I’m feeling an increasing sense of optimism. It was confirmed last night that lockdown will end as promised on December 2nd.
What it will be replaced with I’m not sure but I have a feeling that pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops will be allowed to open in my neck of the woods.
We’re already past half-way through this month-long confinement and what I’ve noticed in life is that the second half of anything – lockdowns, holidays, life – goes quicker than the first.
There are also suggestions that coronavirus vaccines could be made available for priority groups – the very old, the vulnerable, health and care workers – from as early as next week.
Every adult who wants a jab could be vaccinated by Easter I’ve read. I know there’s many a slip between cup and lip and the Government have messed up so much but I still can’t shake this sense of optimism.
While I was watching the behind closed doors ATP Tennis Finals yesterday they showed a clip of the last Wimbledon final where Djokovic beat Federer in an epic near five hour match, 13-12 in the final set.
The scenes of joy and exhilaration on the centre court seem from another time – people hugging, cheering, shouting, singing – how we’ve missed all that.
Now we know pretty much for sure that all these events cancelled this year will be happening in 2021 – Wimbledon, the Olympics, Euros Football.
I don’t want to get ahead of myself but chances are next year I’ll be able to go to a football match, watch a rock concert, fly long-haul to the Caribbean, dance in a foam party, swim up to a pool bar, bop in a sweaty beach bar – all of which I did in 2019.
Roll on 2021 I say and good riddance 2020.