It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

Christmas time. A most glorious excuse to vacate the miserable penitentiary of work, indulge your gluttonous desires, drown oneself with your preferred debilitating libation and collapse into a diabetic coma, as your partner tries desperately to locate your already diminishing pulse. What better way to commemorate the life of our Lord and saviour, Jesus of Neverland. There’s so much about Christmas lurid milieu to appreciate. The bells of Holly. The nog of the egg. Pear tree nesting partridges and Mistletoe infused wine. But, do you know what I love most about this extravagant holiday? Mandatory time off.

A modest, yet necessary sabbatical from a job I loathe. Further enriched by the directional allocation of holiday that extends my initially brief respite, into the New Year. Sure, watching my excitable daughter tear into her soon to be neglected presents like some feral canine is a cherished Christmas activity, but the freedom to simply lounge on the sofa, eating my weight in Toblerone, Jaffa Cakes and Ferrero Rocher – the confectionery trifecta, is a far more endearing prospect. Considering the arrogant sycophant wretches that run this place, operating in their own churlish little sorority, I have remained relatively sane. Encouraged by the potential rejuvenation afforded from a such a long intermission.

Many are likely preparing for the long delayed visit of family and friends, after a Christmas isolated from the world. Even though technology has enabled us to maintain contact with loved ones, it’s still a poor substitute for genuine human contact. Lord knows my partners gregarious effervescence had been stunted by enforced isolation that prevented her from seeing her mother last year. With new variants threatening to displace yuletide festivities for a second year, I should be more appreciative for the chance to see family again. But honestly, I’m just looking forward to doing absolutely nothing!

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Whatever you’re doing, have fun, stay safe and have a wonderful and Covid free Christmas.

Just Because You Don’t Believe Covid Isn’t Real, Doesn’t Mean It’s Not Happening.

The world, as well as its many indigenous creatures have had to endure tremendous adversity this year, the likes of which I have never seen before. Most notably the global proliferation of Coronovirus. There isn’t one person today that hasn’t been affected, directly or peripherally by the destabilising encroachment of Covid 19. More than likely you know someone that has contracted the virus, perhaps even fatally. With vulnerable family members isolated from their relatives for fear of exposure. My partner and daughter were suspected of having the disease back in March, before tests were readily available to confirm its validity. But judging by the malicious nature and associative symptoms that they experienced, I don’t doubt that they suffered from the effects of Covid. I myself am convinced that a prolonged, dry cough that afflicted me for several weeks back in January was the result of Covid. With the subsequent social distancing, furloghs and self isolation, as well as the fluctuating malignancy of the disease that is likely to be exacerbated by the seasonal chill, we all have to remain vigilant and most importantly safe. Even when others willfully attempt to undermine our safety.

I can’t tell you the number of people, couriers mostly, that ignorantly profess their skepticism about the severity or even the existence of Covid 19. That these so called “cases” are being conflated by the government to scare and suppress the population for their own nefarious deeds. That the 2 metre rule is not an effective deterrent and face coverings offer no discernable protection from infection, which I have to agree with. Face masks are entirely useless when draped across your chin! Because such drastic prohibitive measures have been put in place, largely to protect communities and limit the rate of infection, some people seem to believe that mandatory face coverings in public places are somehow a breach of their human rights. That their civil liberties have been compromised by regulations that enforce the use of obligatory face coverings, all because they feel a little uncomfortable wearing them.

The fact that the nation is taking the necessary precautions to ensure that the spread of this virulent infection is prevented from being exposed to those most susceptible is something to praise, not criticise. Whether you believe that it’s a conspiracy, conceived as some elaborate communist agenda by the Chinese government for some elaborate, political gain or not, surely any chance of prohibiting transmissions, whether you doubt is existence is worth doing. Especially considering the contradictory attitude of a government that is so quick to turn on those that will be effected for the longest: The youth. Certainly the welfare of the most vulnerable in our community is our priority. But its the young that will suffer long term, so perhaps the government could stop trying to blame them for the increasing rate of infections. And just for the record: You don’t devise the eat out to help out scheme, an initiative that by its very design encourages social exposure, then criticise those that were motivated by the government to exploit.

After yesterday’s address to the nation, detailing further non-measures that attempt to diminish the rate of infections whilst also protecting the economy, yet ultimately hindering both, its evident that this pandemic is far from over. Relying on the discipline and resolve of the British people is like entrusting the security of a blood banks reserve to a vampire. So please, stop risking the lives of others simply because face coverings are starting to hurt your ears!

The Joy’s Of An “Essential” Worker.

It’s at times of great adversity that we truly get to know an individual. To really recognise what motivates them. Discern what someone is really capable of. Sadly it’s not always for the best. Since the nationwide lockdown was enforced over 3 weeks ago, I and many of my colleagues have continued working in a very “non” essential capacity. Though I’m not at liberty to discuss the particulars of my job, to protect the ignorant, suffice to say I’m in no way a key worker. So as of right now we’re stuck. Confined to a life of subservience to our benevolent and largely absent leader. Presumably confined to the stifling solitude of his grade II listed mansion. A self confessed man of the people. The anointed crusader for the working man. Taking great pride in the continued production of his business while others are failing. As well as openly facilitating the spread of Covid 19, purely for the interests of the company. Not their employees.

This is a company that explicitly encourages it’s staff to maintain a 2m distance and adhere to the hygiene regulations and measures sanctioned by the government to prevent the spread of Covid 19. But at the same time broaden their recruitment policy to keep up with the high level of demand the company is suddenly dealing with, thus increasing the volume of people operating in an environment where social distancing is now impossible to sustain. Sadly it seems their solution is similar to that of other more affluent online distributors: to throw money at the problem! Offering financial incentives for punctuality and consistency. An initiative they have subsequently revoked now that they can simply replace any rebellious permanent staff with temps. But all at the expense of our safety. Unfortunately many consider these precautions as advisory. Suggestions to be considered but not regimently applied and will happily congregate in packs for cigarettes breaks. We’re expected to be productive in a completely inefficient environment. Weaving past congested areas, hoping no inconsiderate buffoon decides to siddle past you in frustration. It’s like Russian roulette, except every chamber in the gun is loaded!

When broached on the subject of volume and the proximity of personal, and just how many of us perceive this to be a callously dangerous option, he scoffed. With the company then having the audacity to insist that the fault lies with us?! Having filtered through hours of CCTV footage to discover fleeting moments when the 2m rule was briefly interrupted. When confronted with the hypothetical scenario of further lock downs caused by some aberration of Covid 19, perhaps a Covid 20 or 21, that could exacerbate the global pandemic our gracious commander replied “I hope so”. No jest. Not a solitary shred of irony nor a glimmer of remorse. He sees this global epidemic as an opportunity. A chance to exploit both his workforce and costumers as well as profit from the ravaging effects of Covid 19, by jacking up the prices of specific products, in some cases DOUBLE that of high street retailers and supermarkets. It’s unconscionable!

We receive the regular “motivational” emails from our illustrious leader, praising our valient efforts and notifying us of just how much has been shipped. As time has gone on the theme of these bulletins has gradually shifted into a more jubilant tone, and are now a constant reminder of his total lack of empathy. His commitment to greed would be commendable if it wasn’t so morally repugnant!

Have you continued working during this crisis? Let me know about your experiences in the comments below. Cheers.