Unexpected consequences

A bright sunny day and for me a fruitful morning as I wrote the final two Easter week reflections before lunch. Then I walked into town, in the hope of finding a store open where I could buy some new socks, as almost all those in my drawer have holes in them. I was delighted to find Marks and Spencer open to sell clothes, so I was able to buy just what I needed. 

I walked back through Bute Park, where scores of different species of trees are now in full blossom - its a glorious sight. I was astonished at the large number of young people out in groups of two to a dozen, chatting, picnicking, or just reading quietly in the sun. I'd guess around two thousand spread across all three open areas. I think they were mostly Uni students. Term may just about be ended now, but there are still restrictions on non essential travel so British students won't be able to go home to family yet.

There have been no covid related deaths now for several days and the infection rate is low, but caution is still being exercised over the resumption of normal activity. It's still a matter of the country feeling its way, measuring the impact of every relaxation, which I think is sensible, if painful to bear with. But at least, outdoor socialising is possible with better weather and lifting restrictions. 

The Inspectorate of Constabulary enquiry into the handling of the Clapham Common demonstration has exonerated Police action, seeing it as consistent with their obligation to enforce public safety legislation. Politicians came in for criticism about the lack of clarity and changes in legislation which Police were called to enforce, as this made this more difficult. Seeing the whole picture from many angles, the enquiry considered that the majority of demonstrators were seen to behave responsibly, and it was a small number of people whose conduct put others at risk, prompting the need for arrests, exploited on social media. The report highlighted weakness in police operational communications when the situation changed rapidly and went off-plan. Ultimately, a few big egos ruined the event for everyone else, just as I thought. 

Again this evening I walked to St Luke's for the Eucharist, attended by sixteen of us once more. The streets are quiet after dark except where fast food takeaways are open, but there are no queues, very few customers. I wonder how they survive economically. It's the same in the city centre by day too, shoppers are few and far between, some pubs and restaurants are in the throes of refurbishment. How they afford to do this after a year with only a fraction of normal trading is a mystery to me.