Has there ever been anything like the present Covid news that has so saturated our lives? There is now nowhere to turn. The QR code has made double sure any escape impossible. At every turn one is asked to take the iPhone out and take a picture of the QR code which is a scrambled square that doesn’t seem to make any sense. Apparently it can be used to trace our movements but I am sure the world of quick money is using it to spout their products.
I have managed to get my double vaccination and even received a digital certificate proving my vaccination status. It is the Astra Zeneca of which there has been some concern that it produced thrombosis in a small number of recipients of that particular vaccine. Most of those, mainly younger women that suffered the blood clotting recuperated but an extremely small number have died. This information was badly handled by our Government and some became scared and uncertain and are now going without vaccinations waiting for the alternative vaccination the Pfizer which is in short supply.
Almost daily we are given ‘updates’ about changes to the lockdown rules and which areas of our country/cities have to be avoided. There are exemptions but the police is now employed to enforce by punishment that we obey lockdown rules. From next Monday for example the building industry is added to lockdown. Any hammering or drilling is strictly forbidden. We are given this weekend to secure any building or renovation site. No one in the greater Sydney area is allowed to leave and police on highways can check your number plate and know instantly that you have transgressed the lockdown rule. Those that don’t fall in line with the restrictions and lockdown can expect the dreaded midnight knock on the door and get a hefty fine to boot.
There are supposed to be exemptions on compassionate ground to visit each other such as couples in intimate relationships that are not living together. That would include me, but the consequences have to be taken in consideration. Do you really want to risk giving Covid infection? And what happens when you get back home again. Does one then have to self isolate?
These are hard and terribly boring times. I give myself some relief with wine and walking, patting Milo, knitting and some solitary cooking.
What can one do?
Here is something very exuberantly cheerful from 1725 by Jean Phillipe Rameau
Tags: Covid, Lockdown, Rameau, Sydney, Thrombosis, Vaccination
July 17, 2021 at 4:15 am |
I fear everything is going to come seriously unstuck, Gerard. We are not in any kind of lockdown. We are waiting the interminable three months for our second injection which will occur on August 2, and we are all wearing masks when in town.
Thank you for posting the link to that magnificent opera. I was unaware of it, but I am now going to find some more to listen to. Stay safe.
LikeLiked by 3 people
July 17, 2021 at 10:01 am |
Ye Jane, the gearstick in my car now holds innumerable masks and the inside pockets of my jackets ditto. The streets sometimes have discarded masks littering the pavement.
What a strange world. People check one another out if mask wearing is adhered too.
Yes, I too find the Rameau opera irresistible.
LikeLiked by 2 people
July 17, 2021 at 6:47 am |
The whole of COVID has been handled poorly by our abomination of a Federal Government. More important to market themselves and give the appearance that they are doing something. Even down to the vaccine. AZ is the workhorse of the world for COVID, yet it has been demonised to the point of mistrust by them. Mrs A and I have had ours and get our second next month. Our oldest at 29 got one yesterday, better to get something with more of a chance of getting hit by a bus than blood clots. He’s crook today as was Mrs A when she had hers.
We had one of the first outbreaks at Ryde Hospital last year followed by 100 infections along with 8 deaths at Dorothy Henderson last year. Both are within 2 kms of us. We just stay in the house now when something happens.
Loved the clip, just marvellous.
LikeLiked by 3 people
July 17, 2021 at 10:10 am |
Yes Algy.
We are now the slowest in our uptake of vaccinations and as well on Climate change.
I had no side effects and did not even feel the needle going into my arm.
The Government badly bungled the vaccination and scared people into waiting for the alternative ( Pfizer) which our Government did not order.
It’s a strange world where all our instincts of closeness, intimacy and community togetherness is now being banned.
I suffered a mini breakdown yesterday as I so wanted to share a coffee with my partner which I haven’t seen now for four weeks…
Alas, not during lockdowns. I lost it for a few hours!
We have to stay in touch with each other which the internet still allows.
LikeLike
July 18, 2021 at 12:53 am
Isn’t it wonderful that there is still the internet to keep still in touch on a daily basis?
I agree, four weeks seems to be an awful long time. No wonder, you become more and more impatient.
I think though, that you have been doing well in sticking to the things you love doing. And you have Milo to comfort you!
I have no living being living with me. But I sometimes hug a huge toy bear!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 18, 2021 at 5:38 am
Yes, and not only that you can through the iPhone join a ‘room’ which then enable you to see the person you are talking to.
Yes, thank goodness for my dog Milo even though he now sleeps most of the time.
It doesn’t look Annette and I will soon see each other. We just have to ‘hang’ in there.
LikeLike
July 17, 2021 at 7:34 am |
Situation sounds dreadful. Thank you for the video clip – just last week, a friend was raving about having been to see Indes Galantes – now I understand why! It’s an incredible interpretation/performance.
LikeLiked by 3 people
July 17, 2021 at 10:13 am |
Yes, during my mini breakdown yesterday I played a lot of music and this Rameau opera never fails to lift my gloom.
Of course I have my knitting too, which helps.
LikeLiked by 2 people
July 17, 2021 at 7:44 am |
Ja het is een vreselijke en onwerkelijke wereld waarin wij leven.
Hier heeft de corona ook weer de kop opgestoken en zijn er allerlei restricties van kracht. Het lijkt wel of de wereld aan het vergaan is.
LikeLiked by 2 people
July 17, 2021 at 10:19 am |
Ja, ik las 10 000 nieuwe infecties en 2 doden. En dat is niettegen staande dat Nederland 55% zijn gevaccineerd.
Het enigste is elkaar te blijven omhelzen en contakt te blijven houden, elkaar steunen.
Ik had ‘n nare dag gisteren , balken en self pity.
Het valt niet mee.
LikeLike
July 18, 2021 at 12:55 am
Yeah well, that’s easy for you two to say!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
July 17, 2021 at 8:23 am |
These are definitely hard, confusing, wonderings of what is to come next, emotionally-tiring, etc., times.
You are doing some good things…we are doing similar things…walks and playtime with Coops, hobbies, work, chores, music, good movies, cooking some yummy new recipes, gardening, ETC. 🙂 We keep very busy! 🙂
We’ve had our two doses, but are still masking up in certain situations/places. 😷
Our best to you, (((HUGS))), too! And PATS and RUBS to Milo! 🙂
PS…thanks for the link…I’ll take a listen! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 18, 2021 at 5:46 am |
Yes, being motivated to keep doing things is hard when they can’t be shared to other beings in the flesh.
Sydney is in lockdown and even though I could go there, it is not advised and if I did I then have to self-isolate for two weeks after I return.
It is all so contra what life is about. But look what is happening in Netherlands where they opened up and now the Delta strain is causing thousands of new infections Daily.
Thank goodness for the internet where I read some separated singles are enjoying their conjugal joys on-line.
The mind boggles.
Hugs to Coop and You.
LikeLiked by 2 people
July 17, 2021 at 8:35 am |
We can only wonder when it might end. Glad you’ve found wine and walking.
LikeLiked by 2 people
July 18, 2021 at 5:47 am |
Yes, wine, walk and knitting and online blogging. We have to stick together in whatever form that takes.
We are all orphaned now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 17, 2021 at 11:17 am |
Yes Gerard. It is a confusing world. Due to leave for SA tomorrow morning, it is only less than 12 hours away, I am now pretty confident that the flight will take place. As for the rest of the trip it is only another guessing game. Remember, in times past, the usual reason for not catching a flight was because we missed the flight. Welcome to the new world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 18, 2021 at 6:03 am |
Yes, confusing.
I thought that couples’ separated could still visit but it is just too difficult. The risks to others.
I nearly lost it when after weeks of separation I thought that meeting up was possible. Yes, theoretically, but in practice too irresponsible
We just have to endure more weeks.
Hope your flight is possible. I believe your dear sister is moving to your neck of the woods.
Stay the course and remain strong.
LikeLike
July 18, 2021 at 12:37 am |
I liked the video so much that I straight away copied it from YouTube and published it here:
Thanks very much for sharing, Gerard! 🙂
I find cooking healthy meals is a very satisfying task and passes the time. I wished though, that someone could share this beautiful food with me! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 18, 2021 at 5:50 am |
Yes, it is a great opera and I never get sated by it. It is timeless music.
How are you doing dear Uta? Hugs from Gerard
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 19, 2021 at 3:40 am |
Thanks for your enquiry, Gerard. I am enjoying the finished backyard, Gerard. 🙂
The deck is beautiful and spreads over an extended area. Now, I am waiting for people to visit once the restrictions are eased somewhat. I hope eventually someone is able to help me with planting a few things. 🙂
If you look at my recent Diary post, you might get some idea, how I am coping. https://auntyuta.com/2021/07/18/diary-33/
HUGS from me too! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 20, 2021 at 11:42 pm |
Yes, it is nice to have an outside deck. I sometimes wonder how hotel quarantine must be like. Can you imagine not being able to leave a room for two weeks?
We are still able to leave and shop while wearing masks.
People are dobbing in each other to the police if they think someone is breaking the lockdown rule.
It’s making the world so unfriendly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 20, 2021 at 12:08 pm |
I’ve never been so glad to live where I do. I have my own strong opinions about how this pandemic has been handled, and even stronger opinions about the media’s fear-mongering. There never was any question in my mind that a new variant would be seen as an opportunity for those addicted to power to exercise a bit more of it, and once the Delta variant loses steam (which it will) Gamma or Lambda will come trotting along to keep people anxious and isolated. It’s a horror.
One of the things that drives me crazy is the way headlines mislead. A few days ago, I spotted this one: “Covid Cases Increase 25 Per Cent Since March.” That sounded ghastly, until I read further and discovered that 25% represented two people. The 25% was accurate, but misleading — and given the level of math skill in the general population, they can get away with it.
No one seems to remember that we’ve lived for decades with “flu season,’ or that every year a new flu vaccine is developed to deal with the specific strains that are circulating. If sanity reappears, the same may very well be true with Covid. In the meantime, the word very nearly has disappeared from daily conversation here. Those who have to fly, or who follow the Olympics, or read bulletins from places with officials who luxuriate in their power to oppress people may come across it, but otherwise? Daily life goes on, with Covid just part of the background noise. I hope the same for you — sooner rather than later!
LikeLiked by 2 people
July 21, 2021 at 3:24 am |
Linda, thanks for commenting. My reply is a bit further down! 🙂
LikeLike
July 20, 2021 at 11:57 pm |
Yes, normality is a foreign world. The hysteria is reaching fever pitch with media announcers of more dire news showing up all red faced and wringing their hands.
Yesterday it was announced a woman in her 50s had passed away from Covid in her own house. Can you believe it? All the papers showed a picture of this woman as a warning to all of us to stick to the rules of lockdown and separation.
A nervous tension is palpable and we are now all downcast and oh so obedient. We check each other for wearing facemasks well above the nostrils and below over mouths and jutting chins.
We ask each other if a fresh mask is now required and we nod in agreement.
I still go to my Coffee patch and a friendly very tame bird, a local mynah, waits for me to give it some crumps of the croissant. Now, there it is, still a bit of real world about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 21, 2021 at 3:28 am |
When I can travel again, Gerard, I might join you in your Coffee patch! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 21, 2021 at 10:42 pm
Yes, Uta that would be nice. I am not in a good place right now, like so many others.
LikeLike
July 22, 2021 at 12:18 am
This is true, Gerard. I always think so many others are even worth off. So, I am determined to count my blessings and get through all this. 🙂
The important thing is to stay safe and to keep in touch with Annette and your family. 🙂
Hugs from me, Uta 🙂
LikeLike
July 21, 2021 at 12:24 pm |
Speaking of the Lambda variant, as I was… Oh, snap! Delta’s so yesterday!
LikeLike
July 21, 2021 at 12:40 pm
Delta’s so yesterday? I can’t say this applies to Australia right now.
LikeLike
July 21, 2021 at 12:46 pm
That was a tongue in cheek comment. Of course the Delta variant is still an issue: here, too. Humor’s hard online.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 21, 2021 at 12:51 pm
Yes, and you’re right. after Delta there are going to be others. This is just the way it is.
LikeLiked by 2 people
July 21, 2021 at 10:45 pm
At least in some countries treatment of Covid infected and hospitalized people is getting much better.
I am surprised we don’t hear much about how science is progressing in treatment of those that are infected and suffering so badly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 21, 2021 at 3:21 am |
“It is the essayist’s task to say, “This is what I have seen. This is what I have experienced. This is what I have discovered lying along life’s shore, waiting to be plucked from the sands of obscurity, turned and examined, magnified for detail, polished until its inherent nature shimmers in the light.” ~ Linda Leinen
When I discovered this, I couldn’t help myself, I had to copy it here! I hope, Linda, you don’t mind. You have led an interesting life. And I am sure, you have a lot to write about your present life too. Your thoughts about the pandemic I find quite interesting. So far, I am not so straight forward thinking as far as the pandemic is concerned, meaning I am somewhat confused in not actually knowing for sure how in my opinion it should be handled. I do however assume that this ‘pandemic’ is going to bring long term changes. It baffles me how people in general to not seem to consider this at all.
Linda, you say: “I’ve never been so glad to live where I do.”
I live in the Illawarra of NSW, Australia. I actually like a lot of places in Australia, but right now, the Illawarra is somehow special to me, and in particular the three bedroom free standing villa with a bit of outside area, feels like I could live here for the rest of my life – whatever is left of it! But who knows, I don’t really know, how my life is going to end, do I? I think, it could well be in a hospital. But I probably won’t be sorry, if it turns out that my ancient body is just shutting down at home. And I hope, the world is letting me vanish then for good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 21, 2021 at 12:27 pm |
I don’t mind at all. As a matter of fact, the essay that came from is one of my favorites, and I’ve considered reposting it.
Isn’t it wonderful to be living in a place that feels like home? None of us knows how it’s all going to end, but I certainly hope my life ends at home — particularly since I don’t have family to ride herd on staff at some sort of institution. I don’t anticipate leaving this mortal coil any time soon, but I am a little more conscious of tidying up the house before I go to bed — just in case! I’d hate for someone to make a post-mortem visit and find things a mess!
LikeLiked by 2 people
July 21, 2021 at 10:51 pm
Yes, Linda and in that same spirit I stripped the bed and put the sheets in the washing machine. I feel a bit better already.
Had a torrid night when again I was told to be ‘patient’ in seeing my beloved.
Absence makes the heart fonder, yes but at my age, time is becoming more of the essence.
LikeLike
July 23, 2021 at 5:23 am |
Well…the news today out of Sydney today puts the tin-lid on things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 23, 2021 at 5:39 am |
All good now. I was jut being stupid if not inconsiderate as well.
LikeLike
July 24, 2021 at 11:41 pm |
Living in a Covid urban environment is living in an experience that is mildly unpalatable, but tolerable. The masks went a long way toward screwing up life, but in the end it was inevitable these would be “lifted” from the requirements list. If only the health officials could see that a mostly harmless disease does not require overkill reactions…
— Catxman
http://www.catxman.wordpress.com
LikeLike
July 25, 2021 at 12:59 am |
Oh FFS !!
LikeLike
July 25, 2021 at 1:51 am |
‘Mildly unpalatable’?
That almost could have come from Mr. Trump. Oh, it’s just a bit of a cold. Pine-o-clean will cure it.
LikeLike
July 25, 2021 at 4:02 am
Is the death rate exactly higher than in previous years the flu death rate was? Admittedly it is definitely more infectious than the flu has ever been, and the people who end up in hospital do need an immense amount of care.
We have learned to stay away from people who have the flu. Why don’t we stay away from people with the Coronavirus? We do know that anyone, even people without symptoms, can be a spreader of the virus!
Even people who have been vaccinated, can be carriers of the virus and spread it to any number of other people.
Yes, vulnerable people, especially even they have not had any vaccinations, can easily become seriously sick when they come into the vicinity of someone who is a spreader.
LikeLike
July 25, 2021 at 5:33 am
The death rate of flu is much lower than from Covid and this year there have been very few notification’s of flu.
There have been a total of 408 laboratory confirmed notifications of Influenza in Australia for 2021, as at 19 July 2021.
ACT: 7
NSW: 48
NT: 17
QLD: 211
SA: 14
TAS: 20
VIC: 67
WA: 24
As for Covid fatalities. Australia has done extremely well in keeping that number down despite the fact that our uptake of vaccinations is the lowest amongst the OECD countries.
For example Uta; Sweden with a population of 10 million
14651 have died.
Australia with almost 26 million just 918 have died.
In Sweden people might remember they allowed the Covid to spread without intervention hoping ‘herd immunity’ would follow. It did not, with tragic consequences.
The success of Australia is mainly due to Lockdowns and having a much easier border to control.
LikeLike
July 25, 2021 at 9:35 am
I just published parts of an article that the coronavirus is spread through the air we breathe, and this goes mainly for indoors in buildings with inadequate ventilation!
https://auntyuta.com/2021/07/25/the-pressure-is-on-for-australia-to-accept-the-coronavirus-really-can-spread-in-the-air-we-breathe/
The risk of breathing in COVID-19 is 20 times higher indoors than out, doctors reveal:
https://auntyuta.com/2021/07/25/the-covid-problem-experts-say-must-be-accepted-and-corrected/
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 27, 2021 at 6:52 am
I am sorry, I cannot help thinking about the inner airflow in Public buildings and published some of my thoughts about it here:
https://auntyuta.com/2021/07/27/diary-i-keep-thinking-about-indoor-air-flow/
I was also still interested to find out more about the coronavirus death rates in different countries. and I found quite a few links, for instance these links:
https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinations/what-s-new/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-updates/situation-update-on-coronavirus/statistics-on-deaths-related-to-covid-19#are_deaths
https://www.euromomo.eu/graphs-and-maps/
LikeLike
July 27, 2021 at 7:47 am
Here is a website giving you the death rate per capita.
As I understand it the Delta virus is very good at spreading. The latest outbreak seems to indicate that within family groupings almost all members of a family become infected from just one contact.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 27, 2021 at 12:48 pm |
Thank you, Gerard, for the link to the Worldometers Website. There is such a huge amount of information on this website that I could click onto it for hours.
My understanding about the Delta variant of the virus is the same as yours: It is very good at spreading!
And my understanding why this is so, is that this virus is airborn and stays in the air we breathe. So to get fresh air, seems to me to be of the utmost importance. So why do we quarantine people in badly ventilated buildings? And why do a lot of people do their shopping in poorly ventilated buildings? It is beyond me, why so called ‘experts’ do not talk about it more. Just with vaccinations we cannot get on top of the virus. This is how it seems to me. For how long shall this hackling about the ‘cost’ (well ventilated buildings cost money”) for how long shall this hackling go on? Because it costs money, they don’t even want to talk about it. All these vaccinations, do they not cost money too? Someone has to pay for these. And big Pharma is in big, big business! Eventual we do need a good vaccine, this is true. But good vaccines need an awful lot of research as I understand it. But nobody wants us to talk about this. Fair enough, it is an emergency now. What we need is sunshine and fresh air, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 27, 2021 at 1:08 pm |
[…] https://oosterman.wordpress.com/2021/07/17/no-end-of-covid/#comment-82836 […]
LikeLike
July 27, 2021 at 1:10 pm |
Sorry, Gerard, I just used your comment for a post on my website. I hope you don’t mind.
Hugs to you and Milo! 🙂
LikeLike
July 28, 2021 at 5:32 am |
Thank you, Uta. Sad to say that Milo is gone. He had kidneys failure and now I buried him in my garden. He was a good friend and loyal companion for 17 years,
LikeLike
July 28, 2021 at 7:20 am |
Condolances, Gerard…all the best..
LikeLike
July 29, 2021 at 7:47 am
Thank you, Jo.
I did not think it would be that hard. Milo gave us so much.
LikeLike
July 28, 2021 at 2:12 pm |
Milo gone. This is so sad, Gerard. 😦
LikeLike
July 29, 2021 at 3:18 am |
17 years! That is such a good old age. Very tough on you, dear Gerard, to lose a good friend like this at a time like this. Please, don’t let it get you down too much. Hugs from Uta
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 29, 2021 at 7:49 am |
Yes, you wonder what next calamity. He was 17 years and old age is always unavoidable followed by an end.
It was still a surprise when it happened so quickly. I’ll write a post for Milo.
Thank you Uta.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 29, 2021 at 12:48 pm
Yes, I thought you would write a post for Milo. Maybe it is a blessing when death can come quickly. But of course, it is still a shock.
Hope your writing is going to relieve some of the pain.
Best wishes, Uta
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 29, 2021 at 8:44 am |
With the passing of our loved pets, it is that loss of mute, innocent love with the parting that cuts most deep….the pure innocence of the thing…so sorry for you, Gerard.
LikeLiked by 2 people
July 30, 2021 at 12:00 am |
Yes, exactly. You think one is tough and hardened but when a pet dies it feels the end of life. They are always so unbiased, uncritical and most loyal.
LikeLiked by 2 people