COVID, NHS, vaccinations, Black Lives Matter, George Floyd, ‘woke’, cancel culture …
This tape will self-destruct in five minutes … Why did I think that came from the Seventies series, The Rockford Files? Well, it always started with Jim Rockford’s answering machine and someone would leave a message alluding to the private eye’s latest case but I, now, realise that’s irrelevant, here. Let me explain: I am under no illusion that my posts are being monitored. Creepy or what?! The thing is – much as I doubt its accuracy – I can check my readership on Google Analytics and, in addition, my Trish-Trash Facebook page reveals the numbers reached, and those who have engaged. Over the past year and a half, it has become increasingly obvious that the minute I touch on the controversial subjects above, the numbers soar. Remember Argentina? Then, more recently, Canada? Just saying. Thus, whatever the means used for this sinister activity – take that!
Anything exciting to report? Nope. I do feel there is an increasing tension in the air as the country endeavours to find a path out of this maze. Everyone is tired. People are despondent as the reality dawns – the life we, once, took for granted is gone. The wounds are gaping; the effects far, far-reaching. Mental health? Only the strong can survive this. What of the hundreds of thousands of missed cancer diagnoses as the world stood still for COVID? When will the truth come out? Somehow, for me, Dominic Cummings does not sit well with the truth. He, who cannot even stick to one version of his own story in explanation of his foray to Barnard Castle! He, who – as Boris’ right-hand man, at the time – blatantly flouted the rules he was a party to imposing on us minions! Now, having fallen out with Boris – age-old, didn’t like his friend’s girlfriend! – it seems he is intent on revenge and he was given ample opportunity as the key witness in front of a Commons committee, for almost eight hours, on Wednesday. Billed as an inquiry into the Government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic – that’ll be, at least, another 30 readers – Cummings did not hold back on his scathing condemnation of Boris; however, he attempted to bury Matt Hancock stating that he lied repeatedly and should have been fired on, at least, twenty occasions! One question I, myself, would like answered is whose bright idea was it to put COVID on every death certificate, regardless, courtesy of that powerful little footnote, ‘Deaths occurring within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test result’? Moreover, why? Rhetorical, of course …
How does it feel, when the country has been reduced to well-nigh debris, to, then, learn of the utter chaos within the body which is responsible for leading us out of this mess? Still reeling from the damaging effects of Brexit – just remember NIL points – trade, travel, everything was going to be difficult enough as it was and, then, this! As endearing as garlic to a vampire, Britain is hated but, let’s face it, the hoops one has to jump through to escape the country are going to make it virtually impossible to succeed. I, particularly, like the fact that only the private PCR tests, costing a fortune, are viable … Once again, it all comes down to money. I, actually, heard a guy on the radio, recently, declaring that his recent quote for travel insurance – previously, costing £150 – was, now, £3,500! Anyone for Millport? That’s the other thing, I want to escape the masses not go on holiday with them!
So, back to our lack of leadership … The troops are turning. Personally, I have always believed that Boris is a mere puppet. The word buffoon comes, repeatedly, to mind but, on the other hand, he is well-educated and nobody who studied Classics at Oxford could be dismissed as unintelligent. I do feel somebody is pulling his strings, however, and perhaps, therein, lies Dominic Cummings’ dislike of Carrie Symonds. Regardless, how the hell are we going to extricate ourselves from this mess in a bid for recovery when there is no one to look to but … ourselves! Short of exhuming Maggie – or Churchill – we are out of options. Those of us who have risen, relatively unscathed, from the brainwashing – courtesy of incessant scaremongering – must do our utmost to reach out for normality. Switch off the news, still intent on the daily death count and the number of those vaccinated. Why? As restrictions are due to be lifted on 21st June – in England – the threat of the Indian variant, of course, is escalating. Masks? Well, the population is just programmed to wear these bacteria-infested, oxygen-depriving pieces of material now. Most are too terrified to venture out without one! Then, there is the fact that the emergency legislation is in situ until the end of September – for now – granting powers above and beyond …
Spontaneity has been consigned to the past. No more last-minute decisions to pop out for a drink or a meal. Oh, no, one has to book at least a week in advance and everywhere there are people! Who knew this country was so over-populated. Please go …
Vaccinations. Oh, boy! Does one have to be force-fed a constant tally of the numbers who have been programmed to receive? As Sarah Jarvis – the ‘hard-working’ GP who, mistakenly, seems to believe her surgery is a television studio – is wheeled out, incessantly, I do believe that those on daily programmes such as This Morning have been tasked with dropping the words ‘vaccine rollout’ and ‘phenomenal’, constantly. Is there a pay incentive – definitely money-driven, in some way – or are they forced to sign some sort of agreement to comply? Even the guests must express their undying gratitude to the NHS, while praising the amazing scientists responsible for the ‘phenomenal vaccine rollout’, regardless of topic. Again, why? Am I, alone, in questioning the incessant repetition? There is certainly no balanced reporting. What of the death of the BBC Radio Newcastle presenter, Lisa Shaw, aged 44, last Friday, as a result of blood clots a week or so after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine? Not worthy of main media? Yes, damaging to the ‘phenomenal vaccine rollout’ it may be but the public deserves the facts, good and bad. These are new vaccines, effectively, on trial for the next two years. Impossible to know the long-term side effects, I find the concept of blind acceptance/blind faith, in this cynical world, unfathomable.
Wow! Way to go in the numbers … As May casts its shadow on the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend – the haar, here, is tangible – Wills and Kate have been and gone. So far, I have missed Nigel Havers on the West Sands, Tom Cruise on the Old Course and, now Wills and Kate around town. I must be losing my touch! Becca filled me in on their activities, however, including their visit to Anstruther on Wednesday evening for the famous fish and chips. Apparently, they queued with the locals before eating their carry-out on a bench overlooking the harbour. What’s more, once consumed, they went back for ice cream! My question is, where did Kate put all that food? In her pocket?! Honestly, the size of her, she can’t possibly eat! Suffice to say, I made the checkout lady laugh in Marks, this morning, when she informed me I had a free pastry on my Sparks card. Fantastic! Having no desire to inflict any further pressure on my clothes, I told her that I would send it to Kate who, clearly, likes her food!
‘The English language is an arsenal of weapons. If you are going to brandish them without checking to see whether or not they are loaded, you must expect to have them explode in your face from time to time.’
Stephen Fry
Suitably braced!
This is Trish, signing off.
