So we will be slipping back to where we were back in March although now, if anything, things are worse and we have a more virulent mutation of COVID. It might be frustration but it is still beyond me how some of the greatest scientific brains, some of the greatest medical brains in the world cannot do something about what has become an escalating situation.
But wait we have the vaccine. Problem is they are now talking about it being July before everyone can be immunised. To get the vaccine out is a huge logistical task but this should be the number one aim, the number two aim and the number three aim.
We were all so positive when we heard that a vaccine was on its way, but now we seem to be back in the same sloth of depression that we were in months ago. How many more businesses will go under is anyone's guess?
The logistics behind rolling out the vaccine set me thinking about newspaper distribution. What a monumental effort that is every day of the year (apart from Christmas Day). I'm not suggesting that rolling the vaccine out is similar to newspaper distribution - it is much more vast than that.
But it does give you some idea of what is necessary. Every day national newspapers roll off the press. They are then taken to a network of railway stations and distributed to all parts of the UK. At local stations they are picked up by distributors who deliver to every supermarket and newsagents in the country. What a task that is. Next time you pick up a newspaper in the early morning, just think of what has been involved in getting it to your local shop. To me it's mind boggling.
Meanwhile I think I will put myself in tier 10 - that's the stay in bed all day tier. I might even upgrade to tier 11 which is the "hire an empty lorry and drive down to Dover and queue to go across the channel."
That may be a flippant remark but I wonder just how many tiers we will end up with. Perhaps we will eventually have a tier -1 where it will be compulsory to go out onto the streets and party party party!
I wonder how many people in the past few weeks have said "b----French. They seem to forget what we did for them in the War." That of course doesn't help the mad situation at all.
Occasionally I write down a phrase in my notebook to use in a future blog. A few days ago I wrote:
"The world seems to be run by immature 10-year-olds." I have no idea what prompted that or quite why I wrote it. Perhaps somebody can help me there.
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Yesterday's Steward stroll involved delivering our final Christmas cards. This is a task that starts in early December and doesn't end until a few days before Christmas.
We do seem to have many fewer cards this year. I can remember years when we have hung them from strings around our lounge and dining room. This year furniture tops have been enough.
When we were both working we used to get well over 250 cards. This year it's probably just over 100. I actually applaud people who have stopped sending cards and make a donation to charity instead, although I always have a small fission of thrill when I see the postman/lady coming to the door.
The walk took us to church farm for some last minute vegetables. They were doing a brisk trade. This is one small business that I'm sure has come into its own during lockdown. I must speak to Jake after Christmas for an update article for the Hethersett Herald.
Talking of which I managed to make my self-imposed deadline of December 22nd for the pre-Christmas edition. I was pleased to get it out on time and highlight all the excellent pre-Christmas things that have been happening in the village.
I took a couple of photos of St Remigius Church looking through the trees which I reproduce here. On the walk home I looked a rather ridiculous figure carrying a stalk-full of sprouts - particularly as I loathe the little green things.
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One of the things I will really miss in January is the annual Hethersett village pantomime - 2021 will be the first year in its 50 plus year run that the panto hasn't taken place.
I will talk more about the history of the Hethersett panto in a coming blog.