You're right; just about every country's response was bollocks. Even here in Ireland, though we generally got it right, advice changed almost daily and while we were in lockdown, our politicians were out there doing what they wanted. There were a few scandals. Even the national TV station had one. Arseholes. I think the only one that got it right was Australia, who locked down so quickly and completely that for a long time they had either no cases or they were the lowest in the world.

But this isn't - necessarily - about pointing fingers and assigning blame. That's part of it, it has to be; but it's more intended to stand, hopefully, as a complete record (or as complete as I can make it) of the crisis we all faced, looking at the good as well as the bad, and trying to learn from it. Also paying tribute to those who died and those whose lives were changed forever by Covid. Just imagine: three years ago we didn't even know what it was. Corona was a beer or something to do with the sun, and face masks were those things doctors and bank robbers wore. How times have changed forever.

Anyway, this is just setting the timeline up. After this I'll be looking at each major (and minor) country in as much detail as I can, to see how each dealt with the crisis. Thanks for commenting.

Based on what was shown in the media here, I think that Australia and New Zealand fared better than most. I'm looking forward to hearing what else you have to say.

Honestly, I'm happy it's somewhat over. I'm not happy for myself. I would tell anyone who would listen that the government could punish me, as long as they left my kids out of it. They didn't listen, which is no surprise.

I'm happy for my kids, who can go to school full time. They can enjoy activities with friends. They can be kids again.

Oh hell, I'm happy too. Who wouldn't be? But it's the lasting damage that's been done, the legacy left behind. Also the complacency: we don't seem to have learned anything. It's as if oh this will never happen again. I still wear a facemask when I go out, but I can see I'm in the small minority. I hope it's over for good, but you never know when another, stronger and more deadly variant - or a new virus (cough) Monkeypox might come along.

I was wondering when monkeypox would come up. We have a diagnosed case in Philadelphia already. Hopefully this will be more of a scare like Ebola was some years ago. We Americans do like to be scared :laughing:

Yeah there was one diagnosed here too.
What's the response going to be in USA I wonder? "Darwin don't rule my life"? "I ain't a monkey?" "Get your paws off me, you damn dirty Dems?!" :laughing:

Well, if the press has its way, we Americans will do what we do, best.... PANIC!

Cull all the monkeys! :yikes:

We all like to be afraid apparently. That's all I read in our sorry excuse for the news.

I'm afraid that's not true. :) :nono:

I have to check to see if I have the smallpox vaccine. I know my kids have it. On a related note, a friend of mine in his late 30s got chicken pox last year. It's the first time I've seen an adult get it. I hear it can be pretty nasty for adults.