Break’s Steppe Mammoths

This is one of 8 Steppe Mammoths in North Norfolk, part of Break’s GoGoDiscover Trail of 24 Steppe Mammoths and 55 T-Rex sculptures. Break is an excellent East Anglian charity that works to better the lives of young people who are on the edge of care, in care and leaving care. The mammoth is outside Barclays, the last remaining Bank of the 4 open when I moved to Holt 5 years ago, and which is sadly closing in December (having cut hours significantly, kept changing them, then blaming reduced footfall during the last 2 (Covid) years). What a great result for Heather Watson today, getting through to the last 16 at Wimbledon. I’m currently watching Cam Norrie’s match. 

Day 834 / Day 125 of no Legal Covid Requirements in England (for my record only)
The weekly ONS infection survey of private households up to 24th June showed rates up 32% from the previous week with 1 in 30 with the virus across the UK. There's an estimated 1 in 30 in England (up); 1 in 18 in Scotland (up); 1 in 30 in Wales (up) and 1 in 25 in NI (up). In England, 9,000 hospital beds were taken up by patients with Covid on 30th June, double that at the start of the month (2/3 of those are in for other reasons, but it complicates their care). Increasingly hospital staff are also going off sick with Covid. I heard on the radio that the average time for reinfections is 6 to 9 months. The UKHSA has again reminded people to stay at home if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and to definitely keep away from the elderly and those more vulnerable. They also reminded people to wear a face covering in crowded enclosed spaces. 

The Covid Public Enquiry Terms of Reference has now been finalised. Next stages will be set out this month. Scientists have found that Covid-19 fattens up our body’s cells to fuel its viral takeover- some fats were found to be 64 times their normal levels. This may give clues on how best to treat it. The WHO has said that the pandemic is far from over and that the World’s ability to track Covid-19’s genetic evolution is ‘under threat’ as countries relax their restrictions. It said infections are rising in 110 counties, with cases up 18% in the last week.