I seem to have lost a week in a blur of christmas parties, overflowing inboxes, overbooked clinics, carols and mince pies. And I am harbouring yet another Respiratory virus. They are persistent this year, with coughs lasting weeks. I was asked if colds last longer as you age. I can’t find any evidence this is the case. Illnesses last longer in those in poor health and at the very extremes of age but there’s no reason for differences in illness duration of 40 somethings vs 20 somethings.
Nutrition is of course a major determinant of health and immune funcion. A plant based diet is associated with a lower risk of hospitalisation in COVID-19. Plant-based diets provide micronutrients, including vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folate; trace elements, including zinc, iron, selenium, magnesium, and copper; and the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, which play vital, often synergistic roles at every stage of the immune response. Plant-based diets are also anti-inflammatory, and support a healthy microbiome. There is little data on diet pattern and viral illnesses other then COVID-19, an area that needs further study. Despite having grumbling illnesses for weeks I’ve not had a single day off work. I’m convinced it’s the plants!
We went to see Stewart Lee Live vs The Man Wulf. It was surprise for P___: he had no idea what we were doing but did know the time, location & dress code, an ideal form of surprise in his view! I haven’t laughed so much for a very long time. Stewart Lee is not to everyone’s tastes, which he relishes. I always peek around the audience trying to spot who has been brought by a friend. They look confused and very uncomfortable.
I had a crazy day where I had to be at work in the morning, and in North London in the afternoon with back to back meetings in between. This resulted in meetings in offices, trains, a coffee shop and the queue to buy lunch. I chaired a meeting of the group creating the Sustainability Toolkit for the BTS. I sit in too many poorly planned or chaired meetings so I feel a real responsibility not to undervalue other people’s time. We got through a lot, and the discussion was really interesting. If only this level of efficiency was the norm!
I helped at a support session for people applying for eVisas, in my role as a Digital Champion in Southwark. The government insisted on a hard deadline of the end of December for people to transition to eVisas. This requires the creation of an online UKVI account and the use of a government app to scan the Biometric Resident Permit (BRP). This hard deadline was unachievable for a large number of people who need support to navigate the nightmare that is government IT services. This is high stakes. Not being able to prove your lawful immigration status when you need to can mean you can’t get a job, rent a house, or in some cases stay in the UK. It created a lot of uneccessary distress. Some might suggest this is intentional, another arm of the hostile environment. Thankfully after months of frustration, delay and confusion, the government has finally acknowledted that the eVisa rollout is causing problems and have softened the deadline so expired BRPs will now be valid until the end of March 2025. Many more people still need help. Thankfully the voluntary sector has stepped in where the state is absent and continues to provide many support sessions.
This week it was International Migrants Day. People always have and always will move. The way we treat them tells us everything about our values. Right to Remain dream of a world where everyone has the right to remain where they want to be – not because they are “deserving”, not because they are “hard working”, not because they are made “vulnerable”, not because they are “exceptional”, but because they love, they live and they are human. It’s a beautiful dream.
I sang a solo at our Christmas Carol service – the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City. I have never sung a solo. I didn’t even sing regularly until I joined a choir a year ago. I was the most nervous I’ve been for a long time. It’s good to do things that scare you sometimes. The following night we sang at the local care home and around the docks, ending in the pub for mulled wine. Singing in groups increases joy and wellbeing. I can certainly attest to this.
I have been feeling guilty as I had to take a break from looking at images from Gaza. The trauma and pain and immense death toll is unbearable. But it is of course a privelege to be able to look away. I am working on new ways to raise money.
I picked up my hand made coat. It has been the most satisfying project all year. I worked with a tailor, Albina of Petit Jardin London, who specialises in hand woven fabrics, to design the shape and style of the jacket. I even made a mood board, something I’ve not done since GSCE textiles! I spent a few afternoons and evenings weaving the fabric of greys, greens and orange (inspired by forests and foxes) and then handed it over to Albina, who expertly shaped and lined it. She has the most incredible eye for selecting areas of woven textiles with particular features that acentuate sleeves or collars. She puts so much time into her garments, even handstitching the seams to avoid (in)visible lines around the sleeves. She used off cuts of Liberty fabric for the seams, matching the pattern to threads in the fabric. Everything she does is so thoughtful. I am so proud of the final result. Fast fashion is so joyless. Slow fashion is everything.
drlj 