Tsunami, 32. Who Goes First?

On Thursdays is when the Lidl, a German chain supermarket, rolls out its weekly specials and offers. This week it seems the offers are plants, bulbs, seeds, and other gardening stuff. I usually go on Saturday, when much of the good stuff has flown. But then, I'm not a fanatic like some. 

This morning, I'd forgotten about that fact, and I drove to the Lidl to pick up a couple of things. The parking lot was jam packed. There were more cars than parking spaces. It seems that the idea of limiting people in shops is overlooked in that supermarket. I hoped some of the cars belonged to visitors to the funeral home next door, which has a small area for cars, and sometimes overflows into the Lidl's lot. But, when I went inside, it was a madhouse. I just picked up what I needed (and, yes, a small tub of primroses), waited in line, and left. 

I doubt most of the people in there had received any shots, yet. The over 80's are still being called in, as are the teachers. Two who have already received the entire vaccination are the King's sisters, Cristina and Elena. It seems that when they went to Abu Dhabi to visit their father, they were "offered" the shot, and got it. They, and all those who are going on "vaccination holidays", paying tens of thousands of euros. 

Yes, they're older than me, but the eldest is not yet 60. Besides, they belong to the family that is supposed to represent Spain and its values. They should have waited to be called, along with everyone else in their group. Those in power and next to it are the ones who should be setting examples. Their father, the ex-King, once famously said no one is above the law, in response to his son-in-law's illegal activities. Well, that goes for him and the rest of his family. 

People are angry. They don't receive a salary from the state, now, but certain privileges they have are paid for by the state, such as bodyguard detail. The expenses of their bodyguards in the Emirates came out of the state coffers. They were visiting their dad, and, as one of them apparently claimed, they were offered the vaccine, just as long as they were there, so they could visit him more frequently.

This sets them on a par with the mayors and councillors and bishops, and all the others that, being entrusted with the public confidence, took advantage of that power to cut in the vaccine line. It reminds me of men who put on dresses to escape the Titanic. "I'm first because I'm more important." 

Oh, we set a fine example.   

Life continues.