It’s the weekend, a time when we should relax and recuperate from our efforts during the preceding week. It’s when we recharge our batteries and switch off a little from the trials and tribulations of work. Saturday morning should be good news. Yet, when I checked my social media accounts this morning and watched the television news I saw nothing of the sort. Rather, the opposite. Where is the good news?
It was dire viewing and reading, on both a national and an international level. Yesterday, Northern Ireland recorded a record high of 934 positive cases for coronavirus. Two months ago, we were consistently recording single digit figures. The numbers have risen astronomically in the last fortnight despite our government introducing further localised and national restrictions. All the good work of earlier in the years seems undone and I ask myself…Why?…How?
Some of it is obviously due to the easing of restrictions from the start of the summer onwards. We were encouraged to ‘eat out and help out’ by being offered half price meals in cafes and restaurants. Schools and offices have reopened and leisure activities commenced again. Did we reopen the nation too soon? Possibly. Yet, the politicians and business owners argued the economy was dying.
That’s not the whole story though. On social media I see a growing movement against the government advice. Yes, people are fatigued and fed up but there’s also an arrogance, a selfishness that beggars belief. The ‘I’ll do what I want to do, the government won’t tell me what to do’ attitude. I see it on the streets. Those who refuse to wear masks in shops, who don’t wash their hands, who fail to socially distance. They don’t see the pandemic as their problem.
They will learn. When they turn up for work at their construction sites to find the gates chained and realise they’re out of work. When their local football team can’t play games anymore and their favourite pub closes its doors for the final time. When their loved ones are hospitalised and die lonely, horrendous deaths. Not your problem? Hmmm…think you might want to rethink that one, chum. This ones on you I’m afraid. Welcome to the real world.
Black Thoughts 
You think folks are selfish in Northern Ireland? Try living here in the States.
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I think there are selfish people everywhere.
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The martial arts gym that allowed me to use their premises for teaching boxing closed its doors. So sad 😞
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Yeah. One of many, I fear 😐
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Sadly
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Shared this post as there was no reblog.
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Thank you 😊
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My pleasure
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So sad. It sounds as if Northern Ireland has caught not only the coronavirus but also the American “me first” virus.
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I think most countries have it 😐
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#truth
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Absolutely spot on, Stephen, same thing here in the States. It’s disheartening that my neighbors and acquaintances don’t care enough about me to use preventive protocol. A few months ago I told folks that I mask up to protect them in case I am a carrier. No longer – I do it because I am not ready to die that horrible death.
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It’s a pity everyone wasn’t at wise as you
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So true. They will only get it when it hits them directly. Our president and his wife currently have the virus. I will look forward to comments following this.
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I’m sure there will be many!
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The media is a law until itself. One should try to keep things in perspective. The cases are rising not the death rate. The death rate is exactly the same as it is usually for flu type illnesses. The cases are rising because they are testing more. Also, it is coming into flu season and flu vaccines are giving people side effects. The figures show the restrictions are a farce. Immunity can only be achieved when people are moving about and interacting or there is a vaccine. There is no chance of a vaccine so open up businesses and let the ecomony survive.
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Thank you Samantha for your thoughts. I think it’s been shown statistically that the rise in cases is disproportionate to the rise in testing though.
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Now that President Trump is hospitalized with Coronavirus, I hope the misinformation and failure to have a national strategy will stop, and his supporters will take the virus seriously. We need a strategy to contain this thing, not conspiracy theories. I am gobsmacked to see people in stories with no masks and ready to fight if asked to wear one. It blows my mind, too.
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We can but hope.
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and then there’s trump
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There is indeed.
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I totally agree with you, so many people seem to be doing just as they please, but if they or their loved ones catch this virus they will be the first to complain about the lack of treatment etc. Great post.
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I agree. Thank you for understanding 😊
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Stephen, there is no doubt that observing and enforcing social distancing and for key businesses that rely on human interaction (pubs, restaurants etc) to have COVID safety plans in place has made a huge difference here. In fact, so much so, a huge side benefit is that there hasn’t been a flu season this winter in Australia.
Also, it has allowed us to get on top of outbreaks in some of our states, albeit it has taken some time and sadly, more deaths. My home state of WA powers on in splendid isolation with our hard border, much to our sister states chagrin, but that’s okay because we are moving around internally relatively freely – although you do have to remind others to keep their distance regularly.
Also, I no longer use a train anymore re certain work related and social activities – and I am very happy about that – not being sneezed on a regular basis is a blessing in itself 😉
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That’s a very sensible approach, Sean. Australia & NZ have set an example example. It’s disappointing the UK & Ireland haven’t followed suit.
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Our world is changing for sure. I often worry about the future of my blog.
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We are certainly living through uncertain times.
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The second commandment of the bible consistently comes to mind for me: Love your neighbour as you love yourself. It’s not just about us, it’s about what the whole world is going through, together. Choosing kindness is always the right choice.
I’m sorry to hear about the case numbers rising (even though I’m a few weeks late replying). And I hope you and family manage to stay well.
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Thank you 🙏🏻 🙂
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