The apple and cherry orchards that line the banks of the canal are coming into blossom. A pink and white alternate checkerboard of colour as we enjoy our morning constitutional. Every so often we'll come across a wizened old hazelnut tree. They must have been a big crop here once upon a time. This morning two bikes pass us coming the other way. Their passage the highlight of Sophie's walk.
Sandrine and her family had their planned vaccinations cancelled yesterday. Hugo, the good for nothing son-in-law actually went to the surgery even though the doctor had texted him to say the appointment needed to be rescheduled. The on again, off again roll out of the AstraZeneca vaccine continues to cause all sorts of logistical problems. At the end of February the French President told the nation in a television interview that 'it's not effective'. Then on 15th March he doubled down and said 'it's not safe'. Yesterday. he announced that France was suing the company because it's not supplying the French health service with enough of it. You try working that out. In the US or the UK the press would be tearing into the government. Here the media - to Anglo Saxon ears - seems strangely uncritical.
Animals are smarter than we think .... or at least are willing to acknowledge :https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/is-consciousness-everywhere/
Having read this I'm still no wiser as to why I can't get the AZ vaccine :https://www.statnews.com/2021/03/15/the-curious-case-of-astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine/
7 comments:
Here's hoping the vaccine chaos is soon sorted. Celebrations in Scotland, where to prospect of a first professional haircut of 2021 was yesterday brought forward. Currently my fringe bears a close resemblance to that of a Highland 'coo'...
Cheers, Gail.
AstraZeneca lost a lot of confidence from the start with its muddled clinical trials, so the smallest hiccup leads to an overabundance of caution. "C Dans l'Air" is all over safety, safety, safety. I think the NYT story was spot-on--that once (ever-careful) Germany suspended the AZ vaccine, everybody else felt pressure to do likewise or seem reckless, and among a much more vaccine-skeptical population. Honestly, I wish they would just open up the vaccinations to the general public, and if someone has a condition that causes fear of blood clots, well, they can stay home to avoid getting infected and wait for the Pfizer or another vaccine. I for one am willing to take my chances on a blood clot vs. my chances of catching the virus or staying holed up for longer. Also, why no talk about new vaccine manufacturing capabilities in Europe? Or partnering with other pharma cos to produce more vaccines? It's likely that this will become an annual, or bi-annual shot even after the pandemic subsides.
More photos of cherry and apple orchards please! I lived in the northern Rhône valley for a year and the blossom - cherry, almond, peach, apricot - was breathtaking.
Afraid the British press wouldn't be savaging our current PM. So much of it now right-wing controlled that they won't rock the boat.
Spring definitely in the air here. The almond blossom was over by the beginning of February and the cherry blossom has reached it's peak too, such a short season but so welcome.
Vaccinations have stopped here for two weeks, so even less chance that my age group will have one in the foreseeable future. My friend, in her mid 80's, will however be getting her second jab this Thursday. It does seem that much of Europe is reluctant to vaccinate their citizens, and latch on to any excuse not to go ahead with the programme they promised us last year. Time will tell which has been the best course - reluctance, or a speedy programme protecting the majority of citizens.
Taste has summed it all up well and expressed precisely what I would have commented. I can on!y add that all vaccines and for that matter, most pharmaceuticals, carry with them some form of risk. You should read the warning label included with my allergy nasal spray. I would suffer a stuffy nose for the rest of my life if I was not willing to overlook some of those dire warnings of potential side effects. As for me, the second Pfizer jab will take place next week and I'm feeling lucky. Roll the dice.
Hari OM
The article on consciousness was right up my philosphical street and ties in wonderfully with Vedantic understanding. Thanks for providing it - got lost in there for a good while! YAM xx
Very well put, and like the old quote, my mind is made up, don’t confuse me with facts, the lingering thoughts about Britain and Brexit, sod em if they want to leave.
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