Covid-19 Diary

Harry recalls when he “did a lot of work around community development” and the impact of the last recession on communities, on families - including his own - and he worries for his future. The internet tells him we may be heading into extreme poverty where those not strong enough to fend for themselves die in droves on the streets. “Neo-liberalism on crack,” is how he describes it. He prays for a new politics led by just and imaginative people:

None of us know when we'll be called. Harry’s pager went off last night - a fire in a commercial premises. This morning, he woke feeling stiff and bruised. “I’m coughing my guts up now. Is it the smokes? Or last night's smoke? Or…”

EXCERPT: The virus has jumped to mink in the Netherlands and cats in New York. How are we supposed to keep cats locked down?

Sunday should always be sacred. In this time of forever Saturdays, especially so. Of course I speak for myself through a culture embedded in me. Any time will do - ring-fence it. I pick Sunday.

EXCERPT: They had no idea of the mortal danger they were in.

A tragic day. Nothing I write would be appropriate. I'm going to keep my thoughts to myself and my prayers for the family. Rest in Peace young man. I know you are in a better place.

HARRY talks about people who are, to use a fire service term, socially non-ambulant: "It’s not just firefighters - single parents, older people, disabled people and people without transport can all end up a bit trapped. I fell into a few of those categories myself over the years."

EXCERPT: You’d have to wonder what else could be achieved if everyone worked together as tightly. Enforced socialism is what I called it weeks ago; for that to work, people had to work together, which we did - well done again!