Hospital nightmare

Alexandra General Hospital no queue. I soon learn why, no doctors. Directed to another hopital, Evangelismos General Hospital.

Alexandra General Hospital #Athens pic.twitter.com/wVJln8cNDY

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) March 4, 2023

Evangelismos General Hospital #Athens pic.twitter.com/vYyUXnEjF8

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) March 4, 2023

No signage to hospital. No sign at hospital. No sign to entrance.

On entering it is like a scene out of a horror movie.

Luckily escorted to another wing of the hospital, covid-19 isolation.

Not long before I see a doctor. Asked questions, show medication given previously by hospital and by doctor, blood test results from previous visit. That have tested three times covid positive. Blood taken, blood pressure, blood oxygen level,  covid test , ECG, temperature.

After not very long wait taken for an x-ray. X-ray within minutes. Escorted back to isolation area.

Then wait for hours. No one informs why the wait. Blood results, who knows.

After many hours, escorted to another area of the hospital. More scenes from a horror movie.

Eventually asked the same questions as before,  blood pressure and oxygen level taken. Told I need a scan. Could be 12 hour wait. 

I arrived around three, but maybe that was the first hospital.

Ten at night I decide I am leaving. But cannot leave , a device is stuck in my arm.

I speak to staff, please remove, I wish to leave. Cannot leave unless doctor agrees.

It is now pouring of rain. I will get soaked. Anywhere, nowhere to go to eat, late?

Doctor says I can leave. I will have to sign release papers. Advised I remain for a scan.

I have had coronavirus for indeterminate period. This is not good. May indicate serious. That is why they wish to do a scan.

Given a drink for the scan.

Maybe a scan in two hours.  Previously told not until the morning at the earliest.

Midnight. When is the last Metro?

Two taken for a scan.

Three learn the result of scan. Shows nothing. Actually shows an anomaly. I put down to their CT scanner.

The only thing I learnt from the tests. 

Coronavirus positive.

Infection levels have dropped. 

Symptoms, tiredness, weakness, exhaustion, pain in joints, coughing, sore throat , all covid related. 

Pages of notes. All in Greek. 

I finally left at four in the morning. Had been there since three in the afternoon. 

Now in a little cafe across the road getting something to eat. Nothing to eat since breakfast . 

No Metro this time of night. I will have to get a taxi. 

Double check. First Metro from Evangelismos 0525. I could, but in the cold and dark, risk of heavy downpour? Maybe not.

Visit to doctor covid-19 positive

A week on from Alexandra General Hospital testing coronavirus positive, out of quarantine, still very sick, unable to revisit hospital due to Metro strike, a visit to a doctor yesterday.

– blood pressure dangerously low

– blood oxygen level 98%

– covid-19 positive

Yesterday coronavirus positive #covid19 #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/68E17O25q1

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) March 2, 2023

Third coronavirus test. Second was at a pharmacy last Friday. Each test positive.

Doctor wished to carry out further tests but not permitted as I have tested positive. Advised visit hospital.

Not able to travel or fly.

Prescribed medication.

Advised to rest.

Over a week has passed since notified Insurance, kept informed, supplied with all required documents. To date no response, despite repeated reminders. In the meantime I am racking up hotel bill, cost of doctor, medication, changes to flights.

Public hospital

Very ill for several days. I could have seen a doctor, but insurance fraudsters say no, have to visit a public hospital. What am I paying insurance for?

A trip on the Metro. I exit where it says hospital Then where? No signage for a hospital.

I ask and a lady directs me where I have come from.

No signage, not even for an entrance.
I ask a security guard. He says wrong hospital. Directs me to another hospital.

I am now exhausted.

Again no signage. No entrance sign.

I ask a security guard. He speaks to a doctor, who tells me sit outside on a row of seats.

The other people vanish. Leaving only me. I see people waking in and out. A queue outside the hospital door.

After half an hour I ask the security guard what is going on. Not helpful. He ordered me in Greek to sit down.

An hour passes by.

I observe a badly organised system. Security guards on the gate smoking. A small courtyard. Delivery vans, cars, blocking access for ambulances. One ambulance has police escort. Every second counts, and yet access for ambulances blocked.

I am sat by the gate. I ask a man. He tells me I should have a number and then I will be called.

I walk to the entrance, careful to avoid the security guard on the gate.

I chat to a young woman, who tells me they will call my name. How can they call my name when no one knows my name?

She asks to go inside as she is in pain standing. On my behalf she asks may I go inside as I have chest infection and not doing me any good stood outside.

Young security guard says I will be called next.

I am called into to see a doctor. Asked basic questions, blood oxygen levels checked, blood pressure. Then given a covid test. I am positive.

I am detained, isolated.

Two and a half hours have passed since my arrival.

The strange thing is, the symptoms of bronchitis but tests do not indicate bronchitis.

My oxygen level and blood pressure taken. Later blood taken for tests. Do I remain lying on the bed? I am not told.

Periodically someone looks in. Do not speak. Are they checking to see if I have run away? I wonder if I am locked in? I check. No, door not locked.

A man in full PPE takes x-ray. Most slapdash x-ray I have encountered. Plate is put under me on the bed. No warning to remain still.

I ask, and he tells me ten minutes for result. Does not know when blood results.

Hours pass.

Doctor calls me to pick up my things and follow him. He hands me the x-ray. Does not tell me what it shows. He does though explain blood tests. He is prescribing antibiotics and a powder to be mixed with water to open up my lungs.

He tells me to take my prescription across the road to the pharmacy. Explain that I do not have a Greek national insurance number.

Pharmacist asks for Greek national insurance number. I explain I do not have. He does not have the powder. Says I am unlikely to obtain anywhere. He offers an alternative. I say ok.

I am shocked the number of people walking into the pharmacy not wearing masks, especially as the are likely to be from the hospital.

Before I enter isolation for five days. I go for a walk. I have not eaten since breakfast and feeling sick. I take a coffee and something to eat. I stay outside to not infect anyone

On my return a minor detour to an Italian restaurant where a friend and I had eaten a few days ago. I remain outside. Explain I have coronavirus. They thank me for letting them know. If I want anything to eat, please let them know and they will deliver to me.

Now five days of isolation.

Strange. I do not have symptoms of coronavirus, I have symptoms of bronchitis. My Russian friend has the same symptoms.

Omicron doubling every 2-3 days introduction of Plan B and accelerated booster vaccinations

Omicron spreading rapidly in South Africa where it was first identified. It is spreading rapidly amongst those who have been vaccinated or who have high levels of immunity to covid-19.

Prof Chris Whitty says Omicron infection rates are doubling "extraordinarily fast" every 2-3 days.

He adds there is a two week delay between people getting infected with Covid and ending up in hospital, which is why new restrictions are necessary.https://t.co/JTl1tW61kG pic.twitter.com/hYyAgjykRN

— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 8, 2021

Omicron is a wake up call. We may think we can forget covid-19, it has not forgotten us.

In UK, booster vaccine rollout has been accelerated, three months interval from second vaccine not six months, all adults. Now seen as a third vaccine.

But we have to have all our defences in place.

Mask wearing has to apply to all venues, not merely shops and public transport. And with enforcement.

For international travel, negative PCR test 48 hours prior to travel to enter UK, then on day 2 and day 8 with self isolation.

CEO of Moderna has warned vaccines may not be effective against Omicron. Work in the lab, two vaccinations not affective, addition of a booster vaccination adds protection, hence an accelerated booster programme to have every adult in the UK with a booster by the end of the year. That means at least one millions boosters every day, currently running at a little over 400,000 every day. A very ambitious programme.

We are now seeing he first omicron hospital admissions. Within the next couple of weeks we will see the first deaths.

Boosting the booster programme, the introduction of Plan B, are welcome measures, but we should have introduce Plan B more than two weeks ago, we now need to go further, if not lockdown.

• coronavirus vaccine certificate produced and scanned to enter any indoor public space or outdoor gathering
• enforcement of existing measures
• social distancing
• closure of nightclubs and binge drinking bars
• ban on Christmas parties
• sick pay for those self isolating
• work from home wherever possible

I am seeing shops, public transport, a significant minority not wearing masks.

Lunatic fringe of Tory Party frothing at the mouth at minor inconvenience of wearing a mask is not helping, it plays into the hands of anti-vaxx fascists.

England new coronavirus restrictions

Emergence of a new covid-19 mutation in South African, UK has announced new restrictions.

Too little, and why the delay? Requirement to wear masks, will only come into force on Tuesday, and why only public transport and shops, though a small step in the right direction?

New measures include:

• From Tuesday, face coverings will once again be compulsory in shops and on public transport
• All contacts of suspected Omicron cases will be required to self-isolate for 10 days. This is regardless of a person’s vaccination status
• Anyone entering the UK will require a PCR test by the end of the second day after their arrival and will need to self-isolate until they have a negative result. The change will be brought in “as soon as possible” following agreement with the other UK nations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) – the UK’s vaccine advisory body – will consider giving the booster vaccine “to as wide as group as possible”. It will also reduce the gap between the second dose and booster

Measures on mask wearing should never have been relaxed. Why does it not apply to hospitality, to places where people gather such as theatres?

Utter garbage from Hospitality UK, that mask wearing on public transport will hit public confidence. It is passengers not wearing masks that dents public confidence, that makes people reluctant to use public transport.

We need to be careful not to lump all hospitality together, a coffee shop or restaurant does not pose the same risk as a binge drinking bar or nightclub.

What we do know about Omicron, a new covid-19 mutation, is that it is highly transmissible, has large number of mutations, may not be recognised by antigens, which renders vaccines less effective. All the more reason to bring in measures to slow the spread. We saw how fast Delta spread when the government was slow to act.

• place all countries in Africa on the Red list
• random testing of all arrivals into the UK
• mask wearing indoors and on public transport
• work from home if possible
• close nightclubs and binge drinking bars
• social distancing
• certificate double vaccinated to enter bars, coffee shops, theatres

The vaccine certificate would be scanned with a QR scanner to permit entry, green tick to enter, red cross not permitted, but if not permitted would advise what to do, for example vaccinated or a negative lateral flow test valid for 48 hours.

In Athens, require vaccine certificate double vaccinated which is scanned to enter bar, coffee shop, restaurant, theatre, shops. Failure to comply 500 euros fine, establishment 5000 euro fine and closed. To enter a building or travel on public transport mask wearing mandatory, 100% compliance.

Between Nov 11-26, there were 48 flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Heathrow https://t.co/Dd7WM32wiY If each plane carried 300 passengers, there would have been 14,400 arrivals from South Africa since Omicron was first found.
There were only simple tests on passengers

— AirportWatch (@AirportWatch) November 28, 2021

Unforgivable If it’s true that passengers from S. Africa could freely mix with others in the airport & then take public transport. Why isn’t the Government learning, after all we’ve been through? https://t.co/wxcOe4xRFS

— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) November 27, 2021

Two flights from South Africa to Schiphol, sixty-one passengers tested positive for covid-19, of these thirteen were found to be infected with Omicron. Why was UK not acting as Schiphol, isolating and testing every passenger on flights from South Africa?

It should be a requirement, as is already the case for many countries, negative PCR test result within 48 hours prior to travel, in addition to negative PCR test and self isolation once in the UK.

“It’s probably the biggest international public policy failure of our times.”

Ex-PM @GordonBrown tells @FaisalIslam Covid vaccine inequality deprives “people of the chance to survive the virus, by denying them the chance in so many countries of getting the vaccine”#Newsnight pic.twitter.com/PTJixONUbZ

— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) November 26, 2021

As the new variant omicron hit the news, Moderna stock surged 20%. Its execs have become billionaires.

And yet Moderna still refuses to share its licenses & knowledge with @WHO so that more people around the world can get vaccinated. https://t.co/3RznE6Jli4

— Amy Maxmen, PhD (@amymaxmen) November 27, 2021

“If we do not want Covid-19 to continue exacerbating the racist and colonial world order, we need change. You cannot build high enough walls to keep the consequences of vaccine inequality out.”@_HassanF on #Omicron and #VaccineApartheidhttps://t.co/iTbW49e936

— Global Justice Now (@GlobalJusticeUK) November 28, 2021

BREAKING: 2.5 million nurses from 28 countries have filed for a UN investigation of human rights violations by the EU, UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Singapore for blocking the waiver on Covid-19 vaccine patents as new strains proliferate: https://t.co/Pq4YAqw2op pic.twitter.com/Rj37RqDA4J

— Progressive International (@ProgIntl) November 29, 2021

UK has blocked relaxation of patents on coronavirus vaccines. UK is sitting on stocks of vaccines that it is unlikely to use. These stocks, within a month of expiry, should be shipped to poorer countries to help with their vaccination programmes.

• Omicron Netherlands: 13 air passengers test positive for new variant
• Covid: Sajid Javid defends ‘swift action’ on Omicron variant

Gatwick Airport lax coronavirus biosecurity

Not mandatory to wear a mask. Not even on the shuttle between terminals.

Passengers not wearing masks, staff not wearing masks.

M&S how many have touched the self-service touch screens?

derelict South Terminal Gatwick Airport #airports #tourism #travel #covid19 #coronavirus #Gatwick pic.twitter.com/qLkCMji1fv

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) October 7, 2021

derelict South Terminal Gatwick Airport #airports #tourism #travel #covid19 #coronavirus #Gatwick pic.twitter.com/gH0lJgnGMb

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) October 7, 2021

Gatwick deserted South Terminal #Gatwick #travel #tourism #ClimateEmergency #pm25 pic.twitter.com/TtQYWI3cGc

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) October 7, 2021

lack of social distancing @easyJet check in #EasyJet #Gatwick pic.twitter.com/nWuaVhdrkk

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) October 7, 2021

EasyJet, lack of social distancing at check-in.

Passing through the airport mingling with passengers from God knows where, including high risk countries thanks to lax controls on entering the country.

• PHOTOS Gatwick Airport lax coronavirus biosecurity

Pfizer vaccine second dose

Last week tried at a pharamacy, mislead it was walk in, but was not, had to book anappoinatment, but can always try, we maybe have a camcelelatkion.

Tried again yesterday, closed for lunch.

I returned later, no cancellations, but as I was a couple of weeks at least overdue for second vaccination, they agreed to give me my second dose.

Ouch, it hurt. Rested for fifteen minutes, no adverse side effects.

A very hot day, as nearby Brayford, decided to sit outside for lunch, The Square Sale service abysmal, as was William IV and the food was disgusting. Smell of sewage wafting over whilst sat outside William IV but at least pleasant sat in the shade of a tree overlooking Brayford Pool, and I thought it wise to rest.

Evening, my arm ached, night-time, very tired, arm ached and made sleep not easy.

Next day, ie today, felt terrible, woke up not feeling good. Feeling a little better I got up, I felt as though hard work in the garden stiff, ached all over, could barely move.

Late night, very tired.

Lincoln coronavirus free for all day twenty-five

A hot sunny day.

Police car races through pedestrianised High Street, screeching to a halt at railway barrier. Long wait, slow goods train passes through. Barrier does not open. Police car three point turn, races back down the pedestrianised High Street, pedestrians scattered like nine pins. Train from London passed through, barrier opens.

Why did police car even attempt this route?

Police car parked outside McDonald’s. Prior to its relocation, always thugs hanging outside McDonald’s of an evening.

Central Market fruit and veg stall I inquire, yes they are leaving, end of August. I learn stalls have been given four month’s notice to quit the market.

In the High Street or just off a stall handing out covid tests. PCR or later flow I do not know. I do not see any takers.

Lincoln tops the charts two weeks running coronavirus cases. Today knocked into second place by Hull which takes the No 1 spot.

Hop on Walk and Ride to Lincoln Cathedral. Too hot to walk up Steep Hill.

Why do visitors waste money on a tourist bus? The only way to see historic Lincoln is to walk. If do not wish to walk up Steep Hill, then hop on the Walk and Ride. #LincolnCathedral #LincolnCastle #Lincoln #pollution #COP26 #ClimateEmergency pic.twitter.com/sCAYnTSNW4

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) August 13, 2021

Why do visitors waste money on a tourist bus? The only way to see historic Lincoln is to walk. If do not wish to walk up Steep Hill, then hop on the Walk and Ride. The tourist bus pollutes the streets.

Fresh from the Fields #fruitandveg #fruit #vegetables #flowers #greengrocer #Bailgate #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/dwQHoDsHZu

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) August 12, 2021

Pick up fruit and vegetables form Fresh From The Fields, greengrocer behind Bailgate.

Lunch at Elite on the Bail. As always lack of customers.

Walk back down Steep Hill.

From where can I obtain oil for a wooden chopping board? I had tried Lakeland. No joy House of Fraser either.

Too late for a coffee.

• PHOTOS Lincoln coronavirus free for all day twenty-five

Lincoln coronavirus cases worst in the country

Lincoln for first five days this week worst place for coronavirus cases descends into farce with half hearted surge testing.

Lincoln for first five days this week worst place for coronavirus cases descends into farce with half hearted surge testinghttps://t.co/vvHOV21Go8 #coronavirus #covid19 #Lincoln #Lincolnshire @looknorthBBC @bbcnews @itvnews @Channel4News @thelincolnite @LincsLive @LincsFM

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) August 6, 2021

Shops no requirement to wear mask when entering.

Public transport passengers not wearing masks coronavirus death traps.

Binge drinking bars top end of High Street, The Strait and Bailgate.

Come September, if not mandated double vaccinated, returning students will turn city into coronavirus hotspot.

There is no city centre permanent vaccine centre, nor has there been.

Steampunk Festival was wisely cancelled. Why has the Lincoln Christmas Market not been cancelled?

• Covid: Lincoln shops to offer tests as infections rise

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Saturday a lovely sunny day, lockdown day ninety-nine.

Tuesday I expected the bus to be busy, two passengers. Saturday I expected the bus to be busy, two passengers.

As last week, very little traffic into Lincoln. But, as Tuesday, a lot of traffic within the town centre.

Tuesday I expected the town to be busy, it was but not as bad as I had feared.

Saturday it was horrendous far worse than I expected. The town centre packed with people, worse than anything since August, apart from when the dysfunctional city council decided to hold a junk food festival in the middle of a pandemic. Far too many people.

I was pleased to find PC Coaches now running the Walk and Ride. I hopped on, saved time, I was on my way to the farmers market.

Fruit and vegetable stall in Lincoln Central Market told me there was a famers market. The last three months there has been no farmers market, nor was there one in November.

Lots of tourists milling around, long queue outside the ice cream shop. Even the Tourist Information Office was open.

Chat with some of the stall holders. Cheese stall I asked why the milk was semi-skilled. I was told it was not, straight out of the cow. Vegans, is the cheese vegan, no it is real milk from a grass-grazed vegan cow.

Crass stupidity of environmental health officer, objecting to the sanitiser wipes on the stall.

Long chat with man selling soap. He said too many are melt and pour. Sums up many selling what is claimed to be artisan chocolate.

A new charity shop in Bailgate, or so I thought, except not, has a board outside saying a charity shop.

Excellent haddock and chips from Elite on the Bail. And yet quiet, no queue, and in the little square where I sit, not busy.

The Snake and Lion not as bad as I expected.

I kept looking a my, watch had it stopped, why the wrong time? No, it was the tolling of a bell from Lincoln Cathedral for the funeral of Prince Philip.

Three o’clock, a minute’s silence for the funeral of Prince Philip. Not respected by the drunken scum at The Lion and Snake.

Walking past The Lion and Snake after eating my lunch, noisy, drunken scum shouting, no social distancing. Why is this pub not shut down and landlord stripped of licence? Last year, fights in the street, urinating up the wall. Saturday I saw no portaloos. I was told Friday night was bad. At a guess, far worse Saturday night.

Walking sown Steep Hill, surprised to find the shop selling Lincolnshire produce not open.

I looked in Imperial Teas. I wished to tell the owner, green bens from Cameroon had arrived. But now only there on a Monday. I left a message

The young lady, always helpful, has done an excellent job on their displays. But a customer wished to enter. I pop back out then another customer wished to come in.

I wanted a French Press. I wanted to look at several, luckily on display. Too much to carry. I will try another day.

Glassware for tea and coffee I have never seen before. Simple Lab a Hong Kong based company.

I tried to remember, of course, I forgot. I did take photos, but could not read.

I looked up on their website. No name, other than the name of any individual piece. Check out their website, stunning photos. Imperial Teas must have the largest collection of tea and coffee making paraphernalia of any site.

I worked backwards, and found the company, Hong Kong based Simple Lab, the name I could not remember. I found through the name of a range of products Micro.

Long queue outside ice cream parlour on The Strait. I would not recommend.

I looked in the art shop on The Strait, opposite the ice cream parlour. I often pass by and look in their window, but have never in the past ventured inside. Upstairs a a small gallery. Very steep and narrow stairs to climb.

Sit outside Coffee Aroma with a coffee. Now too cold.

Whilst sat outside Coffee Aroma, an idiot drives through the pedestrianised street the wrong way, turns around, parks outside the bank, then goes for a walk.

Walking through Sincil Street heading to the Bus Station, an idiot drives through, turns around, parks outside Everyman Cinema.

• PHOTOS For Whom the Bell Tolls