Tomorrow marks the third anniversary of the start of the pandemic as far as I’m concerned. Different people will have different dates. The WHO gave us an official date. But three years ago today, Mrs P and I went for a long drive into the country, to have a walk around Minterne Gardens. A final day out, somewhere devoid of people, to enjoy fresh air, a bit of sun and the joy of unrestricted freedom. We all knew that tomorrow would see the introduction of lockdown. Tomorrow was the day that even the most optimistic person would have to accept that there was no escaping all the ravages of the coronavirus.
What an utterly surreal fifteen months followed on from Boris’ lockdown speech. Bournemouth airport, usually home to no more than a handful of 737s, filled up with dozens of Jumbos and 777s, parked up with nowhere to go. Poole Bay filled up with massive cruise ships. The town centre emptied of people. ‘Just for three weeks’, they said. I think most of us knew that that was more than a bit optimistic. We were right. But no matter, it’s all long over now. With just photo albums to remind us of how nuts it all was. Click on the link to see my Pandemic Portfolio.
The British edition of the pandemic effectively ended in July 2021, when pretty much all restrictions were lifted. What did we learn during that period? I could list the scientific studies showing the effectiveness, or not, of the many measures taken during that difficult year. I could chat about how different styles of government achieved such different results. But I’m not going to.
I’m just going to say that I underestimated how many people can lose their minds so spectacularly, attach themselves to nonsensical ideas, factions and agendas and how much pointless noise they can make. Essentially, I learned that an awful lot of people are really rather mad. And for more than a few of them, the pandemic will never really end.
Where are we now with covid? It became clear to me that we were all going to get it at some point from about, say….March 2020? Waves of the virus scooped up millions, hundreds of millions, billions in 2020 and 2021. Now it’s just picking off the last remaining stubborn, determined hold-outs. It’s like a game of Ten Pin bowling for the virus. Sure, those last couple of skittles are awkward. But he has an infinite number of balls to bowl. And all the time in the world. Death and taxes…and Covid. That’s where we are now.
The Mexile 
I know two people with covid right now, one bed ridden, one just poorly, both with the full shot regime . The very sick one is, or was, a health nut. The other guy who is restricting contact is not an athlete by far-luck of the draw.
LikeLike
There’s regularly a case or two amongst people I know. It’s not rampaging through the population like the three big waves (Original, Delta and Omicron), but it’s a persistent feature of life. I don’t know of anyone who’s had it very bad for a long time. Which is good news.
LikeLike
Still haven’t got it (knock on wood). And I still wear a N-95 mask in very crowded indoor situations, such as public transportation in Mexico City. (But that might be a good idea, COVID or not. I know I haven’t had a cold in three years.)
LikeLike
You are, quite possibly, the most stubbonest hold out I know, Will. But Mr Covid has a bowl with your name on it somewhere amongst his infinite pile. I don’t say that unkindly, of course.
Mrs P’s mum held out til mid February. Her husband too. But it got ‘em. They’re both vaccinated and were over it quick enough. Do you know Marsha in CDMX? I know she got it not too long ago. I think it’s left her a bit fatigued.
Covid isn’t a laughing matter, but it’s not what it once was. Happily…
LikeLike
Quite a few of my friends, relatives and neighbors here in Ohio had it (fortunately it wasn’t too serious for any of them). My husband in Mexico got it. However, I still have a number of friends who have never caught it. Scientists are doing studies to see if those of us who have not been infected after all this time might not have a gene that offers us immunity. Maybe, just maybe, fingers crossed, Mr. Covid will have to cross my name off his list.
LikeLike
My younger sister has dodged it so far, but then she rarely goes out and when she does she steers well clear of people. She always has.
Could some people be immune? I guess it’s possible. I’m not convinced. But I guess the longer you hold out, the milder (in theory) the virus, the better the treatments.
LikeLike
“I’m just going to say that I underestimated how many people can lose their minds so spectacularly, attach themselves to nonsensical ideas, factions and agendas and how much pointless noise they can make. Essentially, I learned that an awful lot of people are really rather mad.”
Brilliant.
I haven’t done much of retrospective myself, but I did decide on this: We here in the States haven’t entirely gone back to the Old Normal, but we haven’t gone on to a New Normal either. Things are still developing.
And oh…inflation. Things are much more expensive.
LikeLike
Would you disagree if I suggested that the States had the most schizophrenic approach to Covid of all? It seemed so from my perspective. I think this is checks and balances at work. Two sides fighting from the extremities. And the States still demands proof of vaccine for tourists, which seems a bit unnecessary in 2023 to me.
I don’t necessarily mind inflation. Indeed, I welcome inflation, so long as my pay keeps up. It’s a quick way to pay off my mortgage…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Considering we had a pathological liar in the White House when COVID hit, I don’t mind any negative response at all as to what we did or didn’t do.
We ended up sending money to people. “Sorry about this killer plague thing and all but, hey, here’s some money.”
Which I did appreciate greatly, being on the Social Security dole.
LikeLike
He wasn’t a good egg. Not at all. In fact, as far as eggs go, he was a properly bad egg. And yes, money always helps.
LikeLiked by 1 person