So its mid-November, and nearly halfway through Lockdown 2.0. Except Lockdown 2.0 is nothing like Lockdown 1.0. Lockdown 2.0 is like a mini diluted version, and whilst non-essential retail is closed — as well as eat-in restaurants and pubs are likewise, much of life seems to carry on unabated. That said, it’s been tough as we aren’t seeing Joe at the moment (well Carol isn’t looking after him), mainly cos the hospitals may end up being so full that if we don’t get Covid, we may not be able to get treated. It’s not at that stage yet, but its not a million miles away.
It is beyond parody that we have a four week lockdown when we probably could have had a fortnight that encompassed half-term — but that boat sailed. I am now even wondering if there will ever be a true reckoning for all the damage that this Government has caused to literally every part of the population. It could and should have been so different. Look at Australia and New Zealand as liberal countries. Look at China, South Korea, Japan etc.
Interestingly, I dropped some cakes off with Jennifer today (for Veronica’s 80th birthday tomorrow)
and went out for a walk with Alvie (a Sunday). We walked across Roundhay Park down to Oakwood which was so nice, got a coffee at Gron and then walked back. The sun was shining and whilst the ground is super waterlogged, very muddy etc, it made me reflect that actually having a day each week (like in the 70s) when no one shops, goes to the cinema, goes to the football etc, is probably for the nation’s health.
It of course would never happen in today’s uber-capitalist society and would probably be considered a retrograde step, but nevertheless feels as if it could be part of living more slowly.
So interestingly, it is the weekend after Dom Cummings and Lee Cain have walked out of no 10, or been booted out depending on which version you believe. After the Barnard Castle debacle, it has unravelled so quickly. How will it all impact on Brexit? on the competency of the government? on whether Johnson appears to be more amenable to social liberals on the right, or continues to try and attract the Red Wall working class vote through a fairly blunt culture war … or tries to do both? Interestingly, no one can capture what his political ideology actually is beyond governance through comms. Which appears to translate to governing through focus group, or seeing which way the wind blows.
Christmas is still a month away — and if lockdown finishes on December 2nd, I am likely to travel down to Devon on December 7th, after Mum has been into hospital for another knee operation. Who knows what sort of Christmas this year will be?
