Miss COVID-19, just quit it right now! How are we still officially in this Pandemic? I keep asking myself the same question! From #PartyGate to my first overseas holiday since my 2019 visit to the USA, things seem to be heading into endemic settings! New variants? Miss Omicron tried to ruin Christmas! China's been getting ready for a world class 2022 Winter Olympics! 北京, 加油!
Fresh from my November 2021 weekend in Manchester, the freedoms experienced during that birthday trip had me feeling really optimistic. The news had quietened down regarding the ferocity of the Pandemic, sure as it would be the old faithful 'UK Government' came back to us with the goods as Pantomime season came around. This new 'South African' variant had apparently found itself at our UK border, why did it have to be labeled with another geographical brand? Really, Boris? Yet again, the UK Gov turned up the power with their machine, scaring the living daylights out of the masses because this new 'scariant' was on our shores! Boosters would be their 'buzzword!' Boris called the military in to help man those vaccine centres and the hospital wards as the more transmissible 'Omicron' strand of Rona's own virus infected more people. The thing with 'Omicron' was that it didn't cause the deaths to skyrocket, it wasn't Delta!
Omicron did push the case rates up but not the death rates, it was almost being referred to as a 'Corona Cold' with less severe impacts on society. Amidst the reintroduction of some rules, it was amazing to attend the Frankfurt German Market in Birmingham and to see the Pantomime at Wolverhampton's Grand. The autumn had us panicked, really though what would the winter have in store for us? Thus far, Miss Omicron has taken a hike as the powers behind the numbers in South Africa predicted right. Sure, the known fifth variant would be like a thief in the night, coming with intentions to steal and to cause menace but gone without as much as 'goodbye' the next day! Purely for the reasons of travel and movement across borders I have responded to the call to get the vaccine, when Boris panicked us into getting the booster just that bit earlier I accepted a third shot of Pfizer! No, I don't want to see anymore f**king variants! No, I do not, C!
With a New Year fast approaching that Miss Omicron had me worried that my January 2022 holiday to Benidorm, Spain would end up being cancelled! Literally, those travel color coded lists came rolling back in with laborious 'testing on arrival!' Some nations in the European Union had upheld 'PCR tests upon arrival' but thankfully Spain waived that requirement. With the winds of change rolling in the right way for us, having the vaccine worked in our favour because Spain required us to travel with the COVID Travel Certificate with the same NHS APP on our phones. By the grace of whatever god, I couldn't put into words how grateful I felt as our Jet2.com flight touched down at Alicante's own airport during early 2022! Spain had their COVID-19 protocols on a very strict and organised flex, that impressed me because we knew where we stood within regards to masks and access to nighttime venues. No more mind games!
My world has been changed beyond all recognition by this ongoing cruel health emergency, I sit here with a new perspective in this 2022 year. Having those international holidays snatched from me, I took nothing for granted during that five day break to the Costa Blanca along the Spain coast. The time away allowed me to take my blog back to its founding international settings, being able to blog about something for real had me feeling grateful and that setting will remain. I definitely have more plans to travel, sure as I might because each day brings me closer to that return to the People's Republic of China. Being back in Europe, now with that freedom to travel overseas, well that has me feeling in a space I don't want to feel complacent about. That break in Spain had me listening to a different language with such love, being able to speak Spanish had me living once again for the first time in a long time! ¡Corona, vete a la mierda! Go!
The mole of the 'Downing Street Christmas Party' surfaced from its underground hole with a gag-worthy scoop of dirt! It had been unearthed good and proper that during the first lockdown we had been played, those mighty few under Johnson's government had been having their own Xmas shindig whilst we, the general pop were locked away at home unable to spend time with our families! Raging! Dianne Whatcock definitely made a phone call to Boris because what he allowed was 'dizgustin!' Allow me to catch my breath because we then found out that they had been partying before that 'Quiz Night!' Yes, several parties had taken place before the festive period had even arrived, being categorised as 'business meetings with cheese and wine', do they think we were born yesterday? Was that 'Allegra Stratton' press conference planned? Did the mole bug it and then shop her to the press? Another? Another of Boris's team to take the flack?
All of these parties stand as unforgivable breaches of gross negligence by the 'high and mighty' who set out the rules but one party really took our collective anger to another level! On the eve of the Duke Of Edinburgh's funeral, were they sure? As the UK flag flew solemnly at half-mast, Boris's select few were in the Downing Street Rose Garden at a seven hour booze fueled 'BYOB' party! We've all had a garden party in our time but not whilst a grieving Queen Elizabeth II followed the rules to their fullest, to then sit alone whilst Prince Philip's funeral took place! Surely, this would be the point of no return for BOJO?! Evidently so, he drafted in Sue Gray, a trusted civil servant to put together a report with details that had already been leaked by the news to us. Does he think we are soft in the head? No, no! Boris Johnson, your days are numbered! To tell the full truth, if he is ousted from his job, we will celebrate! 打开边界! Hurry!
Frankly, I do not give a damn when it comes to sports but Beijing's 2022 Winter Olympics have been on my mind for a long time! Believing that this event will be the first of two that will signify the loosening of China's maximum secure border closure, I keep the faith every single day! We all saw the struggles that Tokyo went through with their delayed Summer Olympics in 2021, knowing how China works I knew 'Chinese Efficiency' would be applied with full force! I had no lapse in confidence that Beijing wouldn't be ready for the Opening Ceremony of their second and final edition of the worlds most famous sporting event! Keeping their COVID cases down to a lesser figures compared with other countries around the world, China carefully managed their 'Closed Loop Circuit' for the arriving athletes. No 21 day hotel quarantine would be needed for vaccinated athletes, get jabbed or go home! Of course, I'm boosted with that Pfizer! 中国要强大!
I'm not ashamed to say that I had tear in my eye when that Chinese flag was carried down the line in the Bird's Nest Stadium on the 4th of February 2022, it had been a hot minute since the world had witnessed China fully shine on the world stage! Play the 'Ode To The Motherland' one more time! Those synchronised military personnel transported their flag from the line of representatives with precision, pride and professionalism! Come at me with receipts UK because we don't treat our Union flag with any respect these days! Rude! As each country's team walked out to that handpicked audience, most of the music chosen was European composed and played! Thank you for choosing such great music 'Zhang Yi Mao!' 虎年! Beijing 2022 will be the best Winter Olympics known to man, hosted towards endemic status of this Pandemic with the knowledge and prevention needed for a safe operation. Party Congress 2022, 快快! 中国, 我想你!
China's Crouching Tiger Is Ready!
Joseph Harrison
