There’s a common misconception amongst many ‘lockdown sceptics’ that those who approve of, or argue in favour of formal societal restrictions, like and/or enjoy lockdowns. I suppose there are a weird few who might do so. There’s always a ‘few’, isn’t there. People who like weird stuff that would have a normal person recoiling in horror. Stuff like S&M, clothes shopping and British seaside holidays, to give three examples.
Most people who believe in the need for restrictions don’t like lockdowns. They just find them a preferable, short term alternative to cremating granny. But restrictions must end. And they end at midnight tonight. Some would argue that they don’t in fact fully end until the middle of next month. But unless you have a huge desire to hug strangers, attend big weddings or go nightclubbing, then tonight is the last night.
We’ve had three lockdowns in the UK. The first two were perfectly tolerable. March to July 2020 went on a bit, but wasn’t the weather just absolutely glorious? And wasn’t it fun exploring all the hidden streets of our neighbourhoods on the many long, random walks? There was so much to watch on Netflix. Lots of us go paid time off work. It was almost like a trial run at retirement.
The second lockdown in November only lasted a few weeks. Twas a breeze. Done in a flash. And then came the third lockdown in January. A lot of people died, close to home. Walking in the cold, wet of a British winter isn’t much fun. Netflix? Sheesh, I suppose we’d best give Friends another run through. And the weather just never improved. We’re in mid May. It’s still raining. Every day. It’s still cold. We have the heating on, every evening.
We’re all a bit sick of it. Lockdown three has been no fun at all. Far from it. It has truly been the Lockdown of Discontent. But it ends tonight. Hallelujah.
The Mexile 
We had an end of covid family dinner today. All but the very wee ones have had two jabs plus two weeks of germination of the good juice.
I was at the greenhouse buying my pepper and tomato sets, the buyers were most all masked, they were all old as well, but the owners were mask free. They had their shots back in February because of their day jobs in the public schools.
Unless India and a nasty mutation throws us off our game, we may be on the way to normal.
And Gary, it was 80 and sunny today, here in Ohio. Take care. nk
LikeLike
I’m still waiting for jab number two. I’m hoping it might come soon, on account of two developments. The decision not to give under 40s the AZ shot surely means that there’s a surplus stock of the stuff that can now go towards second shotting us oldies. And then there is the ‘Indian variant’ which seems to be provoking a campaign to speed things up.
I’m optimistic. Things will get back to normal. But the weather still shows no signs of a change for the better.
LikeLike
Incidentally, there’s a long conversation to be had about the Indian variant in the UK. Bolton has seen a spike of infections. There’s a map showing which neighbourhoods are seeing most infections/hospitalisation. It corresponds almost exactly with a map showing which neighbourhoods have seen low take up of the vaccine.
LikeLike
“People who like weird stuff that would have a normal person recoiling in horror. Stuff like S&M, clothes shopping and British seaside holidays, to give three examples.”
As Meatloaf would (and did) say: two out of three ain’t bad. Does that make me two-thirds weird?
I have not written much about lockdowns. Perhaps because in my part of Mexico all of those attempts have been frustrated by a population that needs to get out and get things done — or starve. Of course, I have been in airplanes almost monthly since July. I have attained flight elite status that I would not have dreamed of under normal circumstances — when I use up accumulated miles rather than banking them.
Whenever I hear or read about people’s travails during The Lockdowns, I feel like I am sitting in Boodle’s listening to earls rattle on about their Bentleys — and I have no idea what they are talking about.
LikeLike
Meatloaf also said ‘he wouldn’t do that’. And for at least one of the three options, that is sound advice.
I don’t hugely like using the term lockdown, because we haven’t ever really had a lockdown. We’ve had a variable range of restrictions, but no one in the UK has ever truly been forced to stay indoors. I’m not sure that not being allowed in the pub or Primark counts as ‘lockdown’. But I use the term anyway, because everyone else does.
Whatever you want to call it, it’s a tool for rich countries. A luxury we can afford, sort of. Most parts of Mexico do not live lives of luxury. Nor elsewhere in the world. Lockdowns in a hand to mouth economy is a non starter.
I try to remain pragmatic. So I behave in a sensible manner that befits the situation, if not the rules. But the rules said I could go to my club today and make use of the steam room and sauna. So I did. And they say I can visit the British Museum on Thursday. So I shall. I suspect you might be able to guess what has spurred my latest visit to the greatest museum on earth.
LikeLike
You would not be participating in a cathedral murder (with apologies to TS), would you? Good article in THe Economist on that topic. The exhibit, not your pending visit.Though, that may also be noteworthy for The Mexile Gang.
LikeLike
No cathedral visits, I’m afraid. Of neither the TS or FSB varieties.
LikeLike
I think the purpose of lockdowns so that we can have overcast skies, and gloomy weather, where the sun doesn’t really peek through. Climate engineering is our only option. Even Harvard says so. If Bill Gates says so too, then so be it. A necessary evil I suppose.
LikeLiked by 1 person