Good morning mylot friends!
By Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (23393)
United Kingdom
December 13, 2020 3:49am CST
Good morning to all my friends here l hope that this post finds you well. So what have l been up to. December is a very busy time for most Brits. It has been compounded by the restrictions of Corona virus. The area in which l live is currently under tier 3 restrictions which is the severest level of our current guidelines. Think that is bad Scotland has 5 tiers. There is much confusion in and around the UK because of the various levels all though in England, Wales and Northern Ireland there are nuances and variations on top of those restrictions.
It is quite bizarre how these tiers have been made as whole counties are in different tiers one such place is where the county border line goes through one village main road. So on one side of the road on tier two most shops and pubs are open and can trade, but cross the road and they are not allowed to open?
It has certainly made things difficult to carry on normally. Essentially we have remained isolated and stuck at home since we returned from Mauritius way back in March. I have not found it to be that difficult to be honest. however things became difficult in the summer following health issues which has impeded what l can and can't do. Our elderly friend who we have been helping for over 30 years now was ill. Because of the restrictions it was quite difficult to keep her well we had no option but to visit her and arranged for her to be admitted to hospital.
Shopping has changed dramatically we have mainly ordered on line and had it delivered. I have done all my Christmas shopping on line this year thanks to Amazon and shops who offer an on line service.
Good news about the roll out of the vaccine which started here last week. I understand that over 300,000 have now died in the USA and 64,000 in the UK. It appears a third wave is heading our way.Lets hope this vaccine helps in controlling this virus!
l have just heard the most stupid comment on the radio. Some expert said this year cancel Christmas and move it to April. Clearly he means the commercial, greed inducing side of Christmas. Perhaps this years quieter Christmas will help people focus on what Christmas actually means! Unbelievable!
Well l thought devil child had turned a corner and become a little angel. Not 2 days ago! She thought she would help herself to mummies make up. Obviously this kid has expensive taste as she used her mum's most expensive lipstick hence the result in the photo. Clearly a very good brand as the lipstick stayed in situ even after four baths and four scrubbings. My daughter said that even this morning the water was running red from her hair. I told her she must be getting in the Christmas mood with the red. Make sure you hide the green felt tip pens in case she attempts more body art.
She is hilarious when asked what she would like for Christmas... she wants chocolate....... what about a nice doll......... No chocolate.....How about a pretty book........No CHOCOLATE........ this kid certainly knows her own mind!!!
That's my news for the moment. Keep safe, and keep well. Don't let your guard down.
32 people like this
30 responses
@Juliaacv (48571)
• Canada
13 Dec 20
It is a very confusing and difficult time here in Canada as well.
Different regions have different restrictions.
They do not want anyone travelling from region to region.
I do not know if I will be a candidate for the vaccine since I reacted negatively to the H1N1 vaccine.
This year we will have a simple, heart-felt old fashioned Christmas.
6 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45555)
• India
13 Dec 20
@Juliaacv
Inter regional restrictions abounded in India as well many months ago. There are relaxations now but some areas had some restrictions coming back again.
Frankly, Governments are clueless, as if things get too restrictive, many local Business tend to protest.
Australia too has varied rules from state to state.
5 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
14 Dec 20
I wanted an even quieter Christmas but my daughter and the kids will visit just for a few hours for lunch. Exchange of gifts then hopefully they will go home!
Not being unkind but the kids want to play with their toys not hang around us!
Not being unkind but the kids want to play with their toys not hang around us!1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69409)
• Germany
14 Dec 20
@garymarsh6 Thank you very much for your friendly words.
I deduce from your comment that the Brits don't have a lockdown. Does that mean that life is just going on as usual? Is the number of people who can be together inside the house and outside restricted?
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
20 Dec 20
@MALUSE Oh no yesterday practically the whole of the South of England were placed in a new tier. the most severest one, tier 4. Only food shops can open. No travelling or mixing with others and effectively cancelling Christmas for millions of families. The whining and complaining is unbelievable. This is not a for fun exercise it is to try to stop the virus killing others!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
14 Dec 20
Oh yes very true! I hear you are now in lock down. Wise decision stay safe l want to be reading your stuff for many years to come !
@ptrikha_2 (45555)
• India
13 Dec 20
I can understand how severe movement restrictions can cause some issues. Yet as shown in the case of US, and to some extent here in India, restrictions also mean lower casualty due to Covid 19.
Alas, there is always the restrictions N lockdowns vs Economic activity angle.
The balancing is so tough.
On seeing the kids' picture above, I was wondering what color has been applied.
We do have some people who play a lot of Holi festival with colors, unable to get a clean face after many baths.
This kid's case also looks like that !!
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45555)
• India
14 Dec 20
@garymarsh6
Yes some people drink terribly during Holi.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
14 Dec 20
Oh yes l was in India during Holi one year! Apart from all the horrible drunks we had a great time! Governments have had to make some very difficult decisions and trying to limit poor outcomes for all concerned.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (459212)
• Switzerland
13 Dec 20
In Italy they have the same system about restriction, one province is "red zone" and people must stay at home, another is orange and they can get out, the yellow zones have restaurants and stores open. Here the Federal Government decided that the same restrictions apply to all Swiss Cantons. We are not in total lockdown at least. The Devil child made a good mess. Vaseline removes permanent lipstick from the skin, but I fear it does not work for the hair.
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
14 Dec 20
Yes the traffic light analogy would work far better than all the different tiers the are using now. Simple, straight forward and people understand it completely. Oh thats good to know. I wonder whether WD40 would do the same? 
2 people like this
@xFiacre (12633)
• Ireland
13 Dec 20
@garymarsh6 The virus has certainly offered society the chance to re-evaluate and re-organise our priorities, but moving Christmas to April is a bit daft. Where will Easter go? Most Christmas songs would have to be re-written too. Personally I detest Christmas, but then I always was an atrabilious old codger.
5 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45555)
• India
13 Dec 20
@xFiacre
Moving Christmas should be a no-no.
Why can't people instead have a quieter Christmas and instead also think about the "True" Christmas values??
5 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
14 Dec 20
Haha you and me both. I agree l told my wife it is a shame we have not followed Germany's lead and imposed full lock down apart from food shops! Had they followed New Zealand's decisions from the beginning the most of us would not be in this situation we find ourselves in today! Wishing you and your family remain safe until we get access to the vaccine!
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (45555)
• India
14 Dec 20
@garymarsh6
Thanks and wish you too a safe and happy Christmas.
Things look in control in Australia as well as India and Australia are playing in front of stadiums with people in them, unlike the empty stadium UAE IPL.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
14 Dec 20
I have got her some chocolate because l would hate to see her thoroughly disappointed if she received none. Australia has done well in comparison to other countries but l fear most cases will be imported cases once the international borders are open again.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326149)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Dec 20
@garymarsh6 At the moment anyone coming in from overseas goes into two weeks quarantine under guard so hopefully we can keep it under control for a bit longer.
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
13 Dec 20
Restrictions would stay in most countries - Christmas or no Christmas. I think it is the safe way to go.
Cute kid!
2 people like this
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Dec 20
We have staggered tiers and rules here. It is confusing and it would have helped if there was a national guideline from the very beginning rather than letting all the many states figure things out for themselves. Even though this and that keep changing, "we" have basically stayed the same throughout to stay sensible and safe. Oh my - I suppose the red does keep her looking festive 
!
!1 person likes this
- no wonder we are where we're at with this.
Oh my - yes, if it didn't, that's sure some long lasting color 
!
@crossbones27 (48480)
• Mojave, California
13 Dec 20
Hope all is well, here first time its like a ghost town cars come and go but city so quiet, sister said fast food places were jumping and grocery story was kind of crowded but so quiet when its usually so loud. Christmas people here take it seriously can't say happy holidays or hannakah, but Merry Christmas is a must or you will get the fool weight of Trumps wrath. So merry Christmas because have enough problems with out the goons being on my back.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (85579)
• Bangalore, India
14 Dec 20
Here we have quite less cases now compared to what we had. But still the danger is not over. We have recovery rate of 95%. But these are all reported figures and reality might be different.
A quiet celebration for all festivals this year has actually made us look inward and find the real meanings of them.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
14 Dec 20
Absolutely, it is a sobering thought. Do what is necessary to protect you and your loved ones!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54407)
• United States
14 Dec 20
so glad to see your post - it is a very interesting year. The little one is beyond cute.
2 people like this
@rebelann (111263)
• El Paso, Texas
30 Jan 21
Now I'm wondering which is worse @DocAndersen the kid with all that lipstick on her or the walls.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54407)
• United States
30 Jan 21
@rebelann oh 20 years ago it would have been my washing! My stepdaughter once (before I was around) decorated the whole house with a green crayon. It took me a day to clean it when we moved!
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45594)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
13 Dec 20
I want chocolate, too. 
The semi-sweet, dark kind. With nuts is ok, but no creams.
The semi-sweet, dark kind. With nuts is ok, but no creams.1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
31 Dec 20
@garymarsh6 thanks Gary. Five hours to 2021. Jacinda, our PM, is our shining star!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
31 Dec 20
Yes your Prime minister is a shining example of good leadership. I have much admiration for her to date she has saved you all from this horrific situation. Have a wonderful Christmas Val.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
21 Dec 20
@garymarsh6 Thanks for that info Gary.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
20 Dec 20
@jaboUK Given a vaccination rate of 1,000,000 a week and an uptake of 70.6%, you should expect to receive your vaccine between 24/12/2020 and 20/01/2021.
1 person likes this
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
14 Dec 20
it is really difficult when each state or town have their own guidelines and protocols. More people now get sick because they cannot do what they use to do . And who in the world will cancel Christmas just because???
I once witnessed something like that too when my nephew suddenly got quiet and stayed in area of the room doing something discovering all his fingers covered with his mom's favorite lipstick
1 person likes this
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
15 Dec 20
@garymarsh6 I agree. Being 6feet down under is not the goal but to live healthily.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
14 Dec 20
Hopefully as the vaccine is rolled out we can all get back to some kind of normality. Remind people to be strong and to remind them that they are lucky and yes it is unusual and sad situation but better like this for the moment than be six foot under pushing up the daisies! I wish you and all you loved ones are safe and well. When the kids go quiet that's the time to check what mischief they are getting into.
1 person likes this
@just4him (307132)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
19 Dec 20
Oh my, your granddaughter is a card. She really had me laughing. So, I hope you're getting her chocolate for Christmas. Maybe you should include something that will get the lipstick off her face.
I'm sorry you're heading for a third wave of the virus. It would seem hard to keep all the tiers straight when traveling, but I suppose there's not much of that going on right now.
I'm glad you got your neighbor into the hospital where she can be well cared for.
I'm sorry you're heading for a third wave of the virus. It would seem hard to keep all the tiers straight when traveling, but I suppose there's not much of that going on right now.
I'm glad you got your neighbor into the hospital where she can be well cared for.1 person likes this
