A Break Through?

Hello, 

Day five of current new lockdown 2.0 in the UK and I am fucking done already. Last week I wrote about how, just as Mr Warehouse and I had been released from our very own personal lockdown, we go into another effing one! After Boris Johnson made his announcment last Saturday (31st October 2020) Mr Warehouse and I decided to try and keep our faith high and enjoy the last few days of freedom before things started to seem bleak again like eating out and a spot of shopping. 

Our first few days have not been too bad since the second national lockdown in the space of a year which was imposed across England. Starting at midnight on Thursday (5th November 2020) with all non-essential shops, restaurants, pubs and leisure facilities to close for at least four weeks. With these measures due to remain in place until 2nd of December 2020 (although I will state now I am doubtful that this will be the case as we are simply kicking the inevitable can down the road to further mental health issues, financial crippling and unemployment).

As I contnue to go into the office, despite government advice to “stay and work from or at home” where possible, I like many other people are starting to feel the same blues and clouds roll in as the last lockdown. Desperately trying to keep my head above water is hard on most days but some days are easier than others and like the majority of the population I too am hoping that that things might get a little better with the prospect of Christmas being a bit more closer to "normal" than the rest of the year has been. 

I hate to be all doom and gloom about it but frustratingly this was meant to be my year. Mr Warehouse's year. To get married and have a cracking wedding that would be remembered for years. To have an amazing Hen do that would be joked about until we can no longer remember the original reference and a stag do to never be spoken of. To have an amazing honeymoon just enjoying each other on a beach somewhere with white, sandy, coconut lined beaches and cocktails a plenty. A year for spa breaks and weekends away with the dogs, just me an my future husband. A year to maybe start thinking to the future and who we might like to create to share it with. 

A year that has been stolen from me. Stolen from us. No wedding. No honeymoon. No hen or stag. Nothing. I almost feel like giving up on the whole thing, sacking it in and saying "HEY FUCK YOU CORONA" because she has ruined everything. I dont even feel joy when I think about the wedding. I just feel dread and grey because the prospect that it might not happen a second time around is a real possibility and I really dont know what I will do if I have to make that heart-agonising descision another time around. I just cant. 

Although, just as I was yet again loosing hope at my desk this morning I had a ray of sunshine through those dark storm clouds. it seems as though there might be some light at the end of the tunnel. News broke this morning after whispers from Mr Warehouse's place of work that a new drug was on its way and today as announced by many media outlets, including The Independant, that the huge pharmaceutical company Pfizer have produced a new coronavirus vaccine that is 90% effective (or at least as far as the early data suggests). The news article claimed that Scientists have hailed a major breakthrough after Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech announced that their vaccine appears to be 90 per cent effective in preventing disease. So far the vaccine has been tested on over 43,000 people in six countries and has so far proven to be safe for human use, raising hopes that the pandemic could be brought under control by summer of next year. The Independant report continues that the green light for the vaccine could be granted in the coming weeks, with the UK government “hopeful” that doses will be made available for Christmas. 

In an announcement this evening from the PM, Boris Johnson, this evening during a Downing Street press conference he said that whilst it was “very early days”, the vaccine had cleared a "significant hurdle” but insisted that the country cannot afford to “slacken our resolve at such a critical moment”. The Independant news article continues to explain in detail how the UK government has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer candidate, 10 million of which are due to be delivered by the end of the year if approval is granted. however, the longevity of the immune response provoked by the vaccine also remains unknown

But how does it work and who will get it? It is said that protection is achieved 28 days after the initiation of the vaccination, which consists of two doses, meaning up to five million people in the UK could be inoculated over the winter period. England's deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam described the vaccine announcement as a huge milestone and said it was good news for other future vaccines in development. 

Authorities have stressed that initial supplies of the vaccine will be limited. The Independant goes on to say that an estimated 50 million doses - enough to vaccinate 25 million people - are expected to be available globally by the end of the year, with further aims to manufacture a total of 1.3 billion doses throughout 2021. 

It is silly to think however that this new Pfizer vaccine will be able to stop the UK’s mounting second wave however maybe we can be hopeful that it may prevent future waves and maybe, just maybe we can get back to living a normal life. As England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said the results demonstrated "the power of science against Covid”. 

It just makes you wonder doesnt it really; In the space of nine-months we have found a possible vaccine against a deadly wave of flu-like virus - So why have we not found a cure for cancer or genetic disabilities or AIDS? Unless someone has but companie make more money out of people being sick than people being well. Besides a controversial poit could be made that it is natures way of culling the population and keeping the numbers down?! But maybe that is for another day ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Here we go a-fucking-gain

 Heyy Heyy, 

Another week and another blow to the system as the UK announces another lockdown. And just as Mr Warehouse and I had been released from our very own personal lockdown we go into another effing one! After being forced to announcing it rather prematurely on Saturday (31st October 2020). After starting with an apology for "disturbing your Saturday evening with more news of Covid" (not that any of us was doing anything bloody fun since you stole Halloween like Mariah Carey on a Christmas power trip) Boris Johnson continued in vain to assure the public that he wouldn’t have done it unless it was absolutely necessary - Or that his plans had been rumbled by the media, hence the rushed press conference and tired look upon his ageing face.

As people struggling in the last few months throughout the spring and summer thought that things might get a little better with the prospect of Christmas being a bit more "normal" it seems as though all of that hope has been well and truly stripped away. Bring on the brink of a mammoth mental health crisis, far greater than anything I have ever experienced before, it surely would be more important than ever to try and keep people from having to self isolate from friends, family and support networks. It would seem though that the government's previous efforts of "Hands, Face, Space" and the messy and confusing three-tier lockdown system introduced to mainly Northern cities and counties including Greater Manchester,  Liverpool and Nottingham. 

Whilst Nicola Sturgeon (controversially maybe) is ahead of the curve, the confusion grows in Scotland as they were due to move to a five-tier system of virus alert levels from Today (Monday 2nd November) which differs still in Wales as they started a national lockdown more serious than even Lockdown number 1 and over in Northern Ireland, its devolved government have also introduced additional restrictions including an extended two-week half term for schools to reduce the spread of the disease.

The fuzzy advice and guidance from our "leader", BoJo, stared late after being postponed several times throughout the afternoon. There were a few frights to be had with our prime Minister the Halloween announce a second national lockdown which will be imposed across England on Thursday (5th November 2020) with all non-essential shops, restaurants, pubs and leisure facilities to close for at least four weeks. Under the new regulations, which will be published later on in the week, The Guardian online confirms households will be banned from mixing indoors, with the exception of for childcare and other forms of support. Support bubbles will remain in place, and children will still be able to move between homes if their parents are separated.

The drama unravels to reveal escalated the country’s response to the pandemic with ministers explaining how “we must act now to contain this autumn surge”, with these measures due to remain in place until 2nd of December 2020 (although I will state now I am doubtful that this will be the case as we are simply kicking the inevitable can down the road to further mental health issues, financial crippling and unemployment).

Yet again people have been told to “stay at home” where possible (although what that means for me and my place of work who knows), but confusingly will be allowed to leave their homes for education including schools and universities and to the workplace if they cannot work from home. Just as the furlough scheme was set to end, covering 80% of the wages of workers who are temporarily laid off due to coronavirus, the much-needed scheme will remain in place and be extended throughout November, the prime minister said. 

Medical appointments, to shop for essential goods, and outdoor exercise will also be permitted but only with members of the same household or one person from another household in which you are bubbled. The Guardian online continued with the new restrictions as set out by the government that people will be allowed to leave home to care for vulnerable people, or to escape injury or harm. Whilst the restaurants, pubs and bars are all set to close from Wednesday night, takeaways and deliveries will continue to be allowed. 

The prime minister explained that along with the government he would seek to end the measures in early December, but went on to say the exit strategy from the regulations would vary according to the severity of the virus transmission rates in different areas of England - Ergoproving my earlier point of it not being a hard and fast ending because let's be fair, this virus will still be here to fuck us over on December 3rd?! Finishing off the bleak and dismal outlook, Boris Johnson said he said hoped "the measures could enable families to reunite over Christmas" and that whilst "Christmas is going to be different this year, perhaps very different it’s his sincere hope and belief that by taking tough action now we can allow families across the country to be together” something I am not holding my breath for considering the devastating blow the whole country has had to endure. 

The Office for National Statistics estimated that 568,100 people were infected with the virus in the week ending 23 October alone and with that statistic in mind, sitting here babysitting the nieces and nephews, I have no idea what the next week will entail, but what I do know is that yet again life will be turned on its head and I just hope I can find my way out of the avalanche of bullshit and crappiness. 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Our Release Date

Hiya, 

Opening my bleary eyes that morning it was a glorious sunny day. Daylight streaming through the window at barely gone 7am, I was up and ready to start the day. Pottering through my normal routine of letting the dogs out for their morning wee, having one myself, serving up doggy breakfast, morning coffee made and settling into the comfiness of the recliner for some daytime telly for an hour or so before I started work. Ahh bliss. 

But this morning was slightly different as no sooner had I sat down at my desk in the spare room, Mr Warehouse came springing from the bedroom, dressed and ready for the day, something which I hadn't seen much before 10am most days of our personal lockdown. But as I said, today was different. Today was our release day. Although an apt phrase, I didn't like the connotations of being released from the mental institute or prison, however maybe some of our neighbours would have been less forgiving since they seemed to think we were hardened crim's as it was following my outburst last week. 

Yes, this morning Mr Warehouse was up and about in anticipation of his final day of freedom before heading back to work. Starting the day off well with a McDonald's breakfast run, followed closely by taking our little one to the groomers and home in time for some lunch and a few hours on the Xbox, all the while as the breadwinner (AKA moi) is squirrelling away upstairs on her laptop working from home. But it wasn't all bad though as come 5pm, I logged off, finishing work for the day and headed on out to get my nails done, although not before stopping off for a cheeky Starbs en route, satisfying my inner need for a PSL (Pumpkin Spiced Latte) - my first one of the season. 

It felt so good to be out and able to see faces other than my future husbands. I mean as much as I love him, fuck I love to get out of these four walls. Honestly, I was going crazy and that is far from an exaggeration since I had recently experienced a huge panic attack at work one afternoon and my mental health has slowly been slipping, so getting out of the house for a few hours and seeing friends and family this weekend has certainly saved me and restore my chemical imbalance, at least temporarily. 

But alas things are still not looking great as the virus is still haunting my life. Figures from the BBC released today (Monday 26 October 2020) confirm that the number of new cases of coronavirus is continuing to skyrocket. It is clear, from the figures at least that there is an upward turn for the pandemic. With the overall damning evidence showing that coronavirus related deaths in the last 24-hour period being recorded at over 100, it is a little worrying considering we are going into the colder and darker months of winter 

With people struggling in the last few months throughout the spring and summer with mental health, as have I, and having to self isolate from friends, family and support networks we are on the brink of a mammoth mental health crisis, far greater than anything I have ever experienced before some something that without huge improvement will cripple our already exhausted NHS, and that's not to mention winter with all of its flu's and bugs and hospital admissions. And rise they are as news from the BBC confirms the most recent figures show hospital admission rates for Covid-19 patients rising most quickly in the North West and the North East and Yorkshire region. The news article goes on to say that cases are rising quickly across large parts of England, with other spikes in areas of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In England, a three-tier lockdown system was introduced, with it's latest victims being South Yorkshire joining Greater Manchester, Lancashire and the Liverpool City Region in the highest level, tier three, meaning no household mixing either indoors or outdoors at hospitality venues or private gardens, pubs and bars not serving meals will be closed and guidance made to not travel into or out of the areas of concern. Soon to join the dreaded T3 category include Warrington and Nottingham, both big northern powerhouses. Other cities including Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry and Slough are the most recent additions to tier two which means a limit on pubs and restaurants opening hours cut to a 10pm curfew with no households mixing indoors but the rule of six may apply when outside, including gardens. 

But the confusion grows as Scotland is due to move to a five-tier system of virus alert levels from 2nd November with the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirming that central Scotland, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, is likely to be in tier 3 (the second-highest tier). This is different still in Wales as they have started a national lockdown otherwise known as a circuit-breaker, meaning most non-essential businesses are closed and people are only able to leave home for limited reasons for the next fortnight with even essential shops and supermarkets restricting the items bought in store, however over the Irish sea's it is a confusing tale yet again as the Northern Ireland devolved government have also introduced additional restrictions including an extended two-week half term for schools to reduce the spread.

As a nation we need to stick together, however, the fuzzy advice and guidance from our "leader", Boris Johnson announcing several weeks ago the Government’s new stance to Hands, Face, Space. But with the rules around socialising and meeting up with friends and loved ones changing every moment and dependant on where in the country you live, I, like the majority of you I suppose, cant help but ask what this means for Christmas and the upcoming festivities towards the end of the year are looking bleak. 

So it seems for now at least, Mr. Warehouse can breathe easy as I cannot plan any sort of party or social gathering without facing the prospect of a fine. Halloween? Cancelled. Fireworks night. Cancelled. Remembrance Parade with the family. Cancelled. Christmas Dinner? Who fucking knows at this rate but as work Christmas parties and celebrations are being debated in every office up and down the country to see if Agnes in HR can sort out a virtual Zoom party for 250-odd employees, assuring everyone that Michael from IT won't strip off his shirt again as he did last year, it seems all hope of returning to normality or anything remotely close is being fired out of the window quicker than a Windows '94 desktop PC. 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Everybody needs good neighbours!

Hello Hello Lovelies, 

Following our arrival, Mr Warehouse and I had been in the country for less than 24-hours before the UK government had listed Turkey as a no-go-zone and from that Saturday morning at 4am (Saturday 3rd October 2020) would impose a fourteen-day quarantine rule on anyone returning. Safe to say I was annoyed and frustrated but it did make me think though - Why? 

As the new broke on the BBC website, Mr Warehouse and I read on as the article stated that holiday-makers arriving from Turkey and several other places will have to self-isolate for 14-days. This is because it can take up to 14 days for coronavirus symptoms to appear.  The UK government said it removed Turkey "over concerns about the way the country reports its data" something which I feel ever so strongly about considering the UK government haven't exactly been shit hot on reporting figures anyway. Meanwhile, the Scottish Government weren't exactly blameless in the scrutiny as announced in a statement that it was "clear that case numbers in Turkey have been under-reported" and that whilst Turkey's reported infection rate has dropped to 12.9 cases per 100,000, down from 14.2 in the week prior. 

Frustratingly the BBC report goes on to explain that if you look at the official data coming out of Turkey then it sits comfortably well below the UK's benchmark for applying the quarantine of 20 cases for every 100,000 people, but revelations that the number of cases in Turkey has been under-reported has put the country onto the "red" list, despite the UK, or any other country for that matter, being no better. Whilst Mr Warehouse and I are just on the cusp of our "release date" as family and friends are now calling it, The Department for Transport is still no closer at looking to whether testing can be used at airports to reduce the quarantine period from 14 to seven days. 

This being said, however, the self-isolation and quarantining on return from holiday doesn't sit well with every traveller. It is almost impossible for the police to enforce quarantine rules so it is hoped heavier fines for repeat offenders will mean fewer people will break the rules. But with the increase in tougher fines for those who fail to self-isolate, it could be a costly mistake to break the rules. Fines for the first offence of failing to self-isolate when required will start at £1,000, before increasing to £2,000, then £4,000 up to a maximum of £10,000. The upper limit for repeat offences was previously £3,200. This was something Mr Warehouse and I nearly found out the hard way!

Three-days into our fourteen-day personal lockdown we had little left in the cupboards. Momma Warehouse had been living in our humble abode for the week we were away, looking after the puppies and enjoying some time with family and friends whilst down hear from her home in Cambridgeshire that she shares with her Boyfriend. This coupled with the fact Mr Warehouse and I never expected to have to self isolate, food supplies were running low. So waking on Saturday morning we took the decision to break the rules and step outside. 

Now I know what you are thinking - You could have got a delivery and yes we could have, had it not been for the fact all the slots were taken until the following weekend thus leaving ourselves in an even worst situation that eating natty Special K for six days in a row, breakfast lunch and dinner. Yes, I suppose we could have gotten someone to go and collect some things for us and helped out, however, when you were expecting to do a full month's worth of shopping on your return totalling over £100, it's a bit of a big ask and would have either meant me giving out my bank card and pin (not safe if you had to wonder why) or transferring money over to someone's account and asking them to go out for several hours in order to purchase everything, and that's all in the hope that they would get all the correct items within budget. 

And so with that option being too much of a burden on the very little friends and family we both have locally, considering my family is mainly back home in Luton, Momma Warehouse being the other side of Huntingdon over an hour away and both of us being estranged from the other parent, we decided to look up our options. 

The GOV.uk website states that it is very important that travellers stay in the declared accommodation as self-isolating will reduce the chance of a second wave (which is and was basically already upon us and fucking inevitable). Mr Warehouse and I must self-isolate at the address we had provided on the public health passenger locator form, despite no one at the airport actually asking for it. GOV.uk continues; "You cannot go out to work or visit public areas and should not go shopping. If you require help buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, you should ask friends or relatives or order a delivery." Although note please the above comments as to why these options were not possible for us and as the absolute key point here - In England, you can only leave your accommodation in limited circumstances including but not limited to accessing basic necessities like food and medicines where you cannot arrange for these to be delivered. 

And so Saturday afternoon Mr Warehouse and I hopped in the car and made our one journey outside our accommodation, all the while staying alert and staying safe as per the government's website advice in order to do enough food shopping so we can survive our self-isolation period. We were gone just over an hour, good innings considering the amount we had to buy and money spent. We wore our masks constantly and kept to more than the two-metre social distancing rules where possible. Nevertheless, within two hours of arriving back home, there was a rather ominous knock on the door. Confused at who might be calling at such a late hour I got up to answer. 

There standing at the door was a female police officer. I was shocked, to say the least, but now she and her male counterpart were there in front of me I knew I had some explaining to do. I answered her questions honestly and explained the situation in hand, that we had tried in vain to get a delivery and we did not have many friends or family local to help us. I was informed that Amazon delivers to my address (which on later inspection I found out was a crock of bullshit as they don't due to us living in a newly built housing estate) and that I really should not be venturing outside of my home address. I apologized and promised that since we had now got the provisions we needed we would not be going out again. Seemingly pleased with my responses they left, but not after answering my question about who the fuck on the street ratted me out. 

The answer - Two! Two separate complaints and calls had come into the desk about mine and my fiance's escapades and as such, they had to investigate them thoroughly, which is fair enough. I knew that we had done everything by the book and made allowances where we could have but a trip was necessary and needed. And we are not alone. As reported by the BBC, since the introduction of the travel quarantine regime in the summer, police officers have investigated more than 4,000 alleged breaches of the rules with more than 200 people were found to be ignoring the quarantine requirement, but escaping a fine because they listened to the officer on their doorstep first time around. 

Closing the door my blood boiled. Explaining what had happened to Mr Warehouse, tucked away in the living room, I fumed about the fact that someone snitched. You see I wouldn't have minded so much if it was that kind of neighbourhood, but I figured, since every fucker n this street had broken all manner of lockdown rules from the maximum 6-person rule to having people actually in your home to whether that trip to the shops was truly "essential" for paint and decorating materials?! Every. Single. One. And not even just a little bit either, most of the time rules were not adhered to, however, I saw it as it was not my business and to keep my nose out. They weren't harming me or interfering in what I was doing so why should I care. But apparently, someone else does! 

I think the worst thing is that despite that, Mr Warehouse could have been leaving the house on Saturday afternoon for anything. Our neighbours didn't know where we were going or what we were doing. For all they knew we could have been bombing it over to the vet's with one of the dogs, going to visit someone that was dying or even rushing to the accident and emergency after injuring ourselves - All reasonable excuses, by law I might add, as explained on the GOV.uk website. But no, rather than having some balls and rapping our door to ask if everything was OK or if we needed everything or even just how our holiday was they decided to waste police time and resources. I suppose I can't judge everyone else's behaviour on mine or what I would do in that same situation - Because had the shoe been on the other foot and I had seen someone go out when they were meant to be self-isolating I would have made an effort to go over and talk to them, rather than being sneaky and sly.

So far I have had several messages from neighbours on our street checking in and making sure everything was OK, although probably moreso to see why the effing cops were at my door more than everything, of which I am more than welcome to share my story. As one neighbour put, it is just a shame that whoever it was didn't have the guts (we still don't know for certain, even though I think I have a damned good idea who) and instead hid behind their anonymous phone calls and twitching curtains. 

I get it I broke the rules, but I also look out for people and mind my own business when needed to, not stabbing people in the back without knowing the facts first. It is a crying shame that whoever reported me and my future Hubby felt they couldn't come and talk to my face about it because after all is said and done, and COVID-19 has gone away, we will still be living next door to one another. I will still watch out for your kids when they're playing out front. I will still lend you jump leads when your car battery is dead in the middle of winter. I will still watch your house when your away on holiday. I will still take in that parcel you needed delivering today. I will still keep an eye out if I see someone dodgy skulking around. Why? Because I am not a slimy snake. But don't worry friends, I got the best revenge party lined up for when this is all over including base so loud you can hear it from the other end of the cunting village ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx