Finding coronavirus news was difficult today. Harry and Meghan news? Seemingly everywhere. Journalist Piers Morgan resigned from ITV's Good Morning Britain show after remarks he made about Meghan drew over 41,000 complaints in under 24 hours. Hey, if you're going to do something, do it in a big way. Buckingham Palace issued a statement to the effect that the accusations of racism within the royal ranks are troubling and will be investigated. So far, any fallout from the interview has been on the royal family not Harry and Meghan.
I found some results from a survey of Europeans about lessons they had learned from lockdowns. It didn't surprise me to read that 70 percent of those who responded felt that a permanent change at work was inevitable and 80 percent wanted to work more from home. Over half--60 percent-- reported that their spending patterns had changed. Seventy-four percent said they were willing to pay more for products made nationally. Half reported valuing relationships more now, while 40 percent wanted more or different space at home, such as a balcony or a garden. One reported noted that the lockdown basically greatly accelerated trends that already existed.
What have I learned in the year of self-lockdown? I worked from home for more than 20 years, and said more than once that if told to move back on campus to do my job, I would quit. In terms of spending, there are few impulse buys now since all shopping has been done online or by Son #1. Tied into spending, I will buy products even at a higher price from a locally owned business rather than online or from a large chain of stores. Do I value relationships more? I value relationships with specific people more. Some people I thought of as "friends" pre-lockdown, I would now call "acquaintances." I realize I haven't missed these people much if at all.
They may have burned masks in Idaho recently, but only seven percent of Americans say they plan to stop wearing masks in public after getting vaccinated. a whopping 81 percent said they will continue to wear a mask, and 66 percent said that they would continue distancing. Finally, 87 percent said that they would keep washing their hands frequently. The pandemic has had some positive effects and made people more aware of some basic health things such as the value of cleanliness.
The health folks here have started vaccinating people in my group: ages 16 to 64 with a serious underlying risk factor. I've been anxiously checking email and answering every phone call in hopes it will be how I can make an appointment. Besides Virginia, 36 other states and the District of Columbia have expanded vaccine eligibility for pre-existing conditions. There happens to be some variance between states as to what is considered a pre-existing condition and how serious each condition is. At least 30 states consider Type 2 diabetes a serious factor, while only 23 consider Type 1 diabetes a serious factor. I have no background in medicine, but I would think Type 1 should be more serious than Type 2. There seem to be more ways to treat or control Type 2 than there are for Type 1.
Fingers are crossed for an email or phone call this evening. I know someone who said that they received their email about scheduling at 10:45 pm.
2 comments:
I've learned that I need speech more than I thought I did. I went to craft groups not because I wanted to but because I thought they were good for me. I didn't realise how much I would miss them. Past me would look at current me as prepper-adjacent because what I thought was a suitable level of food in the pantry got us through those early days but it wasn't enough. It's going to be a long time before I have under 100 toilet rolls in the house. Much as I'd like to shop local it's not an option apart from a butcher but this year I have found specialist suppliers up and down the country who deliver at reasonable cost. No more will I hunt through three supermarkets to find the dried beans I want - I'll just order a couple of kilos of every variety I use and store them.
Rates here are now so low that I feel happy shopping a couple of times a week. I'm not yet back to the pre pandemic days of leaving everything in the Aldi fridge until I need it and I'm still meal planning a week at a time. That might change when the child returns to uni after Easter.
I had a booking phone call from the doctor within two hours of me sending them an email asking them to update my records. I was so shocked that I was momentarily speechless. It will be a long time before I forget that moment. I hope your moment comes soon.
Welllll here is a negative comment about the de-commissioned royal couple: She did not know you curtsy to the Queen? Anyone with 2 brain cells to rub together who would set her sights on that cute red-headed Prince would do some homework!
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