LIFE IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS PART LAST

PUBLISHED 14 AUG 2020 1042HRS BST

Localised 'outbreaks' will continue leading to localised 'lockdown' but for the most part the pandemic appears to be over in my wee corner of the Kingdom. As long as people are sensible (strict hygiene, keeping distance from others, masks where appropriate) we should now begin to see a return to near-normal. 

 

Of course, the NHS all over the UK continues to claim they're working on clearing backlog (read if you should be having annual echocardiograms or other monitoring, or think you have cancer or heart disease, you're going to be waiting to the point of possibly dying whilst you wait), the death toll is being revised downwards to reflect 'more accurate data analysis' (read 'Oh dear, unless we change these stats we're going down as the 'European' country with the highest death toll!'), and wannbe little dictators like Nicola Sturgeon (Scottish First Minister) are rushing through all sorts while they still have a stranglehold on power - her latest is pushing through a 'hate' crime law so draconian no-one anywhere will have freedom of speech ever again - anywhere in the world speaking against, for example, unfettered criminal migration or the 'slamofication of the Western free world can see you extradited to Scotland to 'face judgement' if the SNP have their way. Oh, and her daily power exercise (read her daily coronavirus update press briefings televised by SkyNews and the BBC) continue - Lil'Nic is not going to give up her Hour of Power without a huge fight, I can assure you!

 

Meanwhile, here on the 'homefront' (read our house), things haven't really changed much and there really isn't anything new to report. 

 

Oh. Wait. Yesterday I was hit with a whomping case of heat exhaustion to the point of, well, you don't want to know except it was horrible and the heat cramps kept me waking every 30-45 minutes to try to make it to the bathroom. It got so alarming that around 3am we took the risk of telephoning 111 - surprisingly the person who answered was actually helpful despite our call not being 'Covid-related'. The GP telephoned first thing this morning to enquire - as the alarming symptom (and with the concurrent heat cramps feeling rather like a lower tum filled with razors) mercifully tapered off around 0600, I'm to do the Rice and Ice diet today, stay cool and telephone the surgery back if the most alarming symptom returns.   

 

I've had heat exhaustion so many times over the years I've actually lost count so I knew what to do and I knew when to worry. I've had heat stroke as well - twice. Part and parcel of having a lifelong heart condition. It's one of the reasons I am so particular to have hygrometers and thermometers in and out. 

 

But yesterday seemed to come out of nowhere, it was hot and humid inside and out but I did think I was managing it until the first awful heat cramp hit and I looked over at the coffee table temp-hygrometer to discover it was 27C (80F) and 70% humidity. I staggered outside where it was a 'mere' 26C (78.8F) while Paul moved the suddenly anaemic floor fan out and replaced it with the far more robust desk fan, opened all the windows (meaning the poor cat had to go in his crate - he's not allowed out for fear of killing the neighbour's chooks) and the front door. I stumbled back indoors, had an ice lollie, and enjoyed a respite in the lowered temperature of 23.8C (74.84F) and 60% humidity.