Weekender 18th: Tight Spot

Apparently we've signed a deal with the Russians for them to make the vaccine we, hopefully, are developing. So probably not a good idea to accuse them of interfering in our elections and all the other shit they are likely guilty of. What a fucking mess we've made of this world. The rest of suffer while these elites play us like pawns in their games of financial and political war. Actual war as well, such as the one Trump seems to be agitating for with, of all places, China.

We are in an asylum run by arsonists so what do we do? Hand them the matches it seems!

We seem to be in a very tight spot. Things could continue to improve. When you consider all the reckless behaviour we've seen (beaches packed, VE parties, pubs opened) things could be much worse. But it could all change, especially when flu season kicks in. We never handle that well. Even though vaccines exist people still die, people still end up in hospital. We have a culture that has trivialised winter viruses. Fortunately we have been able to get away with it so far (except those that haven't), but this year will be vastly different and the NHS faces armageddon. I have zero confidence our leaders will address that; three billion quid is a paltry sop. Says it all really.

Problem is in our capitalist society work is treated as something you throw yourself into. Everything we do must be done with !110%". It's wasteful and excessive, but if you don't "give it your all" then you are automatically deemed lazy. This is why people become susceptible to such illnesses, and then they spread, particularly on things like buses and trains - enclosed spaces with poor ventilation in the winter. A recipe for disaster.

Instead we should be distancing ourselves: people that are sick can work from home, this should be encouraged. Or, if not possible, then take a few days off. That way the workplace is safe and you're only out of action for a short time, rather than an office with an ongoing depleted workforce constantly swamped by sniffs and sneezes that never recover. That is the danger.