a year ago.
DeleteHI,
ReplyDeleteI hope that you get your day trips in. If the weather behaves itself, then it sounds a lot better than being quarantined. Just stay a good distance from people when you can.
Have a great day. xx
I got out and about today, and it was a nice change! (I'll post about it tomorrow!)
DeleteLove that moon shot. Reminds me that I need to run out more and take a look up at the night sky.
ReplyDeleteMy way of dealing with all the changes to the rules around the pandemic is to keep on wearing a mask while shopping or in any public indoor place.
Enjoy your week off. Hope the weather is lovely and you get out for some nice long walks.
I think masking is still wise in certain circumstances. I do it too.
DeleteI've pretty much stopped wearing a mask at work, although I still wear them in stores. We don't have a mandate. Cases are down in our area. I guess we'll see what the result of all this relaxation!
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky because you have an office. If I had a private office I wouldn't mask either! I think it makes sense to wear masks in stores and other crowded places. That's already become a voluntary decision here -- some people do it, and some don't.
DeleteI love the way Olga gives those balls a good shake before she rips into them. I hope you get some good weather so you can take a couple of trips this week.
ReplyDeleteThere has been a kind of strange reaction to the easing of restrictions here. When the virus was much more serious people seemed to rebel against the restrictions. Now that it is less serious, I see more masks than I have before.
Oh, THAT's interesting. Maybe people are just getting more used to masks? Or maybe they recognize that Omicron is more contagious.
DeleteI think relaxing the rules is premature, probably because I'm a nurse, but I guess we'll see. As for Crafty Cat lady, I get so sick and tired of ignorance and hoax theories. My friends work in emergency and see people come in unable to breathe, people are still dying and it's not a flu or a cold virus, it's a novel virus which means we're still learning about it. Neither influenza or cold (rhino) viruses cause death at anywhere the same rate as corona viruses.
ReplyDeleteNot only has covid overwhelmed hospitals, all the people who have other problems like cancer and heart problems and anyone waiting for surgery, have been put on the back burner. Now when patients come into our hospital the are more likely to be stage 4 cancer rather than stage 1, 2 or 3. Not only that, they have to wait for surgeries. It makes me sick just thinking about it.
Yeah, I guess that is the biggest question in all of this -- how to manage the demands on health care resources. (And personnel!) It certainly isn't fair that others who have done everything right should have to wait for care because the system is swamped with deathly ill anti-vaxxers. From what I was reading in The New Yorker, though, something like 40 percent of Covid hospitalizations now are cases where Covid is a secondary problem -- in other words, they're actually in the hospital for heart disease or cancer or something else and they caught Covid too. Do you think that's true where you are?
DeleteIt is true, now, but hasn't been for the past two years. There is also a huge backlog of surgeries that need to be done now so wait times are even longer than ever and staff are just plain worn out. What burns my ass the most are people who still believe it's a hoax and that the government is trying to control us. It's insane.
DeleteBlack coffee is the best. Don't ruin it with adding "stuff". You mention some things about living with covid that I hadn't thought of before.
ReplyDeleteHa! I cannot drink black coffee. I've always been a milk-and-sugar guy!
DeleteBlack coffee is the best..and none of this instant stuff! And sweeteners of any kind...you mean you don't like the taste of coffee?!😎😉
DeleteWe need to listen to people who work on the frontlines of health-care in regard to Covid like Pixie. They know how overloaded the health-care system is because of Covid. Surely removing all restrictions will make this very bad situation even worse. Unfortunately, many people may not understand that until it is their surgery that is indefinitely postponed. We need to listen to the frontline health-care workers always always.
ReplyDeleteI agree that their voices should be heard, absolutely! But I also think we need to consider the continuing cost of the restrictions in terms of social stress and turmoil. In other words, are there costs that extend beyond the hospital walls? There's a balance here.
DeleteYes for sure. I know that my mental health has suffered.A problem seems to be that with no rules, people will just do what feels good to them, for them (not speaking of you on this!)Covid is still deadly for many, especially the immune compromised and the elderly. From what I have read there is a feeling amongst them of their being disposable and not worth even wearing a mask for. And the burden remains on health-care workers who will continue to have to deal with an overloaded system.
DeleteSadly, without rules I do not trust people to do what is right for other people.
I think frontline health-care workers' opinions on this should be given the greatest weight because they see the real deal in terms of what is happening with Covid and are the ones who will most impacted by the lifting of restrictions.
Yeah, I can agree with that!
DeleteIt's inevitable that all restrictions will be relaxed. I don't think it's 'giving in' to the anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers. It's less virulent (though I suppose that could change) and there are treatments for it now. It will be up to individuals to stay home when they're sick as it always has been. And just like it always has been, there will be people who stay home and others who won't. I'm still wearing a mask in stores but not at yoga or the watercolor class or SHARE where it's always the same people.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Ellen. In the UK there's been a legal requirement for Covid-positive people to stay home and isolate -- that's what will be going away under the new rules.
DeleteI have mixed emotions on this subject. In the beginning, I was all for the mandates for masks and shutting down businesses and schools. But living in a very rural and very conservative area, none of those things happened. For the last year, I rarely see anyone masked, we have a few businesses closed but only due to lack of help and the rest are open with no social distancing, and our schools have always been in person since the start. I expected our hospitals to fill up and they really never have. I expected to see loads of obituaries in the newspaper and it continues to be about the same as it always has. I know quite a few people who have died from the disease but just about all of them had co-morbidities that might have done them in anyway with a case of the flu or other viral illness. What I see around me is like a different world from that presented on television. We've been back to normal for over a year.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm a believer in science and follow CDC guidelines for the most part. I wear my mask in church on Sunday but other than that, I don't wear it anymore unless I am at some crowded indoor function which rarely happens anymore. I'm fully vaccinated and boosted. I understand why some need to continue social distancing and masking.
I don't know the correct answer to all this. This coronavirus, along with all the previous ones we already have is here to stay and hopefully keeps mutating into something less lethal all the time. Whether or not this is the right time to just give it free rein remains to be seen and only history will no the answer.
I think what you've said makes a lot of sense. Even in the city, I haven't seen much first-hand evidence of Covid's potentially deadly consequences. I only know one person who's died from it and that person was close to death anyway. Of course, it could be that the restrictions are the reason why things haven't been worse. But at this point I think we have to learn to live with this thing in a sustainable way, and that means fewer restrictions.
DeleteHurray for vaccines!
ReplyDeleteHurray for Olga!
Hurray for maple syrup in coffee!
Ha! I'm with you! Hurray for all three!
DeleteI am apprehensive about dropping the restrictions and feel that many will claim we never needed them in the first place. They're already doing that here, sigh. Some people's memories are short and their reasoning skills limited.
ReplyDeleteI think people who would say that would say it anyway. In other words, whether we drop them now will have no bearing on whether or not people believe we needed them in the first place.
DeleteOlga is quite a character. I wonder if the antibiotics have reduced inflammation. That can also reduce pain levels. It could account for her feeling cheerful. Enjoy your week, all the family!
ReplyDeleteI think if anything has reduced inflammation it's probably the paracetamol, but of course if there's an underlying infection the antibiotics would be fighting that. Whatever's happening, it seems to be working!
DeleteI'd feel a lot better about slacking the guidelines if the honor system really worked. Hasn't worked since kindergarten and we've seen how it's worked over the past couple of years. Things are loosening here, too. As a highly compromised person, I am a little more militant about following guidelines than many. I just wrote a post about our 1998 trip to Japan. I didn't include this in the post but we would often notice people walking around with masks and we asked our Japanese friends why that would be. "Oh, they probably have a cold or are feeling sick and they are doing that so it doesn't spread." Is it the way cultures are that some are inherently more polite and outer directed than others? I don't have answers. I still don't see myself eating inside a restaurant for awhile, or flying, unfortunately. That's because of my issues, but I'd feel a little safer if masks or guidelines were maintained. But there is always another "hand" and it's quite a dilemma. Meanwhile, I'm glad all in your household are much improved, including Olga!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean -- there will undoubtedly always be people who put themselves first and flout common sense. I do admire the emphasis on politeness that prevails in some other cultures. Some segments of our society seem to scorn being polite as weak or oppressive. (I could go into a whole thing here about toxic masculinity!)
DeleteBest Two Minutes And Thirty Nine Seconds On The Inter Web My Friend - The Running While Shaking Was Hilarious - Those Approval Barks Just Made My Day - Carry On You Two Kids
ReplyDeleteCheers
She shakes it to kill it! The ball is her prey!
DeleteTotally - Olga Girl Shakes With Enthusiasm - Thanx For The Video Brother Man
DeleteCheers
Spend more time on twitter. Follow a bunch of nurses and emergency doctors. These people are on their last legs from fatigue, too many long shifts, and too many shifts. In WA state, a blue state, the health care system is still dedicated to covid patients. People with heart attacks, strokes and cancer may or may not be seen given available staffing levels. People are acting like nobody is still dying - but they are. Will it really kill people to keep masking?
ReplyDeleteOn the contrary, the LAST thing I want to do is spend time on Twitter. I'm sure there are plenty of people there who contribute worthwhile information, but that whole environment is too poisonous for me. I'll stick with The New York Times.
DeleteIt depends on who you follow. I follow nurses, doctors, epidemiologists and they discuss stuff in much more detail than NYT. Dr. Feigl-Ding was sounding the alarm on Covid way before MSM noticed it.
Deletehttps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/even-mild-cases-of-covid-may-leave-a-mark-on-the-brain/
ReplyDeleteseems getting covid is more involved than just getting oveer it, mild or severe. There is damage done. Boris is such a dope.
I don't dispute the seriousness of Covid or doubt that it has long-term effects. (Although from that article, I'm gathering that brain damage may occur more in people who suffer the taste and smell sensory deprivation associated with earlier varieties of Covid. I'd be curious to see if Omicron follows the same pattern. I didn't have taste and smell issues, but I was never tested to determine the variant I had.)
DeleteBoris IS a dope. I agree. But I guess I'm wondering if emerging from these restrictions may benefit our society in ways that go beyond public health? In other words, yes, the dangers to physical health are still there, but is it worth it to risk them in order to regain more social stability and openness and better mental health for everyone overall?
2:39 minutes of watching Olga has been the highlight of my day so far. I drink my coffee black, but I sure do like maple syrup in other things!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Olga gave you a boost! It's apparently a good thing I included that video in this blog post that took on such otherwise weighty matters!
DeleteOlga doesn't seem to be good at playing "fetch". She's more of a tear it up or keep-it-away type of a girl, apparently.
ReplyDeleteYeah, she has no interest in surrendering her ball to me. She's never been good at that!
DeleteI've been thinking a lot about this, Steve, and I'm glad you brought it up in your typical thoughtful way. To me, the mental health issues are more due to the divisiveness which the pandemic exacerbated, rather than vice versa. Had we by some miracle come together at the beginning to see that this was a real public health threat, and decided to tackle it in a united fashion, I suspect it would be over and done by now, and we'd all be feeling pretty darn good about vanquishing it. But then I'm an idealist...:-)
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Karen and Allison that we really need to listen to (and honor!) our frontline medical staff. Here, as in Pixie's neck of the woods and Ms. Moon's Florida, not only are the hospitals still full of Covid patients (eight ICU beds available today - in the whole state), but there are thousands of backlogged "elective" surgeries. I continue to mask indoors and avoid crowded places.
On a brighter note - Olga looks great!! Nice to see her perkiness again. I prescribe a regular dose of football along with her antibiotics and para-whatever!
Chris from Boise