Coronavirus diary, Friday 24 April

What happened to those green shoots, that light at the end of the tunnel, those glimpses of optimism in a sea of gloom? 

With criticism and frustration mounting, even from some of their own members, the government at their daily, long winded briefings are like punch drunk boxers, ducking and weaving to escape the flurry of blows. Mr Hancock, the most unconvincing member of the team, today announced the start of human testing of a drug which might be the antidote to Covid-19 that might be the first, encouraging but a long way away. He also told us that do-it-yourself testing stations stations had been set up around the country but it is reported that they are handling only a trickle of people anxious to see if they are fit and safe enough to work. He is desperately trying to fulfil his rash promise of 100,000 tests a day by the end of April, six days away. 

There is growing demand for the government to tell us their plans for a gradual easing of restrictions but they have again opted for caution, dither! Scotland's first minister, Ms Sturgeon, has led the way by outlining her plan to get people back to work and children back to school. She says we should not be treated as children, an accusation levelled at the UK government. Mr Hancock does not agree. Meanwhile, we are still trying to make sense of the mass of information and statistics served up every day, most of it worrying, some horrifying.

Deaths in care homes account for half the deaths worldwide, black people are dying at twice the rate of whites. And in Britain the homes are still complaining they are being ignored and left without adequate equipment. The government must be watching anxiously for those first green shoots, hoping perhaps that better news will pop up like mushrooms overnight.

I have been heartened these past few days to see more traffic on Cyncoed Road, most of the drivers ignoring the speed limit, as more people feel it is safe to go back to essential work. The sunshine should helps lift our spirits. It prompted me to make the painful trek, all of thirty yards, to the nearest bench in the Sunrise garden. I have decided instead to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air from the balcony in front of the building.