More Flowers

A warm day today, but not much sunshine or much needed rain - it was forecast to rain this morning, but we ended up with just enough to wet the patio. I went to pick up a repeat prescription from Boots who appear to have abandoned some of their social distancing 'rules' (too small a shop?), so I was glad I wore a mask - I've cancelled my repeat prescriptions with them and have registered online with Echo Pharmacy who deliver by post. 

Then I did some research and ordered a new iPhone SE from Vodafone, a good deal after the usual negotiations. This afternoon I made up some pots with bedding plants and mowed the very parched lawn. 

Day 65 / Day 57 of Lockdown / Day 7 of Step 1 (for my record only)
UK deaths up 545 to 35,341 (higher no. Tues after drop in w/e reporting Sun & Mon. New cases down again to 2,412). ONS no's to 8/5 report 41,020 UK deaths with Covid on death certificate. 54,522 excess deaths between 14/3 & 8/5 which were either directly or indirectly due to the virus (highest in Europe), which indicates that actual excess deaths (direct & indirect) could end up 70% higher than officially reported deaths in the daily briefing. 

856,500 more claiming unemployment benefit in April. The Govt's handling of the epidemic in care homes again came under challenge. MPs have also said that testing in the UK was too slow and not aggressive enough. I am finding it increasingly bizarre that the Govt is robustly defending every decision made and refusing to go on certain news programmes, rather than being open and admitting mistakes were made (some of which would have been expected). The upshot is that the Govt is appearing to be more secretive now and certain Ministers are being backed into a corner by the facts with nowhere to go. President Trump takes unproven drug to prevent the virus which is said to have dangerous side effects. Pick for Britain scheme launched to use UK workers to pick fruit and veg.