[UK] Meeting in groups of up to six

Social distancing: A practical guide to how to socialise now

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52848793

In England the 1st of June marks a new phase in the easing of lockdown measures. It may not be surprising that some people have become complacent and flouted "the rules" since lockdown began 10 weeks ago, but up until now government guidance has been fairly strict. Although there was some slight easing a few weeks ago to allow one-to-one socially distanced chats in public, there has been no official sanctioning of group get-togethers up until now. As of today government guidance for England allows for up to 6 people to meet outside (also in private settings) as long as people from different households stay two metres apart. This article provides a practical perspective and some advice on gathering safely.

Les Mills workouts

https://watch.lesmillsondemand.com/at-home-workouts

Les Mills workouts are a staple of UK gyms and will be most familiar in the context of group exercise classes (e.g. Bodycombat, Grit Strength, Sh'bam). This temporary site from Les Mills allows free access to 100+ workouts during the COVID-19 disruptions.

[UK] National Trust closes parks and gardens

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/press-release/the-national-trusts-latest-statement-on-coronavirus-covid-19

After valiantly attempting to keep its parks and gardens open to the public for the last several days, the National Trust has now announced that all of its properties will be completely shut from Sunday 22nd March 2020. Countryside and coastal areas will remain accessible.

---------------------------------
The National Trust's latest statement on coronavirus (COVID-19).

UPDATED - 9.30pm on Saturday 21 March 2020

National Trust closes parks and gardens, asking people to avoid travel and comply with government social distancing guidance.
From midnight on 21 March the National Trust will close all of its gated gardens and parks to help restrict the spread of the coronavirus.

The move follows the closure of pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms and leisure centres announced by the government on Friday, and tightening travel restrictions and public health advice.

At the start of this week the conservation charity announced that despite closing its houses, shops and cafes, it would work to keep gardens and parks open so people could access open space. However, the Trust warned that a fair weather forecast and Mothering Sunday could tempt people onto the roads over the weekend and National Trust sites would close if high demand meant social distancing could not be enforced.

Director-General Hilary McGrady said:

'Despite our desire to keep our outdoor spaces open, the health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and visitors has to be our top priority. Having observed the numbers visiting our properties today and I am no longer convinced we can maintain social distancing over Mother’s Day when numbers are likely to grow, and beyond.

'We have now sadly taken the decision to close all of our parks and gardens, in addition to our houses, shops and cafes, to avoid crowding that puts social distancing at risk.

'We know that people are likely to need space and fresh air in the coming weeks and months and we will do all we can to provide access wherever possible.

'Our countryside and coastal locations remain open with parking charges waived, but we encourage people to stay local and observe social distancing measures.

'Over the coming weeks our digital platforms - our website, social media feeds, podcasts and video - will become even more important, ensuring the places of nature, beauty and history that we care for on behalf of the nation can remain open for business virtually while we are temporarily closed.

'We will also be ramping up our efforts to help people connect with nature wherever they are and to find moments of joy in the world around them. We will be providing rich content and staying in touch with our members and followers throughout this time.'

Information on which National Trust outdoor places are open can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

[UK] Family Zone web portal from the National Literacy Trust

A very visually appealing and easy-to-navigate collection of resources (and we do love resources!) organized into three different age groups from birth to 12 years:

https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/

UK press conference summaries

Sunday 22 March 2020

- Thanks to everyone working to keep the country going, including those in social care, distribution, transport, and every other sector; anyone who has communicated with their mothers from a distance today on Mother's Day; and thanks to everyone forced to close a business for making this sacrifice.
- Special steps will be taken to protect the vulnerable (1.5m total identified by the NHS with highest risk of being hospitalised). NHS will contact these people by letter (to start landing by Tuesday) followed up by text and/or phone call as necessary, and urge them to stay at home for 12 weeks (full list of relevant medical conditions is already online - see gov.uk link below). Letters will include resources for mental health. Distribution list may be slightly overestimated to ensure that everyone who needs to be included is informed. GPs can raise the issue for any other patients they believe to be in the high-risk category. Government's message to these individuals: you are not alone.
- Shielding measures will do more than any other single measure to save lives and reduce the spread. We owe it to those working so hard on the frontline to make an effort to shield the most vulnerable to help save their lives.
- For those who are vulnerable and self-identify as having no support network (via website and phone number provided in letter), the government is working around the clock to create a safety net of local hubs which will deliver medicines, groceries, and other essential items. Supermarkets and other existing businesses and agencies (including armed forces) will be involved and there will also be opportunities for the public to volunteer. The hope is for the first deliveries to be made at the end of next week. Food parcels will start off being generic and then may be adapted to individuals.
- Don't send your child to school unless you're a key worker.
- Going outdoors is important for health and well-being but must be done responsibly in line with advice for social distancing. Stay 2 metres apart. Even if you feel you are safe, you can infect others. For every one adhering to the measures, you are doing your bit to slow the disease, and the more we do this collectively, the more time we give the NHS to save lives, and get through this crisis faster.
- Outdoor environments are generally safer than indoor but should not be combined with social contact. Those who are congregating in any areas are making them dangerous for those who need to go out. Proximity is the problem.
- Epidemiology suggests that smallish gatherings (e.g. family coming together on Mother's Day) are riskier than larger ones due to the personal nature and people having closer physical contact.
- Be cautious about making direct comparison of numbers from another country such as Italy.
- Specific hospitals are struggling with a shortage of beds and ventilators as had been predicted, but there are flex plans to offer additional support. There are efforts currently being made to massively increase the amount available.
- Government interventions must be introduced at the right time to have the maximum effect.
- If people don't follow advice properly, tougher measures may have to be introduced (e.g. closing playgrounds).
- The most important general advice: stay at home if you possibly can.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Friday 20 March 2020

Today's wide-ranging UK press conference:
- PM reiterated advice of staying at home, avoiding unnecessary social contact, washing hands, etc.
- Cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, theatres, gyms, leisure centres are being told to close ASAP tonight, although takeout food can still be sold. This will be reviewed on a monthly basis.
- The speed of recovery depends on the public's compliance with measures
- People may be tempted to go out but should not - you're endangering yourself, your family, and everyone else and hindering progress against the virus

Chancellor announced "unprecedented measures in scope and scale":
- Coronavirus job retention scheme is being introduced to protect people's jobs and incomes
- For the first time in history government will step in and help pay people's wages
- All employers can apply for grants to cover 80% of employees' salaries up to £2.5K per month, backdated to 1st March and for 3 months, with an extension if necessary, and with no upper limit so that employees can be furloughed instead of laid off
- Previously announced loans will now be interest free for 12 months and available starting on Monday
- Deferment of next quarter of VAT payments until end of June
- Universal credit increased £1K for next 12 months
- Working tax credits also increased £1K for next 12 months
- Self employed to receive protection as well (can claim universal credit equivalent to statutory sick pay for employees)
- Self assessment payments deferred until January 2021
- Local housing benefit will cover at least 30% of rent
- We want to look back on this time for its atmosphere of kindness and decency and collective national effort

Questions from press:
- In regard to Mother's Day, people should think very carefully about visiting any elderly person and/or those in vulnerable groups
- Transport is too important for delivery of services to be shut down
- Wage initiative covers anyone in PAYE scheme
- Social distancing applies to children as well. If you go outside then do so in a manner which reduces social contact (e.g. bike ride 2 metres apart). Do exercise but not in groups and cut out the associated social connections (sitting in car together or meeting in close contact indoors).
- The country has an adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). There were bottlenecks which have now been resolved.
- Parties at home: government can't forbid every form of socialising but the risk is that anybody, including young people, can become vectors of the disease
- Charities will benefit from the schemes and interventions introduced this week. Funding may be increased for local voluntary groups.
- PM emphasised two takeaways: we're telling these places to close and it's heart-wrenching, but government has introduced economic measures not just to support businesses but individuals

Thursday 19 March 2020

Statement from PM:
- Thank you to everyone for efforts and sacrifices being made
- Projected timeline of turning the tide within the next 12 weeks
- First patient in UK has been enrolled in a trial for drugs to treat the virus and trials for a vaccine will start in mid-April
- Test for antibodies is being developed to determine whether an individual has already had the virus
- Please follow all advice scrupulously and we must all pull together
- Collective efforts and scientific progress will determine our success
- PM: Businesses, stand by your employees, and the government will stand by you

Responses to questions from the press:
- People are urged to avoid gatherings but there is "no prospect" of shutting down the Tube
- Testing is crucial to defeating the virus
- ICU capacity particularly in London hospitals is under pressure and 3 points are necessary to mitigate this:
1)people need to practice social distancing to pull down the peak
2)NHS needs to add beds
3)NHS staff need to be tested as a matter of urgency so they can reliably work on the frontline
- The great majority of people will have milder symptoms, including children
- Severe cases usually occur in medically vulnerable people (over 70s and those with underlying conditions) but are not limited to those groups so even younger people must take the threat of the virus seriously

Wednesday 18 March 2020

Takeaways:
- UK schools to shut from Friday afternoon until further notice to help flatten the curve for ICUs
- Provision will be made for children of key workers (NHS staff, police, etc.) and the most vulnerable children
- Provision will be made to supply meals or vouchers to children in need
- Exams in May and June will be cancelled
- Chief Scientific Adviser now stresses the importance of monitoring all cases including those who are asymptomatic
- There will be a movement toward home-based tests for the virus or other methods of testing which minimise contact
- There will be measures to help protect renters
- PM not completely ruling out possibility of stricter ("further and faster") measures to limit movement of populace
- Modelling takes into account that not all will comply with guidelines but as many as possible must take advice seriously in order to protect the most vulnerable and mitigate suffering

Additional important points:
- It is unclear whether the shutting of "all schools" includes private schools, nurseries, higher and further education
- Government is introducing legislation to ban evictions of renters for next 3 months

Imperial College’s assessment of COVID-19 for the UK and US

Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to reduce COVID19 mortality and healthcare demand

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/medicine/sph/ide/gida-fellowships/Imperial-College-COVID19-NPI-modelling-16-03-2020.pdf

[UK] National Trust properties may keep gardens and parklands open for free

22 March 2020 UPDATE: National Trust has now closed all gardens and parks (related post here). 

"We'll work, where possible, to keep as many of our gardens and parklands open, free of charge, alongside coast and countryside, to encourage the nation to enjoy open space, while observing social distancing measures."

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/news/our-latest-statement-on-coronavirus-covid-19

Indoor Fun: 100 Great Indoor Activities for Kids to Do at Home

Oodles of ideas for activities with the kids

https://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/blog/indoor-activities-for-kids

Coronavirus and your wellbeing

This article from Mind (UK mental health charity) includes many helpful tips broken down by topic, including a checklist for preparing for two weeks of self-isolation.

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

Sisters

I don't usually write about my two sisters, but that doesn't mean they aren't an essential part of me. In our formative years we were like three peas in a pod (all fully individual peas, of course!), but as adults we've somehow ended up in three different places in the world: the US, China, and the UK. I'm no geography whiz, but according to length of plane flights, it seems as though we're spread out as evenly as you could imagine.
As much as our paths may have diverged, I'm still amazed to think that there are two people out there in the world who are really much more like me than anybody else on the planet. Now all in our forties (YIKES!), we haven't lived anywhere close to each other for decades. Usually for me this feels like a sad underlying circumstance since we aren't able to share in each other's daily lives. But with the novel coronavirus now affecting all of us, I kept finding articles I wanted to share and could see there were others who were doing the same. Two days ago my sister in China popped up in a chat window and asked how I was doing in the UK, and I asked how she was doing over there. She mentioned some things which I thought were really helpful for those coming up behind the China experience and even sent a couple of carefully selected links to me and our other sister. So then I thought, why not continue to compare notes with my geographically divergent but like-minded sisters? Yesterday I asked them both if they'd like to help me collate the resources we think are the most helpful for getting our heads around what's happening with COVID-19 and coping with the resulting challenges.
If there's one word I'd use to describe our family, it's "resourceful." Whatever else we may be, we all really like getting the right tools and systems in place to make our lives easier. With a librarian, writer/editor, and translator in the sisterly mix, it feels natural to sift through the mountains, waves, or whatever-metaphor-you'd-like of information constantly being generated and thrown about. We're not treating blogging like a job, but every time we come across something helpful that we ourselves would like to find again easily, share with a friend, or cite elsewhere, it will go up here. The result is meant to be a curated digest of info that any willing netizen can, um, digest. (Hee hee.)
So if you're inclined, please join us as we present our favorite resources of the moment and even create a little bit of content for your perusal. If you have a moment, go and explore the labels on the right-hand side by clicking anything that grabs your attention. It's likely that you'll find something you haven't seen before and can actually use in the coming days and months.
Thanks for reading this far and hope to see you back here again soon.
- Jennifer

UK government guidance on social distancing

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Facebook video: Showstoppers improv group perform an improvised musical online

Hold a Facebook watch party with your friends or enjoy the show on your own:
https://www.facebook.com/theshowstoppers/videos/918352645246170/