Reflections on Covid and Emerging Virus Concerns
This week, conversations in my household have centered on the potential for hantavirus or Ebola to spread in a manner similar to Covid-19. The troubling developments in central Africa, coupled with the reduction of US international aid, cast a stark light on the ongoing challenges. These events bring back memories of early 2020, when reports of a novel virus in China gradually escalated from a minor news item to an urgent global crisis.
For families with children finishing primary school, there is an open question about how much they will recall from that period. My two children, currently studying the Second World War as part of their year 6 history curriculum, speculate that when they reach 80, they might be asked about their experiences during the great pandemic of 2020. They were only five when the first lockdown began in New York and mainly remember it as a time of unlimited iPad use and sweets, which unfortunately led to one of them requiring two fillings before the age of seven.
Now, six years later, their reflections carry a tone of nostalgic detachment, though they lack concrete memories of significant pandemic moments such as the deserted Broadway, the Central Park field hospital, or the echoing sirens throughout the city. For me, however, occasional memory lapses occur; for instance, this morning as I left the house, I instinctively patted myself down, momentarily convinced I had forgotten something, only to realize my brain had prompted: "Damn, where’s my mask?"
John Travolta’s Beret and Directorial Debut
Attention must be given to John Travolta’s choice of headwear at the Cannes Film Festival this week. The 72-year-old actor and director wore a beret, which he described as a form of cosplay to promote his directorial debut, a one-hour film titled Propeller One-Way Night Coach. Travolta explained:
"You’re an actor [playing] the part of a director, look like an old-school director. I looked up pictures from the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and the old-school directors wore berets, and the glasses. And I thought: ‘That’s what I’m doing. I’m doing an homage to being a director, so I’m going to play the part of being a director.’"
While this explanation clarifies the beret, it does not account for his facial hair, which appeared artificially applied and gave him a fleeting resemblance to the late director Stanley Kubrick. Nevertheless, Travolta’s legendary status affords him latitude for such eccentricities, which seem consistent with his past gestures, such as parking a Boeing 707 outside his home and his long-standing association with Scientology.
The film Propeller One-Way Night Coach evokes the tone of a novel by Sean Penn and is an autobiographical work based on Travolta’s memoirs of his childhood. Critical reception has been cautiously positive; awarded it three stars, describing it as "sweet," while Variety suggested the film’s highlight was the pre-roll montage of Travolta’s most notable roles. The beret, whether intentionally or not, became a focal point of attention.
Rachel Reeves’ Encounter with a Heckler
This week’s political scene featured Rachel Reeves in a notable moment of composure during a televised interview at a petrol station in Leeds. Reeves faced a persistent heckler in a hi-vis vest who shouted "Nigel Farage" at her. Throughout the encounter, Reeves maintained a professional demeanor, initially ignoring and then mildly admonishing the man before finally losing her temper.
Her response was measured and demonstrated media training in action. Instead of resorting to harsh language, Reeves said:
"I love our country! I love our country!"
She further emphasized civility by stating:
"One of the things about our country is good manners!"
Despite the visible strain, Reeves refrained from more confrontational language, though it was apparent she was suppressing a strong urge to respond more forcefully. Towards the end of the incident, she remarked:
"It’s not very British,"
before adding with a hint of irony:
"Right. Very good. You can put that on the telly."
Her appeal to basic civility as a defining British trait was a strategic response to provocation. However, it is likely that many observers would have appreciated a more candid retort to the heckler’s aggressive behavior.
Jinkx Monsoon Stars as Judy Garland in London
At the Soho Theatre Walthamstow, the musical drama End of the Rainbow opened to an enthusiastic audience. The production stars Jinkx Monsoon as Judy Garland during the final months of her life in London. The play, written by Peter Quilter, portrays Garland as struggling with addiction yet still embodying her iconic presence.
The narrative situates Garland between her fifth husband, Mickey Deans, and her devoted piano player, Anthony, a fictional character representing Garland’s significance to the gay community and the limitations of that support.
Monsoon, a two-time winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, delivers a compelling performance. Her portrayal reflects influences from Garland’s 1963 film I Could Go On Singing, in which Garland played a semi-fictionalized version of herself, including a scene where she must win over a hostile audience at the Palladium.
One notable moment in the film, reportedly improvised by Garland, features the line:
"I’ve hung on to every bit of rubbish there is to hang on to in life; and I’ve thrown all the good bits away. Now can you tell me why I’d do that?"
Monsoon captures the emotional intensity and enduring charm of Garland in her final years with remarkable precision. The performance was met with enthusiastic acclaim.
Anticipating a Traditional British Bank Holiday
With temperatures reaching 30°C and a bank holiday approaching, I feel compelled to introduce my children to a classic British tradition. This involves purchasing train tickets, enduring lengthy waits in unairconditioned carriages that may halt unexpectedly, and traveling to a pebble beach beside a cold, iron-grey sea that might be contaminated with E. coli due to waste overflow.
Despite these challenges, the experience concludes with a sunburned but contented return home. There truly is no place like home.
