For many people this is a month for vacations or at least a time for some summer breaks from work, school, or studies. I am very much hoping that people are able where possible to reunite with family and loved ones whom they have missed over the months or even years. The pandemic is far from over, but the development and roll-out of several different vaccines is enabling possibilities to reconnect in person; proceeding with cautious optimism is probably the best approach. Scientific research and various collaborations have enabled enormous strides to be made. There is much to celebrate and still much more to be done to rise to current and future challenges.

To summer fun, sunshine, and plenty of fresh air.
Take care.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 2/8/21

It is actually a very good time for science! I am grateful to have been able to contribute over the years particularly in life sciences, clinical and health sciences; and to be part of the research communities. It is exciting work – there is much to be done and much to communicate.

I am also enjoying other interests including poetry – and being able to experiment there too!

I am grateful to my colleagues and friends in a range of disciplines and diverse areas. ‘Thank you’ to them for ‘keeping me on my toes’. I love exploring different perspectives and being able to appreciate contributions of others and to be able to contribute from a different and general viewpoint.

I love communication. I love poetry. It’s great to be able to experiment and hear of it being enjoyed by others too.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 1/7/21

This important subject getting is high profile attention this week on a global and national scale.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a subject I have posted on many times here in recent years from 2015 to date; most recently asking what we can learn from the covid pandemic.  AMR can be regarded as a ‘silent pandemic’.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 17/6/21

With photos and verse.

SPRING TO SUMMER, ONE YEAR ON ©

Spring turns to summer,
One year on.
Life goes on.
And with caution, resilience, and optimism
We can move on
For the better,
Together.

Meanwhile,
At home in the garden,
This month the birds
Have been nesting
Or singing on high.

The Ruby Wedding Roses
Planted last year
Are back this year
In glorious bloom.

Like many other people
I have been thinking
About serious issues
And preparedness
For possible battles ahead;
Particularly
For life sciences,
Clinical and health research.

This weekend,
However,
I’m not dwelling unduly
On the issues
But rather
Taking time out,
‘To smell the roses’.

©Julie Charlesworth, 2021

Here’s to building on successes, managing the risks, and keeping it all in perspective. Take care, be strong, think positively.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 24/6/21

….

A few photos I have taken to capture some special moments and share them with you.
(N.B. I took the photos of the birds in the garden from a sensible distance using a zoom feature on my smart phone – so as not to disturb our feathered friends).

—————————

Half-term holidays with walks and wildflowers.

The centre picture brings 3 questions to mind 😊💭😉

Do you like butter?

What time is it?

They love me; they love me not?

Buttercups, dandelions, and daisies don’t have the true answers – but folklore and fun are fine in the context of activities for children and grown-ups alike.

The answers are not evidence-based of course, and thankfully no-one is presuming that they are true.

Communications that are creative but not misleading, which indicate whether a communication is evidence-based or not, are preferable. On a serious note, evidence-based serious science reporting is essential and important, especially for decision making.

Enjoy the rest of the half-term holiday. Here’s to the wildflowers and free-spirited individuals.
Take care. Have fun.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 2/6/21

[Photos: I took them this week on a walk close to home up North in England. What can you see? Buttercups, Daisies, Dandelions, Poppies, Nettles, Columbines, and Forget-me-nots]

Yesterday. All’s well. Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Proud of everybody’s achievements in making this happen. To all involved – thank you!

I’ve definitely been here before and here I am again back for more.

See also previous post on Dose 1 experience and more information: Covid-19 Vaccination: a personal perspective.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth  6/5/21

We should celebrate and promote good communication based on sound evidence wherever and whenever we find it. The messages in my article posted in April 2020 and updated in November 2020 are just as valid now as they were then. It is good to see so many people doing the right things.

Professional communicators and writers – doing the right thing and now!

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 4/5/21

As parts of the UK are opening up, let’s also continue to enjoy interests and pleasures we discovered in more restricted times.
I am busy of late doing my bit for serious science and with expert reviews. Nevertheless, I’m taking time out as well.

I took these photos on April 12th the first day of easing of restrictions.

Just because we can doesn’t mean we have to do everything at once. Having said that – I have booked a haircut!

Proceed with caution. Here’s to enjoying better times.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 25/4/21