HRH QEII R.I.P. but keep perspective

Yesterday was the bearer of the saddest news and I don’t need to explain what that was. I am not pro or anti Royals myself but like everyone I am saddened by her passing. I was born well into her reign and the queen has always been there in the background. I am not grief stricken as such but some of the tweets from other countries did bring a tear to my eye. Even one from the Ukraine president who has a lot more on his plate than most.

There have been some weird comments around. A tweet from Trevor Sinclair that has been soundly trashed, although I have not seen what he wrote myself. One from Wales celebrating that there is no longer a Prince of Wales and saying it should stay that way. And a moan from someone stating that we should be having time off work.

Let’s address that last one. It would be totally impossible for the whole country to down tools for a period of mourning. Emergency services would still have to run. Other services industries would have to also. It is probably widely recognised and accepted why this cannot happen and work must go on.

That being the case then, please tell me why all the Premier League fixtures for this weekend have been postponed. As a mark of respect we are told – what does that really mean? Footballers are in the entertainment industry which in its broadest sense is there for the entertainment of the people outside of their working lives. So what we are saying here is that everyone else cannot take time off work and must carry on whilst sportspersons – who only get paid because they entertain the masses – do not have to work. This also means that the majority of people that have been working cannot unwind watching what they love.

Are all shops going to remain closed this weekend? Guess they will have to otherwise shopaholics will still get to do what they enjoy. Will all restaurants be closed? All those gastronomes who like nothing more than a good meal must not be allowed to eat. Will all cinemas and theatres be closed? It is extremely doubtful.

Is it only me who thinks there is a lack of perspective here? At least all the people who want to watch sport can console themselves with wall to wall news coverage. I have not seen any of it myself. I know the news. The queen has unfortunately passed away. What can they possibly be pontificating on for hours on end?

Four hours until 5 pm when I turn normally on the TV for The Chase but today I think that would be a bit Pointless.