Monday 22 November 2021. A bad day for Covid. Nearly 7,300 cases, 608 intubated and 105 dead – the highest daily death toll since 3rd May when 135 died. In spite of these numbers, there are some facts which seem to be immutable. These include:
- slightly more men than women are infected, intubated or dead as a result of the virus.
- arrivals are not responsible for the increase (only 6 out of 7,300 [0.08%] of new cases were detected at ports and airports in the past 24 hours), so the spread of infection is home-grown.
- Covid still mainly kills older people
- 83% of those intubated are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated
After the violence in Holland and Belgium, I doubt the government here will try to make vaccinations compulsory. Rioting would be a near certainty. Instead, the New Democracy administration will continue to encourage (read ‘coerce’) by tightening the vice on unvaccinated people’s ability to move. New restrictions on the unvaccinated came into force today. Even the devout need a Rapid Test to get into church now. I haven’t paid much attention to the religious situation but while senior clergy have backed the health measures, there are plenty of rogue covid deniers among the priesthood. Covid is also raging on Mount Athos, the male-only, monastic community on the third leg of Halkidiki.
Musically, we had a practice on Saturday to go over new pieces for the next session. Yesterday, I sent the new booklet to those who played in the first two sessions. So, that’s the preparations for our next session done. Next Sunday, Tir Fada will be playing in the Dubliner. I intend to go as they have been very supportive of the sessions.
And a treat. Clare-based musicians playing a set of three reels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-EvT2BOSqM