As of yesterday there were globally 2,348,953 cases of, and 161,221 deaths from, coronavirus. Or, as I jokingly called it some time ago, Connie Francis. But it's no longer a joke. People are being imprisoned in their homes. Escape is only permitted for a limited number of government approved reasons and timings. Social distancing is compulsory. The wearing of surgical facemasks and gloves is advised, if you can get hold of them. Apparently there's a world shortage.
Interestingly, some countries prepared for the onslaught of this plague and some didn't. The UK didn't. While others were stocking up on personal protective equipment and introducing lockdowns at an early stage, the British government was sending stocks of PPE to China and elsewhere whilst adopting a King Canute attitude to the imminent danger. An island mentality. Now, of course, as they're running out of PPE for their own medics, they're regretting this generosity and looking a bit stupid. This morning stupid Gove appeared on TV and admitted his government's stupidity. Too late mate, it's just another example of your Tory party's incompetence. Similarly, madman Trump was way too late in recognising the danger and introducing defensive measures. Instead he's blaming China for his nation's deaths. Never his fault. Shift the blame. Accusations? Fake news. Bad reporting.
Trump and Johnson have both been completely irresponsible in their reactions to this epidemic. Seems they're both more concerned with its devastating effect on their economies rather than their people. While Trump huffed and puffed in denial, Johnson was busy having another baby, missing five vitally important Cobra meetings, generally going AWOL and leaving a bunch of other clowns to run the nation. Then he was conveniently smitten by the plague, ending up hospitalised and being saved from death by, ironically, immigrant medics of the NHS - the very institution that he and his Tory sidekicks had earlier reduced funding and support for while promoting private healthcare.
Another interesting thing. Before Liar Alexander de Pfeffel was rushed off to hospital with Connie Francis, his demonic advisor Cummings was seen slithering out of No.10 by the back exit. A bit earlier No.10 had denied Cummings had opined that the disease would kill off a million or more geriatric pensioners thereby saving the nation a considerable sum. Good for the economy. Shortly after, it was announced that demonic Dominic was self-isolating after showing signs of catching the bug. Ironic or what? Unfortunately I understand he's recovered.
I wonder by how much those figures in my first sentence have increased since I started this posting. But I doubt if Trump will be interested. The only figures he'll be looking at are his popularity ratings. And he'll see that they're falling due to his bad handling of the epidemic. Hopefully he'll be booted out at the next election. And as for de Pfeffel, well, according to a Tory insider he doesn't work week-ends. I gather that he's still convalescing at Chevening, at taxpayers' expense, with his pregnant lady friend, presumably blissfully unaware that UK deaths have now passed 16,000 with 600 being added in the last 24 hours.
Lastly, I'm pleased to say that Connie Francis is still alive and well. Unlike so many others she has not succumbed to this vile disease. Yet.
