Coronavirus - COVID-19

Started in 2019. The variants aren't sufficiently different to gain a new name.

They do number the variants and can trace the family trees to identify how it mutates, where they come from and even how long ago. That's why it's daft for the Chinese to pretend it didn't come from China. That country is withholding the earliest samples that would tell more about how it jumped from animals. It makes them look more guilty, not less.

I had my jab today at Millennium Point in Birmingham. I got the AZ. Everybody was very friendly and it didn't hurt at all (even though I think the person doing the jabbing was a trainee). No side effects yet, but they will probably kick in tomorrow if they are going to. Slightly concerned that the alarm went off when I walked into Tesco's afterwards .

With many of you having had the second vaccine, some will be venturing out and about. You can order free covid tests to do at home. In theory you're supposed to do them twice a week but I might only do them a few days after I've been out, which is still very rare - a few trips to the post office and the supermarkets. I had to renew my driving licence so I even had to take my mask off. Ordered yesterday afternoon, the tests have arrived already. I'm visiting my sister next week, so I wouldn't want to pass anything on. Be aware that these tests do deliver false positives, so don't panic if one says you've got it. Follow the instructions. Rapid covid tests.

Jab no.2 - done

Had my 2nd vaccine too in the last hour, let's hope I don't feel decidedly yuk for 24 hours like I did when I had my 1st. Self isolating now in preparation for the 1st of my knee replacements in 2 weeks time.

Hoping nobody feels yuk. I've got my second jab on Saturday.

I had my second three weeks ago, (AstraZeneca both times), and 'touch wood' never had any side effects whatsoever.

Second vax went fine. Tentatively thinking that I'm not seeing the same yukky feelings from the first. Arm a bit more sore but the vaccinator wasn't was skilled as the first and left a bigger hole. Hope everyone else is feeling ok.

I think that you expected too much Helen. The vaccinator''s needle is bound to be blunt after 50 million injections

Pam had her No2 on Friday. She's remarkably ok. Still very weak, but smiling.

A few weeks ago my wife had to go to hospital to have her pacemaker battery tested. Yesterday we had notice she would have to go in and have them changed and of all times on my 94th birthday. We dare not change the appointment, she also had an appoint at Haywards Heath for a Covid clearance, 72 hours before the operation, and a routine stay in afterwards. HH is about 12 miles away, there is no way she can do that journey, with recent illnesses. She rang the hospital, told the doctor she could not do the journey. Abrupt answer - 'you will have to get a private one done then' and down went the phone. There is a Covid centre a quarter of a mile from Brighton Hospital, so why he chose HH I do not know. My wife is now stressed out, and we cannot have visitors for some weeks.

Speak to your GP now and work out why it has to be Haywards Heath. They may be able to organise an ambulance or a volunteer driver.