As the UK lurches from Covid policy to policy, the introduction and changing of a plethora of testing/tracking and tracing systems, and ever-evolving local Covid lockdowns, and confusing (and probably confused) restrictions, it is increasingly fascinating to learn what is going on in different parts of the world and even in the four kingdoms of the fractured, not-very-United Kingdom.
I’m writing this while in Todmorden in the Yorkshire Pennines. The use of face coverings in this area is very, very mixed. Many students in particular, are simply not wearing anything on public transport and many older people are wearing ‘something’ – but in many cases they are not covering noses, and in some cases they are sitting around folk’s necks! Others are simply refusing to wear any sort of face coverings citing infringements of personal liberties and/or denying that the Covid pandemic exists.
Likewise, the organising of ‘social distancing’ in pubs and restaurants is incredibly variable, ranging from table service only to full-on bar service with many standing around at bars. Noise levels are indistinguishable from pre-pandemic days, i.e. LOUD! And, ‘track and trace’ records vary from the rigorous enforcement of the entering of personal details in a record book, through to groups of 15 to 20 football supporters (with only one name being taken), sitting virtually on top of each other, and screaming and dancing like modern-day cannibals around the ceremonial TV-set, handily substituting for a big cauldron blazing on a ceremonial fire! “It ain’t going to affect me”, they yell.
Covid-19 certainly hasn’t gone away. Indeed the number of cases is rising again. Some say it’s ‘exponential’. Clashes between Covid-deniers and other sections of society across the world in different countries are increasing too as people become angry about restrictions to civil liberties and threats to health. This is all fuelled by fear, conflicting information, and in some cases has become embroiled with issues around Climate Change, Black Lives Matter, Brexit, refugees and vaccinations.
Meanwhile, I have continued to invite friends, acquaintances and work colleagues to share their ‘personal’ Covid stories for publication.
In this issue, my old social-work colleague and good mate, Howie Armstrong, shares his recent experiences of travelling from Scotland to Bulgaria, via London.
Alan Dearling