What is Social Distancing?

This guidance is for everyone. It advises on social distancing measures we should all be taking to reduce social interaction between people in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

It is intended for use in situations where people are living in their own homes, with or without additional support from friends, family and carers. If you live in a residential care setting guidance is available.

We are advising those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.

This group includes those who are:

Note: there are some clinical conditions which put people at even higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in this category, next week the NHS in England will directly contact you with advice the more stringent measures you should take in order to keep yourself and others safe. For now, you should rigorously follow the social distancing advice in full, outlined below.

People falling into this group are those who may be at particular risk due to complex health problems such as:

  • people who have received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing immunosuppression medication
  • people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
  • people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia who are at any stage of treatment
  • people with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma (requiring hospital admissions or courses of steroid tablets)
  • people with severe diseases of body systems, such as severe kidney disease (dialysis)

What is social distancing?

Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce the social interaction between people. This will help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

They are:

  1. Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough
  2. Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible
  3. Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information
  4. Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs
  5. Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media
  6. Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services

Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is pragmatic.

We strongly advise you to follow the above measures as much as you can and to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible, particularly if you:

  • are over 70
  • have an underlying health condition
  • are pregnant

This advice is likely to be in place for some weeks.

Handwashing and respiratory hygiene

There are general principles you can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

  • washing your hands more often – with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitiser when you get home or into work, when you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • avoid close contact with people who have symptoms
  • cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin and wash your hands
  • clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home

What should you do if you develop symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)

The same guidance applies to the general population and those at increased risk of severe illness form coronavirus (COVID-19). If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 (high temperature and/or new and continuous cough), self-isolate at home for 7 days. You can find the full guidance at stay at home.

How can I get assistance with foods and medicines if I am reducing my social contacts?

Ask family, friends and neighbours to support you and use online services. If this is not possible, then the public sector, business, charities, and the general public are gearing up to help those advised to stay at home. It is important to speak to others and ask them to help you to make arrangements for the delivery of food, medicines and essential services and supplies, and look after your physical and mental health and wellbeing.

If you receive support from health and social care organisations, for example, if you have care provided for you through the local authority or health care system, this will continue as normal. Your health or social care provider will be asked to take additional precautions to make sure that you are protected. The advice for formal carers is included in the Home care provision.

What should you do if you have hospital and GP appointments during this period?

We advise everyone to access medical assistance remotely, wherever possible. However, if you have a scheduled hospital or other medical appointment during this period, talk to your GP or clinician to ensure you continue to receive the care you need and consider whether appointments can be postponed.

What is the advice for visitors including those who are providing care for you?

You should contact your regular social visitors such as friends and family to let them know that you are reducing social contacts and that they should not visit you during this time unless they are providing essential care for you. Essential care includes things like help with washing, dressing, or preparing meals.

If you receive regular health or social care from an organisation, either through your local authority or paid for by yourself, inform your care providers that you are reducing social contacts and agree on a plan for continuing your care.

If you receive essential care from friends or family members, speak to your carers about extra precautions they can take to keep you safe. You may find this guidance on Home care provision useful.

It is also a good idea to speak to your carers about what happens if one of them becomes unwell. If you need help with care but you’re not sure who to contact, or if you do not have family or friends who can help you, you can contact your local council who should be able to help you.

What is the advice if I live with a vulnerable person?

If you live in a house with a vulnerable person refer to our household guidance.

How do you look after your mental wellbeing?

Understandably, you may find that social distancing can be boring or frustrating. You may find your mood and feelings are affected and you may feel low, worried or have problems sleeping and you might miss being outside with other people.

At times like these, it can be easy to fall into unhealthy patterns of behaviour which in turn can make you feel worse. There are simple things you can do that may help, to stay mentally and physically active during this time such as:

  • look for ideas of exercises you can do at home on the NHS website
  • spend time doing things you enjoy – this might include reading, cooking, other indoor hobbies or listening to the radio or watching TV programmes
  • try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, drink enough water, exercise regularly, and try to avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs
  • keep your windows open to let in fresh air, get some natural sunlight if you can, or get outside into the garden

You can also go for a walk outdoors if you stay more than 2 metres from others.

Further information on looking after your mental health during this time is available.

What steps can you take to stay connected with family and friends during this time?

Draw on support you might have through your friends, family and other networks during this time. Try to stay in touch with those around you over the phone, by post, or online. Let people know how you would like to stay in touch and build that into your routine. This is also important in looking after your mental wellbeing and you may find it helpful to talk to them about how you are feeling.

Remember it is OK to share your concerns with others you trust and in doing so you may end up providing support to them too. Or you can use a NHS recommended helpline.

Advice for informal carers

If you are caring for someone who is vulnerable, there are some simple steps that you can take to protect them and to reduce their risk at the current time.

Ensure you follow advice on good hygiene such as:

  • wash your hands on arrival and often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
  • do not visit if you are unwell and make alternative arrangements for their care
  • provide information on who they should call if they feel unwell, how to use NHS 111 online coronavirus service and leave the number for NHS 111 prominently displayed
  • find out about different sources of support that could be used and access further advice on creating a contingency plan is available from Carers UK
  • look after your own well-being and physical health during this time. Further information on this is available here

Summary of advice

Summary of advice on social distancing broken down into action to be taken and group of people it relates to.

* if one member of your family or household has a new continuous cough or high temperature
** if you live alone and you have a new continuous cough or high temperature
*** for example cinema, theatre, pubs, bars, restaurants, clubs
**** for example via telephone or internet
1 such as anyone instructed to get a flu jab each year

Youth Awards for city projects

Youth Work in Edinburgh has been celebrated with four national awards for the capital’s youth work.

Caitlin McKinnon, of The Fruit market Gallery picked up the National Youth Participation Award. She has been the driving force behind the development of Fresh Fruit, a collaboration of young people and artists exploring new ideas through innovative exhibitions. It is the only project of its kind in Edinburgh and is an exemplar in Scotland.

Caitlin has partnered with young people to review and reshape the programme, creating a safe space for co-production and informal learning. Participants were paired with prominent artist Jacqueline Donachie and tasked with programming three annual exhibition events at the gallery, each attracting up to 300 people. In 2019, these events were extended beyond the youth programme to be part of the galleries main programme.

Speaking after receiving her award, Caitlin said: “Creative opportunities with and for young people at The Fruitmarket Gallery are relevant and engaging because they are led by young people.

“Their voices are essential to shaping the right opportunities and structure for the Fresh Fruit programme that enables them to take the lead in a supported way, working alongside artists and staff.

I’m proud to win the Youth Participation and Voice award and see it as a joint win with Fresh Fruit, as recognition of the work we do together. It’s so great to be part of the awards as an art gallery with a youth programme among so many fantastic organisations working with young people.

“I’m looking forward to the next phase of Fresh Fruit as we build on our long term partnerships with youth and community organisations in Edinburgh to give young people access to creative skills development and the confidence and sense of wellbeing that arts experiences bring.”

Fresh Fruit participant Tosia Bargielowska Johnsen said: “My biggest surprise was how willing Caitlin and the gallery was to push forward strong but risky ideas, rather than resorting to safer yet less challenging solutions.

“I genuinely felt as if we were co-producing, rather than just passing on the crayons.”

Local project Scran Academy was runner-up for the National Attainment and Skills Award, for the work experience opportunities given to young people.

Scran Academy, based at Fel-Lor Youth Centre, is a social enterprise that not only tastes good, it does good! Young people gain first-hand work experience in a dynamic food and drink social start-up, helping them actively shape their own learner journey.

Scran Academy supports the most vulnerable to transition beyond the classroom into the workplace and wider life. Its recipe for success is to focus on what young people can do, not what they don’t have. The result of this approach is that young people feel listened to and empowered to make positive decisions in their own lives.

One care experienced young person, now 16, said: “I am now a scaffolder, my dream job! I’ve learned I’m a really hard worker but I didn’t know that until Scran, it has changed me and I want to say thank you for being there for me.

“For the future, all I want is a nice house with a family; a year ago I wasn’t thinking about these things, but now I can.”

Youth Development Coordinator Charlie Johnson said: “Scran Academy enabled me to do many different things and gave me a chance to work hard.

“I’ve had a few blips along the way and not always been an angel, but Scran gave me the chance to overcome my issues and prove myself. I learned that I am a really hard worker and since then, I’ve kept going and not stopped grafting.

“Scran felt more like a family. It has been so great for my personal and skills development. Since leaving Scran, things have been great. They helped me with my employability, CV and even helped me get a paid job as a trainee youth worker.

“I still love my job now and continuing to grow and mature – and I am also now doing my Diploma.”

Khaleda Noon was a finalist for Inspirational Leader of the Year for her work with intercultural young people in Edinburgh.

“This is a movement.” That is the statement on the IYS website, and a fitting testament to the youth work leader Khaleda Noon is. She set up, developed and delivered Intercultural Youth Scotland with a culture of co-creation and co-leadership, with young people embedded in its DNA from the very beginning.

During Khaleda’s time working on BAME projects at Action for Children, she became convinced of the power of culture – specifically music, dance and spoken word – to make a positive impact on the lives of intercultural young people in Edinburgh.

As she developed this idea, she took the courageous decision to leave her job and devote countless unpaid hours to grow IYS into what it is today.

Her determination, drive and energy has taken IYS from an idea to an active charity within 18 months, with successful funding bids enabling her to employ youth workers and find a permanent base for the organisation.

Board Member Katrina Castle said: “Khaleda encapsulates the essence of inspirational leadership. Her idea, to enable young, intercultural voices to be heard, by providing specialised services to nurture talent and create social impact has become a thriving, effective reality – Intercultural Youth Scotland.

“IYS has been successful in such a short period of time because Khaleda creates a culture of trust and belief, ensuring the needs, opinions and interests of young people are at the heart of everything, while enabling them to develop the tools and confidence to express their ideas, deliver their vision and drive the work of IYS forward.”

And runner-up for National Youth Work Team of the Year is The Yard Fun & Friendship Club.

The project plays  is a vital part of any child’s personal and social development, but with mainstream services often difficult to access for children and young people with disabilities, opportunities to socialise with peers can be hard to come by.

This is where The Yard comes in, providing specialist fun and friendship clubs where disabled young people can come together in a supported environment.

The Yard has successfully developed inclusive programmes to increase the social, emotional and practical life skills of the children involved, allowing the young people to build positive mental wellbeing, self-esteem and confidence through new, exciting activities.

Having fine-tuned its model, The Yard has now developed a toolkit to enable it to upskill groups and local authorities to spread its model across Scotland.

The Yard currently delivers respite clubs for around 2000 disabled children across three clubs in Edinburgh, plus two smaller centres in Dundee and Fife.

Celine Sinclair, Chief Executive at the Yard, said: “We are delighted to be runner-up for Team of the Year at the 13th National Youth Work Awards. At The Yard, our success is largely due to our talented team of trained and experienced specialist play workers who inspire, guide and support the children who come to play.

“They are also a source of advice and support for the whole family. Our play team work very closely with the young people we support through our fun and friendship clubs for teens, ensuring that being part of a club at The Yard is a great, inclusive and fun experience for each individual.”

Commenting, Tim Frew, CEO of YouthLink Scotland said: “Youth work is one of our great national assets. The National Youth Work Awards are in their 13th year and it’s clear our sector makes a significant difference to the life chances and opportunities of young people across Scotland.

“These awards showcase our impact because without youth work, the landscape of our society would be much changed and not for the better. These projects in Edinburgh are a great example of how youth work invests in this and future generations of young people. So let’s take our message out there that now is the time to #InvestInYouthWork.”

The National Youth Work Awards 2020 are all about celebrating the power of incredible youth work and the vital role of Scotland’s 70,000 youth work volunteers and staff in the lives of our young people.

This national event is co-designed with young people, who have been involved in the judging and the planning of the night.

The Awards dinner took place on Wednesday 12 March 2020 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow, hosted by BAFTA award winning actress, Jane McCarry, aka ‘Isa’ from Still Game.

Speaking after the Awards, John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills said: “It is fantastic that so many individuals and groups are being recognised in the 13th National Youth Awards for their excellent work to invest in both current and future generations of young people.

“Youth work plays a vital role in expanding young people’s experiences and supporting them to achieve their potential. These awards show how by reaching out and, in many cases, providing a lifeline to so many young people can enhance their opportunities and help them become confident individuals and effective contributors.”

 

NHS staff must have parking charges waived amid crisis, say Tories

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NHS staff at the three Scottish hospitals which still demand payment for parking should have their charges waived, the Scottish Conservatives have said.

Workers at the Edinburgh and Glasgow Royal Infirmaries, as well as Ninewells in Dundee, are still charged by private firms for parking there.

At First Minister’s Questions yesterday, shadow health secretary Miles Briggs said those fees should not apply during the coronavirus crisis.

Nicola Sturgeon said she agreed with the sentiments, adding that health secretary Jeane Freeman was looking into alternatives.

The Scottish Conservatives have long campaigned for the parking charges to be refunded to staff and vulnerable patients.

Mr Briggs said, given the sacrifices being made by key health workers, the move had to apply now. 

Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Miles Briggs said: “NHS staff shouldn’t have to pay to park at work at the best of times.

“But given this crisis, their brave and fundamental role in fighting it, and the advice given in relation to public transport, the message has to be clear.

“All those working at the three hospitals where charges still apply should be able to park there for free. Given the sacrifice they are making on behalf of all of us, that’s the very least they deserve.

“It’s vital we see urgent action now and I’m pleased the First Minister has agreed to take this forward.”

Working from home with kids: Coping with the pressure

As more of us turn to self-isolation, the burden of work and home schooling is becoming a scary reality. We explore some coping strategies to help home workers cope with what might be the most challenging period of life so far …

In Norway parents have been told to home school their kids for 2 months. They have a set workload to teach and submissions must be submitted each day at 2pm. It might not come to that, but how do you even begin to cope with work pressure and home-schooling deadlines like that?

“Our kids were off school yesterday both with dry coughs, therefore we are in self-isolation for the near future from today. The reality of home schooling whilst trying to keep on working is very daunting indeed”, explained Jonathan Ratcliffe of Offices.co.uk

Working from home is tough. Home schooling is very tough. So, if you must combine the two for a long period of time, how are you going to cope?

You are going to have to plan well, get organised and work to a strict timetable if you want to get everything done. Equally, you’ll need to have a proper split between work, school, fun and rest.

“The first thing you need to do is lower your expectations of what you are going to achieve, both with work and schooling. If you try to do too much the experience is going to be highly stressful”, Ratcliffe adds.

  • Lower your expectations of what you will achieve with work
  • Simplify your day into a set routine
  • Don’t try and achieve too much
  • Pause and try and appreciate moments with your kids

Here are 10 tips on how to survive:

START EARLY AT THE SAME TIME EACH DAY: Routine is important for good sleep and mental health, for both you and your kids. School starts at a set time, so make sure you are ready and stick to the timetable.

GET DRESSED PROPERLY LIKE TEACHER AND STUDENT: Getting showered and dressed is important to divide sleep and school.

CREATE SPACES FOR DIFFERENT ACTVITIES: You might set up a teaching room (kitchen), quiet room (spare bedroom) and a play area (living room)

STRUCTURE YOUR DAY LIKE A SCHOOL DAY: Teaching time, activity time, play time and lunch time – just like their normal school routine

MAKE A PLAN WITH YOUR KIDS: At the start of the day ask them what they want to do (within reason) so they feel involved

TURN OFF YOUR PHONE: How are your kids meant to feel involved if you are checking emails?

SET ASIDE BREAKS FOR TV, IPAD AND EXERCISE: Use these times to schedule work emails or calls

TAKE EXERCISE: Depending on where you live, if you have a garden or not – try and get some fresh air, this also allows you some headspace

FINISH AT A SET TIME, BEDTIME AT A SET TIME: By getting a routine drilled in early on, you can try and get the kids to sleep at a sensible time, thereby giving yourself some space to work if you need to

DON’T BE TEMPTED TO HIT THE WINE: If you can, evening time will be the only real time you can realistically work. If you drink your concentration will be poor, sleep poor and you’ll wake in a grumpy mood. Try and keep drinking to a minimum.

“We are heading into unchartered territory here and no one knows what life will look like at the end. It’s important to realise that time with your kids is a gift, don’t try and do too much – hopefully we can all stay relatively positive through this difficult time”, concludes Ratcliffe.

Supermarkets pledge to work together to feed the country

The UK government is temporarily relaxing elements of competition law as part of a package of measures to allow supermarkets to work together to feed the nation.

The move allows retailers to share data with each other on stock levels, cooperate to keep shops open, or share distribution depots and delivery vans. It would also allow retailers to pool staff with one another to help meet demand.

The Environment Secretary George Eustice confirmed elements of the law would be temporarily waived in a meeting this afternoon with chief executives from the UK’s leading supermarkets and food industry representatives.

The government has also temporarily relaxed rules around drivers’ hours, so retailers can deliver more food to stores, and is waiving the 5p plastic bag charge for online purchases to speed up deliveries.

The support for supermarkets comes as the government and retailers continue to urge people to shop considerately and look out for their friends, family and neighbours.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “We’ve listened to the powerful arguments of our leading supermarkets and will do whatever it takes to help them feed the nation.

“By relaxing elements of competition laws temporarily, our retailers can work together on their contingency plans and share the resources they need with each other during these unprecedented circumstances.

“We welcome the measures supermarkets are already taking to keep shelves stocked and supply chains resilient, and will continue to support them with their response to coronavirus.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “In these extraordinary and challenging times it is important that we remove barriers to our supermarkets working together to serve customers, particularly those who are elderly, ill or vulnerable in all parts of the UK.

“The temporary relaxation of competition law for the food sector will allow supermarkets to cooperate with each other to keep their shops staffed, their shelves stocked, and the nation fed.

“I am clear that we will continue to do whatever it takes to support business through this extremely difficult period.”

Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “We welcome this important decision by the government to give retailers greater flexibility to work together to tackle the challenges posed by coronavirus.

“Retailers have been working hard to ensure shelves are stocked and this is an exceptional step taken by government to help retailers and their suppliers cope with problems that might be caused by widescale absences across the supply chain.

“This is a short term measure, in the spirit of working together, and will allow retailers to agree common specifications for products to bolster food production, and co-ordinate certain operations to ensure customers anywhere in the UK have access to the essential items they need.”

Legislation will be laid shortly to amend elements of the Competition Act 1998, which prevents certain types of anti-competitive behaviour. It can be relaxed in exceptional circumstances.

This will be a specific, temporary relaxation to enable retailers to work together for the sole purpose of feeding the nation during these unprecedented circumstances. It will not allow any activity that does not meet this requirement.

The announcement comes as the government confirmed yesterday it would temporarily relax drivers’ hours rules to allow supermarket delivery drivers to meet the increased demand for home deliveries.

The change to GB drivers’ hours rules, which will come into effect today (Friday 20 March), will mean delivery drivers are able to work slightly longer hours – helping supermarkets offer additional delivery slots, which is particularly important for vulnerable people and those staying at home during the COVID-19 outbreak. It will also provide extra capacity if drivers are unwell.

The move comes after the Government temporarily relaxed the EU drivers’ hours rules for store deliveries, helping move food and other essentials more quickly so that shelves can be stocked-up.

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps said: “We know supermarkets have seen unprecedented demand in light of COVID-19. We’re relaxing the GB drivers’ hours rules so that supermarkets can complete more home deliveries – which is especially important for vulnerable people at this time.

“But driver welfare is of course key and we will be working closely with employers to make sure the safety of their drivers and other people on the road is protected.”

On his call with retailers today, the Environment Secretary also confirmed the government will temporarily relax the single-use carrier bag charge for online deliveries in England, to speed up deliveries and minimise any cross-contamination from reusing crates. This will come into force on Saturday 21 March. The charge remains in-place for in-store purchases.

This follows a series of measures the government has introduced to support the food industry’s response to coronavirus, including working with local authorities to extend the hours that deliveries can be made to supermarkets to ensure stores are replenished quickly and extending drivers’ hours to speed up deliveries.

The UK’s food supply chain remains resilient and the Environment Secretary continues to meet regularly with representatives of the food industry to ensure people can get the food and groceries they need.

Essential items packs available at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre’s essential items packs are ready to roll out. Please let us know if you know anyone who is elderly, isolated or vulnerable and would appreciate a pack being delivered to their door.

Alternatively, pass on our number to someone you think may need a pack and ask them to give us a call to arrange delivery. Not everyone has access to social media, so please help us spread the word and get a bag of essentials to someone who can’t get to the shops.

Our number is 315 4989 and someone will be here Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm and Friday 9am – 4pm.

Essential packs consist of toilet roll, tissues, hand soap, long life milk, soup, porridge and several other food items. We can also pop in some wet wipes and toothpaste if needed.

Boris Johnson: We can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s latest statement on Coronavirus

I want to begin by thanking everyone, by thanking you, in the media, and also thanking everyone for the huge efforts that the country is making to comply with the advice that we’ve been given.

And we’re asking such a huge amount,

asking students to put their education on hold,

we’re asking people not to socialise in the normal way

And already we can see the impact that this is having on the UK economy and on business, on great, great companies

And so it’s vital that we in Government stand behind them when what we are asking everyone to do is so crucial for saving literally thousands of lives by defeating this virus

And I am conscious as the days have gone by that people will want to know how long we are expecting them to keep it up

And I wanted to try to say something today about how I see the timescale of this campaign and where we’re going and what we need to do

I do think, looking at it all, that we can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks

And I am absolutely confident that we can send coronavirus packing in this country but only if we take the steps, we all take the steps we have outlined,

And that is vital because that is how we are going to reduce the peak

and once we’ve achieved that, and I think that we will, if take the steps that I have said,

then the scientific progress that we’re making will really start to come into play and I wanted to discuss a little bit of that this afternoon with you

because we are rapidly becoming so much better at understanding the genomics at the heart of this virus, a lot of that is going on in this country,

we’re getting better at understanding the medicines that may treat and cure it

And today we have put the first British corona patient into a randomised trial for drugs that may treat the disease

UK experts and scientists expect to start trials for the first vaccine within a month

And above all we are getting better at testing

This crisis is so difficult because the enemy is invisible

And the answer is to remove the cloak of invisibility

And to identify the virus, and to be able to know which of us, is carrying it or who has actually had it and now got over it

And to give you an idea of what is coming down the track

We are in negotiations today to buy a so called antibody test

As simple as a pregnancy test

That could tell whether you have had the disease

And it’s early days, but if it works as its proponents claim then we will buy literally hundreds of thousands of these kits as soon as practicable because obviously it has the potential to be a total gamechanger

Because once you know that you have had it, you know that you are likely to be less vulnerable, you’re less likely to pass it on, and you can go back to work

And of course by the same token we are massively increasing the testing to see whether you have it now

And ramping up daily testing from 5000 a day to 10,000 to 25,000 and then up to 250,000

And that knowledge of where the virus is, will make a huge difference to our management of the disease and our ability to reduce disruption and economic difficulties

And I wanted to set that out because this is rapidly coming down the track as I say, but it will take time to come on stream

And that is why in the meantime, to get back to a theme that you know I’m going to repeat, it is absolutely vital that we follow the advice that we’ve been hearing over the last few days,

The announcements we’ve already made about staying at home if you have the symptoms, if your family has the symptoms,

about avoiding unnecessary contact

Avoiding gatherings where you may pick up the disease

pubs, bars, restaurants

Please, please follow all that advice scrupulously

Work from home if you possibly can

Wash your hands, wash your hands

And it’s by this combination of ruthless, determined, collective action and scientific progress that we’re already seeing that we will succeed

And I know how difficult it may be, or it may seem right now, but if we do this together we will save, as I say, many many thousands of lives

and to everybody in the UK, business world, everybody who is worried about their jobs, and everybody who faces difficulties because of the advice that we are giving,

I say to business, stand by your employees, stand by your workers because we will stand by you

And you’ll be hearing more about that in the course of the next day or so

And that is how, by a mixture of determined, collective action and scientific progress, I have absolutely no doubt that we will turn the tide of this disease and beat it together.

A Message from Her Majesty The Queen

As Philip and I arrive at Windsor today, we know that many individuals and families across the United Kingdom, and around the world, are entering a period of great concern and uncertainty.

We are all being advised to change our normal routines and regular patterns of life for the greater good of the communities we live in and, in particular, to protect the most vulnerable within them.

At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal.

We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services; but now more than any time in our recent past, we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals – today and in the coming days, weeks and months.

Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge. You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part.

ELIZABETH R

Find comfort in nature

Tackling anxiety and isolation at home with Butterfly Conservation

As we’re all being encouraged to spend more time in our homes and feeling the worry and anxiety of 24/7 news coverage of the global pandemic, Butterfly Conservation is suggesting a way to look after your mental health by spending time in your garden or outdoor spaces. 

For those who are able to get outside, and who now perhaps have more opportunity to do so than normal, gardens across the UK are waking up to spring and there are plenty of species of butterfly to look out for.

Richard Fox, Associate Director (Recording & Research) at Butterfly Conservation suggests a few top butterfly species to spot: “There are a surprising number of species of butterfly which are coming out of hibernation ready for spring. In just the last few days we have had recorded sightings of Brimstone, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral all getting active as the weather is warming.

“The three common White butterflies (Large, Small and Green-veined) have also all been sighted already this year in the UK and before long it will be possible to see Orange Tips and Speckled Wood, both of which are early flying butterflies. We’ve not had any recorded sightings yet, but we’d love to receive one!

“The Holly Blue is the only blue butterfly that people are likely to see in their gardens in suburban or urban areas, which should be flying before too long. There are moths flying at night too, though they are a little harder to see in large numbers before the weather starts really warming up.”

Butterfly Conservation Chief Executive Julie Williams said: “While it’s crucial that we all stay safe and take steps to keep ourselves and others physically well at the moment, it’s also important that we take care of our mental health too.

“Anxiety, isolation and feeling stuck at home can have detrimental effects for our mental health and we’re encouraging anyone who can access an outdoor space to take a break in nature, while respecting the guidance on social distancing.

“There’s so much life waking up for Spring in our gardens and outdoor spaces and many of us might have a bit more opportunity to explore them than usual. It’s a proven fact that spending time in nature can have beneficial effects on your mental health.

“Take some mindful time to watch for our first Spring butterflies, record what you see and share it online. You could also plant some wildflower seeds now, ready for our summer pollinators.”

Stephen Buckley, Head of Information at Mind, the mental health charity, said: “We know being told to stay indoors and avoid others can be a very daunting prospect. There are a variety of things you can do to maintain wellbeing in these circumstances, one of which is engaging with nature and green space.

“For many of us, we don’t have access to our own green space in the form of a garden, so in this time of social distancing, we welcome Butterfly Conservation’s suggestion of taking time to watch for the first Spring butterflies. Even something as simple as going to a local public park or sitting by a window to watch butterflies can be beneficial to our mental health.”

If you’d like to take a break in nature, you can identify the butterflies in your garden on the Butterfly Conservation website.

We’d also love you to share your sightings on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can also contribute your sightings online to the Garden Butterfly Survey scheme which is run by the Butterfly Conservation.

New career opportunities for employees of industries affected by COVID-19

Common Thread Childcare, providers with homes throughout Scotland, anticipate an additional demand for staff in these unprecedented times and ask those – particularly in the hospitality, entertainment and airline industry with ‘customer facing’ backgrounds – to consider supporting the childcare industry and potentially starting a new career.

Job opportunities exists, particularly in Dumfriesshire, the Central Belt and Invernesshire areas.

Common Thread is a Scotland wide organisation offering a stable and caring environment to those who work with some of the most vulnerable young people in Scotland. Common Thread will be offering flexible working hours to ensure those with families are able to support their own needs.

We will be processing applications, interviewing via video calls and conference calls and screening successful applicants in line with Care Inspectorate expectations as quickly as possible. This will be significantly faster than normal and successful applicants are expected to start working within three weeks.

A bonus system will be in place for those who complete a minimum amount of shifts.  Furthermore, these employees will be prioritised for permanent positions as and when they become available.

Nicola Hewitt, Head of HR said, “We have applied for fast tracking for certification to enable new support staff to join our team. Given the rise in restrictions, we fully anticipate that those in our care will require additional support, and let’s all work together to make this happen.”

Those interested in applying, please apply through the link below:

https://commonthreadgroup.com/join-our-team/