Wednesday 11th August 2021 – Holiday cut short
My eldest son has been on holiday with his wife and In-Laws, all double vaccinated, in Northumberland. Despite negatively-Covid-testing before leaving home, he developed a cold while on holiday, felt a bit rough, and so lateral-flow tested again. The result was positive, confirmed by a more accurate PCR test (plus the added symptom of being unable to smell garlic). They have all returned home 3 days early to self-isolate at home, allowing their holiday cottage to ventilate for 72 hours before the owners visited to clean.
Sunday 15th August 2021 – Feeling vulnerable
Today I am feeling more Covid-vulnerable than I have since we were first allowed out after Lockdown-1 in May 2020. Two of my wife’s friends and colleagues are Covid positive, each linking the infection to socialising in Leicester. One, a lady of slightly mature years, although not as mature as me, spent an evening in a city centre bar, from where she is confident that she contracted the infection, despite being double-vaccinated. Her symptoms were initially limited to a runny nose and occasional cough, but she subsequently lost her sense of taste. The other is a relative youngster, probably also double vaccinated, who had been out and about “in town” socialising with his mates, the likely source if his Covid. The reports on his health merely state that he is “poorly”, with an implication that his symptoms are somewhat more debilitating.
Leicester City Centre is clearly still a place to be avoided on Friday and Saturday nights, which is why I’m feeling vulnerable. I was working last night, and received a call after midnight about music from a night club in Leicester City Centre. To access the entrance to flats above I had to push through the queue to the night club, and then wait, surrounded by boisterous young folk, until I was given access. On my way out I once again had to push through the queue, and then spend a short time among the potential clubbers outside while listening to music from the club. I then had to repeat the process among customers of another nearby night club, before walking back to the office across the city centre, passing, and occasionally being intercepted by, the lively and vibrant groups of youths who enthusiastically maintain the night time economy of Leicester. One gentleman, weaving his way past Marks and Spencer, kindly waved a bottle at us, loudly assuring us that it was hand sanitiser, and that he was happy to donate some to us. It was definitely not a night of social distancing.
After my son returned early from a holiday in Northumberland, having contracted Covid, the family have had to rally around to walk their dogs, and it was our turn yesterday. Leads, with sanitiser, were in an outside container, dogs ready and waiting in the garden, and social contact was limited to briefly chatting through patio doors, but I still felt somewhat vulnerable.
After these intense few hours of associating with The Unclean, I shall be testing frequently over the next few days.
Saturday 21st August 2021 – Uninfected
Following my recent Saturday night mixing, for work purposes, with the potentially infected youth who were enjoying Leicester’s lively and vibrant night time economy, I tested thoroughly and repeatedly over the next few days. I was relieved when two lateral flow tests and one PCR test were unanimous in declaring me clean.
Sunday 22nd August 2021 – Church etiquette
Masks are no longer mandatory at my church, although most continue to wear one until seated, and a sprinkling of the congregation continue to wear one throughout the service, generally ladies of more mature years. We can now sing as well. Those seated near me may not feel that this a good move, having benefited from many months of respite from my bellowed off-key renditions of the more lively hymns that I enjoy.
Monday 23rd August 2021 – More cases than during the pandemic
Yet another friend has contracted Covid, in her case from her daughter who went clubbing in Nottingham. We now have four friends and family members who have contracted the disease, four people that we know directly. Last Summer, when the pandemic was at its peak, we did not know anyone directly who had a confirmed infection following Covid symptoms. With testing at the time restricted to those with symptoms, we will never know how many symptomless cases were in our circle of family and friends last summer. This year’s cases all involve mild symptoms, probably thanks to double vaccinations, the sort of symptoms that would probably not have triggered a PCR test in 2020.
Wednesday 25th August 2021 – A post with a silver lining
Despite our rural location, we are fortunate to have a convenient post box at the top of our Lane. Last year this was designated as an “NHS Priority Box”, with guaranteed collections seven days a week for those posting Covid test samples. A sticker across the post box declared this to be the case. The sticker has now been removed, and replaced by a more permanent notification that this post box will continue to benefit from daily collections, even on a Sunday. Every cloud has a silver lining.
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A Cornish welcome, as long as we follow the rules. Covid risk management in shops, pubs, cafes, office and during a during funeral
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Life in the UK changed for everyone in March 2020