themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-24--Health bosses advice to single parents on what to do if they get coronavirus

Parents have been given advice on what to do if they become ill with coronavirus .
With families effectively on lockdown and told to restrict their movements amid the pandemic , there have been concerns over what a single parent would do if they became ill with the virus .
Speaking at today 's government briefing , Dr Jenny Harries , deputy chief medical officer for England , explained what that parent , or a couple who are both ill , should do .
She said : `` Clearly all the way through this we have been very careful to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps are put in place to try and manage this outbreak , that we manage both the impact on the disease itself , but also recognising that there are other risks - either in putting in interventions too quickly , or not thinking through some of the parameters about how we handle some of these issues . ''
She added : `` A small child clearly is a vulnerable individual , so in this case , although we are encouraging everybody to stay in their own households - that 's the unit with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have adults who are unable to look after a small child , that is an exceptional circumstance .
`` If the individuals do not have access to care support , formal care support or to family , they will be able to work through their local authority hubs . ''
It comes after confusion over whether separated parents would still have access to their children .
Following the Prime Minister 's speech on Monday evening , there was uncertainty among separated parents who have joint care of their children .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today stressed that children under the age of 18 can see both parents .
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said : `` To confirm - while children should not normally be moving between households , we recognise that this may be necessary when children who are under 18 move between separated parents .
`` This is permissible & has been made clear in the guidance . ''
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Parents have been given advice on what to do if they become ill with coronavirus.
With families effectively on lockdown and told to restrict their movements amid the pandemic, there have been concerns over what a single parent would do if they became ill with the virus.
Speaking at today's government briefing, Dr Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer for England, explained what that parent, or a couple who are both ill, should do.
She said: "Clearly all the way through this we have been very careful to ensure that as individual steps, increasing steps are put in place to try and manage this outbreak, that we manage both the impact on the disease itself, but also recognising that there are other risks - either in putting in interventions too quickly, or not thinking through some of the parameters about how we handle some of these issues."
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
She added: "A small child clearly is a vulnerable individual, so in this case, although we are encouraging everybody to stay in their own households - that's the unit with the same risk exposure - clearly if you have adults who are unable to look after a small child, that is an exceptional circumstance.
"If the individuals do not have access to care support, formal care support or to family, they will be able to work through their local authority hubs."
It comes after confusion over whether separated parents would still have access to their children.
Following the Prime Minister's speech on Monday evening, there was uncertainty among separated parents who have joint care of their children.
But the position was later clarified and the government today stressed that children under the age of 18 can see both parents.
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said: "To confirm - while children should not normally be moving between households, we recognise that this may be necessary when children who are under 18 move between separated parents.
"This is permissible & has been made clear in the guidance."
Drop a heart on our special map of gratitude to show your support for our NHS heroes https://www.thanksamillionnhs.co.uk/


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-25--How football shutdown is affecting our EFL and non-league clubs

As he talks through the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Rochdale , chief executive David Bottomley is aware of how irrelevant discussions around the loss of season ticket money and the lack of games sounds .
“ People are dying , ” Bottomley says , “ so in the grand scheme of things professional sport is irrelevant , but we love sport , 19million people went to watch an EFL League One game last season , that ’ s astonishing.
” For now , sport might be on the back burner , but when we get through this living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll flock to again .
Just imagine that first weekend of football , with stadiums open , and the feeling of walking back into Old Trafford , the Etihad , Spotland , Moor Lane or Broadhurst Park .
But during football ’ s forced lockdown as the nation battles to save lives , the coronavirus is causing plenty of clubs in Greater Manchester significant headaches .
It ’ s no exaggeration to say that some of them may not survive this .
Away from the headlines at United and City , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afloat , working out how to keep their players fit and doing what they can to help the communities they serve .
For now , the EFL is off to April 30 , at least , but nobody really expects it to return then .
Yet the uncertainty means players have to try and stay fit , no easy task when most of them at this level don ’ t have their own gyms .
“ They have a group training program and we ’ re individually monitoring them , so if anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let them know , same if anyone is doing a bit too much , ” Salford City boss Graham Alexander told the MEN .
“ We ’ re trying to give them the space needed to self-isolate , but we ’ ve got to presume that at some point the football calendar will carry on and we need to be ready .
“ It ’ s an unusual time for players especially , the only time they have time like this to themselves they ’ re on holiday , but we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making sure they ’ re aware of their responsibilities as professionals and as citizens , they ’ ve got to do the right things , which we spoke about at length with them .
“ We put it on them with the family perspective , that we ’ d expect all our guys , they ’ re fit and healthy young men , to be able to fall ill and recover , but you have to think about the people you ’ re going to come into contact with that won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is society ’ s biggest fear now , it ’ s why the country is effectively in lockdown .
The economic impact is huge as well , thousands of staff are being laid off and asked to take reduced hours or a drop in salary .
Clubs in Greater Manchester in the EFL and in non-league are no different .
Suddenly their income stream has stopped and they don ’ t know when it will return .
They are trying to stand by staff while also fearing for their very existence .
Rochdale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they ’ ve had a good year financially .
They took Newcastle United to a replay in the FA Cup and played United at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup , as well as selling teenage sensation Luke Matheson to Wolves in January .
Bottomley says that gave them “ a cushion ” and it was planned to be invested in the club , yet now it ’ s being used to try and continue paying staff for as long as possible .
Ahead of last Wednesday ’ s EFL meeting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working out promotion and relegation on a points-per-game basis , then aiming to restart the season on September 1 .
Within 24 hours that plan was probably unfeasible anyway , given nobody knows if we ’ ll be playing again by the start of September .
Yet Bottomley fears clubs in the EFL have three months before they hit crisis point , a frightening prospect for any supporter of a lower league club .
“ What would normally happen is that we ’ d have already announced our season tickets for next year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our wonderful season ticket holders will come and buy their tickets , which provide you with the cash flow to be able to get through the critical summer months when you ’ re not playing , ” he said .
“ Then at the beginning of August , the EFL give you a huge chunk of money , called a solidarity payment from the Premier League , at our level it ’ s about £800,000 , so you get £400,000 on January 1 and August 1 .
“ The danger as we see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only normally get through summer because of those season ticket sales .
If we can ’ t tell our supporters when this season is going to finish , how can we tell a supporter when next season is going to start.
” While Rochdale can probably survive longer than that , given their successful financial year , others might not be so fortunate .
“ I think most clubs can last about three months , they need that season ticket money to get through to August , ” added Bottomley .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s no money coming in and no money looking like coming in , that ’ s going to be critical.
” The picture could be even bleaker in non-league .
A year ago FC United ’ s finances were a mess and , as chairman Adrian Seddon explains , “ this would have finished us off.
” Instead , that hard work will be undone during the next few months .
FC United accepted relegation from National League North last season if it came to it , refusing to spend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they looked to get themselves back on a steady footing .
“ We ’ ve done a lot of hard work getting our finances into shape and it ’ s heartbreaking because we ’ re going to lose all that , ” said Seddon .
“ Having said that , if we hadn ’ t done so we 'd be in serious trouble now .
The good news is we ’ ve been through that process and know what we need to do to improve our finances , it ’ s been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out of it .
“ I ’ m confident we ’ ll still be there come September , unlike some clubs.
” Seddon estimates this will cost the club around £100,000 .
FC United had six home games remaining and sit second in the Northern Premier League after a fine run of form .
That meant they were expecting gates in excess of 2,000 for those fixtures , with 1,000 of those pay on the gate supporters .
That also means a loss of matchday revenue , with the advantage of fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaning a higher spend per head at games than in the higher leagues .
FC United have budgeted for a return to football in September , but don ’ t expect their popular and successful function room in operation before December .
“ Our big expenditure now is staff , we noticed one club in our league that has laid everybody off .
We are determined to protect our staff as much as we can , we ’ ve been very open with them and said we ’ ll do absolutely everything we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If those goes on for a year or a year and a half then there ’ s going to come a time when we can ’ t , but hopefully with the new measures the government is bringing in it will hopefully safeguard our staff.
” It ’ s not just the obvious loss of revenue either .
Broadhurst Park is a popular location for photoshoots and film crews and one of both has been cancelled now , with FC United missing out on the cash .
The club are investigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business and staff keep their jobs , but Rochdale have already hit a brick wall over the £330bn coronavirus loan scheme that was launched last week .
“ That ’ s banks money that is being backed by the government , but football is not a sector that banks want to lend to , ” said Bottomley .
“ We ’ ve been solvent for 113 years but we ’ ve been told by our bank that we don ’ t qualify if we wanted to borrow money under the government scheme as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football as a sector they would want to lend to.
” Yet football does plenty of good in the communities they serve , something that is easily forgotten until a crisis like this hits .
FC United have been forced to close their 3G pitch that is used by 5,000 people every month and the closure of the function room means an end to popular events aimed at social isolation amongst the elderly and a Sporting Memories event that helps those suffering from dementia .
The club is looking at trying to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do remotely .
At Rochdale , the community 's team are doing what they can , offering a helping hand with shopping for the elderly that are isolated or taking their dogs for a walk .
It all helps .
From a playing perspective , it 's about trying to keep in shape and help society , while trying not to lose the buzz of a dressing room .
“ For the ones with families and I suspect they ’ ll concentrate on that , but for the younger lads and the single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , ” explained Alexander .
“ But they ’ re on WhatsApp groups and social media , if at any moment in time it would be value it ’ s now because everyone can keep abreast of what ’ s going on and also keep in contact with people they need to .
“ The biggest thing is everyone keeping safe and healthy and making sure they ’ re ready to return .
It ’ s an unusual time but it ’ s unusual for everybody , the whole country is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on each other to get through this time.
” At some point , those players will be back at Moor Lane , just as they will return at Spotland and Broadhurst Park , at Old Trafford and the Etihad , and hopefully at every ground in Greater Manchester and beyond .
As Bottomley says , without clubs like Rochdale there wouldn ’ t be players like Matheson , a scorer at Old Trafford at the age of 17 this season , being produced .
The strength of English football is its pyramid and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has been caused by the coronavirus .
“ I ’ ve never been envious of the Premier League because they have their own issues when you get to that level , but what would save the Football League right now and some wonderful employees and staff is a tiny proportion of the money they ’ re getting from television , ” said Dale ’ s chief executive .
“ Society has to work together to get through this .
We ’ re not asking for forever support from the Premier League , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came forward now and said ‘ this is what we ’ re going to do to protect the pyramid ’ .
”

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As he talks through the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Rochdale, chief executive David Bottomley is aware of how irrelevant discussions around the loss of season ticket money and the lack of games sounds.
“People are dying,” Bottomley says, “so in the grand scheme of things professional sport is irrelevant, but we love sport, 19million people went to watch an EFL League One game last season, that’s astonishing.”
For now, sport might be on the back burner, but when we get through this living nightmare it is the one thing we’ll flock to again. Just imagine that first weekend of football, with stadiums open, and the feeling of walking back into Old Trafford, the Etihad, Spotland, Moor Lane or Broadhurst Park.
But during football’s forced lockdown as the nation battles to save lives, the coronavirus is causing plenty of clubs in Greater Manchester significant headaches. It’s no exaggeration to say that some of them may not survive this.
Away from the headlines at United and City, there are other clubs fighting battles to stay afloat, working out how to keep their players fit and doing what they can to help the communities they serve.
For now, the EFL is off to April 30, at least, but nobody really expects it to return then.
Yet the uncertainty means players have to try and stay fit, no easy task when most of them at this level don’t have their own gyms.
“They have a group training program and we’re individually monitoring them, so if anyone needs to do a bit more we let them know, same if anyone is doing a bit too much,” Salford City boss Graham Alexander told the MEN.
“We’re trying to give them the space needed to self-isolate, but we’ve got to presume that at some point the football calendar will carry on and we need to be ready.
“It’s an unusual time for players especially, the only time they have time like this to themselves they’re on holiday, but we’re not on holiday. It’s making sure they’re aware of their responsibilities as professionals and as citizens, they’ve got to do the right things, which we spoke about at length with them.
“We put it on them with the family perspective, that we’d expect all our guys, they’re fit and healthy young men, to be able to fall ill and recover, but you have to think about the people you’re going to come into contact with that won’t be able to do that.”
That is society’s biggest fear now, it’s why the country is effectively in lockdown. The economic impact is huge as well, thousands of staff are being laid off and asked to take reduced hours or a drop in salary.
Clubs in Greater Manchester in the EFL and in non-league are no different. Suddenly their income stream has stopped and they don’t know when it will return. They are trying to stand by staff while also fearing for their very existence.
Rochdale are fortunate, in a sense, that they’ve had a good year financially. They took Newcastle United to a replay in the FA Cup and played United at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup, as well as selling teenage sensation Luke Matheson to Wolves in January.
Bottomley says that gave them “a cushion” and it was planned to be invested in the club, yet now it’s being used to try and continue paying staff for as long as possible.
Ahead of last Wednesday’s EFL meeting, Rochdale suggested ending the season now and working out promotion and relegation on a points-per-game basis, then aiming to restart the season on September 1.
Within 24 hours that plan was probably unfeasible anyway, given nobody knows if we’ll be playing again by the start of September.
Yet Bottomley fears clubs in the EFL have three months before they hit crisis point, a frightening prospect for any supporter of a lower league club.
“What would normally happen is that we’d have already announced our season tickets for next year in April then throughout May and June our wonderful season ticket holders will come and buy their tickets, which provide you with the cash flow to be able to get through the critical summer months when you’re not playing,” he said.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Then at the beginning of August, the EFL give you a huge chunk of money, called a solidarity payment from the Premier League, at our level it’s about £800,000, so you get £400,000 on January 1 and August 1.
“The danger as we see it at the moment is that we only normally get through summer because of those season ticket sales. If we can’t tell our supporters when this season is going to finish, how can we tell a supporter when next season is going to start.”
While Rochdale can probably survive longer than that, given their successful financial year, others might not be so fortunate.
“I think most clubs can last about three months, they need that season ticket money to get through to August,” added Bottomley.
“I think at the end of May if there’s no money coming in and no money looking like coming in, that’s going to be critical.”
The picture could be even bleaker in non-league. A year ago FC United’s finances were a mess and, as chairman Adrian Seddon explains, “this would have finished us off.”
Instead, that hard work will be undone during the next few months. FC United accepted relegation from National League North last season if it came to it, refusing to spend the money of some of their rivals as they looked to get themselves back on a steady footing.
“We’ve done a lot of hard work getting our finances into shape and it’s heartbreaking because we’re going to lose all that,” said Seddon.
“Having said that, if we hadn’t done so we'd be in serious trouble now. The good news is we’ve been through that process and know what we need to do to improve our finances, it’s been a painful process and we know how to get out of it.
“I’m confident we’ll still be there come September, unlike some clubs.”
Seddon estimates this will cost the club around £100,000. FC United had six home games remaining and sit second in the Northern Premier League after a fine run of form.
That meant they were expecting gates in excess of 2,000 for those fixtures, with 1,000 of those pay on the gate supporters. That also means a loss of matchday revenue, with the advantage of fans being able to drink during the game meaning a higher spend per head at games than in the higher leagues.
FC United have budgeted for a return to football in September, but don’t expect their popular and successful function room in operation before December.
“Our big expenditure now is staff, we noticed one club in our league that has laid everybody off. We are determined to protect our staff as much as we can, we’ve been very open with them and said we’ll do absolutely everything we can for them,” said Seddon.
“If those goes on for a year or a year and a half then there’s going to come a time when we can’t, but hopefully with the new measures the government is bringing in it will hopefully safeguard our staff.”
It’s not just the obvious loss of revenue either. Broadhurst Park is a popular location for photoshoots and film crews and one of both has been cancelled now, with FC United missing out on the cash.
The club are investigating government measures brought in to help small business and staff keep their jobs, but Rochdale have already hit a brick wall over the £330bn coronavirus loan scheme that was launched last week.
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“That’s banks money that is being backed by the government, but football is not a sector that banks want to lend to,” said Bottomley.
“We’ve been solvent for 113 years but we’ve been told by our bank that we don’t qualify if we wanted to borrow money under the government scheme as the bank involved don’t see football as a sector they would want to lend to.”
Yet football does plenty of good in the communities they serve, something that is easily forgotten until a crisis like this hits. FC United have been forced to close their 3G pitch that is used by 5,000 people every month and the closure of the function room means an end to popular events aimed at social isolation amongst the elderly and a Sporting Memories event that helps those suffering from dementia.
The club is looking at trying to see if there’s anything they can do remotely. At Rochdale, the community's team are doing what they can, offering a helping hand with shopping for the elderly that are isolated or taking their dogs for a walk. It all helps.
From a playing perspective, it's about trying to keep in shape and help society, while trying not to lose the buzz of a dressing room.
“For the ones with families and I suspect they’ll concentrate on that, but for the younger lads and the single lads it can be quite a lonely time,” explained Alexander.
“But they’re on WhatsApp groups and social media, if at any moment in time it would be value it’s now because everyone can keep abreast of what’s going on and also keep in contact with people they need to.
“The biggest thing is everyone keeping safe and healthy and making sure they’re ready to return. It’s an unusual time but it’s unusual for everybody, the whole country is in the same situation, everyone can lean on each other to get through this time.”
At some point, those players will be back at Moor Lane, just as they will return at Spotland and Broadhurst Park, at Old Trafford and the Etihad, and hopefully at every ground in Greater Manchester and beyond.
As Bottomley says, without clubs like Rochdale there wouldn’t be players like Matheson, a scorer at Old Trafford at the age of 17 this season, being produced. The strength of English football is its pyramid and that has to survive the economic crisis that has been caused by the coronavirus.
“I’ve never been envious of the Premier League because they have their own issues when you get to that level, but what would save the Football League right now and some wonderful employees and staff is a tiny proportion of the money they’re getting from television,” said Dale’s chief executive.
“Society has to work together to get through this. We’re not asking for forever support from the Premier League, but it would be nice if they came forward now and said ‘this is what we’re going to do to protect the pyramid’.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-25--The reality of life in prison during the coronavirus pandemic

Prisons are challenging places to manage at the best of times .
So the coronavirus crisis poses a particular problem to governors and prison staff .
Last week , an inmate at HMP Manchester , also known as Strangeways , was the first prisoner in the UK to test positive for the virus .
Fears have been raised that prisons could become a potential 'petri dish of infection ' .
Senior prison bosses have revealed that across the country 13 prisoners have tested positive , with 12 prison staff also having contracted COVID-19 .
Around 3,500 prison staff - about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in self-isolation .
There is nowhere else for prisoners to go , so how do staff try to curtail the spread of the virus ?
After initially being restricted , visits to prisons have now been cancelled .
The reality is that inmates will be spending more time locked up in their cells , up to 23 hours a day , it has been reported .
The potential for the early release for some has also been raised .
Dr Jo Farrar , the chief executive officer of HM Prison and Probation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Commons ' justice select committee that the crisis has meant that prisons are now using an 'exceptional delivery model ' .
She said : `` That does mean that people in prison will have more time in cells .
`` The reason we have been trying to manage a more or less normal regime for the past two or three weeks has been to minimise the amount of time people would have to spend in cells , knowing that this is coming .
`` We will be making sure that people come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls to family , or to other people that they need to phone , to make sure that their health is attended to , and to take showers .
`` We will also be making arrangements for people to exercise in the open air , with proper social distancing .
`` We have stopped visits from today ( Tuesday ) , so we are making more access to phones available . ''
A black market in illicit items such as mobile phones is an issue in prisons .
About 60 per cent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Dr Farrar said that others may also use handheld phones which have been 'secured ' .
Internet access has been disabled on these devices , and those using them have been risk-assessed .
Gyms in prisons have also been shut , meaning that outdoor activities with social distancing will take priority .
The coronavirus will also have an impact on the rehabilitative work which prisoners are able to access .
Education classes and other group activities have been cancelled .
There are further unique challenges the coronavirus raises for the prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other people .
The Lord Chancellor , Robert Buckland QC MP , who oversees the courts , prisons and the probation service , admitted this represents a 'real challenge ' .
The situation has led for some to call for prisoners to be released earlier than planned .
Amnesty International UK has argued that those who are particularly susceptible to the virus should be considered for early release .
Allan Hogarth , the organisation 's head of policy and government affairs , said : `` Those with underlying medical conditions and the elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detention if they do not pose a threat to themselves or society , and there should be a presumption of release for people charged with a criminal offence who are awaiting trial . ''
There are about 9,000 prisoners on remand in prison , including some who are accused of very serious offences .
There are also about 50 female prisoners across the country who are pregnant .
The Lord Chancellor told yesterday 's select committee hearing that early release was being considered to 'alleviate some of the pressures ' the virus has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' to make use temporary licence , which allows prisoners to be released for a short period following a risk assessment .
But he acknowledged that this would also prove a 'challenge ' to probation , who are responsible for supervising offenders in the community .
As with most aspects of life at the moment , things appear to be on hold while steps are taken to fight this deadly virus .
Drop a heart on our special map of gratitude to show your support for our NHS heroes .

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Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Prisons are challenging places to manage at the best of times.
So the coronavirus crisis poses a particular problem to governors and prison staff.
Last week, an inmate at HMP Manchester, also known as Strangeways, was the first prisoner in the UK to test positive for the virus.
Fears have been raised that prisons could become a potential 'petri dish of infection'.
Senior prison bosses have revealed that across the country 13 prisoners have tested positive, with 12 prison staff also having contracted COVID-19.
(Image: STEVE ALLEN)
Around 3,500 prison staff - about 10 per cent of the workforce - are in self-isolation.
There is nowhere else for prisoners to go, so how do staff try to curtail the spread of the virus?
After initially being restricted, visits to prisons have now been cancelled.
The reality is that inmates will be spending more time locked up in their cells, up to 23 hours a day, it has been reported.
The potential for the early release for some has also been raised.
Dr Jo Farrar, the chief executive officer of HM Prison and Probation Service, told MPs at the House of Commons' justice select committee that the crisis has meant that prisons are now using an 'exceptional delivery model'.
She said: "That does mean that people in prison will have more time in cells.
"The reason we have been trying to manage a more or less normal regime for the past two or three weeks has been to minimise the amount of time people would have to spend in cells, knowing that this is coming.
"We will be making sure that people come out for meals, to make phone calls to family, or to other people that they need to phone, to make sure that their health is attended to, and to take showers.
"We will also be making arrangements for people to exercise in the open air, with proper social distancing.
"We have stopped visits from today (Tuesday), so we are making more access to phones available."
A black market in illicit items such as mobile phones is an issue in prisons.
About 60 per cent of prisoners have approved 'in cell telephony', but Dr Farrar said that others may also use handheld phones which have been 'secured'.
Internet access has been disabled on these devices, and those using them have been risk-assessed.
Gyms in prisons have also been shut, meaning that outdoor activities with social distancing will take priority.
The coronavirus will also have an impact on the rehabilitative work which prisoners are able to access.
(Image: Getty Images)
Education classes and other group activities have been cancelled.
There are further unique challenges the coronavirus raises for the prison estate.
Many prisoners share cells with other people.
The Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland QC MP, who oversees the courts, prisons and the probation service, admitted this represents a 'real challenge'.
The situation has led for some to call for prisoners to be released earlier than planned.
Amnesty International UK has argued that those who are particularly susceptible to the virus should be considered for early release.
Allan Hogarth, the organisation's head of policy and government affairs, said: "Those with underlying medical conditions and the elderly should be immediately considered for alternatives to detention if they do not pose a threat to themselves or society, and there should be a presumption of release for people charged with a criminal offence who are awaiting trial."
There are about 9,000 prisoners on remand in prison, including some who are accused of very serious offences.
There are also about 50 female prisoners across the country who are pregnant.
The Lord Chancellor told yesterday's select committee hearing that early release was being considered to 'alleviate some of the pressures' the virus has caused.
He said he was 'keen' to make use temporary licence, which allows prisoners to be released for a short period following a risk assessment.
But he acknowledged that this would also prove a 'challenge' to probation, who are responsible for supervising offenders in the community.
As with most aspects of life at the moment, things appear to be on hold while steps are taken to fight this deadly virus.
Drop a heart on our special map of gratitude to show your support for our NHS heroes.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-25--NHS workers ‘forced to share face masks because there isn’t enough equipment’

A concerned intensive care nurse says she and her colleagues have been told they have to share face masks because there isn ’ t enough equipment to go round .
Lorraine , who did not want to give her last name , appeared on Good Morning Britain to tell viewers that many workers like herself are worried about using unsterilised equipment .
PM Boris Johnson ordered a widespread lockdown in the UK on Monday after thousands of people ignored calls for 'social distancing ' to slow the coronavirus pandemic .
But Lorraine said she believed that Britain ’ s reaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and criticised Health Secretary Matt Hancock for not properly preparing for the outbreak .
Speaking to hosts Piers Morgan and Ranvir Singh , Lorraine said : `` My concern is that me and my colleagues received a message to say that due to shortages we would now have to share masks .
“ A week ago we were told we would have to share masks similar to this , this is my husband ’ s , he has now given me this mask to take to work .
“ Yesterday it was that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have got bacteria in them , masks have got bacteria in them .
These things are not sterilised like you would your operating equipment .
`` My concern was that my manager asked us to share these masks with a sincere apology because we do not have the equipment .
“ Matt Hancock and this government had four months to prepare for this .
China had less than a week . ''
Lorraine , who could lose her job by speaking out , then directly addressed both the prime minister and health secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matt Hancock , you are four months too late .
To the government , you are four months too late .
`` We knew this virus would spread across the world in December .
We have had Christmas and Valentine 's Day and Mother 's Day since then .
`` To Boris Johnson , I understand why you took the steady steps like closing schools , asking people to walk two metres apart and self-isolating .
`` However , in my opinion you are a full month too late .
We should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

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A concerned intensive care nurse says she and her colleagues have been told they have to share face masks because there isn’t enough equipment to go round.
Lorraine, who did not want to give her last name, appeared on Good Morning Britain to tell viewers that many workers like herself are worried about using unsterilised equipment.
PM Boris Johnson ordered a widespread lockdown in the UK on Monday after thousands of people ignored calls for 'social distancing' to slow the coronavirus pandemic.
But Lorraine said she believed that Britain’s reaction to the crisis was too late, and criticised Health Secretary Matt Hancock for not properly preparing for the outbreak.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
Speaking to hosts Piers Morgan and Ranvir Singh, Lorraine said: "My concern is that me and my colleagues received a message to say that due to shortages we would now have to share masks.
“A week ago we were told we would have to share masks similar to this, this is my husband’s, he has now given me this mask to take to work.
“Yesterday it was that we needed to share filters. Filters have got bacteria in them, masks have got bacteria in them. These things are not sterilised like you would your operating equipment.
(Image: ITV)
"My concern was that my manager asked us to share these masks with a sincere apology because we do not have the equipment.
“Matt Hancock and this government had four months to prepare for this. China had less than a week."
Lorraine, who could lose her job by speaking out, then directly addressed both the prime minister and health secretary directly.
She said: "To Matt Hancock, you are four months too late. To the government, you are four months too late.
(Image: ITV)
"We knew this virus would spread across the world in December. We have had Christmas and Valentine's Day and Mother's Day since then.
"To Boris Johnson, I understand why you took the steady steps like closing schools, asking people to walk two metres apart and self-isolating.
"However, in my opinion you are a full month too late. We should have been on lockdown a full month ago."
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV from 6am.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-25--Soccer Aid at Old Trafford postponed over coronavirus

Soccer Aid - the world 's biggest charity football match - has been postponed as the country battles the coronavirus crisis .
The game was due to take place at Old Trafford in June with an all-star line up including Robbie Williams , Usain Bolt and Olly Murs .
Organisers of the event , which raises money for children 's charity UNICEF , have not confirmed a new date but say they are exploring several options and are committed to rescheduling later in the year .
In a statement released this morning , they said : `` These are unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soccer Aid for Unicef is with those affected by coronavirus .
`` In this situation , the decision has been taken to postpone the match - England vs. Soccer Aid World XI FC - which was originally scheduled for Saturday 6 June 2020 at Old Trafford .
`` Whilst a new date is not yet confirmed , several options are being explored .
We remain committed to holding an event later this year to raise vital funds and help children everywhere grow up happy , healthy and able to play . ''
Anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use them for the rescheduled date .
Hosted by Dermot O ’ Leary , the match was due to be broadcast live from the Manchester United stadium on ITV and STV .
Other celebrities who were due to play for the England side included comedians Tom Davis , Joel Dommett , Russell Howard and Lee Mack , and McFly 's Danny Jones .
Manchester United women ’ s manager Casey Stoney was also due to play for the home team alongside her former Lioness teammate Kelly Smith .
Due to join Bolt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team were Kem Cetinay , Mo Gilligan , Patrice Evra , Jaap Stam and Roberto Carlos .
Harry Redknapp was to take charge as manager of the World XI team , with Sam Allardyce in charge of the England side .

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Soccer Aid - the world's biggest charity football match - has been postponed as the country battles the coronavirus crisis.
The game was due to take place at Old Trafford in June with an all-star line up including Robbie Williams, Usain Bolt and Olly Murs.
Organisers of the event, which raises money for children's charity UNICEF, have not confirmed a new date but say they are exploring several options and are committed to rescheduling later in the year.
In a statement released this morning, they said: "These are unprecedented times and the thoughts of everyone at Soccer Aid for Unicef is with those affected by coronavirus.
"In this situation, the decision has been taken to postpone the match - England vs. Soccer Aid World XI FC - which was originally scheduled for Saturday 6 June 2020 at Old Trafford.
"Whilst a new date is not yet confirmed, several options are being explored. We remain committed to holding an event later this year to raise vital funds and help children everywhere grow up happy, healthy and able to play."
Anyone who has bought tickets will be able to use them for the rescheduled date.
Hosted by Dermot O’Leary, the match was due to be broadcast live from the Manchester United stadium on ITV and STV.
Other celebrities who were due to play for the England side included comedians Tom Davis, Joel Dommett, Russell Howard and Lee Mack, and McFly's Danny Jones.
Manchester United women’s manager Casey Stoney was also due to play for the home team alongside her former Lioness teammate Kelly Smith.
(Image: Soccer Aid)
Due to join Bolt on the Soccer Aid World XI FC team were Kem Cetinay, Mo Gilligan, Patrice Evra, Jaap Stam and Roberto Carlos.
Harry Redknapp was to take charge as manager of the World XI team, with Sam Allardyce in charge of the England side.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-25--What 'bombshell action from PL rivals' means for Man City's appeal

Manchester City 's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport ( CAS ) should not be affected by the actions of their Premier League rivals .
The Daily Mail reports that eight of the top ten teams in the country - with the Blues and Sheffield United the exceptions - have made an application to CAS asking that City be unable to play in the Champions League while their appeal is heard .
Such an intervention at this stage is unusual , to say the least .
City have not requested a 'stay ' , the freezing of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is more common for such an action to be made in the Swiss federal tribunal - i.e .
after any CAS trial - where it can take longer for cases to be heard .
Moreover , the club have consistently called for resolutions to be as swift as possible and Ferran Soriano spoke before the suspension of football due to coronavirus about the hope that a trial could be completed before the summer .
Even if City were to ask for their punishment to be frozen , any input from their rivals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court .
`` City have n't applied for a stay and generally in this it is unlikely that the CAS would take it into account , '' explained Jack Anderson , professor of sports law at the University of Melbourne .
`` It will be up to City to make the case for a stay rather than being influenced by what other people may or may not think about that .
If City want a stay , they have to make a case about it and whether or not they deserve it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter will not affect the appeal , it does make clear what the other clubs think about City 's case .
That too is unusual going off similar recent cases in the sporting world , including the reaction to Premiership Rugby side Saracens breaching Financial Fair Play rules .
`` What 's interesting is the non-legal aspect of it .
It 's clear that the others are unhappy with what City is doing and that City is more or less alone , '' said Anderson .
`` It 's more symbolic for who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will have , that 's the easiest way to put it .
`` It certainly clarifies what the other clubs think .
Usually in these cases other clubs say very little because you never know which way FFP is going to fall .
Obviously they 're so driven by this that they 've come to some collective agreement .
It 's a little bit like in the rugby with Saracens and the salary cap , one or two clubs were very angry but others just did n't say anything . ''
City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but relations at a boardroom level with the likes of United , Arsenal and Liverpool are unlikely to improve as a result .

Manchester City's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) should not be affected by the actions of their Premier League rivals.
The Daily Mail reports that eight of the top ten teams in the country - with the Blues and Sheffield United the exceptions - have made an application to CAS asking that City be unable to play in the Champions League while their appeal is heard.
Such an intervention at this stage is unusual, to say the least.
City have not requested a 'stay', the freezing of the punishment while the appeal is heard. It is more common for such an action to be made in the Swiss federal tribunal - i.e. after any CAS trial - where it can take longer for cases to be heard.
Moreover, the club have consistently called for resolutions to be as swift as possible and Ferran Soriano spoke before the suspension of football due to coronavirus about the hope that a trial could be completed before the summer.
Even if City were to ask for their punishment to be frozen, any input from their rivals would not be taken into consideration by the court.
"City haven't applied for a stay and generally in this it is unlikely that the CAS would take it into account," explained Jack Anderson, professor of sports law at the University of Melbourne.
"It will be up to City to make the case for a stay rather than being influenced by what other people may or may not think about that. If City want a stay, they have to make a case about it and whether or not they deserve it in the circumstances."
If the letter will not affect the appeal, it does make clear what the other clubs think about City's case.
That too is unusual going off similar recent cases in the sporting world, including the reaction to Premiership Rugby side Saracens breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
"What's interesting is the non-legal aspect of it. It's clear that the others are unhappy with what City is doing and that City is more or less alone," said Anderson.
"It's more symbolic for who is behind it rather than the impact it will have, that's the easiest way to put it.
"It certainly clarifies what the other clubs think. Usually in these cases other clubs say very little because you never know which way FFP is going to fall. Obviously they're so driven by this that they've come to some collective agreement. It's a little bit like in the rugby with Saracens and the salary cap, one or two clubs were very angry but others just didn't say anything."
City's appeal may not be affected, but relations at a boardroom level with the likes of United, Arsenal and Liverpool are unlikely to improve as a result.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-25--Man Utd academy graduate criticises Mourinho and says club was right to sack him

Former Manchester United youngster Joshua Bohui insists he deserved a chance under Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford .
The 21-year-old impressed for United at youth level but decided to leave Old Trafford last year after growing frustrated with a lack of playing time at the club .
Bohui rejected two new contract offers from United before signing for NAC Breda in Holland having never made a senior appearance in his three years at Old Trafford .
The young forward went on United 's pre-season tour in 2018 and has hinted things could have turned out different had he stayed playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jose was there , there were no opportunities for me , Mason , Angel or Chong , but now Ole ’ s in charge there ’ s a different vibe and spirit around the place , ” Bohui told Planet Football .
“ It was not that Jose did not treat me well , which some in the media speculated , it was just that there didn ’ t seem to be a clear pathway for me under him .
“ On the training ground , he never spoke to me about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes , I could not understand what he wanted .
“ I also felt that he was not approachable .
If I knew I had done well in a training session , he was not there to be supportive – it was the same if I knew I had to improve on something.
” Mourinho was sacked by United in December 2018 and speaking about his departure Bohui admits it was right for the Portuguese coach to leave Old Trafford .
He added : `` It was better for the whole club – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was not bringing , so he had to be replaced .
”

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Former Manchester United youngster Joshua Bohui insists he deserved a chance under Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old impressed for United at youth level but decided to leave Old Trafford last year after growing frustrated with a lack of playing time at the club.
Bohui rejected two new contract offers from United before signing for NAC Breda in Holland having never made a senior appearance in his three years at Old Trafford.
The young forward went on United's pre-season tour in 2018 and has hinted things could have turned out different had he stayed playing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“When Jose was there, there were no opportunities for me, Mason, Angel or Chong, but now Ole’s in charge there’s a different vibe and spirit around the place,” Bohui told Planet Football.
“It was not that Jose did not treat me well, which some in the media speculated, it was just that there didn’t seem to be a clear pathway for me under him.
“On the training ground, he never spoke to me about what I had to do better and, sometimes, I could not understand what he wanted.
“I also felt that he was not approachable. If I knew I had done well in a training session, he was not there to be supportive – it was the same if I knew I had to improve on something.”
Mourinho was sacked by United in December 2018 and speaking about his departure Bohui admits it was right for the Portuguese coach to leave Old Trafford.
He added: "It was better for the whole club – United have a style of play which he was not bringing, so he had to be replaced.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-25--Police appeal after woman's purse stolen while out shopping

A woman 's purse was stolen from her handbag while she shopped in a Bolton supermarket .
The victim was in Aldi on Breightmet Fold Lane , Bolton , when she appears to have been targeted by an unknown thief .
The man followed her around the shop and waited until her back was turned before stealing her purse when she was not looking .
The theft happened on Friday , March 13 , but Bolton police have now put out an appeal for information along with the image of a man they want to speak to .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` On Friday March 13 , 2020 , the victim , a woman in her 60 's , was shopping at Aldi in Breightmet .
`` A male followed the woman around the store , before reaching into her handbag and stealing her purse whilst her back was turned .
`` It was only when the woman went to pay for her shopping that she realised her purse had been stolen . ''
Anyonewith information on the crime or the man pictured can contact police by calling 0161 856 5761 , quoting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be passed on to the independent charity Crimestoppers , anonymously , on 0800 555 111 .

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A woman's purse was stolen from her handbag while she shopped in a Bolton supermarket.
The victim was in Aldi on Breightmet Fold Lane, Bolton, when she appears to have been targeted by an unknown thief.
The man followed her around the shop and waited until her back was turned before stealing her purse when she was not looking.
The theft happened on Friday, March 13, but Bolton police have now put out an appeal for information along with the image of a man they want to speak to.
(Image: GMP)
In a post on Facebook, an officer said: "On Friday March 13, 2020, the victim, a woman in her 60's, was shopping at Aldi in Breightmet.
"A male followed the woman around the store, before reaching into her handbag and stealing her purse whilst her back was turned.
"It was only when the woman went to pay for her shopping that she realised her purse had been stolen."
Anyonewith information on the crime or the man pictured can contact police by calling 0161 856 5761, quoting crime reference CRI/06KK/0006972/20.
Alternatively, information can be passed on to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-25--Tesco is making a big change to its milk and toilet roll stock for lockdown

Tesco has announced that customers will no longer be able to buy skimmed milk in its supermarkets , as stores change what stock is available during the coronavirus lockdown .
It is reported that shoppers will soon only be able to buy semi-skimmed or whole milk in two or four pint bottles .
According to the Mirror , the supermarket will also temporarily axe most of its promotions and multi-pack deals in an effort to stop people panic buying during the coronavirus pandemic .
The supermarket giant is also simplifying its toilet roll range , with at least one supplier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The changes have been implemented in a bid to allow factories to create more of each product , rather than having to produce varying packaging or quantities as normal .
The chain is also said to be increasing orders with local dairies to protect its supply in Scotland , Wales and Cornwall .
Tesco is also getting rid of many of its promotions and multi-buy deals too , in an effort to stop people using them to boost their stockpiles when demand is high .
A spokesperson for the supermarket said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure customers get what they need including setting purchase limits on our products and simplifying our range to get more of the most popular products on shelves .
`` In the current climate , when we have a limited amount of stock , promotions such as multi-buys are irresponsible .
`` It means some products have gone back to their pre-promotion prices .
We are working tirelessly with our suppliers to maintain supply and keep stores stocked.
” Drop a heart on our special map of gratitude to show your support for @ @ @ @

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (James Andrews, Rachel Pugh)

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Tesco has announced that customers will no longer be able to buy skimmed milk in its supermarkets, as stores change what stock is available during the coronavirus lockdown.
It is reported that shoppers will soon only be able to buy semi-skimmed or whole milk in two or four pint bottles.
According to the Mirror, the supermarket will also temporarily axe most of its promotions and multi-pack deals in an effort to stop people panic buying during the coronavirus pandemic.
The supermarket giant is also simplifying its toilet roll range, with at least one supplier asked to only send in nine-roll packs.
The changes have been implemented in a bid to allow factories to create more of each product, rather than having to produce varying packaging or quantities as normal.
The chain is also said to be increasing orders with local dairies to protect its supply in Scotland, Wales and Cornwall.
Follow Money-Saving and Shopping Editor Rachel Pugh on social media To follow Rachel on Twitter click here. Or to like her Facebook page click here . Here's a link to the M.E.N.'s main Facebook page where we share our latest stories.
Tesco is also getting rid of many of its promotions and multi-buy deals too, in an effort to stop people using them to boost their stockpiles when demand is high.
A spokesperson for the supermarket said: "We are doing everything we can to ensure customers get what they need including setting purchase limits on our products and simplifying our range to get more of the most popular products on shelves.
"In the current climate, when we have a limited amount of stock, promotions such as multi-buys are irresponsible.
"It means some products have gone back to their pre-promotion prices. We are working tirelessly with our suppliers to maintain supply and keep stores stocked.”
Drop a heart on our special map of gratitude to show your support for our NHS heroes.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-25--Man's diary shows what it's like to have suspected coronavirus

A man has documented what is is like to have suspected coronavirus as the UK has been forced into lockdown .
The 46-year-old from Glasgow fell ill after his wife came home from a holiday to Dubai , suffering with symptoms of the virus , on Saturday March 14 .
GlasgowLive reports that the man , who does not wish to be named , recalls how his condition has progressed over the 10 days since he was exposed to Covid-19 - suffering with high fevers , difficulty breathing , severe lethargy and loss of taste and smell .
The man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to show why it 's important for people to stay home .
This is his diary : '' My wife flew home on a long-haul flight through one of the world 's busiest airports , so the possibility of exposure had of course crossed my mind .
`` She came off the flight feeling okay but REALLY hot .
She insisted she felt fine and the flight had just been really warm , and that everyone had said so .
`` She seemed to cool down by the time we got home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two days later , M woke up with `` really painful , aching '' muscles , a very sore throat and he was told to work from home by his boss .
A couple of hours later , his condition worsened .
`` I was feeling like flu coming on , headachey , feeling really hot or having bad chills , the muscle pain spreading up round neck and shoulders and really bad on chest .
I checked my temperature a few times and each time it came up normal .
I also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
After calling NHS 24 and checking their advice online , his symptoms were not consistent with the ones outlined online .
He said : `` My symptoms did n't match the two criteria for coronavirus .
I did n't have a continuous fever or cough .
There was an overwhelming feeling of confusion .
`` There was no advice on any way to get tested and find out , just to isolate .
It felt surreal and made us question whether we were overreacting , and also feel a little lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how serious this could be , yet now we MAY have it , rather than being offered testing and treatment advice or support , the advice was isolation and ultimately to go to hospital if we had issues breathing .
Obviously we did n't even consider that . ''
He added : `` By that night – 48 hours from exposure - I was exhausted , but every time I fell asleep I woke up after 10 or 15 minutes , having crazy feverish dreams and feeling fuzzy as if I 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on all night .
The muscle pains were getting worse and worse . ''
M said that it was around 60 hours in that he was convinced he and his wife were suffering from coronavirus .
He struggled to sleep through the agony of `` severe muscle pain '' , leg cramps and felt extremely feverish and lethargic .
`` I was so weak , moving at all seemed impossible .
I was burning hot then freezing cold , then both at once .
`` I had the most insane thirst , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like it had no effect .
My skin felt really tender and sensitive and painful to touch , all over , and I had a deep , sharp stomach ache not really like anything I 'd felt before .
Eating was out of the question , just unthinkable .
`` The overall weakness was probably the scariest part .
The hardest to cope with was the intense , constant muscle pain .
This was like nothing I 'd experienced before .
`` You know when you get a cramp in your leg ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brief sharp spike there all the time .
All over . ''
There were moments when he thought he was on the mend throughout each day - only for his condition to worsen later .
`` There would be a little lull at some point where you 'd feel like it was going away , then bang , back it came but worse .
`` Tuesday evening was the first time I registered a high temperature - 39.1 .
Again to be clear , this was the first time I took a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On day five since he was exposed , M recalls Wednesday being `` very up and down '' after another night of broken sleep .
`` I would fall into a deep sleep which was very hard to wake from .
Once I 'm awake , I usually ca n't fall asleep again but I was passing out for hours through the day .
I 've never felt tiredness like this . ''
`` Battling to wake up and being pulled back under into a weird deep sleep that felt like unconsciousness somehow.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ still feeling crap but definitely a little better than the hell of Tuesday so I thought I was over the worst .
`` A good thing was seeing a thread on Twitter with a Corona sufferer , Jamie East , tweeting his symptoms , which were very similar to mine , so it was reassuring to hear someone going through something similar rather than the standard cough/temperature official line .
Also I was able to eat again , on and off . ''
His brief respite did n't last long , however .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` seriously considered '' going to hospital .
`` Thursday was even worse than Tuesday , '' he admitted .
`` I woke up with really intense pain on the left side of my chest , which switched to the right then back and forth over a few hours , before settling across my whole chest .
It felt like a weight was resting on my chest and I could not take a full deep breath .
`` As the day went on , it became a band around my back and chest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a stabbing pain in my chest if I moved or tried to breathe deeply .
`` Getting up to get a drink left me totally panting and breathless like I 'd just been running .
I was trying to fill my lungs , but they would fill so much , then it was just like I was inhaling but no air was coming in , and the chest pain would intensify .
`` I still felt like I did n't want to over-react , so I said if it got worse on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I also felt confused and forgetful at times but only really realised this the next day . ''
M was `` out cold '' overnight and slept through much of Friday .
He found paracetamol helped alleviate his chest pain and his difficulty breathing became more intermittent and `` slightly less severe . ''
`` I still felt weak , drained and very confused at times .
My temperature again shot up that evening , reading 39.1 .
I was sure I was past the worst though .
I was almost dismissing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again I realise how fuzzy I was .
My memory of Tuesday until now ( a week later ) is very , very hazy - I 'm looking back at messages to work and to friends to remind me of how I felt . ''
M 's condition improved again on Saturday , and he found it was easier to breathe despite suffering chest pain .
`` I was having more spells of feeling a little better , then slumping again after waking late afternoon .
The weakness and tiredness were still really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday and he woke up feeling `` flat , weak and fluey '' .
`` My chest felt less tight though .
I was thinking about getting back to work , even if from home , and sure I was getting over it . ''
He added : `` Then the chest pain intensified , the tight feeling stopping me taking a deep breath came back .
My positive feeling drained away and instead of thinking about work I was instead thinking I 'd go to hospital if the breathing difficulties got worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't know whether his condition was severe enough to go to hospital .
`` Yes , my chest was tight and I could n't fill my lungs completely , but I did n't feel like I was having difficulties serious enough to take up a space someone really seriously ill might need .
`` Based on the increased information about possible coronavirus symptoms and how I felt - and the timing - I am pretty sure this is coronavirus .
However I do n't know , and I ca n't find out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It made me think , 'Do I now have some form of immunity ? '
Again I do n't know because I do n't know if this is the virus .
If any opportunity for retrospective testing arises I 'll be first in the ( virtual ) line . ''
A full week has now passed since the onset of M 's symptoms .
His chest pain was as bad as it was on Thursday and he struggled to wake up as late as 5pm .
He felt Paracetamol was losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now localised .
M decided to phone NHS 24 to arrange a hospital appointment .
After an hour on hold , he was asked a series of questions about his condition .
`` Some of any answers clearly raised red flags as the woman decided I needed escalated to the next stage , speaking to a clinician .
She could n't connect me but spoke to one herself and relayed their questions to me and my answers back .
`` By the end of the first round of questions things were being taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of questions about underlying issues etc - I have none .
`` Again , I asked about testing but was told this would not happen unless I had a serious underlying condition or was an NHS worker . ''
M was told a doctor would call him back as it was likely he had coronavirus .
The next step was deciding whether he could remain at home or whether he would need to be hospitalised .
Half an hour later , he received a phone call from a doctor , who questioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely his symptoms were due to the virus .
`` He reiterated I would not be tested even if I was admitted to hospital , However he was happy for me to stay at home provided I could breathe while at rest - if I began panting or became very short of breath without having exerted myself - like going to get a drink - then I should call back urgently .
`` It felt like I finally I had some clarity and knew - as much as I ever would - what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew the trigger for things becoming more serious , so I felt a little less panicked .
`` I 'm terrified of doctors and hospitals so it had taken A LOT for me to consider calling and asking if I needed treatment , so I was very relieved . ''
M woke up after another `` deep , deep sleep '' at around noon – earlier than the previous days , at least .
`` I 'm struggling to keep my eyes open as I write this an hour later .
My chest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on it and the band going round my back has returned .
But I 'm not out of breath so I know I 'm okay at home .
`` This is still comforting .
I 'm glad I made that call last night and waited to speak to someone .
We are lucky to have the NHS and they were great , very reassuring . ''
M said that he hopes his journal helps people who are unsure whether or not they have the virus .
`` It helped me when I saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than black and white cough/fever .
That 's why I 've been so in depth about the little weird things I felt .
`` I had moments of fear , but I never doubted I would be okay .
But the bad days in particular have made me understand how this could be so dangerous to older people or those who already have , say , a condition affecting their breathing .
Just be smart , stay home and try to avoid it - or worse , spreading it . ''
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and friends for their messages of support and for delivering food and medicine during their self-isolation .
`` It 's been incredible .
Just feeling like you 're not cut off from the world and knowing people have your back is more of a boost than you can imagine - so check up on your pals .
Online or by text I mean - because STAY THE F*** HOME . ''

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Jessica Sansome, Christina O'Neill)

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A man has documented what is is like to have suspected coronavirus as the UK has been forced into lockdown.
The 46-year-old from Glasgow fell ill after his wife came home from a holiday to Dubai, suffering with symptoms of the virus, on Saturday March 14.
GlasgowLive reports that the man, who does not wish to be named, recalls how his condition has progressed over the 10 days since he was exposed to Covid-19 - suffering with high fevers, difficulty breathing, severe lethargy and loss of taste and smell.
The man, refereed to as M, also wanted to show why it's important for people to stay home.
This is his diary:
Day 1: Saturday
"My wife flew home on a long-haul flight through one of the world's busiest airports, so the possibility of exposure had of course crossed my mind.
"She came off the flight feeling okay but REALLY hot. She insisted she felt fine and the flight had just been really warm, and that everyone had said so.
(Image: PA)
"She seemed to cool down by the time we got home so thought she was okay."
Day 3: Monday
Two days later, M woke up with "really painful, aching" muscles, a very sore throat and he was told to work from home by his boss. A couple of hours later, his condition worsened.
"I was feeling like flu coming on, headachey, feeling really hot or having bad chills, the muscle pain spreading up round neck and shoulders and really bad on chest. I checked my temperature a few times and each time it came up normal. I also couldn't really smell or taste anything."
After calling NHS 24 and checking their advice online, his symptoms were not consistent with the ones outlined online.
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He said: "My symptoms didn't match the two criteria for coronavirus. I didn't have a continuous fever or cough. There was an overwhelming feeling of confusion.
"There was no advice on any way to get tested and find out, just to isolate. It felt surreal and made us question whether we were overreacting, and also feel a little lost.
"We'd heard so much about how serious this could be, yet now we MAY have it, rather than being offered testing and treatment advice or support, the advice was isolation and ultimately to go to hospital if we had issues breathing. Obviously we didn't even consider that."
He added: "By that night – 48 hours from exposure - I was exhausted, but every time I fell asleep I woke up after 10 or 15 minutes, having crazy feverish dreams and feeling fuzzy as if I'd been asleep for days. This went on all night. The muscle pains were getting worse and worse."
Day 4: Tuesday
M said that it was around 60 hours in that he was convinced he and his wife were suffering from coronavirus.
He struggled to sleep through the agony of "severe muscle pain", leg cramps and felt extremely feverish and lethargic.
"I was so weak, moving at all seemed impossible. I was burning hot then freezing cold, then both at once.
"I had the most insane thirst, no matter how much I drank it felt like it had no effect. My skin felt really tender and sensitive and painful to touch, all over, and I had a deep, sharp stomach ache not really like anything I'd felt before. Eating was out of the question, just unthinkable.
"The overall weakness was probably the scariest part. The hardest to cope with was the intense, constant muscle pain. This was like nothing I'd experienced before.
"You know when you get a cramp in your leg? That agonising pain, but rather than a brief sharp spike there all the time. All over."
There were moments when he thought he was on the mend throughout each day - only for his condition to worsen later.
"There would be a little lull at some point where you'd feel like it was going away, then bang, back it came but worse.
"Tuesday evening was the first time I registered a high temperature - 39.1. Again to be clear, this was the first time I took a reading which confirmed a fever."
Day 5: Wednesday
On day five since he was exposed, M recalls Wednesday being "very up and down" after another night of broken sleep.
"I would fall into a deep sleep which was very hard to wake from. Once I'm awake, I usually can't fall asleep again but I was passing out for hours through the day. I've never felt tiredness like this."
"Battling to wake up and being pulled back under into a weird deep sleep that felt like unconsciousness somehow. "
He added: "I was still feeling cr*p but definitely a little better than the hell of Tuesday so I thought I was over the worst.
"A good thing was seeing a thread on Twitter with a Corona sufferer, Jamie East, tweeting his symptoms, which were very similar to mine, so it was reassuring to hear someone going through something similar rather than the standard cough/temperature official line. Also I was able to eat again, on and off."
Day 6: Thursday
His brief respite didn't last long, however. His symptoms worsened to the degree he "seriously considered" going to hospital.
"Thursday was even worse than Tuesday," he admitted.
"I woke up with really intense pain on the left side of my chest, which switched to the right then back and forth over a few hours, before settling across my whole chest. It felt like a weight was resting on my chest and I could not take a full deep breath.
"As the day went on, it became a band around my back and chest, getting tighter and tighter, accompanied by a stabbing pain in my chest if I moved or tried to breathe deeply.
"Getting up to get a drink left me totally panting and breathless like I'd just been running. I was trying to fill my lungs, but they would fill so much, then it was just like I was inhaling but no air was coming in, and the chest pain would intensify.
"I still felt like I didn't want to over-react, so I said if it got worse on Friday I'd go to hospital. I also felt confused and forgetful at times but only really realised this the next day."
(Image: Getty Images)
Day 7: Friday
M was "out cold" overnight and slept through much of Friday.
He found paracetamol helped alleviate his chest pain and his difficulty breathing became more intermittent and "slightly less severe."
"I still felt weak, drained and very confused at times. My temperature again shot up that evening, reading 39.1. I was sure I was past the worst though. I was almost dismissing that I had coronavirus.
"Thinking back again I realise how fuzzy I was. My memory of Tuesday until now (a week later) is very, very hazy - I'm looking back at messages to work and to friends to remind me of how I felt."
Day 8: Saturday
M's condition improved again on Saturday, and he found it was easier to breathe despite suffering chest pain.
"I was having more spells of feeling a little better, then slumping again after waking late afternoon. The weakness and tiredness were still really bad. "
Day 9: Sunday
M slept until 4pm on Sunday and he woke up feeling "flat, weak and fluey".
"My chest felt less tight though. I was thinking about getting back to work, even if from home, and sure I was getting over it."
He added: "Then the chest pain intensified, the tight feeling stopping me taking a deep breath came back. My positive feeling drained away and instead of thinking about work I was instead thinking I'd go to hospital if the breathing difficulties got worse overnight."
M admits he still didn't know whether his condition was severe enough to go to hospital.
"Yes, my chest was tight and I couldn't fill my lungs completely, but I didn't feel like I was having difficulties serious enough to take up a space someone really seriously ill might need.
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"Based on the increased information about possible coronavirus symptoms and how I felt - and the timing - I am pretty sure this is coronavirus. However I don't know, and I can't find out, which is the really frustrating thing.
"It made me think, 'Do I now have some form of immunity?' Again I don't know because I don't know if this is the virus. If any opportunity for retrospective testing arises I'll be first in the (virtual) line."
Day 10: Monday
A full week has now passed since the onset of M's symptoms.
His chest pain was as bad as it was on Thursday and he struggled to wake up as late as 5pm. He felt Paracetamol was losing its effectiveness as the chest pain was now localised.
M decided to phone NHS 24 to arrange a hospital appointment. After an hour on hold, he was asked a series of questions about his condition.
"Some of any answers clearly raised red flags as the woman decided I needed escalated to the next stage, speaking to a clinician. She couldn't connect me but spoke to one herself and relayed their questions to me and my answers back.
"By the end of the first round of questions things were being taken much more seriously and there were a lot of questions about underlying issues etc - I have none.
"Again, I asked about testing but was told this would not happen unless I had a serious underlying condition or was an NHS worker."
M was told a doctor would call him back as it was likely he had coronavirus. The next step was deciding whether he could remain at home or whether he would need to be hospitalised.
Half an hour later, he received a phone call from a doctor, who questioned him further before telling him it was likely his symptoms were due to the virus.
"He reiterated I would not be tested even if I was admitted to hospital, However he was happy for me to stay at home provided I could breathe while at rest - if I began panting or became very short of breath without having exerted myself - like going to get a drink - then I should call back urgently.
"It felt like I finally I had some clarity and knew - as much as I ever would - what was going on. Also I now knew the trigger for things becoming more serious, so I felt a little less panicked.
"I'm terrified of doctors and hospitals so it had taken A LOT for me to consider calling and asking if I needed treatment, so I was very relieved."
Day 11: Tuesday
M woke up after another "deep, deep sleep" at around noon – earlier than the previous days, at least.
"I'm struggling to keep my eyes open as I write this an hour later. My chest still feels like there's a weight on it and the band going round my back has returned. But I'm not out of breath so I know I'm okay at home.
"This is still comforting. I'm glad I made that call last night and waited to speak to someone. We are lucky to have the NHS and they were great, very reassuring."
M said that he hopes his journal helps people who are unsure whether or not they have the virus.
"It helped me when I saw someone talking about similar symptoms to mine rather than black and white cough/fever. That's why I've been so in depth about the little weird things I felt.
"I had moments of fear, but I never doubted I would be okay. But the bad days in particular have made me understand how this could be so dangerous to older people or those who already have, say, a condition affecting their breathing. Just be smart, stay home and try to avoid it - or worse, spreading it."
He and his wife also thanked his neighbours and friends for their messages of support and for delivering food and medicine during their self-isolation.
"It's been incredible. Just feeling like you're not cut off from the world and knowing people have your back is more of a boost than you can imagine - so check up on your pals. Online or by text I mean - because STAY THE F*** HOME."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-25--Prince Charles tests positive for coronavirus

The heir to the throne , Prince Charles , has tested positive for coronavirus .
Prince Charles ’ s office told ITV 's royal correspondent Chris Ship : `` It is not possible to ascertain from whom the Prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks .
`` He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home . ''
He is the first senior member of the Royal family to test positive for the virus .
His wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Charles ’ s last public engagement was on March 12 , but he did have a number of private meetings with Highgrove and Duchy individuals , all of whom have been made aware .
A source said his doctor ’ s most conservative estimate was that the prince was contagious on March 13 .
They added that Charles has not seen the Queen since before March 13 .
A small number of people living and working at Birkhall are remaining at the residence and self-isolating .
A source said the Prince and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Prince was up and about and not bedridden .
Medical advice is that it is unlikely to escalate into a more serious case .
Charles has spoken to his sons the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex , as well as the Queen .
he Prince of Wales has tested positive for coronavirus , Clarence House has announced .
Charles , 71 , is displaying `` mild symptoms '' but is in good health as he self-isolates at home in Scotland , a spokesman said .
The Duchess of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested but does not have the virus .
In a statement , Clarence House said : `` The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Coronavirus .
`` He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual .
`` In accordance with government and medical advice , the Prince and the Duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland .
`` The tests were carried out by the NHS in Aberdeenshire where they met the criteria required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible to ascertain from whom the Prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks . ''
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said : `` Her Majesty The Queen remains in good health .
`` The Queen last saw The Prince of Wales briefly after the investiture on the morning of 12th March and is following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare . ''

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The heir to the throne, Prince Charles, has tested positive for coronavirus.
Prince Charles’s office told ITV's royal correspondent Chris Ship: "It is not possible to ascertain from whom the Prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks.
"He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home."
He is the first senior member of the Royal family to test positive for the virus.
His wife, Camilla, meanwhile has tested negative.
Charles’s last public engagement was on March 12, but he did have a number of private meetings with Highgrove and Duchy individuals, all of whom have been made aware.
A source said his doctor’s most conservative estimate was that the prince was contagious on March 13.
They added that Charles has not seen the Queen since before March 13.
A small number of people living and working at Birkhall are remaining at the residence and self-isolating.
A source said the Prince and the Duchess remained in good spirits, and the Prince was up and about and not bedridden.
Medical advice is that it is unlikely to escalate into a more serious case.
(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Charles has spoken to his sons the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex, as well as the Queen.
he Prince of Wales has tested positive for coronavirus, Clarence House has announced.
Charles, 71, is displaying "mild symptoms" but is in good health as he self-isolates at home in Scotland, a spokesman said.
The Duchess of Cornwall, 72, has also been tested but does not have the virus.
In a statement, Clarence House said: "The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Coronavirus.
"He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual.
"In accordance with government and medical advice, the Prince and the Duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland.
"The tests were carried out by the NHS in Aberdeenshire where they met the criteria required for testing.
"It is not possible to ascertain from whom the Prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks."
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "Her Majesty The Queen remains in good health.
"The Queen last saw The Prince of Wales briefly after the investiture on the morning of 12th March and is following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-25--A cat was trapped inside a lock gate on a canal for a week

A frightened cat believed to have been trapped inside a lock gate on a canal for a week was rescued unhurt by the RSPCA and firefighters .
Now the hunt is on to reunite him with his owner .
The mischievous moggy , who wasn ’ t microchipped , ended up stuck behind a heavy wooden panel - and was only spotted by a dog walker who saw his gleaming eyes in the darkness .
The drama played out on a stretch of towpath along the Rochdale Canal in Manchester city centre , at Lock 89 off Whitworth Street West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level and the RSPCA said the area was full of litter and hazardous waste like uncapped needles .
Students living in the surrounding area said he had been trapped for as long as a week .
RSPCA inspector Daniel Tomlinson and animal collection officer Gina Ratcliff were called to the scene .
Daniel said : “ A walker spotted the cat ’ s eyes catching the light in the dark sitting on a wooden beam just above the water level .
“ Students who live in the local area said they believe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a week .
“ He was in a really tricky position and we couldn ’ t see him so we taped my mobile phone to one of our reach and rescue poles and lowered it down with the camera running to see if we could spot him - and there he was , his two eyes glinting back at us.
” Because of the location , they called in firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service .
Daniel said : “ Unfortunately we didn ’ t have a water rescue team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire and rescue and the crew were excellent .
“ They launched a boat and using our pole we were able to get hold of him and pull him free before popping him in a carrier to get him to dry land .
“ The canal was filthy - full of litter and hazardous content like uncapped needles .
“ So while we were there we tried to clean it up a bit.
” The cat luckily wasn ’ t injured and was named Ripley by his rescuers .
The RSPCA is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he can be returned .
He ’ s being cared for by the charity and will be rehomed if staff can ’ t trace an owner .
“ We believe he ’ s probably someone ’ s beloved pet who ’ s gone missing so we ’ d really love to reunite him with his family , ” Daniel added.. “ We have no idea how he got down into the lock but he ’ s incredibly lucky that the water level hadn ’ t risen as he could have drowned.
” Contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0300 123 8018 and leave a message .

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A frightened cat believed to have been trapped inside a lock gate on a canal for a week was rescued unhurt by the RSPCA and firefighters.
Now the hunt is on to reunite him with his owner.
The mischievous moggy, who wasn’t microchipped, ended up stuck behind a heavy wooden panel - and was only spotted by a dog walker who saw his gleaming eyes in the darkness.
The drama played out on a stretch of towpath along the Rochdale Canal in Manchester city centre, at Lock 89 off Whitworth Street West.
The cat was just above water level and the RSPCA said the area was full of litter and hazardous waste like uncapped needles.
Students living in the surrounding area said he had been trapped for as long as a week.
RSPCA inspector Daniel Tomlinson and animal collection officer Gina Ratcliff were called to the scene.
Daniel said: “A walker spotted the cat’s eyes catching the light in the dark sitting on a wooden beam just above the water level.
“Students who live in the local area said they believe the cat had been trapped in the lock for a week.
“He was in a really tricky position and we couldn’t see him so we taped my mobile phone to one of our reach and rescue poles and lowered it down with the camera running to see if we could spot him - and there he was, his two eyes glinting back at us.”
Because of the location, they called in firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Daniel said: “Unfortunately we didn’t have a water rescue team available so we requested assistance from local fire and rescue and the crew were excellent.
“They launched a boat and using our pole we were able to get hold of him and pull him free before popping him in a carrier to get him to dry land.
“The canal was filthy - full of litter and hazardous content like uncapped needles.
“So while we were there we tried to clean it up a bit.”
The cat luckily wasn’t injured and was named Ripley by his rescuers.
The RSPCA is now hoping to track down his owner so he can be returned.
He’s being cared for by the charity and will be rehomed if staff can’t trace an owner.
“We believe he’s probably someone’s beloved pet who’s gone missing so we’d really love to reunite him with his family,” Daniel added..
“We have no idea how he got down into the lock but he’s incredibly lucky that the water level hadn’t risen as he could have drowned.”
Do you recognise Ripley?
Contact the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-25--The measures being taken by Royal Mail amid the coronavirus crisis

Royal Mail bosses say they are working hard to deliver letters and parcels to people in every part of the country - and have introduced social distancing measures to protect staff and members of the public .
Its schedule will run as normal , despite local services being impacted by absences , with scores of people off sick with the virus .
The courier company has said it has introduced a range of new social distancing measures amid the pandemic .
Shane O ’ Riordain , managing director of regulation and corporate affairs said : “ Standard ways of working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wherever possible , colleagues stay two metres apart .
“ We are implementing a new rule that means there will only be one person in a Royal Mail delivery vehicle at any one time .
Processes have been further reviewed to minimise the passing of work between colleagues .
“ And we are calling for the washing of hands when colleagues enter and leave Royal Mail buildings , as well as at regular times during the day.
” The statement continues : “ In order to protect further both our people and customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our hand-held devices to customers to capture signatures .
“ Postmen and postwomen will instead log the name of the person accepting the item , and can sign on their behalf .
This will apply to all deliveries that require a signature .
“ Additionally , for all customers ( including those who are self-isolating ) where we need to deliver any parcel that won ’ t fit through their letterbox , we will place their item at their door .
“ Having knocked on the door , we will then step aside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their item .
This will ensure the item is delivered securely rather than being left outside .
“ If they are unable to come to the door at all we will issue a ‘ Something for You ’ card , advising of other ways they can arrange to get their item .
For example , by getting a friend or family member to collect the parcel from our local Customer Service Point on their behalf .
In this situation , and to keep their mail as secure as possible , they will need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a form of ID in the name of the person the item is addressed to.
” Ms O ’ Riordain said bosses are advising colleagues on good hygiene with guidance from the UK chief medical officer , and are providing disposable latex gloves , and they have implemented enhanced disinfectant cleaning of communal areas at all sites .
She added : “ Public health authorities have advised people receiving parcels are not at risk of contracting coronavirus .
`` From experience with other coronaviruses , we know that these types of viruses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as letters or parcels.
” Drop a heart on our special map of gratitude to show your support for our NHS heroes .

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Royal Mail bosses say they are working hard to deliver letters and parcels to people in every part of the country - and have introduced social distancing measures to protect staff and members of the public.
Its schedule will run as normal, despite local services being impacted by absences, with scores of people off sick with the virus.
The courier company has said it has introduced a range of new social distancing measures amid the pandemic.
Shane O’Riordain, managing director of regulation and corporate affairs said: “Standard ways of working are being revised to ensure that, wherever possible, colleagues stay two metres apart.
“We are implementing a new rule that means there will only be one person in a Royal Mail delivery vehicle at any one time. Processes have been further reviewed to minimise the passing of work between colleagues.
“And we are calling for the washing of hands when colleagues enter and leave Royal Mail buildings, as well as at regular times during the day.”
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
The statement continues: “In order to protect further both our people and customers, we are temporarily not handing over our hand-held devices to customers to capture signatures.
“Postmen and postwomen will instead log the name of the person accepting the item, and can sign on their behalf. This will apply to all deliveries that require a signature.
“Additionally, for all customers (including those who are self-isolating) where we need to deliver any parcel that won’t fit through their letterbox, we will place their item at their door.
“Having knocked on the door, we will then step aside to a safe distance while they retrieve their item. This will ensure the item is delivered securely rather than being left outside.
“If they are unable to come to the door at all we will issue a ‘Something for You’ card, advising of other ways they can arrange to get their item.
For example, by getting a friend or family member to collect the parcel from our local Customer Service Point on their behalf. In this situation, and to keep their mail as secure as possible, they will need to bring along the card we left and a form of ID in the name of the person the item is addressed to.”
Ms O’Riordain said bosses are advising colleagues on good hygiene with guidance from the UK chief medical officer, and are providing disposable latex gloves, and they have implemented enhanced disinfectant cleaning of communal areas at all sites.
She added: “Public health authorities have advised people receiving parcels are not at risk of contracting coronavirus.
"From experience with other coronaviruses, we know that these types of viruses don’t survive long on objects, such as letters or parcels.”
Drop a heart on our special map of gratitude to show your support for our NHS heroes.