Well, I had my first jab today in Ashford. I am not fully sure why I was invited for one as I am not old, ill or a keyworker, but I was happy to accept. I have a couple of run-of-the-mill underlying conditions, which are very minor in my opinion, so I guess I may have somehow fallen into the extra group of 1.8 million? I did consider contacting my doctor to query why, but thought that would actually waste more time for the NHS than just getting the jab. I was right as it was organised brilliantly and efficently and I was in and out for the actual jab in less than a minute with a 15 min wait after to make sure I had no reaction.
I have now had it myself and taken my mother and father-in-law for theirs in Folkestone and from what I've heard from my family in Medway and from a family member in Sussex who is giving the jabs as well as reports in the press and media generally, it seems that the whole vaccine programme is going swimmingly. Take into account the figures we are seeing for the vaccine roll out and I think that huge credit needs to go to all in the NHS, the government, army, scientists, those involved in the manufacture and distribution, volunteers and any others involved.
There is no doubt that there have been some huge mistakes made, but the vaccine roll-out is a step in the right direction and, for me, Boris's roadmap is about right. Cautiously opening things and getting back to normal, but with checks and balances and room to be flexible and stricter if need be. Obviously, it was never going to please everyone, I've already seen my usual Facebook friends having a meltdown about gyms ("get a life" comes to mind) and the Covid deniers in the media, such as Hartley-Brewer having a hissy fit because she can't go out for a meal and on the other side, I've seen criticism from the over-cautious who don't want anything open until the wole virus is eradicated (which isn't going to happen).
Personally, I'd love to go down the pub and have a meal or pint and with the weather at the moment, we could even do a pub garden, but I am happy to hold fire for the timebeing. I've also got tickets for the England group games in the Euros and would love to go to them all, but it's looking like at least the first two games, including Scotland - before 21 June - are going to be restricted to 10,000, so doubt I'll be one of them, but there is a prospect of a bigger capacity for the last group game. I'd love to go to any of the games, but if it's in the interests of the health of others and beating down the virus, I'll happily pass on them, get a few hundred quid back and watch them on the box.