January 19
Tuesday it was announced that Defense Production Act would be utilised to increase the roll out of vaccinations. Mass vaccination centres were going to be set up including a massive workforce trained up to administer the vaccinations. The goal 100 million vaccinations in the first 100 days of the new administration.
“I gave you my word, we will manage the hell out of this operation,” said President-Elect Joe Biden.
January 20
On the 20th of January,2021 the World Health Organisation reported there had been 3,466,853 with a daily increase of 33,355. There had been 91,470 deaths with a daily increase of 1,610. The most deaths reported in one day in the island nation since the pandemic began.
The winter that came well over 6 months after the initial outbreak of COVID-19 across the world had proven far more deadly in Europe and the Americas then the initial outbreak.
Figures from March and April were now pygmies next to those of October through to January.
The vaccine had arrived but production and distribution was a massive logistical undertaking.
Cathedrals, GP centres and convention centres were all employed.
The UK Government had made the decision on the 30th of December to vaccinate all with the first jab and then proceed with the second jab 12 weeks later hoping to grant more protection across a larger part of the populace faster.
The following is from the British Medical Journal:
The health care system even buoyed by volunteers was stretched to breaking point.
It was reported that in England on average a new COVID patient was admitted to hospital every 30 seconds.
Like veterans from a war, health care workers who lived through this time would never be the same.
What they went through would only really be understood by those who went through it too.
Some were not going to be able to continue in the profession.
Some had paid the ultimate price already.
The next day the World Health Organisation reported 38,905 new cases and 1,820 new deaths in the United Kindgom. A new record.
In the United States of America a piece of political theatre never the less touched me deeply inside.
During a tragedy the debate goes do you focus on what is being lost or do you try to inspire, to revel in a brighter future.
At Christmas time when researching about the history of Christmas trees I read that President Carter had only lit the top star of the National Christmas Tree in 1979 saying the rest of the lights would be turned on when the hostages in Iran had returned. The following year the tree was only lit for 417 seconds, one second for each day the hostages had been held in captivity.
The gesture was very much in keeping with Carter.
But the gesture did not bring the hostages back and in similar years of national pain the National Christmas Tree has not been used to reflect those times but more likely to be seen as constant regardless of the outside world.
It should be noted though that in 2001 the colour scheme was changed to red, white and blue and helping to light the National Christmas Tree were Leon Patterson, 5 and Faith Elseth, 6 who had been victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001.
In 2005 the tree was lit with the help of Jackie, Melissa and Jenna Kantor who started Project Backpack to help children displaced by Hurricane Katrina get new backpacks filled with books, toys and school supplies.
Yet the question remained for me, when and how should a symbolic gesture being made about COVID-19.
On the 20th of January, 2021 I got my answer.
After a year of “It will magically go away,” “We’re doing very well,” “Everything is COVID, COVID. After the election you’ll never heart about it again” suddenly on the eve of taking over leading the nation President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris went to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and remembered the dead.
All 400,000 of them.
405,399 American military personnel died in World War II. 297 deaths per day.
It was needed.
I know a lot of thought and crafted intent went into this moment utilising national iconography known around the world but ultimately the power of it came from the simple truth at the heart of it.
The Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, spoke at the event saying, “At this twilight hour, our beloved nation reverently pauses in supplication to remember and to pray for the many thousands of people who have died from the coronavirus during this past year.”
“We pray for those who have died and the families and loves ones that they left behind. And may it be a resounding gesture of gratitude for all those who have cared for the victims of this virus and their loved ones. Our sorrow unites us to one another, as a single people with compassionate hearts,” he said.
Not to wallow in remorse, not to incite anger and blame, just to allow a nation for a moment to acknowledge a great loss has been suffered. From it could grow a new resolve to strive to save lives and to be grateful for the lives already saved.
As President-Elect Biden said on the day, “To heal we must remember, and its hard sometimes to remember but that’s how we heal.”
January 21
Marine One took off from the White House lawn and for the last time with Ballbag on board.
The helicopter circled the nation’s capital, Washington D.C. in farewell.
Within hours America had a new President who had taken sacred oath to faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States of America and preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Referring back to President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclaimation, Biden set forth his own goals for a legacy.
With a deadly pandemic still raging across the country, a population deeply divided politically and with high unemployment President Joe Biden made a promise.
I noted to myself not long after, a simple acknowledgement that so many people had died and a commitment to do everything they could rather than downplay the threat was sadly refreshing. It’s not a high bar but an important one to clear.
January 21, 2021 the day of President Joe Biden’s inauguration marked one year since the first reported cases of COVID-19 in the United States of America – five of them.
One year later the World Health Organisation reported there had been in the United States of America 24,037,236 confirmed cases with a daily increase of 152,937. There had been 398,435 deaths with a daily increase of 2,280.
-Lloyd Marken
Back to the Drawing Board Productions 
In England, since the roll-out of the vaccine, more or less all of the bad figures have been going down, even with a twelve week delay to the second dose. There are still too many people who won’t abide by the rules though.
What are you up to now 12 million have their first dose but not the teachers. No they got to re-open the schools what no shots for the teachers. Piss poor. Well hopefully soon.
Lots of people reporting bad side effects after having the first dose of Astra-Zeneca. Swollen arms, headaches, and flu symptoms. I was fine with it, but a nurse I know told me that bad side effects show a strong immune system. No effects indicate a weak immune system. I suppose I should be concerned now. There’s always something to worry about.
Best wishes, Pete.
That is interesting, if it works that’s good. Its going to be the main drug here so the suspension in some European countries has our attention. Anti-vaxxers certainly use it. I’m glad you had no side effects and hope Julie gets her second shot soon. I see BJ warning of a third wave but not actually thing measures immediately. I must I was really moved by the Washington COVID memorial. Take care and best wishes.
Julie has already had both shots, with no bad side effects from Pfizer. 🙂
That is fantastic news. I am happy to hear that. Best wishes Pete and Julie and Ollie. 🙂