August 2022 – Page 21 – The NEN

Scotland’s winter vaccination programme gets underway

Latest step in fight against COVID-19

People aged 65 and over as well as frontline health and social care staff will be first in line for a winter booster jab to protect the most vulnerable from COVID-19 and ease the pressure on hospitals.

Letters with appointment times for those aged 65 and over will begin landing on doormats this week so the NHS can get ahead of any potential surge in infections.

The booster jabs will be given at the same time as the flu vaccine to those eligible where possible – evidence shows that administration of both vaccines together is a safe and efficient way to deliver maximum protection over the winter months.

From 22 August the online portal will be available for health and social care workers to book their appointments. Staff should book on the portal or follow advice from their boards on any local arrangements.

Appointments for all other priority groups will be made available as the programme progresses – people in those groups should wait until they are contacted or called forward.

The programme follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation (JCVI) which recommended vaccinating people as soon as possible to have the best chance of mitigating the impact of COVID-19 over the winter.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “As was the case in previous rounds of the vaccination programme, spring/summer boosters have enjoyed very high uptake among eligible groups with 86% of older adult care home residents and 93% of those aged 75 and over gaining an important additional layer of protection at a time when Covid cases rose sharply.

“I’d like to thank all those who have worked so hard to ensure that Scotland still has the highest overall uptake of first, second and third doses in the UK.

“Following the JCVI’s recommendations, we will roll out the winter booster programme getting jabs in arms from early September to ensure those most at risk are protected over winter.

“Vaccination remains the best way to protect your health and those around you – I strongly encourage everyone to take up the offer of a booster jab when they get the call up.”

Eat When You’re Hungry!

Eating when you’re hungry is better for your psychological and physical health, new research comparing eating styles indicates

People who eat when they are hungry tend to be more satisfied with their body and generally have higher self-esteem, a new international study suggests.

Published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, the study indicates that, contrary to popular ideas that it is important to ‘control’ hunger, paying attention to hunger and fullness cues appears to be linked to maintaining a lower weight.

In contrast, those who rely on food as a source of comfort or avoid certain types or amounts of food are less satisfied with their bodies and have lower self-esteem, says the research which involved more than 6,000 young adults in eight countries.

Lead researcher Dr Charlotte Markey, professor of psychology at Rutgers University (NJ, USA), said: “Cultural messages constantly suggest that it’s important to ignore our bodies’ hunger and satiety cues, but trusting our bodies and eating when we feel hunger – in other words, eating intuitively — seems to be better for both our psychological and physical health.”

Researchers examined three types of eating style and related factors rarely studied together: intuitive eating, emotional eating (eating in response to internal emotional signals, for example in response to feeling stressed) and restrained eating (also known as dietary restraint, where consumption is rigidly restricted with the aim of losing or maintaining weight).

A total of 6,272 young adults with an average age of about 21 completed the study survey. They were based in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United States.

Young adults were chosen because they experience social and psychological transitions and research shows they appear to be at risk of being dissatisfied with their bodies. In addition, this development period is linked with an increase in weight as well as changes in lifestyle habits. However, the findings are consistent with some research that suggests they are likely to be true of all adults.

The study found that the more people ate intuitively, the happier they tended to be with their body. They also had higher self-esteem and lower weight.

However higher levels of restrained and emotional eating were generally associated with lower body satisfaction and self-esteem, and being heavier.

The researchers conclude that the results suggest that eating styles are likely to be associated with how people feel about their bodies and how they feel in general.

In addition, ‘we can deduce that these eating styles may affect individual’s actual consumption, given the association sometimes found with weight status’, the study says.

Dr Markey suggests: “This research is in sync with evidence that dieting is ineffective for both weight loss and body satisfaction – and often counterproductive. We should aim to be more in tune with our own physiology than the latest trendy diet or eating plan.”

Some cultural differences between countries was noticed, the authors state, and this would be worthy of further examination.

Become a superhero with Mary’s Meals

Children in Edinburgh are encouraged to find their inner superhero with an amazing free activity pack from school feeding charity Mary’s Meals.

Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals in 20 of the world’s poorest countries, many of which are impacted by conflict and natural disasters. The promise of a nutritious meal attracts hungry children into the classroom where, instead of working or looking for food, they can gain an education and hope for the future. The charity feeds 2,279,941 children every school day.

The Mary’s Meals Superheroes pack is full of activities designed to teach children about life in the countries where Mary’s Meals works, such as Kenya, Zimbabwe and Yemen.

The pack was inspired by a young girl named Upile, 13, who eats Mary’s Meals at her school in Malawi. She says: “When I grow up and finish my school, I want to be a nurse. I want to help people.”

The activity pack includes a film featuring Upile – as well as a colouring sheet, a word search and materials for little ones to design their own superhero mask.

Dan McNally, head of grassroots engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “This fantastic pack is full of activities that will keep kids entertained. Visit our website to download your free copy today!”

E. coli investigations in East Lothian

An investigation is underway into a cluster of cases of E. coli at a nursery in East Lothian.

NHS Lothian, along with local and national partner agencies, is investigating 28 cases of the infection linked to Church Street Pear Tree Nursery in Haddington.

Although most cases have had mild symptoms and have not required hospital treatment, a small number of confirmed cases have been admitted to hospital. Some of these have been admitted as a precaution and all are in a stable condition.

Investigations so far have not yet revealed a specific source, but advanced microbiological testing is underway to identify the strain of the infection and any links. Those that have been affected have already been excluded and have submitted samples for testing.

Cases, so far, have been confined to the nursery, respective households, or other close contacts. The nursery has been closed as a precautionary measure while the investigations continue.

A small number of people at a partner nursery in the same town reported having symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea, which have resolved without requiring medical treatment. As a precaution, Meadowpark Pear Tree Nursery in Haddington has also been closed. All parents and carers have been notified.

Dr Richard Othieno, Chair of the Incident Management Team and Public Health Consultant, NHS Lothian, said: “We know that this will be an anxious time for many of those who are directly affected by the infection.

“We have written to parents and carers of the children affected and to staff at the nursery to provide the most up to date information and ongoing health advice.

“NHS Lothian has a robust surveillance system in place to identify E. coli cases which helped us to identify these cases early and put in place essential control measures to prevent further spread.

“This outbreak reinforces the importance of washing hands regularly, particularly before eating or preparing food, and after going to the toilet.”

“We continue to provide support to the nursery and those parents and carers who have been directly affected. We have encouraged parents to keep their children away from other children and those at higher risk until their negative results have been received”.

E. coli is a bacterial infection that causes illness in people. The symptoms range from mild loose stools to severe bloody diarrhoea. The most serious complications can lead to blood poisoning and kidney failure

There is no specific treatment for the infection and most people who are infected will get better without medical treatment. However, those who have symptoms, or are concerned, are advised to contact their GP or NHS 24 on telephone number 111.

Fraser of Allander Institute update: Energy Costs and Fuel Poverty

The week’s economic news has again been dominated by the implications of inflation, and in particular of huge increases in household energy bills.

Projections for the energy price cap have again been revised up. The latest projections indicate that the price cap could reach around £3,500 in October, and increase further to around £4,400 in April. It is incredible to think that the cap was £1,277 earlier this year (having now increased to £1,971).

Such levels of increases will have severe impacts on households. In Scotland, a quarter of households were already in fuel poverty in 2019, the year in which the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition, Strategy) (Scotland) Act received Royal Assent.

That Act determines that a household is in fuel poverty if two conditions hold:

First, that in order to heat the home to a satisfactory level, the household would need to spend more than 10 per cent of its net income on fuel; and
Second, if, after deducting those fuel costs, and other essential costs associated with disability, care needs or childcare, the household’s income is below 90% of the UK Minimum Income Standard.

The definition therefore is not based on what a household actually spends on fuel, but on what they need to spend to heat their home to an acceptable level.

The daunting projections for energy bills will undoubtedly lead to a substantial increase in fuel poverty throughout 2022 and 2023. Quite how many households will be in fuel poverty according to the official definition will depend in part on what further action the government decides to take. But it is clear that a broad swathe of low and middle income households will be placed under severe financial strain.

The political debates this week have again focussed both on the level and targeting of further support the government should provide.

There is a clear case for targeting. In Scotland, almost all households (96%) with incomes below £200 per week were already in fuel poverty in 2019; but amongst households whose incomes were above £500 per week, fuel poverty rates were negligible. Further targeting via the social security system therefore seems appropriate.

But it should also be remembered that the financial distress caused by the energy price crisis will extend well beyond the poorest, and further broader-based support would also be justified. This is where the delivery mechanism becomes more challenging. Government could subsidise bills universally, although this would be expensive, providing support to some households whose need for support is relatively less.

But trying to provide support to low and middle income households only is tricky. Using the council tax system is far from ideal given the weak links between council tax band and income.

Households in bands A and B are relatively more likely to be in fuel poverty, but over 14% of Scottish households in bands F, G and H were in fuel poverty in 2019. On this basis, using council tax band as a way to limit the breadth of financial support provided has clear disadvantages.

It now seems unlikely that the UK government will announce its next round of support for households until the Conservative leadership contest has concluded. Depending on the mechanisms it chooses for delivering that support, the Scottish government may be allocated additional resources of its own which it can prioritise as it deems fit, or the support may be delivered at UK level (via energy bills or the social security system).

DON GNU premieres WALK-MAN at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

WALK-MAN by DON GNU at Zoo Southside

You will never cross the street in the same way again!

DON GNU digs into the tediousness of everyday routines in search of poetry and humour in a performance with muscular physicality and edgy stunt tricks.

One ordinary day, four ordinary men take a walk through a city. They readily follow unwritten and strict rules of good behaviour and norms of social etiquette until one of them suddenly decides to rebel …

With trademark DON GNU “everyday stunts” and raw physicality, WALK-MAN is a performance in which the ground is literally swept away from under the feet of four men walking. In a world where rules, norms and routines no longer apply, a pedestrian is not simply a person crossing the street and common understanding of “good behaviour” falls apart. You will never cross the street in the same way again!

WALK-MAN is the first performance of a trilogy about the extraordinary experiences of ordinary life.

DON GNU guarantees physical action theatre and dance combined in a playful and poetic man-power universe!

The company was founded in 2010 by the two choreographers Jannik Elkær and Kristoffer Louis Andrup Pedersen, who also constitute the artistic duo at the helm of DON GNU. Today the company is one of the most touring companies in Denmark.

In addition to extensive tour activities in Denmark, DON GNU has also toured in all the Nordic Countries, South Korea, Canada, big parts of Europe and Cuba.

Show trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLI21MxS0G8&t=8

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Walk-Man by Don Gnu at Zoo Southside

August 14-28, 12.15 pm everyday (except Aug 21)

Tickets: www.zoovenues.co.uk

WALK MAN is part of the #DANISH showcase at Edinburgh Fringe 2022 presented by The Danish Arts Foundation and produced by WILDTOPIA.

The showcase is supported by the Embassy of Denmark in the UK.

Man ‘critical’ following Princes Street disturbance

Police seek witnesses to fight at West End

POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered a serious head injury on Princes Street yesterday.

Around 8.15pm last night, police received a report of a disturbance in Princes Street, near to Johnnie Walker premises. Officers attended and a 53-year-old man was found injured. He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where medical staff describe his condition as critical.

Officers are gathering and checking relevant CCTV footage for any information on the suspect.

Enquiries carried out so far have established a number of people witnessed the fight between the two men and officers are appealing for those members of the public to contact them.

Detective Inspector Keith Fairbairn said: “A man has been left seriously injured in this incident and it’s imperative we trace whoever is responsible.

“We know that numerous people saw what happened and I am appealing to them to get in touch with us. Any small piece of information could prove vital in this investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3789 of 13 August, 2022. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can give information anonymously.

Edinburgh Climate Festival 2022

The Edinburgh Climate Festival will take place at Leith Links on September 3rd 2022 from 12 -5 pm.

The Festival, now in its 7th year, will offer a free, family-friendly & community-led marketplace event with workshops, performances and more.

September 2022 sees the beginning of Scotland’s Climate Fringe Festival, with the Edinburgh Climate Festival marking Edinburgh’s first major event of the Climate Fringe!

The Festival aims to celebrate and inspire community climate action. Entry is free and open to all. There will be activities for all age groups from storytelling and arts and crafts, to free Yoga classes and upcycling activities.

Free e-tickets can be purchased here, with the option to give a donation.

Testimonials

“I absolutely loved the festival, the energy was brilliant! I was just sad that I didn’t have time to see all the stalls, but that’s because I spent too long in other motivating conversations, so on the whole it was pretty great for me!” – 2021 Volunteer

“So many activities and workshops and education to inspire positive collective action. This kind of creativity as a community is what activism is all about and I loved to be apart of it!” – 2021 Participant

“Many thanks again for inviting us to the Climate Festival yesterday – we had a great day. I hope there’ll be many Climate Festivals in the future!” – Chris Jardine, Greenpeace, 2019 Speaker

“We had a great time and was fantastic to engage with so many interested people. We had some great conversations and was great to exchange skills and give advice on taking action. Loved teaching these inspirational teens new mending and making skills yesterday at the Edinburgh Climate Festival.” – Fashion Revolution, 2019 Stallholder

The Edinburgh Climate Festival 2022 will be brought to you by Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC), the Salisbury Centre, NKS, Transition Edinburgh, Earth in Common and Our Future Edinburgh

The festival is supported by the Climate Fringe and The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland.

Period Products Act comes into force

Legal right to access free period products in Scotland

Scotland is to become the first country in the world to protect in law the right to access free period products.

Councils and education providers will be legally required to make period products available free of charge to anyone who needs them when the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act comes into force tomorrow (Monday 15 August).

Since 2017, the Scottish Government has invested more than £27 million to fund access in a range of public settings and the new law will cement this progress.

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them.

“This is more important than ever at a time when people are making difficult choices due to the cost of living crisis and we never want anyone to be in a position where they cannot access period products.

“Since 2018, we have delivered ground-breaking action by providing free period products for pupils and students in all our schools, colleges and universities. We are proud to be the first national government in the world to take such action.

“The work we are doing in Scotland continues to be world leading, going goes beyond provision of free products. We have also provided funding for an educational website for employers, run a successful anti-stigma campaign, and improved menstrual health resources available for schools.

“I’m grateful to all the young women and girls who have been crucial in developing the best ways to access products to meet their needs.”

People can find their nearest collection point through the PickupMyPeriod mobile app which was launched earlier this year by social enterprise Hey Girls with Scottish Government support.

Celia Hodson, founder of Hey Girls, said: “The Period Product Act shows Scotland is leading the way in recognising that period products are not a luxury and should be freely available to all.

“Through our PickupMyPeriod app, we work to ensure no-one in Scotland is left without access to period products and are well on the way to achieving that with more than 1,000 locations highlighted to users.

“We hope the Act will help those in need and that our app will be of support to many more as our network continues to grow.”