01/05/20 A number of reported cases of corona-virus patients relapsing after overcoming the disease were actually due to testing failures, South Korean scientists say. Researchers at the South Korean centre for disease control and prevention (CDC) now say it is impossible for the COVID-19 virus to reactivate in human bodies. Very good news, however (to put a dampener on  things) in the future it could be possible that the corona-virus mutates and infects people who have previously overcome it, similarly as it does with the flu. Meanwhile, a further 427 patients have died with corona-virus in UK hospitals bringing the national total ​to 23,363 and one of those was a 90 year old who passed away at St.Luke’s Hospital in Harborough.

The first day of May was one of sunshine and clouds. Early on, Sue collected her prescription from the chemist and after my bike ride I planted a row of beetroot plugs in the vegetable plot. A 4 TB hard drive ordered from Amazon arrived today instead of the scheduled Sunday and I was notified by email that my DNA profile from MyHeritage was ready online.

During the afternoon I fixed (with the help of Sue) the new awning onto the wall above the balcony. It went up quickly without any problems other than when I opened the box, the awning was green instead of the grey that I had ordered. However, it looked good when extended so I shall keep it.

Late in the afternoon Charlotte popped by with a jigsaw for Sue. She went away pleased with some more cucumber and tomato plants from the greenhouse.

02/05/20 Spaniards have been savouring their first taste of life after lock-down as adults were allowed out for exercise on Saturday for the first time in seven weeks. Any form of sport or exercise is allowed as long as it is carried out individually and  under new rules for outdoor activity,  people must adhere to specific time slots based on their age groups: Adults under the age of 70 who wish to walk, run, cycle, or do any other physical activity outdoors can now do so between 6am and 10am, or between 8pm and 11pm. Children have been allowed outside with their adult guardians since last Sunday, but their outings must now take place between 12pm and 7pm. More vulnerable people with caregivers, and seniors over the age of 70, can go outside between 10am and 12pm, or between 7pm and 8pm. An interesting move that preserves the notion of social distancing, I am intrigued as to how they will police this innovative strategy. I wonder how many countries will follow suit?

Weather wise, it was a similar day to yesterday, if not a little warmer and Sue took advantage of the conditions to do the washing. Whilst the machine was occupied with completing its cleanest cycle, Sue went to Lidl for a weekly shop. I planted yet another row of onions.  Sue spent most of the afternoon reading the newspaper while I copied photos, video and music files from the various drives in the study onto my new 4 TB Seagate drive.

Late in the afternoon I made a Duo video call to Jim in Cyprus and was surprised to learn that Brigitte has a flight back to Paphos next Tuesday (5th) on one of the repatriation flights from the UK. It will mean that she will have to spend a couple of weeks  in isolation, probably in one of the hotels being used for the purpose.  If the sale of their house goes ahead, it may not be too long afterwards that she returns to the UK.

In the evening we watched a Netflix film, ’93 Days’. A befitting true story that tells the tale of the 2016 Ebola epidemic in Lagos, Nigeria. Considering our present circumstances it wouldn’t be appropriate to describe it as enjoyable. It contains a sobering message for all governments; expect and prepare for the worst and you might just get lucky.

03/05/20 Primary schools are due to reopen as soon as June 1, as part of Boris Johnson’s blueprint for gradually “unlocking” Britain. Year 10 and Year 12 pupils are then expected to form the first wave of secondary pupils returning to school at a later point, this would be unlikely to increase the transmission rate and avoid a dangerous second peak. It is a difficult problem for the government, teachers  know  that many parents will have great reservations on returning their loved ones into the classroom along with thirty or so other possible virus carriers. It is going to take some reassurance. There needs to be concrete evidence over and above any reasonable argument that it will be safe to open up the schools. I think the government will find that returning adults into the workplace is going to be a lot easier and heaven help the Education Minister if a child catches Corona-virus whilst attending. Parents can be very unforgiving.

It was a chilly overcast day and Sue and I spent most of it indoors. Sue did break up her incarceration with a brief visit to Rothwell to drop off a coat for Charlotte and some biscuits that she had baked for Lucas and Ellis. I again spent most of the time in my study sorting out files between PC and various drives. Late in the afternoon Sue began the jigsaw that Charlotte had brought. Apart from a very tasty Sunday lunch prepared by Sue, it was not a remarkable day.