Five Eastern Counties
The five Eastern counties around London have the following numbers of people, who have tested positive for COVID-19.
- Cambridgeshire – 673 of 852,523 or 0.08%
- Essex – 2320 of 1,832,752 or 0.13%
- Kent – 3232 of 1,568.623 or 0.20%
- Norfolk – 1355 of 903,680 or 0.15%
- Suffolk – 936 of 768,556 or 0.12%
Note that the second figure is the population and the third is the percentage found positive.
Compare these figures with some other places, including Hackney where I live now.
Blackpool – 377 of 139,720 or 0.27%
Cumbria – 1734 of 498,888 or 0.35%
Hackney – 596 of 279,665 or 0.21%
You can make some interesting deductions.
NHS Nightingale, The Emergency Hospital Showing How It’s Done
The title of this post, is the same as this article on The Times.
Whatever you do today, read this article.
You should be able to get a free registration to the on-line version, if all else fails.
Electric Cars Do 26% More Miles A Year Than Petrol‑Engine Rivals
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article in The Times.
As the research was performed by the RAC Foundation, probably in the UK, I think this is not greenwash from environmental lobbyists!
Alert Over Child Inflammation Cases
The title of this post, is the same as that of an article on The Times.
Someone has posted this comment,
It’s Scarlet Fever. My grandson just had it . It responded instantly to antibiotics, so it can’t be viral.
Get a grip!
And this was my reply.
Strange you should mention scarlet fever.
I’m 72 and growing up in a polluted Southgate in North London from all that domestic coal smoke, I was quite a sickly child.
At about six, I caught scarlet fever and was isolated at home for about eight weeks. Strangely, it was an isolated case as my GP told my parents, that I was the only case in London.
Doctors, who I’ve discussed this with since, suspect it could have been a misdiagnosis.
But, I have another explanation.
At 50, I was found to be coeliac and I think it was an extreme reaction to gluten, perhaps brought on by the pollution. My medical records of that time have also been lost.
Not for nothing, does one doctor call coeliac disease, the many-headed hydra!
I didn’t think that scarlet fever was still about.
Nightingale Plan To Keep Hospitals Free From Coronavirus
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on The Times.
This is the introductory paragraph.
Britain’s Nightingale hospitals are being lined up to become the primary centres for treating Covid-19 patients as ministers announced that parts of the NHS would start reopening for routine care from this week.
It’s almost as if we’re going back to the concept of the Victorian fever hospital.
Where I lived in Southgate in North London as a child, the local hospital was Highlands, which was built with several separate blocks, with one for each different fever. It is now upmarket housing in a parkland setting.
T have three memories of treatment at the hospital.
- In the early 1950s, I had my tonsils out in the hospital, which meant a week’s stay by myself.
- My mother had her varicose veins treated there, where according to my father the surgeon was a very beautiful Indian lady, who did ward rounds in a sari.
- The hospital fixed my left humerus, when it was broken by the school bully!
Unfortunately, they didn’t do the best job to fix my arm and it has given me trouble ever since.
Smartphone-Based Testing Device Cuts Time And Cost Of Diagnostics
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on The Engineer.
This is the sub-title of the article.
An inexpensive and sensitive smartphone-based testing device for viral and bacterial pathogens could reduce the pressure on testing laboratories during a pandemic.
These are a few important points from the article.
- The device has been developed by researchers and engineers at the University of Illinois.
- They are aiming for a $50 price.
- They started looking for a solution to look for viral and biological pathogens in horses.
- Tests work with a nasal or blood sample.
- Tests take about half-an-hour.
If this device can be productionised, so that millions can be turned out for their target price, this will be a major weapon in the fight against COVID-19.
Apparently, there is a great advantage of using horses in the trials of the device. The horse pathogens are harmless to humans, so it lowers the risk to researchers.
Aberdeen Could Have 200 Hydrogen Buses By 2024, According To Industry Leader
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the Aberdeen Press and Journal.
This is the introductory paragraph.
Aberdeen could accommodate up to 200 hydrogen buses by 2024, according to an industry leader who wants to roll out thousands across the country.
These are some other points from the article.
- Aberdeen has ten single-decker hydrogen buses.
- Fifteen double-decker buses should be delivered from Wrightbus, this year.
- The article also has a video of Aberdeen’s hydrogen-powered road sweeper.
Aberdeen certainly seems to be embracing hydrogen.
Class 319 Train Used In GB Railfreight Parcel Test At London Euston
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Rail Advent.
This is the introductory paragraph.
GB Railfreight has used a Class 319 train during a successful trial of former commuter trains for express parcel delivery services.
Other points from the article.
- Standard roll-cages can be loaded and offloaded at most major stations.
- A substantial amount of cargo can be carried.
- GBRf is talking to the Government about deliveries to hospitals.
It should be noted that the Class 325 trains that are used to move goods for Royal Mail are based on Class 319 trains.
- Both trains are based on the legendary Mark 3 coach.
- There are sixteen of these Royal Mail trains.
- Each train is four cars.
- Each car can hold up to twelve tonnes.
- They are capable of 100 mph like the Class 319 trains.
- Class 319 trains are being converted into bi-mode Class 769 trains for use by Rail Operations Group as parcel trains.
As there are still at least fifty Class 319 trains still available for modification, will it mean a more will be converted into parcels trains?
Did Boris Meet The Devil?
Boris was in good form in his statement this morning.
I suspect that Boris felt a bit like I did, when I was released from Addenbrookes after my stroke. The term demob-happy comes to mind.
At some point in my recovery, I met the Devil. She told me, that I was a troublemaker and a disruptive influence! So she threw me out!
Did Boris have a similar experience?
Health Lessons From Lockdown
Are some of us learning things about ourselves during lockdown?
For myself!
Mental Health
I certainly think, that I’m handling the mental side well, as I’ve had several lockdowns in the past, usually when I want to get some software written.
Another programmer has told me, that he has used lockdowns to get software written in the past.
I am certainly getting bored though! You can only do so many serious puzzles from The Times.
Normally, if I feel bored, I get on a train or a bus and go somewhere interesting.
Exercise
I’m taking exercise regularly and go for a regular walk most days. I’d probably walk more, if I felt like taking public transport more. But, I do feel, buses and trains could be a place to catch COVID-19.
Drinking
My house tends to get a bit warm, so I’m drinking a lot.
Not strong alcohol, although there is quite a bit of 0.5% Adnams beer going down my throat, but mainly, still lemonade, tea and water.
The amount of fluid seems to have cured my periodic constipation.
On the other hand it does seem to have increased my INR, so I have reduced my Warfarin dosage from 4 to 3.5 mg. per day.
Sleep
I seem to be sleeping well! But then I always do!
Conclusion
Except for the boredom, I think, that I’m doing OK.
The Anonymous Widower 