In which Christmas is - or is not - cancelled

In the past few days, two parallel narratives seem to have emerged in the media. Everything emanating from scientific sources, from Fauci to Sage, seems to suggest that Thanksgiving / Christmas is cancelled (and apparently the public agree). On the other hand, Johnsonism (equals Boosterism plus or minus Bad Data Science) insists that we can go ahead almost as normal. This aspect opens up a prisoner's dilemma in which not visiting relatives may not necessarily lead to them not getting sick.

So it should perhaps not be such a surprise that my conversation with Dad this morning consisted largely of me explaining that I have now come more or less to the conclusion that I shouldn't make the trip up for Christmas, whilst he has come more or less to the conclusion that it will be OK.

I don't wish to suggest that the UK government doesn't know its arse from its elbow. I wish to observe that it's bloody obvious.

Meanwhile, Trump is golfing while Rome burns.