I got a letter the other day.

It was from the Chief Medical Officer. Mind you, she didn’t actually post it to me but rather stuck it on the Interwebs which I suppose saved on postage.

She thanked me very much for barricading myself [and Herself] in the house for the last three years. She knows what a terrible strain that has meant. I did so miss the odd trip to the village, the optician and the vet but you can’t be too careful? She actually encapsulates the experience quite well:

In doing as you were asked, you will have missed out on family moments, or precious time
with friends and neighbours doing the things you always enjoyed. No one should under-
estimate the impact of this isolation or the sense of loneliness that comes from the sudden disconnect from family and community.

But what about the Virus? I know it’s still out there lurking in the lane waiting to pounce. After all, it got the Neighbours only a couple of weeks ago.

We know that many people still feel apprehensive about getting out and about. So, I would
like to offer my reassurance that today we are – thankfully – in a much better place.

Oh! That’s all right so. So the Virus is gone?

We have access to safe, effective vaccines. We know these vaccines save lives and help protect us from the worst effects of COVID-19.

I tried that vaccine. It gave me Shingles which in turn led to Postherpetic Neuralgia which I still have. It’s a nice little souvenir of the pandemic.

If you haven’t yet returned to doing the things that you love, I am encouraging you to do so now. Spend time with grandchildren, re-join local clubs or activities or get involved in your local community.

That’s brilliant! I’m not too sure about the clubs because most of them threw me out. Alcoholics Anonymous were particularly unfriendly. All I did was invite them all for a pint after the meeting which is really the whole point of joining a club? Anyway I’m taking her at her word. Tonight I’ll go for a skinful. The CMO did tell me to?

Their wisdom and experience can only enrich life for us all.

So she does read this site!