The COVID 19 Diary (Cotd)
Lock Down becomes real and serious - but not to some
The first COVID 19 Diary published abut two weeks ago in late March 2020. In that diary I started a countdown. “Minus Day 4, Minus Day 3, Minus Day 2 and Minus Day 1”. The last ‘minus’ being 22nd March making 23rd March “Day 0” of lock down
Why?
Well, earlier in March our Prime Minister (PM) addressed the nation explaining how he wanted us to behave to help stem the spread of the COVID 19 virus. This was after he had been put under enormous pressure to come out of his bunker, psychological or real, in Downing Street and be seen to be taking some sort of lead. We, as his people, had been asked during that address to stop using bars, restaurants and anywhere else we might gather in large numbers and to maintain a social distance of two meters when out and about.
Over the weekend of 21st and 22nd March the UK was bathed in its first spell of continuous sunshine since the end of the summer in 2019. Ignoring the PM’s requests, members of the population crowded beaches, shopping areas, any open space of land where they could exercise or lie down and absorb the sunshine like reptiles and in some areas traffic was brought to a standstill.
It was like the country was having a huge party and was totally unaware of the virus.
LOCK DOWN Day 0 – 23rd March 2020
During the day there seemed to be a sense of anticipation. One young person we know who is normally full of happiness and optimism told us they were beginning to get scared. They asked questions we just could not answer.
We bought a green recycling bag from our local council for our garden waste that cannot be composted.
I wondered if the PM was going to address the nation following what had happened over the weekend. There was going to be a COBRA (Cabinet Office Briefing Room A) meeting in the afternoon which meant things might be serious. Then it was announced that the PM would not be addressing the nation. This was followed by a further announcement that the COBRA meeting was overrunning so there would not be an address to the nation.
Ah ha! He had bottled out of a public appearance. Not surprising as earlier in this crisis he had had to be put under a lot of pressure to start taking a lead on this crisis.
About seven in the evening there were comments coming up on social media that the PM was going to address the nation from Downing Street at eight which we watched.
It wasn’t so much an address as a collective admonishment of the entire population for the naughty behaviour of the few. He reminded me of a head teacher. Our collective punishment was that we were only allowed to leave our houses for essential journeys. Schools would be closed a week earlier than normal for Easter which contradicted what he had said less than a week earlier. The country was effectively being placed into lock down changing how we live for the foreseeable future.
And that is why this day is Day 0
Number of deaths today 54
LOCK DOWN Day 1 (24th March 2020)
This morning I read an email from the yard we livery our horses. Access to the main yard was going to be restricted. Clients could not access the yard until after 1630 and the coffee room was closed until further notice. The owner along with the management team had acted swiftly in response to the PM’s address yesterday. We checked if we could still go and see the horses living out and off the main yard and that was OK.
Threads on social media started popping up today about continuing to ride horses. The anger on both sides of the argument burned off the pages hotter than an F15’s afterburn. We had already decided not to ride until the pressure on the emergency services and National Health Service had died down.
Spent an hour each in the garden trimming and weeding. We were determined to make sure the bag was full in time for its first collection on 1st April.
Number of deaths today 87
LOCK DOWN Days 2 to 7 (25th March to 30th March 2020)
We developed a daily routine which consisted of breakfast (getting later each day), gardening, reading, lunch, reading, a bit of day time TV and a daily outing. The outing is our only one and it combines exercise, shopping and seeing the horses for welfare purposes to feed accordingly, change rugs and enjoy some therapy time.
On 29th March I went to our local feed merchant. They didn’t have what we needed and the manager, whom we have go to know quite well, told me there would be some in by 2nd April and that he would make sure a bag was put by.
“See you Thursday” were his parting words.
Cumulative number of deaths 1,800 (approx.)
LOCK DOWN Day 8 (31st March 2020)
As part of our daily routine we finished filling the green recycling bag in readiness for collection tomorrow and so we could start filling it again.
LOCK DOWN Day 9 (1st April 2020)
Up early and put the green bag on the verge at the front of the house. It was still there at eleven when I checked for our post. A letter arrived from the local council informing us that they had suspended the garden recycling service for the duration of the virus crisis. We ordered a garden incinerator online to manage the non-compostable waste.
Not much in the way of April Fool’s pranks in any of the media today. With so much fake news around I don’t think anyone would notice anyway.
Number of deaths today 381
LOCK DOWN Day 10 (2nd April 2020)
Went to collect the feed and was told the manager had been “furloughed”. It was almost like being told someone had died and was another reality check on how this thing is affecting people so quickly and dramatically.
We did go and see our veteran horse on the main yard after 1630 to check up on her and to start clipping her. Some people still think we are being hyped up into hysteria by the media over this crisis. They can’t see what the problems are the NHS is having as they saw footage of empty hospital beds on TV earlier. Or that the ambulance service is overstretched, even when we explained we knew someone who had been seconded from out of area to crew ambulances.
Number of deaths today 569
LOCK DOWN Day 11 (3rd April 2020)
Oh dear, it has been announced that the Queen is going to address the nation on evening (Sunday) about the crisis after talks with Downing Street. This worries me as I feel it is part of a scheme by the Government to soften up the people. Wait and see what they announce on Monday evening.
Number of deaths today 684
Cumulative deaths to date 4,300 (approx)
About the Creator
Alan Russell
When you read my words they may not be perfect but I hope they:
1. Engage you
2. Entertain you
3. At least make you smile (Omar's Diaries) or
4. Think about this crazy world we live in and
5. Never accept anything at face value
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The Covid 19 Diaries
My COVID 19 Calendar 23rd March 2020 will be looked back on by historians studying Britain as one of the most significant days in Britain’s history. Not in the same way as 1st September 1939 when the country started to face the existential threat posed by the outbreak of World War II but as a day when the country had to finally face up to the reality of the COVID 19 virus. For these diaries 23rd March 2020 will be referred to as ‘Day 0’ and all references to the days before and following will be referred to as ‘Day - ‘ or ‘Day + ’ respectively.
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More Than 5 Million Native Plants Reintroduced in Deserts Are Slowing Land Degradation and Rebooting Arid Ecosystems
Deserts are often seen as barren, unforgiving landscapes, but they are far from lifeless. These ecosystems, while harsh, support unique biodiversity and provide critical environmental services, from carbon sequestration to regulating local climates. Yet, decades of overgrazing, unsustainable land use, and climate change have taken their toll, leaving many arid regions struggling with soil erosion, loss of native vegetation, and diminished ecological resilience. Now, a bold rewilding effort is turning the tide: over five million native plants have been reintroduced into deserts worldwide, and the early results are promising. The scale of the initiative Across regions from the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa to the arid plains of Australia and North America, conservation organizations, local communities, and governments have collaborated to replant native species that were once nearly wiped out. These plants range from hardy shrubs and grasses to iconic desert flowers, all carefully selected for their ability to survive in extreme conditions and restore ecological balance. The numbers are staggering: more than 5 million individual plants have been transplanted over the last five years, covering thousands of hectares. While this effort is labor-intensive, involving soil preparation, irrigation during establishment phases, and ongoing monitoring, the environmental payoff has been remarkable. Slowing land degradation One of the primary goals of these reintroductions is to combat land degradation, a process that affects over 40% of the planet’s land surface. In deserts, degradation is particularly acute because soil erosion occurs rapidly in the absence of stabilizing vegetation. Without plants to anchor the soil, wind and water can strip away fertile topsoil, creating a feedback loop of declining vegetation and worsening erosion. Early monitoring reports suggest that reintroduced native plants are helping to stabilize sandy soils and reduce the spread of desertification. In some areas of the Middle East, for instance, wind erosion rates have decreased by up to 30% in regions where shrubs and grasses were replanted. This stabilization not only benefits the environment but also local communities that rely on the land for grazing, agriculture, and other livelihoods. Rebooting arid ecosystems Beyond slowing soil loss, these plant reintroductions are rebooting entire desert ecosystems. Deserts are home to a diverse array of wildlife, including insects, birds, and mammals that rely on native plants for food and shelter. By re-establishing vegetation cover, these efforts have triggered a cascade of ecological benefits. In parts of the Sonoran Desert in North America, researchers observed a noticeable increase in pollinator populations, such as bees and butterflies, following the reintroduction of native flowering plants. Similarly, small mammals and reptiles that had disappeared from degraded areas are gradually returning, attracted by improved habitat structure and food availability. Climate resilience Another key advantage of reintroducing native plants is enhancing climate resilience. Many desert plants are adapted to survive extreme heat, drought, and poor soils. By re-establishing these species, ecosystems can better withstand climate-related stresses, such as prolonged droughts or extreme heatwaves. Additionally, some species improve soil moisture retention and reduce surface temperatures, creating microclimates that further support biodiversity. Community engagement and knowledge transfer What makes these rewilding efforts particularly successful is the integration of local communities. Indigenous knowledge about native species, planting techniques, and seasonal cycles has been invaluable. In some regions, schools and community groups participate in planting days, turning conservation into a source of pride and education. This engagement ensures that restored areas are maintained, monitored, and valued over the long term. Looking ahead While the reintroduction of five million native plants is a significant achievement, experts caution that long-term success requires continued investment, monitoring, and protection from overgrazing, development, and climate pressures. However, the initiative provides a compelling example of how targeted, science-backed restoration can reverse environmental damage. For arid ecosystems, these efforts are more than just planting trees and shrubs—they represent hope. They demonstrate that even the most fragile landscapes can recover when humans actively collaborate with nature, restoring not only plants but the entire web of life that depends on them. As the world grapples with climate change and land degradation, the lessons from these desert rewilding projects offer a blueprint for action: by investing in native biodiversity, we can slow degradation, rebuild ecosystems, and create landscapes that are resilient, productive, and teeming with life once again.
By Fiazahmedbrohi 15 minutes ago in Longevity
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