Sep | 2020 | A Scotsman in Suburbia

22/09/2020

Bozo appeared on our TV screens tonight to announce that we were returning stricter lockdown conditions because Covid-19 infections had started rising exponentially (R>1). As can be seen from the graph

UK: number of new coronavirus cases per day
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1.000
Mar
4926
May
Aug

It is back to working from home if you can. Not that it will make any difference to me. I have recently, more or less, retired. It seems like it was only a few days ago that every one was being urged to go back to the office to save Prêt a Manger and Costa Coffee.

We are allowed to meet in groups of up to six people, from no more than six different households, (I think) except for grouse shooting. The guidance, as per normal, is a bit vague. Mask wearing is now compulsory in a lot of situations, with fines of up to £200 for non compliance. How that will be enforced I have no idea.

I’m not even sure that people will follow the regulations. The first time round, most people followed the guidelines fairly well. However a lot of that goodwill evaporated when Dominic Cummings took his trip to Durham, after having been diagnosed with Covid-19. This broke every rule in the book, but rather than being sacked, he was allowed to carry carry on as before, shovelling barrow loads of taxpayers money to companies run by friends and acquaintances, for services of dubious provenance.

In the video, if you can stomach watching it, he says that too many people failed to follow the rules, and that is why we are in the situation we are in now. I would say that because one high profile person broke the rules with impunity others decide to follow his example.

During the month of August, we were all encouraged to “Eat Out To Help Out”. On Mondays Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the government paid half our bill in a restaurant. This led, in New Malden, at least, to non-socially distanced queues of people round the block for some restaurants. This would not have had any effect on transmission rates.

Since my last post I have had a very pleasant holiday in the Isle of Wight in the company of Diane’s grandkids. (We allowed their mum and dad to come along as well)

Other bad news from the lockdown announcement; Stadiums will remain closed to supporters indefinitely. I bought my new replica tops (home and away) yesterday, in preparation for our (AFC Wimbledon) return to Plough Lane. I also bought a new Plough Lane scarf and a couple of AFC Wimbledon facemasks. The way things are going the only things that I might get to wear are the facemasks.

23/09/2020

Toilet rolls are disappearing from the shelves again, which surprises me, I would have thought that half the country still has about six months supply from last time.

I haven’t written anything on here for over a month. This was the last thing I wrote, but didn’t publish. Since writing this bit below a couple of things have clarified, The season has now started, behind closed doors, and we have a temporary home at The Kiyan Prince Memorial Stadium, courtesy of Queens Park Rangers. We played Oxford in the EFL Cup yesterday and lost on penalties. Disappointing, but apparently there were a lot of positives to take from our performance against the team that I thought was the best in League One last year. Work at Plough Lane has progressed as well, but we still don’t have a definite opening date. The first match could be against Blackpool on Tuesday the 27th of October, but we don’t know as yet. Whenever it is, I hope that at least some fans are allowed in to watch. I would hate the team to run out for the first time to an empty stadium.

Day 132 Sunday 02/08/2020

Yesterday was the first Saturday in August. It should be the start of AFC Wimbledon’s annual attempt to remain in EFL League One. Four seasons ago we stayed up comfortably. Three seasons ago it took a scrappy 0-0 draw away to Doncaster on the second last game of the season to ensure we stayed up. Two seasons ago, it was another even scrappier 0-0 draw at Bradford on the final day that kept us up on goal difference. The season just gone saw us stay up, just, on average points per game after the season was curtailed.

If we continue that trajectory, we are favourites to be relegated.

This year however The Cherry Red Records Stadium is no more. Kingsmeadow has reverted to its proper name, and is now solely the home of Chelsea Women. We are on our way home to Plough Lane. The only problem is that I have no idea when the new season will start. It is probably a good thing, from our point of view, as the new stadium is unlikely to be completed until October. When, or if, the season starts the first games will probably have to be played behind closed doors. It might be possible to do that at Plough Lane as the pitch has been laid and looks in very good condition. Otherwise, we will need to find a temporary venue. Possibly Kingsmeadow, if Chelsea are willing.