Today is April Fools’ day and it is becoming more and more apparent that the UK Government is treating us all like fools as their lies start coming home to roost. The Covid-19 pandemic is a global disaster but one we had some advance notice of when the outbreak started in China, but what did Johnson and his mob choose to do? We all know the answer to that – they ignored it – just as they ignored all previous recommendations from previous scenario tests. Suitable stocks of suitable PPE cost money, money which the NHS just hasn’t got and the Tories won’t provide. We aren’t being tested because they can’t test people because the Tories have allowed the infrastructure required – people, places, equipment and chemicals – to run down due to lack of financing. The tax-paying public bailed out the Banks and then paid for it with a Tory imposed decade (and some) of austerity, the end result of which is a whole host of public services no longer fit for purpose and which only continue to function because of the will, dedication and love shown by those working in those services – the NHS, Social Services, Emergency Services, Schools – need I say more?
Cross? Me?? You bet your life I am! There will be a time of reckoning for this lot – but how many people will die before then?
It’s almost surreal living under lock-down here in France as my life is pretty much locked-down anyway because of my handicap and general health, or lack thereof. Not too much has changed – a nurse visits every morning, my physio calls Wednesday’s and Friday’s and we only shop once or twice a month. We get the occasional caller, not too often though and of course our builder is staying home – the French are now fining people 1500€ for unnecessary travelling so the quiet roads are now devoid of traffic. The major change to our life is us not being able to eat out or go to the local theatre – our only ‘treats’ in life. The really strange thing is it’s like we’re all sitting in God’s waiting room, waiting for Covid-19 to show it’s face and do it’s worse. For me that would mean toes up I’m afraid. After last years dice with sepsis I know my immune system wont survive another assault so the realist in me knows I’ll be toast and I’ve told Karen not to fight for me if i cop for it. I’ve stared death in the face a number of times since 3rd December 2015, it doesn’t scare me and in fact there’s a (large) part of me that would actually welcome it. Are any of you Terry Pratchett fans? I am, thanks to my eldest son John pointing me in his direction a long time ago, and one of my favourite Pratchett characters is called Death – the Grim Reaper.
When an author can make me laugh out loud every page I know there’s not too much to be bothered about. If you haven’t read any of his Disc World books do, please, try them – tears of laughter will roll down your cheeks. Another thing that brought a smile to my face was the sight of Dominic Cummings running away from 10 Downing Street – as if even he can outrun the inevitable call of Death! I understand he is in self-isolation as he is suffering mild symptoms of the disease, as is his bessie Boris. Honestly? Couldn’t have hapened to two more deserving bastards. NHS staff treating those two makes a hypocracy of the Hypocratic oath – in the immortal words of my old chum Andie ‘Rickenbacker’ Grant – ‘just saying’.
The daily press conferences are delivering less and less truth and information. Have you noticed the once much maligned experts wince everytime the daily politician speaks? How Gove and Raab have the nerve to face the nation at a time like this disgusts me. Gove especially is a dispicable character who wouldn’t know the truth if it spat at him! John Crace comments on Gove’s multiple faces of the truth in todays Guardian.
I’ll sign off for today at this point and reconvene tomorrow. Stay home and stay safe.
Right, here I am again and it’s Thursday 2nd April and to return straight back to the comment immediately above – when will this Government start telling us the truth about their preparedness for Coronavirus, the testing regime they are (supposedly) setting up and the supply and, more importantly, delivery of PPE? PPE must be considered consumable supplies – items such as gloves and, to a large extent masks, should be considered as single use items. As such front-line workers should be receiving a constant re-supply, not just one delivery. Anecdotal evidence would seem to indicate that initial supplies, never mind resupplies aren’t getting through and this isn’t good enough. There was also a report in the Guardian this morning that a large hospital in London almost ran out of oxygen! We deem to be running out of everything!
Testing also remains subject to much discussion and concern. Again today the Guardian has reported that only 2,000 front line NHS staff have been tested. This Government is consistently failing it’s people – testing and supplying the front-line workers with the protection they need are all falling short of their promises – and now we are beginning to see that their financial support promises are also not proving successful. This morning I heard on Radio 4’s Today programme that one Bank offered a loan to a struggling business – at 30% apr! FFS!! And then we’ve got Richard Branson asking the tax-payer to bail our Virgin Atlantic or it will fold. The same Branson who pays no Tax – that’s right NO TAX – on his profits from his healthcare contracts. And the same Branson who has offered no support other than unpaid leave to his Virgin Atlantic staff, Meanwhile he’ll be self-isolating on his luxury Caribbean island, swigging champagne and chomping on caviar butties – tosser!
Someone should start compiling a list of all the companies who are squealing and then trying to take advantage of this pandemic so we all know who to avoid when this is all over. I think I’ll have a word with my old chum Mick Teece and see what we can do 😉 Already I’ve got Virgin and HSBC in my sights but there’s more I’m sure.
We can only hope that when we come out of this the world will be a better place, where people talk and co-operate rather than fight. We will need the highest levels of co-operation if we are to overcome the challenges of climate change. Digging deep into The Guardian today I found these very interesting reads – this about the impact of Covid-19 on the Oil Industry – and this from the United Nations
In closing for the day I will ask just one question of you all – at this time does it really make any sense at all to be even contemplating leaving the EU?
Jems Juke Box today – only one tune this time
Jeff Buckley – Everybody here wants You
Thanks
Jem