You will all be delighted to hear that this is my final festive post for 2020…even though it’s now 2021. You know what I mean. I’ve hopefully covered all the topics that were suggested to me, entertained you, and possibly even given you something to chew over. Although the amount of chewing I’ve done this past week I fear I’ll ever be able to get into my work clothes again. if my office ever opens again, that is.
I think we can all agree that 2020 has been a pretty rubbish year and we are all glad to see the back of it. There have certainly been more downs than ups as we have lurched from initial fear to despair and then panic at how quickly this horrible virus has spread through our respective countries. Our hope this year is that the various vaccines can be administered in a timely manner in order to protect us and allow some semblance of normality to return.
Northern Ireland is now entering the second week of a national lockdown. Positive cases are at a record high and our hospitals are at breaking point. Intensive care beds are full and every day brings sad news of further deaths at the hands of COVID-19. The light at the end of this particular tunnel seems further away than ever. I’ve grown to distrust the majority of our political leaders more than ever with regards the manner in which the pandemic has been handled.
The people I trust are at home with me. I’ve spent more time than ever this year indoors with my family, no doubt driving Fionnuala insane as I regularly disrupt her orderly routine with my half-baked efforts to ‘help out’ and general domestic incompetence. We have had many good times as well though amidst the chaos. They keep me grounded, focused and sane. They are the best medication I could possibly ever have.
I hope 2021 brings family outings, day trips, possibly even the occasional date night! I hope to stand on muddy touchlines with frozen toes cheering on Adam and Rebecca. I hope to finally climb Slieve Donard with my son and scale Black Mountain with my wife and daughters. I hope for unity, love and good health. I hope to walk and write and kick drama and worry to the kerb. Wishing you all the same as we stumble into another year. Here endeth the 12 Blogs Of Christmas.
Black Thoughts 
I missed #11??
May 2021 be better for all of us!!
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I have no faith in a politician’s ability to “guide” us in a pandemic. What I’ve seen so far is that there are voices from the medical community — those who are on the front lines of COVID — who are being silenced, and they are crying out to us that we’re being lied to. Many are saying that if someone is tested as having COVID-19 but die from heart failure, it is listed as COVID-19. Heart failure, cancer, and stroke are the leading causes of death in the “western world,” and account for about 1/2 of all deaths. Previously, when people have died from heart failure, and secondary effect of pneumonia brought about when they contracted the flu, the main cause of death was listed as heart failure. Part of the problem in the US is that hospitals were getting more money if the death was listed as COVID-19.
No, I’m not saying that COVID-19 didn’t happen. I am saying that 99.7% of the people who have gotten it are still alive. Those who died seem to be the same people who would have died during a bad flu season.
Could I be wrong? Certainly. I’m just asking for people to look past the fear, look at the facts, and demand that politicians stop being tyrants. The lockdowns may have done more harm than good.
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Here’s to a better year ahead!
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Most definitely Mark 🙂
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I have hopes that we’ve learned from last year, and will move forward with love and understanding.
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Let’s hope so 🙏🏻
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lets hope steven! Hope it is all we got! ❤ happy new year! xoxo
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And a belated Happy New Year to you as well.
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I really hope that 2021 is better for everyone.
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We all share that hope.
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Happy New Year to every member of the Black household. Stay healthy, active, and imaginative in 2021 and all will be well. I really appreciate your dedication to blogging and bringing humor and sanity to the interwebs.
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Thank you very much and a belated Happy New Year to you as well 😊
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