Boosters

 

Boosters

Saturn V boosters

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Boosters come in all guises. There are booster seats for use by small children in cars so that they are safe and not in danger of strangulation by the safety straps, or on dining chairs, so that they can sit up at the table with the big people.

The first stage of a space rocket intended for the moon or Mars has booster engines for the initial surge of acceleration, after which they are jettisoned. Without them they would not have sufficient energy to travel beyond Earth’s orbit.

Spitfires in WWII had two-stage superchargers to improve performance at high altitude. These were commonly called boosters. Artillery guns have boosters to make the shells fly faster and consequently further.

Boosters, or jump starters are used to give a temporary electrical boost to a car battery so that an unresponsive or ‘dead’ engine, a ‘flat battery’, can be started.

A booster can increase electrical voltage or signal strength. Power boosters, known as amplifiers, augment electrical signals to increase the power output of an audio system. They increase the volume and clarity of sound from speakers.

 Morale boosters are remarks, actions or reactions that raise morale. The recipients of such encouragement gain increased confidence in their ability and performance.

The boosters with which most of us are familiar are vaccine boosters, given to increase the level of immunity and provide protection against new variants of a disease.

On Saturday afternoon we repaired to our local, well-respected co-educational comprehensive school to receive our boosters. These were administered in the impressive 6^th form centre which had set out a series of well-spaced tables and chairs. We had arrived half an hour before our appointment and were seen immediately. There was no queue – well, there was one person ahead of us, but he was soon called to a table and we were then beckoned forward, so we waited for approximately 30 seconds.

Although we had been booked for a ‘flu jab, it turned out that we were to receive a Covid booster at the same time. One painless shot in each arm and we were done. The organisation was excellent, with friendly helpers at regular intervals to indicate where to go as well as clear and frequent signage.  

The school sports centre is open to public membership and has ample parking, so there was no lack of parking spaces. To cap it all, it was a beautifully warm afternoon.

Sunday was a different story. It was warm but grey and windy and our arms were a little stiff and sore, but we were happy in the knowledge that we were covered against the winter’s nasties, supposedly. At least, if we do fall prey to them, they should be in a milder form.