Germany trip comes to an end.
She managed chemo well and we protected her from Covid, despite everyone else getting it.
We spent money we didn’t have doing it, but money comes and goes.
Was hard not to compare with U.K…
1/8
She managed chemo well and we protected her from Covid, despite everyone else getting it.
We spent money we didn’t have doing it, but money comes and goes.
Was hard not to compare with U.K…
1/8
The cancer treatment feels worlds apart from the current U.K. provision.
Presents to GP with red flag symptom…GP does ultrasound…CT scan that evening…diagnosed, staged, and portacath (for chemo) placed by Wednesday - 6 days!!!
Meanwhile, U.K., Thousands wait months!
Presents to GP with red flag symptom…GP does ultrasound…CT scan that evening…diagnosed, staged, and portacath (for chemo) placed by Wednesday - 6 days!!!
Meanwhile, U.K., Thousands wait months!
U.K. airport was depressing in comparison to German one.
Crowded together like cattle with little respect for social space or those clearly more vulnerable to Covid in U.K. vs Germany.
1 in 10 masked versus about 1 in 4 in Germany.
Crowded together like cattle with little respect for social space or those clearly more vulnerable to Covid in U.K. vs Germany.
1 in 10 masked versus about 1 in 4 in Germany.
I remember thinking, how during a peak in Covid cases - when wearing a mask and respecting space for a few weeks would DRAMATICALLY reduce the chance of missing catching a variant of Covid - how easily manipulated we are (me included).
I thought beyond Covid and worried about how much the U.K. is becoming like the U.S. - exploiting the people becoming the prominent motivation for change, even at the highest levels of government.
Doesn’t bode well for other global threats - climate, pandemic, poverty…
Doesn’t bode well for other global threats - climate, pandemic, poverty…
The support given to the public during Covid in Germany was also impressive. Even now, sick pay is supported for mandatory self-isolation if contagious, it’s easy to get a free test, and young families are supported - 250€ per child (<3yrs) per month.
Added to normal stuff…
Added to normal stuff…
3 yrs paternity/maternity leave (between parents) with 60% pay. Generous child support regardless of income…
They want their citizens to have children!
To help with cost of living crisis, trains (non-high speed) are 9€ for a pass.
Unleaded - £1.65/ltr.
They want their citizens to have children!
To help with cost of living crisis, trains (non-high speed) are 9€ for a pass.
Unleaded - £1.65/ltr.
All health and social care settings are still protected from Covid - test before going to visit and FFP2 masks required.
Masks on all public transport.
Masks on all public transport.
Germany is far from perfect. It’s no Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, or even Norway,…but there is a clear sense that there is thought about what is good for the people, not just the elite business owners.
Finally, it reminded me that while the U.K. is in a regressive spiral and we are clamouring just to get back to pre-pandemic standards, many countries are still making huge leaps forward in raising the standards of living for their citizens.
It’s not just about recovery, it’s about the lost time and progress under a leadership clearly unable to balance society, business and health of the population.
I realise now, just how important it is to stay engaged with politics!
Still glad to be home!
I realise now, just how important it is to stay engaged with politics!
Still glad to be home!
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