"It's the same old song"

If only it could all be as it was in 2019. Crowding onto overcrowded trains and subways, dodging each other on crowded city thoroughfares. Travelling the world in ocean going cities and flying endlessly across the globe.

If only workers would return to the half empty offices and deserted city centres. If only...

That appears to be the message from our Gov't. To get the economy moving again we have to get back to our old ways. This covid thingy is just getting in the way and anyway it's on the retreat. So come on people let's get back to the good old ways and put the country back on its feet.

Except, people are being unreasonable stubborn. Many who can like working from home. They don't miss the expense and inconvenience, not to mention the discomfort of commuting to work. Rather than spending time and money queuing at  a Pret in town, they can get a take out from their local cafe or eat something they prepared at home. And while you're at it, it's quite nice seeing your kids for more than a few hours a day.

So Prime Minister instead of trying to get us back into the old ways (no doubt you've been lobbied by city slickers and retail barons) why not embrace the changes that have taken place because of the pandemic. Look to see how our city centres can be transformed from work stations to play stations. Grasp the opportunity to revive local and suburban high streets encouraging home workers to spend their cash in their neighbourhood. 

Look at how our rail and subway system rather than inadequately geared to carry millions of commuters in and out of cities during a few hours of the day can offer comfortable travel 24 hours a day. Killing the mad commute opens up so many recreational journey opportunities.   

The one area where the Gov't is not encouraging a return to normal is in the performing arts. This is a travesty, a crime and dereliction of duty - not to put too fine point on it. There is a possibility that London's theatre land will dim permanently, if not go completely dark, unless a way is found to work around the risk and fear of infection. If the Gov't believes we're coming out of this pandemic, can't resources and effort be redirected to working out how the cultural life of the country can be brought back from the dead?