Pro-vaccination progress and promotional programmes. Wildlife reports.

We are hoping that by the time we have had our second dose of the vaccine it might be possible to travel abroad again. We’re not rushing things though. We’re not among those who feel somehow deprived if we don’t have a week or two of toasting ourselves on a beach in the sunshine but there are places we would like to visit or revisit eventually. 

Meanwhile news reports say that acceptance of the vaccine is increasing everywhere as people begin to suffer from FOMO - fear of missing out, at least in the wealthier countries of the world! Perhaps the realisation that we might need to prove we have been vaccinated to move around relatively freely is spurring them on.

Different countries are tackling it in different ways. 

I haven’t seen it but apparently here in the UK there is a what is described as a light-hearted social media pro-vaccination campaign going on featuring Michael Caine and Elton John - national treasures being vaccinated to encourage the rest of us. There has also been a campaign of visiting districts where the take-up has been significantly low; we saw one of Oldham’s districts on the television news with people knocking on doors and talking to reluctant potential vaccine-receivers, reassuring them about the safety of the vaccine. 

Germany, down to earth and sensible and maybe short on a sense of humour (oops! stereotype alert!), seemingly has an very informative campaign with the slogan “Deutschland krempelt die Ärmelhoch” - Germany rolls up,its sleeve. 

And France, chic, cool and nonchalant (oops! there we go again!) has no campaign as such but “Monsieur Vaccin”, Prof Alain Fischer, who is overseeing the programme, gives weekly televised press conferences to update on progress and announce when different groups will be eligible for a shot.

In Brazil the promotion of the vaccination programme has been launched by the governor of Sao Paolo rather than by Bolsonaro, because the latter has stated that he won’t be vaccinated and has warned people that the Pfizer vaccine can turn you into a crocodile. Well, what can you say!

The United States has its share of crazy anti-vaxxers but Dolly Parton (another national treasure) has been doing her bit to convince fans that all is well. To the tune of her famous song “Jolene”, she sang: “Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, I’m begging of you, please don’t hesitate. Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, because once you’re dead, then that’s a bit too late.”

And San Diego Zoo has vaccinated some great apes after a troop of gorillas became infected. No humans have been deprived of vaccine in this programme, however:-

“Four orangutans and five bonobos received Covid-19 vaccine injections in January and February. Three more bonobos and a gorilla were also were expected to receive the experimental vaccine, which was developed by Zoetis, a firm that produces medicine for animals.

Eight western lowland gorillas at the zoo’s safari park contracted the virus in January, probably from a zookeeper, even though employees wear masks at all times around the gorillas.”

There you go. 

Closer to home, we still have our swans on the millpond. One swam over to me this morning, presumably hoping I was about to deliver breakfast! People are beginning to speculate on whether they plan to nest by the millpond. Pessimists are rumbling about the danger from foxes - it seems there are a lot around Delph even though I have not seen one for years and years. I must go out at the wrong time of day. Swans, herons, squirrels galore and currently masses of blackbirds, even very occasionally deer - I see them all but no foxes! I shall keep my eyes peeled. 

As we hope for the arrival of cygnets on our millpond, here’s a link to one of those heartwarming stories about wildlife, a 70-year-old albatross and her chick. Ancient bird mother! 

Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!