The CoronaWars continue. The world is changed. Pollution is down. Virtual meetings are keeping the economy afloat. Non-COVID-19 A&E referrals are down. Schools are using more digital media than ever. We can't go back to the way we were. Can we? Surely not.
There are images being released of cities like Mumbai, India, where the difference in pollution is immense. It's a real eye-opener and a more that valid argument for climate change activists to prove that we need to change. Less fossil cars, less aeroplanes, less fossil fuel power stations.
I hope that companies will think twice about sending colleagues abroad when apps such as Zoom are proving to be an excellent substitute. If my daughter can continue dance lessons on the platform (not ideal but its keeps things going) then business can conduct international relations without all the international travel.
I doubt A&E referrals will stay low once lockdown ends and social distancing is reduced/removed. After all, people have accidents. There are less because there are less people on the road and less people taking part in dangerous activities (although a bunch of surfers still carried on, causing the coastguard to spring into action unnecessarily). However, the way people use the medical system must change. That has needed to happen for a long time - particularly people's need for unnecessary antibiotics as one example. Do we always need to see a GP? Do we always need to call 999 when 111 would suffice?
Schools MUST change. I think I'll write more about this soon but for now it is important for all involved in education (not just the usual 'school leaders'). Why all involved? Acceptance and take up of the change that is needed. Aspects of remote learning must be used. Homework can be completed digitally. Work for absent children can be posted and completed digitally. In secondary schools - particularly Year 12 and 13 - online lessons must become normal.
Finally, the NHS must be funded properly. It's probably running as it should be at the moment. This funding must stay where it is. If people can give millions of pounds to Captain Tom or any other fund raising event, surely they can accept a little bit of extra tax to raise the absolutely necessary funds to keep the NHS working at optimum level. We'll see.
Be good. Work hard. Have fun.
25 April 2020
10 April 2020
Three weeks into 'Lockdown'
The Corona Wars continue...
I've been in self-isolation now for the last three weeks. Lockdown, as we call it, has been going for almost as long. It's not really lockdown thought is it? We're not confined to our houses and we can go out for essentials and exercise. There are of course those that continue to go to work to keep this country going.
What I don't understand is the need to know when it will end. The same people who were clamouring for 'lockdown' are now demanding to know what the timetable is. Do they not realise that COVID-19 has no timetable? Can't reporters simply report the news each day without trying to create headlines? Not only that, can reporters not politicise this situation? When all is said and done and the virus is officially at bay then it will be time to analyse the government's handling of the situation. Until then, we have to support the government, with or without Boris - I hope he gets well soon.
We have to do what the government tells us. Stay at home. I saw a wonderful post on social media recently that announced a lifting of the social distancing rules. But only for certain groups of people. And those groups were not groups that ordinary citizens of the UK would fall into but those who choose to flout the rules. It will be those people that delay the end of the Corona Wars. It will be those people that force the government to enforce an actual lockdown. A situation where you can't leave your home at all. Not something I want to experience.
As the Corona Wars continue I want to reflect on my time at home. Valuable time with my wife and children. We have had fun together. Prayed together. Read together. Had meals together. We've even done school at home. The Easter holidays have been a lovely time to relax and enjoy each others' company. I hope that people are able to do this.
Moving forward, I hope that families are able to help their children to learn valuable skills whilst they aren't at school. Keeping the house tidy. Making a shopping list. Cooking. Baking. Painting. Being polite. Being helpful. How to deal with emotionally difficult times. And so much more. If the academic things can be covered then even better. For now though, let's not focus on what children are not learning at school but what they can learn at home.
As I type this on Good Friday, I think of the sacrifice of Jesus. Giving His life so that we all may have life. I think of the key workers and the sacrifices that they're making. I think of all at home and the sacrifices that they are making. Jesus rose from the dead bringing us hope. The Corona Wars will end. There is always hope.
Be good, work hard, have fun.
I've been in self-isolation now for the last three weeks. Lockdown, as we call it, has been going for almost as long. It's not really lockdown thought is it? We're not confined to our houses and we can go out for essentials and exercise. There are of course those that continue to go to work to keep this country going.
What I don't understand is the need to know when it will end. The same people who were clamouring for 'lockdown' are now demanding to know what the timetable is. Do they not realise that COVID-19 has no timetable? Can't reporters simply report the news each day without trying to create headlines? Not only that, can reporters not politicise this situation? When all is said and done and the virus is officially at bay then it will be time to analyse the government's handling of the situation. Until then, we have to support the government, with or without Boris - I hope he gets well soon.
We have to do what the government tells us. Stay at home. I saw a wonderful post on social media recently that announced a lifting of the social distancing rules. But only for certain groups of people. And those groups were not groups that ordinary citizens of the UK would fall into but those who choose to flout the rules. It will be those people that delay the end of the Corona Wars. It will be those people that force the government to enforce an actual lockdown. A situation where you can't leave your home at all. Not something I want to experience.
As the Corona Wars continue I want to reflect on my time at home. Valuable time with my wife and children. We have had fun together. Prayed together. Read together. Had meals together. We've even done school at home. The Easter holidays have been a lovely time to relax and enjoy each others' company. I hope that people are able to do this.
Moving forward, I hope that families are able to help their children to learn valuable skills whilst they aren't at school. Keeping the house tidy. Making a shopping list. Cooking. Baking. Painting. Being polite. Being helpful. How to deal with emotionally difficult times. And so much more. If the academic things can be covered then even better. For now though, let's not focus on what children are not learning at school but what they can learn at home.
As I type this on Good Friday, I think of the sacrifice of Jesus. Giving His life so that we all may have life. I think of the key workers and the sacrifices that they're making. I think of all at home and the sacrifices that they are making. Jesus rose from the dead bringing us hope. The Corona Wars will end. There is always hope.
Be good, work hard, have fun.
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