The Garden Fence - proper Old Style support and chat!

ivyleaf

Sorry about the headache burtha! i hope it's easing x

burtha

thank you ..
 woke up this morning and didn't feel half dead,  just the normal headache so that's good . 
running daily gets me through stuff , even if I'm feeling rubbish on a bad day it's just a mile monna  , day 1244 today   . 
it's grey and looking a bit damp here today , fingers crossed the customers are a bit more sunny . 
have a wonderful day everyone x

Nargleblast

Good morning Fencers, although it is grey and drizzly here I feel quite uplifted having seen the four stage plan for exiting lockdown. The only thing I would change if I had the power would be to stagger the return to school, infants and nursery first, then a week or so later the juniors then a week or so later the seniors. I would also start getting teachers vaccinated from this week. Other than that, it's a doable plan, and it's down to us members of the public to make it work by being careful and sensible. I think the majority will do just that, I have faith in most of my fellow humans and the rest I don't bother about. Life's too short to worry about what idiots say and do, you can show them all the evidence in the world and they'll still stick to the daft script they've got running inside their little heads.

More uplifting news from a conversation with a person working on the RECOVERY trial which involves trying different combinations of treatments on people with Covid. The key seems to be control the inflammation. The steroid dexamethasone is now standard treatment thanks to this trial. The drug Tocilizumab, used in arthritis treatments, has had good results, so has Colchicine, the gout drug. This week two new drugs are being introduced, I forget their names. One is another arthritis drug, the other is used to treat psoriasis and MS. The common factor is they are drugs that control inflammation. The use of donated plasma from people who have recovered from Covid has made very little difference to outcomes, but now it's thought that we've been giving it too late to have an effect. Studies in Argentina show that people receiving the plasma early on do better, so there may be a role for convalescent plasma after all.

What I am trying to say is that people working together as a team have produced amazing results, such as identifying treatments that work, and the vaccines of course. Also, people have put their minds with others to find solutions to problems instead of weeping and wailing about the situation. Where it has been possible to do so, people have worked from home, keeping things going. Those who cannot work from home but cannot take time off either have pulled together with their colleagues to do the very best they can for the common good. At home many of us have found ways to entertain ourselves, be productive and learn new things, while still finding ways to interact with fellow humans.

Yes, this pandemic has brought out the worst in some people, but in the vast majority it has brought out the best. Look at Burtha, getting on with her life and still doing her running. Look at Ming Vase, moved to a different area a few months back, and now getting out and  about (within the local restrictions), getting to know the locals, planning her new garden (RV, be afraid, be very afraid.....)

silvasava

Nargle, you are absolutely right. Covid has had an enormous impact on my family, My DGD had her first baby in lockdown last April, on her own, emergency cesarian and issues for her and baby so kept in hospital for 10 days with no visitors. Hospital staff were absolutely brilliant with her. She is now back working as a carer for people in their own homes.  I've had major health issues over the last year post stroke and Im now clinically extremely vulnerable, again my local hospital has been brilliant. My local area has seen shops that are able to be open have sensible precautions for staff and customers, my DS2 and DiL are both still working, DS1 is too but he is a sole trader.. I've seen how other members of our extended family have got on as best they can given restrictions and being aware of their responsibilities to each other and the wider public to play our part in keeping everyone as safe as possible. I'm sure it's replicated  in everyone else's families too.  There will always be idiots but it's heartening to read how you are all doing the best you can despite the pandemic and the associated worries. Keep buggering on fencers!  I'll have the kettle on for when Burtha gets 'darn sarf' 

Hard_Up_Hester

My DD who works in a school has an appointment for her jab as have other school staff that I know.

ivyleaf

That's good to hear, Hester 

greenbee

Like others I've seen some amazing things - from the businesses who have helped the local GP practices with donations of PPE  at the start of the pandemic last year as they had to close, to volunteers helping them with home visits by driving them and helping them on and off with PPE to the real changes 'all remote' working has made to disabled workers who have been fighting for the right (and equipment) to do this for years. I've seen my own employer completely turnaround working practices within a matter of days, ensuring employee safety without risking disruption to customer operations and helping customers innovate and adapt.

'Positive Thinking' on R4 this morning was an inspiring programme about happiness, and that being unhappy is a gap between our expectations and reality. Tellingly, one of the interviewees pointed out that 'we have no service level agreement with life'. 

Like Monna, lockdown suits me. While I know my mum is sad that she won't be able to visit me, my brother or the grandchildren any time soon (too far for a one-day trip), realistically I've seen more of my family and friends over the last year than I do normally as I've actually been in the country. I haven't been flying 2-3 times a week (something I have issues with on ethical and ecological grounds but was deemed 'necessary' in my previous role) which must have significant health as well as ecological benefits. And with long-covid, the removal of expectations that I will be socialising/active/achieving has been a huge relief. 

Lockdown lifting won't realistically change much for me unless my health improves. And then it will be the odd short social visit, and probably more face-to-face medical appointments. I'd like the weather to improve so I can at least spend more time lying around in the garden as I'm getting bored with the choice between sofa and bed .

Frustration with being unwell aside, I think I'm lucky. My friends and family are all healthy, I have a challenging and rewarding job, and I get a huge amount of enjoyment from the garden and wildlife (such as the long-tailed tit that keeps knocking on my office window while I'm in meetings). Most of the time, it is possible to find things to be happy about. 

monnagran

Morning all.

Thanks for the update Nargle.  Everything is looking just a tad brighter.  I'm sure that all the efforts that have been put into discovering how best to deal with Covid, will spill over into other areas.  Who knows where all this scientific work will lead.  Maybe the things that the scientists have discovered will eventually be the things that can help with the treatment of other diseases.
A lot has been lost, but maybe a lot has been gained also.

Today fencers, I am going into battle.  The chain mail (dreadful but comfy clothes) has been donned.  Weapons (black bags, cardboard boxes and labels) have been assembled and caffeine has been inhaled. Pith helmet and compass have been tracked down.
I am entering the ROD.

I may be gone sometime.  No, even longer than that.
I will carry a flag with me so if anyone instigates a search party you will only have to stand as near the door as you can get, and look for the flag.  If it is at half mast, send for the authorities.

Right.  I'm going in.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY 

I dusted once.  It came back.  I'm not falling for that one again.

ivyleaf

Monna  You're a star!

MingVase

GO FOR IT MONNA we're right behind you! - well about 100 yds behind you, all drinking tea and eating cake. It's tough being a Support Party but we can do it!