Signs of Spring

I did a walk around town in the sunshine this morning, popping into the churchyard to photograph some Spring bulbs. So nice to see the Spring flowers and hear the birds singing. I also saw 3 people from one of my photography groups who I'd not seen for a year (even virtually). Last night I went on the first virtual Jarrold's book launch, which was very good. It was launching the 13th book in the Dr Ruth Galloway (archaeologist) crime / mystery novels by Elly Griffiths, which are set in Norfolk (I've read 9). The c£20 cost included a signed hardback copy of Night Hawks and an hour Zoom chat between Jarrold's book buyer and Elly Griffiths, with the chance to submit questions via the chat function. 

Day 326 / Day 31 of Lockdown 3 (for my record only)
UK deaths up 915 to 110,250 (revised basis), with 20,634 new cases, 31,670 patients in hospital, 3,625 on ventilation and 2,375 new admissions (totalling 400k admissions since the pandemic began). Deaths in Spain and Germany pass 60k and in Italy pass 90k. c10.5m have now received their first dose of the vaccine, which is 1 in 5 adults. Limited info is available on people refusing vaccines, although a global survey in mid-Jan found 81% of UK respondents would get the jab. This was higher than the other 14 countries in the survey, worrying our close neighbour France was lowest at 44%. A study in England will mix and match the AZ and Pfizer jabs for 800 volunteers over 50 and hopes to report in the Summer. Piers Corbyn has been arrested over the distribution of leaflets saying 'vaccines are the safe path to freedom' above the gates of Auschwitz - shocking misinformation! The vaccines minister said there are 4,000 virus variants around the World. Economic growth forecast for the UK in 2021 has been reduced to 5%, with an increase in the growth forecast next year to 7.25% due to the impact of vaccines. Britain imported 43m more litres of Australian wine last year - now we know what people did in lockdown!