Saturday 2^nd May

A perfect day for some serious weeding – not too warm. I set to with my fork, digging up knee-high weeds in the fertile damp soil beneath the plum tree. Chantal warns me that some of the “weeds” are raspberry canes, from runners emanating from the original plants several feet away. I comment that maybe these are in the wrong place, and therefore are weeds. Chantal tells me that every year she asks me to remove unwanted runners and canes, but I never do. I offer to do so forthwith, and am told that this is the wrong time of year – ask again in Summer. I will, of course, forget, and this will be another year when I don’t do as told. We have a surplus of wild foxgloves, and I take some to plant in the grassy verge opposite home. I see a parked van, two cyclists on their feet, and one lying in the road at the top of the Lane. I walk up to investigate – the recumbent cyclist is not bleeding, fully conscious, and commenting loudly about pain in his shoulder. Commenting loudly is a good sign in first aid terms. It seems that his bike slid from beneath him as he rounded the corner, launching him into an oncoming van in the process, cracking the windscreen, apparently with his shoulder. I point out that staying in the road by a junction may result in more serious injuries, and he gets up and settles on the grass verge. He asks me, as a first aider, to examine his injury, but my treatment will be limited to a sling to support the shoulder. I recommend a call to 111, who will arrange an appointment with a “Walk-In-Centre” or A & E. The Cyclist makes is clear, that he will not be seeking medical advice for fear of contracting Covid-19. He even seems to be unsure about allowing me within 2m for bandaging. I point out my address should further assistance be required, and get back to gardening. I meet with family on Zoom this afternoon, and Junior Doctor Megan, currently working on a stroke ward, says that admissions would normally include both serious and minor stroke patients. Only those with serious symptoms are seeking medical assistance, those who just feel that there is “something wrong” opting for the security of staying at home. Long term damage may be the result. The fear of Covid-19 is affecting the ability to make informed decisions. Once again, my dog-walking route includes a section by the M69, and once again only occasional passing cars disturb the bird-song. The number of daily deaths in the UK is reducing. The BBC prefers to highlight the number of deaths on Easter Sunday, close to the peak of fatality. Spain is relaxing lockdown. We will all be watching carefully.

Posted: Sunday, May 3rd, 2020
Category: News and Views from the Oakstump
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