Update from the house of Plague (Day Fnarg Year 3) 16th of January

[elisi]

I have previously pondered the lack of cultural impact of the Spanish Flu (not sure that's the best phrasing, but I'm tired), although it makes sense considering WW1 and everything else. However, having just re-read Dorothy Sayer's 'Whose Body' (the first Peter Wimsey novel) I wonder if it's just not having been tuned into looking for it? 'Whose Body' was first published in 1923, and this bit made me sit up and take notice:

The Coroner, a medical man of precise habits and unimaginative aspect, arrived punctually, and looking peevishly round at the crowded assembly, directed all the windows to be opened, thus letting in a stream of drizzling fog upon the heads of the unfortunates on that side of the room. This caused a commotion and some expressions of disapproval, checked sternly by the Coroner, who said that with the influenza about again an unventilated room was a death-trap; that anybody who chose to object to open windows had the obvious remedy of leaving the court, and further, that if any disturbance was made he would clear the court.



~

From that, onto the ridiculous:

Watch on YouTube

And here is John Bishop being a legend:

John Bishop tearing Boris a new one 😂😂pic.twitter.com/ZJUjYJofmd

— Politics For Oll-y (@OllyVanGaal) January 15, 2022

Mind you, just because the Tories are a joke doesn't mean they can't keep wreaking havoc. Looks like they'll pull the plug on the BBC one way or another like they have wanted forever.

~

And from our sad politics, to something much more tragic.

BBC (video): Kazakhstan: Who sparked deadly violence?

Since it's exactly a year since Dimash held his online concert, I thought I would choose one of the songs from that performance today - a song which probably reflects his emotions after all the recent violence. His instagram has been suspended, but there is still a post up on his facebook page where he, very diplomatically, voices his support for the protesters. Before it all turned deadly and they silenced the whole country. :(

Daily Dimash: Qairan Elim | 2021 ('My long-suffering land')

Watch on YouTube

Full playlist of the concert here, and there is an instagram post with the original programme.

Dimash Masterpost

Comments

[yourlibrarian]

I remember that bit from Whose Body! Apparently we have learned very little from those early days though it is interesting that masking was not mentioned.

[elisi]

I don't know how often I've read it, but never noticed before!

And yes, nothing about masks. But then if they were mostly post-pandemic I'm guessing masks were no longer used much...

[a_phoenixdragon]

Ye gods...a century later and we have (yet) learned...nothing. UGH.

[elisi]

Well people were the same then and now... plenty of anti-vaxxers & anti-maskers then too! *shakes head*

[sea_thoughts]

Well done to that Coroner (even if he is fictional).

"Stop lying to us and being a prick!" He can't, John, he's literally incapable, it's all he knows how to do. (I love John Bishop.)

Screw Liz Truss.

[elisi]

Well done to that Coroner (even if he is fictional).
He is not particularly sympathetic otherwise, but it's a nice moment illustrating his character.

"Stop lying to us and being a prick!" He can't, John, he's literally incapable, it's all he knows how to do. (I love John Bishop.)
We all love John Bishop. And yes, you are right, the man is incapable of changing. :(

Screw Liz Truss.
Always.

[kathyh]

I noticed that bit when I re-read "Whose Body" last year. There is a lot about flu in "The Nine Tailors" but that's set a bit later though flu is obviously still considered to be very serious.

[elisi]

I noticed that bit when I re-read "Whose Body" last year.
I never noticed it before... hence wondering how many other things I've missed over the years.

There is a lot about flu in "The Nine Tailors" but that's set a bit later though flu is obviously still considered to be very serious.
Oooh, that one is next on my list then! (After 'Round the World in 80 Days' *g*)

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

Our local freebie newspaper has published a list of names of those who have been fined for unlawful gatherings during lockdown. The comments section for the online version are getting quite heated …..!

[elisi]

The comments section for the online version are getting quite heated …..!
I can imagine!! :O