On the "governments are elected to govern" thing, I agree to a certain extent, and for many day to day aspects of government and policy I can see there's not really an urgent need to guage public opinion (though there is a requirement for policies to have impact assessments before they are introduced, and for those to be monitored). Though there is extensive consultation when policy is being formed... albeit governments don't necessarily weigh up the "correct" viewpoints when finalising it. And parties would have manifesto policies for most things, so people know roughly where things would be heading when they vote. But this is so unlike anything else we have come across, I'm astonished there hasn't been more call for proper consultation, once we were out of the "shit, the NHS is overwhelmed" phase of last March/April. It does seem as if we have been plunged back into the last century when government was very much something done "to" us rather than for us - "we know so much better than you, don't question it, it's for your own good, so just be quiet and comply with what we tell you..." And it does seem so alien that we can't even protest in person about that without breaking numerous laws (or being portrayed as being a covid denying, right wing conspiracy anti mask nutter).
Glad Mr G is feeling a bit better. Climbing the walls is a good sign, I think...
I'm having hairdresser envy too raspberry. I have definitely reached thick-headband territory, which is not a good phase.
Facial hair thingies sound like something I may need. Any links to ones that won't rip my face to shreds? I appear to be sprouting much more of a beard than I strictly need, with hairs that I swear spring from nothing to half an inch long over the course of a morning. What's that about then?!