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Recent Articles
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Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: April Showers in May during Week 59
Anticipation heightens and air fares rise as 17 May approaches when international travel will be legal again. It is week 59 of the coronavirus pandemic and as England emerges from its third lockdown the resumption of international travel is eagerly awaited. A list of countries expected to be on the…
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Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: Green List Speculation in Week 58
During week 58 of the coronavirus pandemic the papers begin to speculate about the countries that will be on the green list from 17 May the date it now seems certain international travel will be allowed once more. And that travellers returning from green list countries will not be required to…
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Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: Week 57 Sees Huge Surge of Cases in India
During week 57 of the coronavirus pandemic the vaccination roll-out in the UK continues as many receive second doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs. Cases of COVID-19 are coming down and so are the number of deaths. But, tragically, India becomes the new epicentre of the pandemic with…
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Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: More Restrictions Lifted in Week 56
Week 56 of the coronavirus pandemic sees England relax some more lockdown restrictions. Town centres come back to life as non-essential shops and businesses open again and cafés, bars and restaurants start serving food and drinks – but only outside. A third vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, starts its…
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Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: Week 55 Prince Philip Dies
Sad news during week 55 of the coronavirus pandemic as Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh passes away peacefully at Windsor Castle. The prince, aged 99, was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years and at the time of his death both of them were in residence at the castle. As England is still in…
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Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: #stayathome ends Week 54
It is week 54 of the coronavirus pandemic and England starts to emerged from the third national lockdown. This week is the last day of shielding for millions of the clinically vulnerable. We no longer have to #remainathome but are free to go out locally as often as we like. But travel outside…
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Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: National Lockdown Anniversary in Week 53
We pass a landmark during week 53 of the coronavirus pandemic as 23 March 2021 marks a year of lockdowns due to COVID-19 in the UK. The Prime Minister has set out a roadmap for our emergence from the current, third, national lockdown. But it looks as though Boris Johnson’s plans may be de-railed by…
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Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: EU Resumes Vaccine Roll-Out in Week 52
My coronavirus diary records that during week 52 of the pandemic the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to decline in the UK but the surge of new cases in Europe means some countries go back into lockdown. Supplies of both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines to the UK are under threat of a ban…
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Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: EU Doubts UK Vaccine in Week 51
Week 51 of the coronavirus pandemic sees the start of a third surge of COVID-19 cases, mainly the Kent variant from the UK. Italy, France and Germany re-introduce lockdowns and curfews. The roll-out of vaccines across the European Union (EU) has had a slow start due to supply problems. Then, this…
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: Budget Day in Week 50
During the fiftieth week of the coronavirus pandemic the UK awaits the Chancellor’s Spring Budget. Subtle ‘leaks’ prepare us for some of the major announcements but everyone anticipates increases in personal taxation. So, it is a relief when this does not happen. More money is allocated to support…
