The Road To Spring 7: Storm For a New Week

Winter has its revenge. Curse me for seeking warm weather and a respite from this horrible period. That is to say, it's bloody cold! I wouldn't like to admit it, but I enjoy complaining about the weather. Certainly more than I enjoy the weather itself, which, right now, has taken a turn for the worse. Another storm. It's to be expect, indeed was predicted. But I can't cope with it. I see people out running, even wearing shorts, and I wince. Not for me this time.

Speaking of toxic masculinity, for what else compels people to dress so inappropriately (it's never the ladies, only the blokes), there are some people still not wearing masks. The one local shop that gets the most passing trade (and nothing else) always has people like this in attendance. What can they do? Risk a smack in the mouth? It's a terrible situation but there appears nothing that can be done, confrontation is not for the risk averse. So I fulminate behind mine.

But Spring will come. All that can be done now is to hold on. We must take heart, for what it's worth, that we have survived this. Many have not. Others are struggling with a heavy toll in blood sweat and tears. It's not the government, though they will take credit, that has achieved this. It's us, and I bet they are deathly afraid of that. We hold the power, and hopefully now people can see this. It is in spite of the Tories that we have gotten the peak down so considerably over the last four nearly five weeks. Hopefully, hopefully, it won't be much longer. Of course the greatest concern is the Tories wanting to fling everything back open before it's ready. This would inevitably lead to a fresh surge, and, dismally, a fresh lockdown. I for one can't go through this again. I hope to Hades we don't see another winter like this.

Not Like this!

As spring draws, slowly, closer I find myself pining for last spring. A strange thing to say and I certainly don't mean pining for a time of crisis and death, though compared to now it was a much less horrible time. Which is the point. The weather was nice, life was a little less oppressive and we hadn't been through two and a half lockdowns and beaten senseless by governmental malevolence. 

Now, after ten months of keeping up with the daily figures, the deaths are just numbers now. Fortunately, for me at least, none of them are a personal loss. Unfortunately, for those directly affected, that is not so. Every single one of those, every digit, is a life cut short. A family devastated, not just emotionally but economically. It's the government that refuses to understand and thinks a trite glib apology will suffice. Imagine; how insulting is that? Boris thinks he can just buy us off with the favour of the ruling class. They've learned nothing and it will be the rest of us, the working class as ever, left to count the cost. 

We must not let them get away with this.

The Road To Spring 6: But Never Far From Home

Cases are going down. Lockdown is working. All in spite of this hateful government. What government? They are nowhere to be found as a positive force in people's lives. They just exist like a spectre to haunt us, to remind us what they think we owe them. They can go to hell, I am tired. Winter is long.

The weather looks to turn once again. Is this winter's traditional last gasp? Unlikely this early on, but Spring grows nearer with each passing day. I'm not sure how much longer this can continue. There is no support, nor is there any likelihood of any. Nothing short of ending the lockdown, which would be disastrous in other ways, can change things. We are stuck, placed here by the arrogance of idiots. Speaking of which, here is the always ironically named James Cleverly on why the borders should remain open.

https://twitter.com/Haggis_UK/status/1357604492603252736?s=20

Charlie Stayt - Where is the next mutant strain of the virus coming from?

James Cleverly - I don't know

Charlie Stayt - So you don't know... so the obvious conclusion is to close the borders to all countries. #BBCBreakfast pic.twitter.com/mlt4Xljdc6

— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) February 5, 2021

How is it that, when faced with the opportunity to be Tory, they bottle it? I don't want border controls. I'm an internationalist, but this situation necessitates some kind of response that involves restricting travel. Maybe there are better ways to do this that won't, inevitably, allow the rich to dodge the rules, which they will of course. There is no doubt oligarchs and oil barons will use this period to get through, 'fast tracked' by the government into their gentrified estates and mansions, equipped with 'poor doors' preventing them from the clearly depressing site of paupers. 

James is a Tory because he's too stupid to be anything better. He's just saying what he's been told to say. Although it's so spectacularly stupid it's possible he dreamed it all up himself, thinking he'd sound smart. He's a thug; a Tory boot boy. 

 

The Road To Spring 5: Down An Old Lane

Somewhere I haven't been for a while. In the rain, I've been in that many times though. Always depressing. Even though its touch is light, it is still unwelcome. Like touching a sensitive sore. Makes me wince. I think we've had enough rain, thanks. 

A walk into a part of the village I go so rarely. At the edge; a liminal point that fades into fields. The sort of route that, as you progress, takes you further out of familiarity. When you look back at how far you've come, the place you know is so distant as to be unrecognisable. Even though it's barely a couple of miles out of the way, it feels like another world. There is a palpable shift upon returning. A point where you know where you are, stepping back onto the map, so to speak.

It is a pleasant area, this. Particularly if you are of the generation that could afford the kind of home I've just walked past. That's old money, in the sense that successive generations, especially now, will never see the like. When their owners have gone who will be there to afford them? I'm sure a few well to do types will have the money, buying up the place, and so the community changes. Perhaps for the better, perhaps for the worse. I, as a long standing resident, won't be able to afford it. 

What does this all mean? Nothing, really. I just like taking walks in places that are a little bit out of the way. Hopefully the residents don't see me as a cul de sac invader. Why would someone walk down here in the rain, only to walk back, in the rain? Are they planning to rob me of my tennis court?

It's a slow day. The only kind. I have nothing else to talk about, but I am committed to continuing this project until at least March, possibly April. A year in lockdown, in other words. So, till then, you're stuck with me. These are increasingly difficult weeks. Spring will feel like a breath of fresh air. Warm weather (hopefully) and windows open will expand my horizons beyond the skeleton of winter. I don't enjoy going out in the cold and the wet, but the irony is that makes it all the more vital I do so. The days are an increasing pressure born of limitation. I have music to occupy my time, which I very much enjoy, but that there are limits on what I can does make things difficult, simply because I cannot do them.

And if you are interested, this is a piece I have worked/working on. Thanks for listening.

The Road To Spring 4: For A Walk

The only reason they want a Sir Captain Tom statue is because they think statues will offend the loony left. It's provocation. Probably.

The alternative is that Boris is proposing (according to the Daily Fail) an idea that effectively immortalises his failings. Sir Captain Tom only became famous because he campaigned for the NHS. Something he shouldn't' have had to do, and wouldn't have had it been funded properly. So the idea just advertises the failings of this idiot in charge. Of course, as we have seen with statues, they are very good at whitewashing the truth; it will highlight him, and obscure the root of the problem. 

Watch how the ruling class and its state machine engulfs him to skew a legacy into propaganda. He was a good sort; an ex soldier. He even did their job for them: perambulating around his garden to raise money. People have already paid money for the NHS: taxation. No doubt Tom acted with good intentions but he was fooled into doing so. We shouldn't have to be depending on the good will of old boys to save something that we already own. The moment we buy into this, they have won a victory, taking a piece away. Now we are exhorted to commemorate his ill conceived sacrifice by once more clapping. The socially acceptable protest that the ruling class allows precisely because it is ineffective; we all stop at clapping on the door step. Never actually going out and making trouble. They know it. We know it.

Only on this mad island do we have a situation where, in one of the most feverish areas of right wing policy, the Tories become gun-shy. Yet the entire country seems happy, for once, to give them a blank cheque to shut the borders. Do it! Screams the entirety of the chattering classes. Instead, we get this gem.

Amongst all this, Labour entrenches into a pathetic shadow of right wing politics. It is currently being exhorted to appeal to base patriotism and flag waving. It has already released a shocking ad campaign to persuade the government to shut the borders. It is not subtle, it will stoke racism. Without context, without understanding of the social fabric of our society and the relations between different communities - the history of empire - Labour will descend into mediocrity and disappear in a dark rancid puddle. Starmer has no ideas. He is simply uninspiring and insipid, and so this nationalistic nonsense will intensify. The end result will be to abandon working class solidarity and give in to the worst aspects of our society. Those that rise at times of crisis.

The Road To Spring 3: Still, It's a Nice Morning

When we get them, in winter, it's always a tonic. Like coming up for air. Winter is a deep doive. Always a trying time of year; a crucible of sorts. Especially now. While I'm sure the weather will turn once again, we can enjoy it for the day or even hours it lasts. We're coming to the end of the season, as such winter always intensifies. The last gasp before the spring.

It was pleasant earlier. I even took my hat off walking back with my groceries. Oh the luxury! It didn't last though. The rain has returned along with a stiff breeze. I don't like that. On a less pleasant note I received a reply from my MP (the useless John Penrose) regarding why legacy benefit claimants still haven't been given the same extra £20 that Universal Credit claimants are receiving during this time. I will quote it here because, you guessed it, it's full of shit. His response starts by quoting the DWP minister to whom he put the question:

"I am replying as the Minister for Welfare Delivery Since the start of the pandemic, the Government has introduced a raft of temporary emergency measures to help the hardest hit, including the furlough scheme, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and the temporary £20 per week uplift to the Universal Credit Standard Allowance. The Chancellor has confirmed the Universal Credit uplift until March 2021. It is right that we wait for more clarity on the national economic and social picture before assessing the best way to support low income families moving forward."

I'm sick to death of hearing this "it is right" bullshit. It's a barefaced assumption put forward with no supporting evidence, intended to end the conversation. In this case it's also bullshit: you're giving one section of the community £20 so you agree that money is needed (even if it's actually a pittance). Therefore it stands to reason that the other community, on the same money (just a different benefit) ought to receive the same. But suddenly we need 'clarity'. Also bullshit; we know what the situation is, we know what the finances are. This £20 uplift has been around for a couple of months now. Weasel words, and of course we all know what the best way to support people is: give them the means to live!

This is just excuse making; the Tories don't want to loosen the purse strings. Even though it helps fight the pandemic. They are too stupid and too far gone in their ideology to even see this. I'm not even addressing the issue of this support ending in March, with the implicit assumption that the situation will thus return to normal and so the extra £20 won't be needed (never mind the pittance that comprises our benefits).

"The uplift is just one part of a comprehensive package of support we have put in place to help people through this difficult period."

There is no package. If there is I haven't been made aware of it. Nothing has been sent to me offering a menu of government covid options. Am I alone in that?

"Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support were all increased by 1.7 per cent in April as part of the annual uprating exercise following the Government's announcement to end the benefit freeze. "

That amounts to an extra £2, a tenth of the money I'm referring to. It's also meant to keep in line with inflation and so isn't an uplift or 'bonus' of any kind. Even then that's how it's being portrayed. How kind of them to end the benefits freeze, which they instituted as part of their austerity. The only purpose of which was to keep people down. Now, in the pandemic, how does that help?

"The Secretary of State has announced - as part of the annual review of social security rates - that these benefits would again rise in line with inflation at the start of the next financial year. "

Does he expect gratitude? This is the bare minimum. In fact it's not even that; it's what's required to keep up with the rising tide that is the cost of living under capitalism.

"In addition, we invested nearly £1 billion to increase Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents earlier this year. We are maintaining this support at the same cash level next year. "

The Tory trick of saying a large number in place of an argument. It's fallacious because it doesn't speak to the actual amount needed. That is what's important. Not simply saying "we've spent a lot of numbers".

"I hope the constituent will find this reply helpful."

He does not. 

"So I’m pleased to say there’s been a huge amount of (extremely expensive – it has cost £hundreds of billions) taxpayer-funded help already, to get everyone through the pandemic safely." 

Except this is a lie. Where is this support? I haven't seen anything. Two whole quid? Really? Ok, I'm not - yet - struggling. But that could change anytime. That's the nature of life on welfare. They think it's a paradise of indolence. Currently I'm expecting to hear from the DWP any day now about my next, imminent, Work Focussed Interview. I have no idea if those are even happening now, but I must assume they are. I have no idea; that's true of every interaction with this system. I cannot just assume my fortnightly payment will appear. It should, but who knows? Especially now.

I found this part quite galling. Not only is it a lie (about 70% of claims for financial support are being refused), but it shows the paucity of Tory ideology to fighting this pandemic. Aside from the mealy mouthed nature of "extremely expensive..." it ignores the fact that tis is, if you like, an investment; you're spending this money not just to keep people alive and housed, but also to fight the virus. If people can't take time off work, can't afford to self isolate and stay at home, they won't. These idiots just do not, and will never, get it.

"I should add that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has already extended an awful lot of schemes to last until next March, which ought to get us well into the time when the vaccine rollout will be starting to protect a big percentage of the most at-risk and vulnerable people, so we will be able to plan for a careful lifting of the covid restrictions over time."

Over time; except that he also says until March (next month). So that's a contradiction there already. What happens after March? We all know the one certainty: covid will still be around. Yes the vaccine is being rolled out, but only in part. Which is to say people are getting one jab, not the full treatment. That may have benefits, but to argue that people are being vaccinated is to play with the truth. Currently about half a million have been fully vaccinated - and that assumes the new variants joining the corona playground the Tories have built out of our lives and streets don't foul things up.

" Once we know more, and there’s a concrete proposal on the table for Parliament to approve, I’d be happy to discuss the rights and wrongs of whatever is being suggested in more detail. Let’s see what Ministers’ suggest!" 

That last part was Penrose himself. Let's wait and see, meanwhile you get nothing. Thanks for playing.

The Road To Spring 2: But It Could All Go Wrong

The South Africa variant appears to have arrived by natural selection into the UK. That is, the strain emerged independently due to the prevalence of the virus here already. A bit scary, but if people continue to obey the rules we should be ok. Clearly this sort of situation is going to be the normal now, the virus is here and it's going to take a long time for that not to be so. In the meantime it will mutate and adapt. Hopefully that means into something less fatal.

I have been invited to take part in the Imperial College study, the REACT study, testing people for the virus. My name was randomly drawn (yay!) from medical records. I could have declined but I guess it could be important. I will receive a test kit in a few days with which to swab myself and, having returned the kit, I'll get a result within a week. If I am positive, somehow, then by that point I'd be out of quarantine anyway. I haven't shown any symptoms, but of course it's possible I could be an asymptomatic carrier, though I think it unlikely. I guess we'll find out for sure, although the test isn't 100% accurate. I don't think anything should be read into that, no test is 100%.

What bothers me the most is the total lack of support from this government. I take it a day at a time, Winter is proving to be challenging. The weather most of all is the problem. Were this like last spring and summer it would be a more pleasant lockdown. But hte irony of the winter weather is that it just reinforces the conditions, taunting me to go out even when it's cold/wet/dark/windy/all of the above. I find it a real struggle to go out because it's so unpleasant, but I don'd want to sit indoors all day. Unfortunately there is nowhere to go but the same streets and the same puddles. It's taxing mentally. There's no denying this. Fortunately, each day takes us one step closer to Spring and, hopefully, some blessed relief. 

Throughout all of this, there has been nothing from the government. The reports I've seen say that most people, applying for help, get nothing. Most people aren't getting enough. Kids are, as I never tire of saying, being starved. Meanwhile these rich over privileged filth get everything. Do you really mean to tell me that, throughout the last ten months, they could not have come up with something to offer to people? Everyone is struggling, not just the people at the bleeding edge. I'm lucky in that I'm not starving, but even so, I'd be lying if I said this wasn't difficult. Especially now. Yet they have had all this time to do something, anything. Whatever happened to Sunak's helicopter money; pie in they sky I guess. Broadband communism. Just providing people with something to help them through. As much as I disagree with the deniers and the cranks, they are correct in that we can't go on like this forever. But nothing has been done, and I will never ever forget that, nor forgive.

The Road To Spring 1: We've Come So Far

And I looked and beheld the Guardian and it did fucking read: Jared Kushner, Kraftwerk showroom dummy, landowning billionaire scum and son in law to twice impeached wig enthusiast, Donald Trump, is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. So that's another worthless award we can discard. State power wins the day, again.

Johnson says we will be living with Covid for a while to come. Well that's rather obvious isn't it. Even with a rolled out vaccine, it's impact globally will mean we at the very least must restrict travel. But before and during this mass vaccination roll out there will still be outbreaks (assuming even the vaccine halts transmission, hopefully it does I honestly don't know). As long as it's out there, it remains an existential threat. No matter where in the world, and given how the poorer nations are being screwed over and trampled under the foot rush to vaccination, it will be in the world a long time. It didn't have to be that way.

Of course one of the many things Johnson and his headbangers could have done, but didn't, would have been to postpone (a charitable way of saying cancel) Brexit. No sane person would have disagreed, although that begs the question as regards the deluded nature of said headbangers. The desperate reality is that, in order to facilitate their gung ho economic disaster, they have to also push the anti-lockdown/covid denial narrative because otherwise how can they justify pursuing Brexit at this time. If they believe covid as serious a threat as all of science then they cannot put a priority on Brexit. 

That says it all regarding these people; they are ideologues hell bent on driving us off a cliff because they, and unfortunately they alone, stand to benefit from this. The rest of us stand to lose, as I discovered yesterday at the increased veg pricing in the shops. A considerable price hike which can only get worse as the situation bites. It's not going to let go either; these aren't teething problems, they are the direct consequence of deliberately putting barriers up to trade that was previously smooth. Now it isn't. For what?

It is the start of February, let us hope this is the final straight. Despite this South African variant, which I believe shouldn't be a problem if we're all obeying the lockdown, we have gotten the deaths and the infection rates now to less than 20 thousand. We have sacrificed so much. People have died and others have been stretched to breaking, through no fault of our own. Yet we have achieved much, as a community. All in spite of, against, in act, this dreadful government. That must not be squandered. It must motivate us to fight for what we have and not let those bastards take it to pay for their shattered system and their inexcusable mismanagement of this crisis.