Comment by BVAA CEO Rob Bartlett

Proceed with Caution

Why’s that so difficult?

The BVAA recently held a wonderful AGM Dinner Dance - our first in two years due to Covid-19.

We were - as you would expect - extremely cautious. We made some sensible requests of those attending concerning some pre-travel preparation, and indeed we had one or two delegates sensibly cancel when they found out that they had been recently exposed. We had a veritable pile of lateral flow test kits available (I myself tested every day for the preceding 10 days), the venue was well-ventilated, everyone was handed a personal sanitiser, and everyone was temperature-checked on arrival, and again in the evening.

It was all done in good spirit, no-one to my knowledge objected, and in the end a cracking time was had by all.  It was refreshing to experience a little ‘normal’ and hugely enjoyable to meet again in the flesh our delightful members.

Roll forward a week or so, and we are all facing some more uncertainty with the emergence of another Covid variant, Omicron.

They couldn’t have picked a more sinister-sounding Greek letter if they tried! It sounds rather like an off-world Marvel Comics super villain. Yet, aside from some concerning characteristics, as I write, it’s actual impact on humanity is largely unknown, but growing.

What seems to me to be very sensible precautions have been ordered by our Government until the full impact is understood.  They are not, by any stretch of the imagination, excessively onerous. Yet already I’ve seen the word ‘tyrant’ banded about with - well - abandonment.

As someone who’s worn a mask in shops and public places throughout, and who still routinely sterilises items coming into the home that have been handled by others whose habits I cannot know, I can’t see for the life of me see what’s so challenging about being cautious.   

Halting travel to affected overseas places, increased testing, isolating if you do get it, and wearing a mask in public places. Hardly cruel, unjust or oppressive.

We’re going to have to accept, like it or not, that we’re in a new place for a little while yet, and a little adaptability is required.

Published: 29th November 2021