Covid-19 News

 
The onslaught of Covid disease at last seems to be waning. Cases and death rates are slowly falling, and the vaccination program is racing ahead, adding to the celebration of Brexit successes. I had my vaccination a few weeks ago, with no ill effects - not even a sore arm or red spot. Ann has her jab booked for Saturday, and is looking forward to picking up the threads of normal existence; she has already booked appointments with the glaucoma clinic and for an eye test now we have a date for safely walking the streets again, and she may be able to revisit the shops for the first time in months. Even more important, when will the pubs and restaurants reopen? Meanwhile, I continue painting. Ann bought me a parcel of black canvases to use, and I have now done a number of more modern pictures. The Thinker is an attempt at an expressionistic style.

The Thinker

On our telecon meeting this morning, they announced that there will be a big internal meeting in March, with some of our Japanese colleagues expected to attend. As many as can are being urged to make the journey to attend in person at the Holborn office in London. Despite the jab, I'm not sure if I can risk a visit to London yet, but things are certainly beginning to open up again, bring hope for brighter times ahead. I have continued to paint a little, though interrupted by work, which has been intense recently as we move towards starting a new drug trial. Aso, as part of the research effort on Covid-19, I am getting a number of safety reports to analyse from an inoculation study run by Oxford and Manchester universities for the ONS (Office of National Statistics). These are follow-up reports for the routine jabs, but it is interesting that I am now being involved, even if remotely.

Less good news has come from Ben and Kaz. Ben has largely been able to work from home, but Kaz works with vulnerable young people and therefore has to meet them face-to-face on a daily basis. Those she works with have no concept of social distancing, and will not wear face masks, so her risk has always been high. Now she too has developed Covid, before being offered protection, and passed it on to Ben. They are fortunately recovering now, but have had to isolate for the required period.

Ann's sister, Jane, also was due to get the jab but has also developed symptoms of Covid, so is unable even to go for her daily walk and has had to postpone her vaccination. Her son John works as a delivery driver, so was always at risk of exposure from the many people he meets each day, though it is uncertain if he showed symptoms or not.