The news gets stranger by the day.

In Norn Iron they have imposed another “lockdown” but no one seems to be sure whether or not it’s a “circuit breaker lockdown”. I wonder how many people actually know what a circuit breaker is? Do they realise that despite sounding very technical, it is nothing more exotic than [for example] a light switch? I suppose a “switch lockdown” lacks that gravitas they are obviously trying to achieve. Maybe they are thinking of a fuse which comes into play when things get a bit hot? A “fuse lockdown” doesn’t really inspire fear either?

As part of this “lockdown” there is a concept of the “bubble”. Again there is no explanation as to what kind of bubble and I can only assume they will require large quantities of soap and water.

Social bubbles – bubbling – will be limited to a maximum of 10 people from two households; no overnight stays in a private home unless in a bubble. 

https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/1014/1171486-coronavirus-ni-at-a-glance/

If I want to stay with someone Up North do I have to enquire first if they have a bubble I can sleep in? Is it some kind of soapy yurt?

Another piece of news comes from yesterday’s budget.

Primary school pupil-teacher ratio ‘to be reduced by one student per class’

Again I am confused. Are they going to pick one poor kid out of each class and hold a summery execution in the school yard at playtime? It seems a bit harsh? And how is the victim chosen? Do they draw lots or does the teacher just pick on the most obnoxious brat in the class? The latter would do wonders for class discipline?

We live in strange times.