Play the Game

An inappropriate title really as I haven't played chess since I was a kid. I did buy a nice chess set ages ago though, an impulse buy as I liked the  carved pieces, at least I got a blip from it. I've been moving some stuff into the garage ahead of having carpets fitted soon (split over 2 days to make it easier). The company will move heavy furniture, but I obviously need to empty the contents first. I also got a load of boxes out of the attic for ornaments that need removing from a display unit. It all feels very reminiscent of when I moved house!
 
Day 249 / Day 15 of Lockdown 2 (for my record only)
UK deaths up 501 to 53,775 (revised basis), with 22,915 new cases, 16,409 patients in hospital and 1,430 on ventilation. Total cases in Russia to date pass 2m. The Oxford vaccine has produced a strong immune response in older adults from Phase 2 tests. PHE's T cell study shows that 25% of people had strong T cell activity and probably have residual immunity to Covid-19 from previous infections. During Lockdown 2 in England, data from the NHS COVID app shows that supermarkets are the most frequent common exposure setting at 18.3% for those reporting a positive test. PHE data shows that the number of contacts by exposure was overwhelmingly Household, followed by Household Visitor. The University of Birmingham has produced a nasal spray which a non-peer reviewed study says is capable of preventing infection by CV and stopping people infecting others - it would be another tool in the fight. Tocilizumab, an arthritis drug which suppresses the immune system and reduces inflammation, has been shown to improve outcomes for ICU patients with COVID. A twitter poll on Good Morning Britain today had 75% of people opposed to relaxing the rules at xmas given the additional  lockdown consequences. Peacocks and Jaeger go into administration, putting 4,700 jobs at risk. Brexit trade talks are suspended due to some key participants having to self isolate. The Govt is giving £300m of emergency funding to sports impacted by the loss of spectators due to CV (not clubs in football's Premier League or the English Football League). BBC research shows that a quarter of UK home care providers risk going out of business, with the cost of dealing with Covid being the final straw.