A year without


I notice a number of co-incidences this morning as I return to the blog. A symmetry of posting dates since 2008 and unbelievably at first sight, 10 years since I last posted. But more importantly in my thoughts this morning, 1 year since lockdown started. 

I remember having a 48 hour head cold over that weekend last March and worrying whether it was anything more serious. Lockdown, no travel or contact and my first ever flu jab just prior to Christmas have meant a year free from bugs, colds and sneezes - apart from a token bout of hay fever in that glorious May weather last year.

Having had my first vaccine jab on Saturday morning, I have had 48 hours soreness in the jab site and aches, surprisingly mainly in my fingers. Nothing that confined me to bed but a general feeling of being under the weather and woolly headedness. 

What a well designed process the vaccination was. From the initial booking via the NHS website two weeks ago, to the volunteers at the site - which was a sports hall about 7 miles away. Plenty of happy smiling faces - well eyes anyway - all that was visible above the face masks. Helpful, concerned and engaged. From car parking, to hand sanitising, to chair cleaning and vaccine givers, people could not have been better. Whilst I wouldn't say I was nervous, I certainly had a level of anxiety upon arrival which was completely alleviated.

It reminded me of the last time I felt that spirit of community and volunteer help - the London 2012 Olympics. I only went to one live event, the beach volleyball at Horseguards Parade in Whitehall. The similarity there from the tube journey to the grandstands where full-faced, smiling volunteers guided, aided and cared about the visitors. Through the pandemic we have seen some of the best of our society, overshadowed by some terrible statistics. 

126,000 people who may have enjoyed the Olympics 9 years ago but aren't now here to enjoy anything else. 

Let us remember them at midday and 8pm today. Whilst we are all currently without, for us lucky ones it will return.

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