Lockdown (Covid-19 severity level 4) moves towards on-the-latch (Covid-19 severity level 3)

Lockdown now on the latch
We went on an early morning walk – heading in the direction of Culham along the Thames Path. On the gates were notices to warn dog walkers that dogs need to be kept under control because birds and waterfowl are nesting.
Lockdown now on the latch
We saw some swans that looked quite juvenile and too young to be nesting.
Lockdown now on the latch
By the edge of the Thames were Yellow Flag Irises. There was a mix of sunshine and cloud. Temperatures have dropped from last week.
Lockdown now on the latch
There were lots of other plants growing in the margin between the path and the river. Beyond the margin and river is Abingdon School Boathouse.

The Prime Minister has announced a relaxation of the lockdown rules. We are now allowed to ‘use outdoor sports courts or facilities, such as a tennis or basketball court, or golf course – with members of your household’. I would guess that could also allow some forms of boating, even if that is just two people in an boat intended for eight.
Lockdown now on the latch
Our walk took us out beyond Abingdon via Sutton Courtenay and back. People are using the Sustrans Cycle Path, even though work has not been completed at the far end. So be aware, it could be barricaded again. We too might have to go back to lockdown if R (the rate of Covid-19 transmission) increases too much.
Lockdown now on the latch
Near home we saw an alert looking squirrel in St Helen’s Churchyard. The government’s slogan has changed from Stay Home to Stay Alert.

I then drove to Didcot Civic Centre to have a Covid-19 test. I have no symptoms but, at work, we are being encouraged to get tested to minimise the risk of unknowingly passing on the virus to the people we support – some of whom are at high risk.

The test was run by soldiers. I was given a test kit and instructions through the open car window. I had watched the video (above) and knew what to do – touching the swap to the tonsil area for 10 seconds made me gag a bit, but otherwise it was OK. I’ll get the results in 2 days. What did surprise me was the soldiers wore less PPE than we wear at work, and they were talking to people, who had symptoms, through open car windows.

The Office of National Statistics has a website that allows us to check the number of Covid-19 deaths in our areas. Janet has already quoted this in comments. The statistics include Covid-19 deaths registered before the 18th April:
Abingdon Town & West – 12 confirmed deaths (this area includes most of the care homes and the Community Hospital).
Abingdon South – 5 confirmed deaths
Abingdon North – 2 confirmed deaths

Abingdon seems hit harder than most places around. I cannot see any deaths in Didcot.

6 thoughts on “Lockdown (Covid-19 severity level 4) moves towards on-the-latch (Covid-19 severity level 3)

  1. BykerRode

    Walking around the Abingdon Marina Park yesterday, we
    noticed that the 4 Yellow Flag Iris that had been in flower the previous day had been cut off at the ground. No doubt they are now in a vase on someone’s window sill.
    This action breaks at least two Laws. The Countryside and Wildlife Act along with a one regarding removal of flowers from Town Parks and Gardens.
    Perhaps a Police reminder needs to be posted at the entry to the park – oh and along with a notice about driving motorised vehicles in the park, now that one of the brick pillars at the entrance has been demolished.

    Reply
  2. David

    It might be a selfish thing to do, but if the plants are growing wild on public land it wouldn’t be illegal to pick the flowers unless they were a protected species, on an SSSI, or specific bylaws were in place. It’s only illegal if you uproot or destroy the plant in the process.

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  3. Mike

    Thanks for the map and figures. I was wondering how many deaths there had been in Abingdon. As you say, the figures are high especially in the centre. I don’t know how accurate they are though as Headington only shows 5 and one would have expected many more than that as the area includes the JR Hospital.

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  4. Martin Gulliver

    I walk the Ock meadow behind my house every other day, and it upsets me to see the dogs off leash bounding into the cow parsley where skylarks are nesting.

    Reply
  5. Sarah

    I’ve frequently seen the hens up on Oday Hill being chased by dogs and one actually being caught by a dog called “Charity” (I’m assuming that the owner was calling its name and that it wasn’t just an exhortation!). The owner was clearly caught completely unawares that his family dog would go into chase mode, and duly ran after and jumped on his dog before it killed the hen, but the dog ended up with a mouthful of feathers and the bird ended up without a tail. However lovely and family-friendly a dog might be, dogs are hard wired to chase, catch and kill, and need to be kept on a lead when there is loose livestock.

    Reply

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