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Recent Articles
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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…
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: Snow Moon Lights up Week 49
At the beginning of this week, the 49th week of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, PM Boris Johnson lays out his road map for easing lockdown restrictions. There will be four stages each separated by a five-week period. We are warned that it is crucial we continue to adhere to the rules of…
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: Terrible Weather in Week 48
It is now week 48 of the coronavirus pandemic and England is still in lockdown. But the vaccine roll-out is gathering momentum and new cases and deaths from COVID-19 are coming down. The weather may be gloomy but the news is cheering as the government begins planning measures to ease lockdown. But…
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Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: Snow and Ice in Week 47
During week 47 of lockdown in England due to the coronavirus pandemic the vaccination continues its roll-out as new, small centres open. At last transmission rates are coming down which could be due to the vaccination programme or the effect of the third national lockdown. Thanks to the arrival of…
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: Signs of Spring in Week 46
At the start of week 46 of the coronavirus pandemic England has been in its third national lockdown for a month. At last the daily count of new cases is gradually going down but deaths from COVID-19 remain dangerously high. The vaccine roll-out is going well with new centres opening. But doubt has…
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Life During a Coronavirus Pandemic: Week 45 and Vaccine Battles
This week, the 45th of the coronavirus pandemic, deliveries of the coronavirus vaccine to the UK were threatened by squabbles between the producers of the AstraZeneca vaccine and the European Commission. Meanwhile, a third vaccine is approved and two more, manufactured in the UK are showing…
