March was a busy month for me. I read my first book in Italian (more at the end of the post), 1 of 13 finished this month. Also, I finished the second term, only one to go before I finish the course. I will miss the colleagues and the tutors, even though I have some rather fab plans for the future. Even if we are on holiday, my colleagues and I had a study session for the exams in June nonetheless. I just love being in this environment, where everybody is so keen to study.
Besides that, the “stay at home” rule changed in England two days ago. I’m so happy, but before talking about this, I will talk about vaccines. Of course, I hoped that after mentioning the vaccines last month, that by the end of this month, it will be sorted. Well, it got worse. In Britain almost 60% of the adult population got their first jab (and 7% the second), the government’s target of offering to all over 50s being reached two weeks before the deadline (there are still people to get vaccinated, but some are not willing, unfortunately, and I imagine the rest have bookings for their jabs). This not only shows that the NHS, army, and volunteers did a great job, but also the politicians, which is something we should talk about. In EU they are bickering over vaccines, while in Britain both the government and the opposition did their best to encourage people to get their jabs, alongside the Royal family, of course.
If you are offered an Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and you are worried because the EU and other countries are reluctant, you might also need to think of these facts:
1. A 35 old man died within 2 days of getting his 2nd jab of Pfizer, in Romania. With millions of people vaccinated this happens, it’s not linked to the jab. Why is it not mentioned though, why isn’t the vaccine rollout stopped? Because it would be stupid, of course. I only know about this because I read Romanian newspapers once in a while.
2. It’s politically safer to “herd”, so if a country says they stop a medicine, then it’s safer to stop or, as a politician, you might not get re-elected. This has nothing to do with data and facts, but elections.
3. EU signed the contracts late, but got better prices. EU pays less than US or UK for its vaccines, hence they are not a priority for the manufacturers. It’s not all about profits, of course, as the revenue can be used to fund development of new manufacturing facilities. For EU though, saving $5 per dose of Pfizer and $2 per dose of AZ might have sounded like a good idea when they signed the contract, but with people in lockdown and cases/death rising, it shows the stupidity of the approach. Hence, blame the vaccine/company for their lack of vision.
4. In 2014 Pfizer made a bid to buy AZ, but they were refused. This costed the investors money, but they were willing to do that.
5. While AZ makes cancer drugs, they wanted to help fight COVID. The UK government wanted Oxford to partner with a British company, having a strong vaccine capability within the country. The Oxford vaccine was, in significant part, paid for by the UK government, so it had leverage.
6. AZ is the ONLY company to make the jab at cost, without any profit. This is something that both AZ and the UK government were very keen on. With a global pandemic, it has to be a global solution, and a vaccine costing as a takeaway coffee cup, that’s a winner.
7. All other companies make profit with their vaccines. While this is not a bad thing, all companies want to make profit and people are helped by vaccines, this means that there is a competition too.
8. According to CNN, lobbying for the pharmaceutical industry spent over $27 million in 2018, in US alone.
9. From over 10 million doses of Oxford-AZ vaccine given in UK, 5 people had clots and one died. Considering that 4,3 million people had COVID in UK and, from them, 126k died… the risk of catching COVID are much higher than having a clot, while, of course, it’s not even proven that there is a connection between clots and the vaccine.
10. Death rate from COVID in UK and EU is about 3%. That is much higher than any other risk associated with the vaccine. The fact that some countries decide to stop a life-saving vaccine for some anecdotal evidence is incredible to say the least.
All pharmaceutical companies look at what happens today with AZ and, as their price share dropped a staggering 20%, we can rest assured that none will ever think of doing anything at cost and risk this.
If you are offered one, get the vaccine! Any one of them: Pfizer, Oxford-AZ, Moderna, or any of the new vaccines that will be approved in UK, like Novavax. They are safe, they protect you, they protect your loved ones, so do not hesitate at all.
Now, we are a bit out of lockdown. In England, for my non-UK readers, we can go outdoors and travel to a place. With lots of people going into the well known locations, we’ve decided to avoid crowds and, on Monday, we went to a big park, but not one of the best known. It was lovely to walk, we kept at least 2m distance and we had masks too, but never had to use them.
Masks are not required outdoors, but I rather have one if it’s busy. I have loads of fabric masks, hence eco-friendly.
Driving to a park seemed like something new, I have to say. Tuesday my husband took the day off and we went to visit Arley garden. Having an entry fee meant that we were sure the garden will not be overcrowded and it was not. I will blog about the visit in the next few days. I plan to visit them again in the summer, to see all those amazing plants in bloom.
We’ve celebrated Mother’s day, as we make jokes that Festus is my(our) adopted child. He “got” a card for me too.
I discovered these Love Raw bars and I used to get a couple from the vegan shop I go to. But, I bought a huge box for my husband as he loves these. He was over the moon, of course. Also… Love Raw is making a new white-chocolate bar. I can’t wait! If you see them somewhere, do get one, you will be impressed. BTW, these bars contain sugar, they are not healthy.
1. Martisor. 2. Popcorn. 3. I downloaded a book highly recommended by another blogger, which I found at the library. 4. Celebrating with a small bottle of Champagne. 5. M&S vegan Hot cross bun, delicious! 6. The book I started reading that day – Lady under Fire on the Western Front by Andrew and Nicola Hallam. 7. Watching closely what happens in the garden (not much). 8. Books by/and women to mark International Women’s Day. 9. Loving my new purple mug. 10. A salad I have each week. 11. The Vegan Kind box for March. 12. A bunch of flowers to brighten up the living room. 13. Desert for Mother’s day. 14. Mother’s Day card from Festus. 15. Love Raw. 16. Hot chocolate porridge, a new recipe I shared on the day. 17. Last day of Hilary term. 18. Books I was reading from that day, the Library book was a DNF. 19. Grass delivery. 20. Grass laid in the garden, see garden update. 21. Festus turned 11 and a half on the day. 22. Festus modelling for a book review. 23. Vegan shrimp with samphire. 24. Liverpool. 25. Marzipan eggs. 26. I finished the 1st book in Italian, about Schumacher. 27. Max was on pole on the first race of the season. 28. I spotted a new flower in bloom in the garden. 29. 1st walk in a park. 30. Arley Gardens. 31. Books in March.
A staggering 13 books in March! I mentioned that I read a book in Italian – Michael Schumacher by Pino Allievi. The review for all these books are on my book blog, Coffee&Books, if you want to know more about them. The biography by Allievi was written in Italian and it had an English translation on the right page, so, when I was not sure about a word, I would just look on the other page and see the translation. It was hard at first, I had to read aloud for the first 20 pages or so, but, by the end I was able to read faster. I’m very pleased.
This month I’ve read more books on the First World War, for my course. I also read a fascinating book about dogs, which is really good. I loved it and I highly recommend it, if you like either history or dogs, this is the book for you.
Another history book I read was Agent Sonya by Ben Macintyre, about a Russian spy. I found it interesting, but I was annoyed by his tendency to make assumptions, hence the 3.5 stars. I would read more books by him though, because he wrote about more spies and I find that really interesting.
I read a memoir by Kamala Harris because I didn’t know about her and I was curious. Loved the memoir, really nicely written and a delight to read.
The fiction books were a bit of a mix. Two by Mary Balogh, from which one was great and the other one was “meh”. The package was a bit too complicated, but very interesting nonetheless. Also, a collection of short stories and a novella by Evans, on race, from her, black American, perspective, which I found really interesting and I liked almost all of them.
Books I finished in March:
We Also Served by Vivien Newman – 5 stars
Only a Promise by Mary Balogh – 5 stars
The Four Horsemen – 5 stars
Only a Kiss by Mary Balogh – 2.5 stars
Lady Under Fire on the Western Front by Andrew and Nicola Hallam – 5 stars
The Package by Sebastian Fitzek – 4 stars
The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans – 5 stars
Black Poppies by Stephen Bourne – 5 stars
The Suffragette Bombers by Simon Webb – 5 stars
Dogs by Mike Loades – 5 stars
Michael Schumacher by Pino Allievi – 5 stars
The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris – 5 stars
Agent Sonya by Ben Macintyre – 3.5 stars
I enjoyed reading your info about the vaccines, I have had the AZ one and feel happier to be vaccinated. Although my brother hasn’t rushed to have his unfortunately, I would rather he did. I did chuckle about a card from your dog (your dog looks lovely!). Maybe I should get one from my dog next year! Although my boys did give me cards. Well done getting through so many books in March. I have started trying to read more but I probably would say I manage about four a month at best.
Karen Langridge recently posted…Week 14 of 2021: Returning To Geocaching
My parents have both had the vaccine and I can’t wait for my birthday to get bumped up to a higher category. The only person I know who didn’t want one has already had covid! Great work on the Italian, I’d love to learn it as my great grandfather was Italian. #project365
Thank you. I learned Italian as a child, watching cartoons on Rai Uno, so it’s pretty amazing for me to be able to read in Italian after all these years.
I hope you’ll get your vaccine soon. xx
My 20 year old son was offered a vaccine this week but it was withdrawn due to the evidence linking it to rare blood clots. Our surgery will rebook him in when they source one of the new brands as they only had the Oxford one. I would love to be able to speak a new language, never mind read a book in another language!!
Kara Guppy recently posted…Project 365 2021: Week Fourteen
That’s worrying. I imagine that he was offered a vaccine because he is in the risk category, so that means they are not following the JCVI’s advice. Even with the link and 19 deaths to 20million vaccines, the risks of catching COVID and having long term effects are much greater. I hope a new vaccine will be available soon for him, especially with Moderna starting in a few days.
I have had my first vaccine and I’m placed to say so have all my immediate family. I was worried about the news this week but I know that getting the vaccine is the best thing possible. I wish I could read that many books. To be honest any book would be nice. I read two last year which is two more than the year before. I used to read on my commute into London when I was younger but I have worked at home for years now #365
Well done for having the vaccine. I would get it tomorrow if I could (I’m in group 11, so another 2 months to wait or even more). Vaccines, like all medicines, come with a risk, but the benefits are so much greater.
I used to read when commuting too. I was going to Oxford for a day and that meant about 7+ hours on the train. Plenty of time to read. 🙂
I have been offered the vaccine and had been planning to take it but now am pregnant and so unsure what to do! But am leaning towards waiting until I have had the baby. My parents and husband have all had it though…just waiting on my husband to get his second dose.
Lovely collection of books you have read.
If I were you, I would talk with my GP and my obstetrician before deciding. Sending hugs.
Good luck with the rest of your course. Totally agree about getting vaccinated. Some good books there #365
I am on the side of caution when it comes to vaccines. There is a bit of a cavalier approach in this country regarding the safety of vaccines. While it might be working fine for the majority, there are still victims of the side effects . There are now 7 deaths from the covid vaccine in the UK, and while in comparison to the number of vaccinated people it’s tiny, it’s a tragedy for their families and the people who died, being vaccinated in full faith that they are doing it for the good of the society. I think there should be health checks done in advance for each person who’s going to be vaccinated, though I understand it’s not realistic.
Moving from the debatable topic of vaccines, you’ve had a great month. Your reading list is impressive, and I applaud you for reading in Italian. I guess the Romanian and Italian languages are related, both being derivatives of the Roman. I remember my husband telling me he stayed in Romania as a child, and could understand some Romanian words.
Festus looks gorgeous with the card.
There is no causal link made between those deaths and the vaccine. Even if it was, the risk of having long covid or dying are much greater. Of course medicines have side effects, for example over 200 people die each year in UK after taking paracetamol, but this is still an over-the-counter drug that anybody can buy.
Italian and Romanian are a bit similar, but not enough to understand more than a few words. It’s the same with some Romanian and English words, like efficient (eficient in Romanian), which is even more unusual. Or like in Russian – da (yes), masina (car).
Wow, I thought I read a lot, but not as much as I could with everything else going on. That’s a lot of facts I didn’t know. My OH keeps going on about how the EU vaccine debacle shows he was right to vote leave. Sigh. although I have to agree that our government did something right with the vaccine situation. They were lucky to get it right so early on. Welcome to Project 365
Thank you Emma. The fact that UK left EU made a huge difference. Unfortunately, EU’s approach was to buy vaccines, while UK and US invested in the development and manufacturing of the vaccines. Without public investment some of the vaccines used now maybe wouldn’t have existed in the first place.
It’s a shame that EU missed such a great opportunity to invest, and, funnily enough they didn’t even invest in the Halix factory in the Netherlands, in which UK invested £21 million to manufacture Oxford-AZ vaccine, but now they want to stop shipments of AZ produced there to get to UK. I think this will have huge repercussions for EU in the long term, as companies will think twice before investing in manufacturing within the block.
I love the M&S Hot Cross Buns!
In other, far more important news, I have had my first vaccine dose – I had Pfizer and I was absolutely fine. Just minor aches that night and the next day but I carried on all my normal activities and still went to work so wasn’t anything major!
That is fantastic, congratulations for having your vaccine.
Good luck with your studying.
I had my vaccine today and was worried about what you were going to say but I am sure I’ve made the right choice and so far feel fine but it has only been a few hours.
I have found the best places to visit are the lesser know places as there will be less people.
What a cute card from your adopted fur child. hehehe How sweet.
Fab photos x
Kim Carberry recently posted…Week 13 of #Project365. 27th March – 2nd April. A photo every day for a year!
Congratulations for having the vaccine, that’s fantastic.
I’m not particularly worried about the risks with the vaccine – the risk of blood clots seems very low and similar to background risk anyway so it wouldn’t put me off. Well done for managing to read your first book in Italian – I managed to finish my first one in French earlier this year after lots of attempts and only managing to get halfway through books! It is nice to have restrictions eased and to be able to get out a little more and meet up with people outdoors. #project365
Well done for reading in French, that’s great!
I’m a bit worried about getting the jab because of the side effects, a lot of people I know have been ill with it and I can’t imagine having to look after a baby while ill! I’m hoping it’ll be summer holidays by the time I get invited so my partner will be home to look after the baby if I am ill.
I imagine it will take at least a couple of months until we get our invitation, you are in the same group as me, isn’t it? I had my flu jab last year and I think that I will have some side effects for the COVID jab too, as I had for the flu one. But, it is much better than risking the disease. Two people I know died with covid last year, unfortunately.
My parents both received the vaccines in Croatia but different types. My mother was ill a few days after she got her second shot but she seems to be doing alright now. I applied for vaccine, but didn’t get it.
13 books in March is amazing. Congrats for reading so much. I’m currently reading a novel in Italian but I’m struggling a bit. It’s been a while since I’ve last read something in Italian and it seems I’m already starting to forget it.
Ivana Split recently posted…2 OUTFITS: SUSHI DATE & EXPLORING STREET ART IN MOSTAR CITY
Like you, I still have to wait for mine. The soonest I can mine would be end-of June, I think. I am in group 11 out of 12, so it’s not surprising it takes a while to get to me. 🙂
Good luck with the book in Italian, I know what you mean, if I don’t use a language regularly I start to forget it quite fast.
I agree that people should take whichever vaccine they’re able to get. Nothing in life comes completely without risk, but I think in this case the benefits far outweigh the risks. My family members have gotten both Moderna and Pfizer (I got the former), but I would gladly have gotten the one-shot Johnson & Johnson if it had been offered. We just need to get vaccinated. That said, I do have a friend who has opted out. I can’t say I really understand it, but it’s her choice and I respect that. (and I hope we are both masked when near each other!)
I’ve put the book about dogs on my wish list (it’s still far too expensive for now) and tagged the short story collection in my library app.
What a shame about the person who opted out. If you have the chance of speaking with her, you could ask her about her fears and tell her about her experience. This is what I did, I follow the vaccination rollout in UK and EU closely and I told someone a couple of times so far about the risks and how they are presented wrongly. If they get an invitation, they might think of what I said (I hope), of course, in a non-judgemental and non-pushy way.
I’m glad to see that you are interested in the books I’ve recommended. I hope you’ll enjoy them. The one with dogs is newly published, so it might be a while until it gets cheaper.