In a week where one man’s actions have proved to be at odds with many others it has prompted me to reflect on the lack of consistency that has surrounded us throughout the last 15 months.

I dare say many of you would say that inconsistency has always been present, but for me the stark contrast has very clearly come into focus. It is not the first time that someone in public office has made an error of judgement, but the impact of this error is that trust and believability have been irreparably damaged.

I received many favourable comments on last week’s blog as it highlighted the almost comical situation in which we find ourselves.

This week, however, I am confused at how some can interpret guidance to suit their own agenda or rather to allow the inconsistencies to benefit the few, but not the many.

My choirs are ready to return to sing, but like so many others the circumstances and interpretation of guidance prevents this.

Yet, I see that other choirs have already returned, and I am pleased that some have been able to find a way back, or rather their individual circumstances have been deemed acceptable and therefore received the go ahead.

But it is the lack of fairness that causes frustration and if a different approach can be allowed to happen because of inconsistency, then this needs to be addressed. It shouldn’t be one rule for one or the few and another rule for everyone else. We should be equal! We all want to sing again, and we all want to benefit from our shared love of music.

In pointing out the inconsistency, I am not in any way suggesting that those choirs who have managed to find a way back are wrong to do so, just that we should all be given the same chance.

Uncertainty still eats away at us all and we still don’t know what the 19th July will bring! I still look at the daily statistics, but this week decided to look a little deeper. “In England, the number of deaths increased from 7,302 in week 22 (week ending 4 June 2021) to 9,554 in week 23 (week ending 11 June 2021) which was 208 more deaths (2.2%) higher than the week 23 five-year average.” This was taken from the Office for National Statistics own figures. As I read further, it became more interesting. “Of these, 83 deaths involved coronavirus in week 23, a 13.5% decrease compared with week 22 (96 deaths). Of all deaths registered in week 23 in England, 0.9% mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate.” Now, any death is sad and the circumstances equally so, but I was surprised at this low percentage.

These figures show the true picture and are not subject to interpretation or inconsistency. I quote them merely to make a point, and in making that point and in the full knowledge that 61.6% of the adult population have now received both vaccinations, surely it’s time for the inconsistencies to be removed and to look toward a positive message on 19th July! 22 days and counting!