I wrote on the 6th April a piece about how we can get out of “lockdown” and move forward, and speculated what life would be like for the rest of the year. At the time I thought it contentious and was expecting lots of comments…and indeed asked for some…..I received not one.

Since then, we have definitely seen the peak of cases and the Government, like others around the world are now stating a conversation proposing many of the same measures I wrote about. The Government is also hinting about re-opening businesses…and it fact is already doing so

I would urge great caution…

It has become clear over time just how bad our leaders have planned for this pandemic, and made many mistakes and the greatest mistake might be in opening up the country too early. To illustrate my case, please see the graphs below where I have superimposed the UK against Italy but used as the starting point for both countries LockDown day which Italy entered into some 2 weeks before the UK.

The curve of the Pandemic in the UK (the blue line) is almost identical to that of Italy, but where as the number of new cases in Italy has steadily dropped, the rate of new cases in the UK has not yet dropped back at all and stubbornly remains around 4000 per day. It’s a much slower decline, possibly because the Lockdown in Italy was much much stricter.

To put it another way, at the start of lockdown the UK (in Blue) had fewer cases than Italy, but around a week ago the lines crossed over and now we have more cases than Italy and we can still expect many many more cases.

Whatever, If any politician reads or learns from History, perhaps they should read the following article about the 1918 pandemic and what happened when preventative measures were lifted too soon.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/03/how-cities-flattened-curve-1918-spanish-flu-pandemic-coronavirus/

That is just one of many articles you can find by googling “Double Curve Pandemic”. What does worry me, is that our government will decide that an acceptable rate of infection for the UK, is around 4,000 new cases per day and lift the restrictions too soon………………….

Smashing the Menopause Support Group

Despite the limitations brought about by Covid 19, the Smashing the Menopause Support Group has officially landed! 

Six of us, all at different stages of the menopause and all with very different experiences of it, met for the first time yesterday evening via Zoom.  Although nicer to have been able to meet in person, the hour and a half spent together over the internet was great and we’ve decided to meet monthly from now on. 

If there’s anyone else out there who’d value a confidential and supportive space in which to off-load, learn and laugh about the menopause, you’re more than welcome to join us.  Just contact Chris at cw@echelonassociates.co.uk and you’ll be included in next month’s Zoom invitation.

Stay well; stay safe.

Paper applications

Help us to help key workers and do not send in paper applications to DVLA until further notice.

In line with the government’s advice we have a very limited number of staff on-site who are only dealing with applications from those who are directly involved in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are not accepting any other paper applications.

Please only use our online services, which are all currently available at gov.uk/browse/driving

For more information:

COVID-19: We’re writing to every resident in the district to make sure they’re OK

Stroud District Council is set to contact every household in the district as part of its comprehensive response to help everyone through the Coronavirus pandemic.

54,206 letters will be posted this week to the district’s 118,000 residents, with useful information on staying safe.

People who need help now or in the future, and those who want to help, can find out how to access what they need, and the letter contains useful advice on getting medical care, staying safe, and protecting everyone in their communities.

Council Leader Doina Cornell said: “There is a lot of information out there about how to stay safe during the pandemic, and much has been shared online and through local media.

“The country has been in lockdown for a month now, so we hope this letter is a useful reminder and reference point for people who need help and who want to help. We want to make sure that no-one in the district in need of help gets left behind.

Green Group Leader Cllr Martin Whiteside said: “It looks like this situation is set to last for some time yet and while communities are doing a great job of looking after everyone, we are providing some useful contacts and advice for the coming weeks, particularly for those who have less access to the internet and social media”.

Liberal Democract Group Leader Cllr Ken Tucker said: “It’s the kind of information a lot of us will stick to a fridge door or noticeboard, and I hope our residents find it useful.”

Conservative Group Leader Cllr Stephen Davies said: “It is printed on yellow paper so it’s easier for older people and those with sight problems to read, and is designed to make sure that everyone knows where they can go for help if they need it.”

It is signed by all four Group Leaders.

For more updates and advice for individuals, community groups and businesses, visit www.stroud.gov.uk/coronavirus

The Mailchimp Mailing list St George have been using for a while, so that it can be used for both (or either) St George and/or St Cyr.

The signup form now asks ‘Which Church?’. This will make it easier to follow guidelines on data protection, for us to send you updates more accurately and allows you to unsubscribe.

Please join our email list if you would like to be kept informed of events & services.

Day 28 of Lockdown….Yesterday, I weeded all the cracks in the paved driveway and today I painted the FLOOR, yes the FLOOR of the decking and I am now looking around to find something else for tomorrow…..

So how about this one, read all the Fine Print that you never read on the terms of service for your apps on the phone. Apparently 97% of people never read them, however some may take longer that others….

Instagram would only take 9m 42s, but Facebook will take 17m 12s, Netflix will only take 11m but the daddy of them all is Microsoft which comes as a book taking 1h 3m 30s (if you are still awake) 🙂

Symptomatic COVID cases fall by 71% over 2 weeks

The number of cases of predicted symptomatic COVID has fallen from 2 million to 582,640 in just over two weeks (01 April to 15 April) according to the latest data from the new COVID Symptom Tracker app.

Take 1 minute to report your health daily, even if you’re well.

• Help slow the outbreak
• Join millions of people helping to fight COVID-19
• Help scientists identify high risk areas in the UK
• https://covid.joinzoe.com/