Friday October 1st 2021 – Socialising with colleagues once again
Last night, for the first time in 18 months, in fact possibly for the first time since Christmas 2019, I went to a city centre pub, a “leaving do” for two colleagues who are moving on to Pastures New. For many it was also an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from other Teams who once shared our open plan office, but with whom we have not met since we were all evicted, at only a few hours’ notice, to our respective home-offices in March 2020. At the time we looked forward to meeting up again within a few weeks. Instead, 18 months later, we remain dispersed, our paths only crossing if visits to the central administration office happen to briefly coincide. Our open plan office has been disposed of. Consequently, there was a lot of smiley greetings, and cheerful news updates, although all refrained from enthusiastic hugs. It was a lovely atmosphere, as though we were merely enjoying a relaxed social time with each other after a week of sharing a busy office, rather than what was, in effect, a reunion.
I admit to being apprehensive about meeting in a city pub on a Friday night, but the pub had been chosen with care, at the edge of the city centre, definitely not the haunt of boisterous youths, nor a place that morphs into a night club when it gets dark. In fact, our collection of mostly over 40s (and one or two of us who have been over 40 for a decade or two) fitted in well. The place was relatively quiet, plenty of seats, no need to queue at the bar, and only a couple of other groups gracing the establishment. Perfect for us. I’m not sure that such a subdued Friday night atmosphere was as beneficial to the venue.
Saturday 16th October 2021 – Travellers tales
Two friends/family have recently returned from trips to Europe, one for business, one for leisure, and both flew back with Covid. I am somewhat confused by the various testing regimes for different destinations, which seem to provide an opportunity to travel while infected. The weakness seems to be the lateral flow test.
My stepson visited Belgium for several days on business, and his company required that he take a PCR test before returning. The airline merely required a negative lateral flow test before boarding, presumably the minimum legal requirement. He received the result of his PCR while at the airport. Positive. His lateral flow was negative, sufficient to allow him to board. He felt fine, wanted to go home, and so flew, developing symptoms once back in the UK. I admit to being disappointed at his decision to fly.
Our friend took her family to Cyprus, landing in the south, and being driven to their villa in the north, thus crossing two borders, including the UK. She carefully checked the Covid-testing requirements for each border, but still missed the requirement for her 15-year-old stepson to have a lateral flow test before returning to southern Cyprus for the flight home. She convinced the border official that they had remained at the villa, with its own pool, and was allowed to fly. Her partner and stepson had developed Covid symptoms while on holiday, but tested negative using lateral flow tests, and were allowed to fly home, where each subsequently had a positive PCR test.
Wednesday 27th October 2021 – Covid risk falls down the agenda
We hosted a large funeral at my church, between 100 and 150 mourners expected, overflowing into our “Welcome Area” where an additional sound system was set up. Our Minister (Methodist equivalent of a Vicar) called me to inquire about fire safety, the responsibility for which falls to me, ensuring appropriate means of escape for such a large number. I had to remind him that Covid remains a bigger risk than fire when such numbers congregate, and we agreed that mask wearing throughout the service would be encouraged. Covid precautions are beginning to slip down the agenda in people’s lives.