thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-18--What Do You Do When Your Kids Are The Ones In Control?

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Does it sometimes feel like your kids have you wrapped around their little finger? As I write this, I find myself nodding emphatically – only this morning, my son badgered me incessantly about wanting a chocolate chip brioche, and I was so stressed about getting his shoes on for the school run that I agreed to it, despite our usual “no snacks before 10am” mandate.
My son, who’s four, still drinks milk before bedtime – and often wakes up during the night for it, too. I want it to stop, but I don’t know how – not without us all getting a lot less sleep.
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And I’m not alone in letting my kids occasionally call the shots. One mum told me her children are so used to her singing them a goodnight lullaby, that when she went away for the weekend they kicked off; refusing to settle down for the person looking after them and demanding she FaceTime them to belt it out.
Ask any parent: all we want is an easy life. But every time we find ourselves ‘giving in’ to our kids, we worry, blame ourselves, feel a huge sense of mum guilt and panic we’re in danger of raising little monsters.
Pornpak Khunatorn via Getty Images
It’s easy to slip into bad habits – we’re human. “It’s often a case of ‘short term gain, long term pain’,” author and parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi tells HuffPost UK. “If we’re tired, stressed or overwhelmed, we go with a parenting tactic that solves things quickly. But there comes a time when you realise this is not actually the right way to go longer term – and you need to move on.”
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Kids like familiarity and routine, says Dr Amanda Gummer, child psychologist and founder of the Good Play Guide – and that’s fine, but if you get into a rigid routine then kids aren’t able to be flexible and adaptable, which is vital for their development and future learning. “How to deal with uncertainty is a life skill we need to teach our kids - especially at the moment,” she tells HuffPost UK.
“If it’s a bad behaviour they’ve been getting away with because they’re little, but as they get older it’s less cute – such as sticking their tongue out – find an occasion and mark it,” she says. “You can make a big deal of their age; tell them, ‘you’re eight, now! So, we don’t do that anymore, but instead, you can do this!’ Replace it with something positive.”
“Kids like familiarity and routine.” - Dr Amanda Gummer, child psychologist and founder of the Good Play Guide
Joshi recommends speaking to your children, assuming they’re old enough to understand this at a basic level (so, four or five plus), about setting a new routine. “Sit them down in a nice relaxed way, perhaps with a hot chocolate or healthy treat. Call it a ‘family meeting’, if you like,” she says.
Explain to them that now they’re older – “and kids love this, because they love being made to feel more grown up” – you need to find new ways of doing whatever it is that needs changing. It might be the bedtime routine, or changes to screen time rules.
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It’s important to explain to your kids why things need to change, adds Joshi, but emphasise that it’s something you can tackle together. “Work together on the fresh solution so your child feels involved, but make it clear – and be clear to yourself – that you are the parent, and you make the final decision on how things are done. By involving them in the ‘reset’, even if it is only a little, your child is more likely to be positive about the change and be on board with it.”
Imgorthand via Getty Images
It’s important parents show their kids that they’re okay with the changes, too, says Dr Gummer. “If you’re feeling a bit guilty or anxious about not reading a story, or singing a goodnight lullaby, your kids might hear that,” she says. “If you’re more positive about it, you’re putting the ‘parent-centred parenting model’ in action: you’re saying it’s fine and emphasising the positives of what you’re doing. Don’t make it the child’s fault, and try to resist the pangs of guilt.”
Dr Gummer also had tips for parents (like me) whose kids still have night-time crutches, such as drinking milk. “Put a glass of water by his bed,” she advises. “Give him a snack before bedtime – an apple or some crackers – instead of milk. Remind him that he’s a ‘big boy’, now – and big boys have water, not milk. Let him choose the cup he has beside his bed, and remind him he doesn’t need to wake anyone else up, he can just reach for it, himself.
“If it’s a bad habit you’re trying to get rid of, link it to an event and make it a big deal – a celebration, that the child is old enough not to do that, anymore.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-18--Sadiq Khan: It's 'Increasingly Likely' Additional Lockdown Measures Will Soon Be Needed In London

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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan PA
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has warned it is “increasingly likely” that additional lockdown measures will soon be needed in the capital to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Speaking just hours after prime minister Boris Johnson warned that the UK is seeing a “second wave coming in”, Khan said London leaders were considering restrictions that have already been introduced in other parts of the country.
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“I am of the firm view that we should not wait, as happened six months ago, for this virus to again spiral out of control before taking action,” the mayor said.
“The best thing for both public health and the economy is new restrictions imposed early, rather than a full lockdown when it’s too late – but the government must ensure there is a fully functioning testing system.”
The warning comes amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the UK, with 4,322 new cases reported on Friday – the highest figure in more than four months.
Official estimates by the government puts the R – or reproduction – rate of the virus between 1.1 and 1.4 in London, meaning every 10 people with Covid-19 are now likely to infect between 11 and 14 people.
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Experts believe the virus is growing by between 3% and 7% each day in the capital.
Khan said he was “extremely concerned” by evidence he had seen on Friday “about the accelerating speed at which Covid-19 is now spreading here in London”.
“This is made worse by the uncertainty caused by the lack of testing capacity in the capital,” he said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-18--St Andrews University Students Asked To Go Into 'Voluntary Weekend Lockdown'

St. Andrews University JByard via Getty Images
Students at Scotland’s prestigious St Andrews University are being asked to voluntarily go into lockdown over the weekend.
Amid fears that the UK could be heading towards a second national lockdown, the university’s principal said students should try and remain in their rooms from Friday night in a bid to “interrupt the chain of transmission”.
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The request came on the same day the UK recorded 4,322 new cases of Covid-19 – the highest figure since the start of May.
In a message to students, Professor Sally Mapstone warned that with Covid infection rates surging across the UK, it was “very likely that we are very close to a form of further national lockdown”.
Urgent Covid message from St Andrews Principal Professor Sally Mapstone to all students:
"...I am writing to all of our students to ask you to please observe a voluntary lockdown this weekend, effective from 7pm this evening."
Read the full message ⬇https://t.co/tUvsUzzDH1 pic.twitter.com/i2rna9MmZC — University of St Andrews (@univofstandrews) September 18, 2020
“The First Minister of Scotland has today spoken of the urgent need to interrupt the chain of transmission of the virus,” she wrote.
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“In these circumstances, I am writing to all of our students to ask you to please observe a voluntary lockdown this weekend, effective from 7pm this evening.
“This means that I am asking you all to remain in your rooms as much as possible, not to party, not to go to bars or restaurants, and to avoid mixing with any groups outside your own households.”
Mapstone said that while some would consider the move “premature”, society had acted too slowly in the past during the pandemic and “thousands of people have died unnecessarily as a result”.
“Early action saves lives, and we have an opportunity as one community to take action to protect ourselves, and those with whom we share this town,” she said.
Stressing that it was a preventative measure, the principal said there was no evidence that coronavirus cases were surging among the St Andrews community.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-18--Boris Johnson Says Coronavirus Second Wave Is Coming And Hints At Lockdown

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Boris Johnson has said the UK is seeing a “second wave coming in” and that it was “inevitable” Covid-19 would sweep the country again.
The prime minister said his administration was considering whether it needed to “go further” than the “rule of six” national restrictions put in place this week.
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It comes as the R rate of the virus jumped again on Friday to between 1.1 and 1.4 and the daily number of positive cases went over 4,000 for the first time since May.
The PM admitted that a second lockdown was the “last thing anybody wants” but said the current measures would need to be kept “under review”.
During a visit to the Vaccines Manufacturing Innovation Centre construction site near Oxford, the PM told broadcasters: “Obviously, we’re looking very carefully at the spread of the pandemic as it evolves over the last few days and there’s no question, as I’ve said for several weeks now, that we could expect (and) are now seeing a second wave coming in.
“We are seeing it in France, in Spain, across Europe – it has been absolutely, I’m afraid, inevitable we were going to see it in this country.”
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Reiterating the “rule of six” on social gatherings was meant as a “new buffer”, he admitted the latest figures spelled grim news for the country.
He said: “But as we look at this particular curve and what is happening now, clearly we are going to keep everything under review. I don’t want to get into a second national lockdown at all, it is the last thing anybody wants.”
A member of staff stands at the entrance to a coronavirus testing centre in Newham, east London ASSOCIATED PRESS
Following the Eat Out To Help Out scheme introduced by the Treasury and the gradual relaxation of rules during the summer, Johnson was asked if the government had eased lockdown too quickly.
He said: “If you look at what’s happened over the last few months, I think the British people have done an amazing job.
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“They got that peak under control, they brought it right down, they brought the number of infections right down by discipline and everybody adjusting our behaviours and the way we go about our lives – hands, face, space.
“And I think probably, truth to tell, what’s happened here and what alas has happened in so many other countries is that people find it difficult to keep this up.
“It is very difficult to maintain that kind of discipline for a long time and what you’ve seen is the disease starting to spread again among young people and that’s where it really started to kick off in France and Spain in those age groups and we are now seeing that here in this country.”
Asked about the possibility of a two-week October half-term in order to bring in a short lockdown, Johnson told reporters: “What I can certainly say about parents and schools is we want to keep the schools open, that is going to happen.
“We want to try and keep all parts of the economy open as far as we possibly can – I don’t think anybody wants to go into a second lockdown but clearly when you look at what is happening, you have got to wonder whether we need to go further than the ‘rule of six’ that we have brought in on Monday, so we will be looking at the local lockdowns we have got in large parts of the country now, looking at what we can do to intensify things that help bring the rate of infection down there, but also looking at other measures as well.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-18--Is England Heading For Another Lockdown?

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You’re reading The Waugh Zone, our daily politics briefing. Sign up now to get it by email in the evening. Today’s edition is by Ned Simons. Paul is away.
Here We Go Again
England looked on the edge of new national restrictions today, as Sage warned there was “widespread growth of the epidemic” across the UK.
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The R-rate has jumped to between 1.1 and 1.4, up from between 1 and 1.2. The number of new infections is rising by 2% and 7% every day. More than 4,000 new coronavirus cases have been recorded for the first time since May.
Keir Starmer has urged the PM to convene a meeting of Cobra and called for “swift, decisive national action”. Nicola Sturgeon has demanded the same.
You also only have to look at the latest from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) infection survey to see what’s driving the worry.
According to the data published today, an average of 6,000 people in England were infected per day between September 4 to 10. This is a “marked increase” on the 3,200 the previous week. The rise appears to be driven by an increase in the number of people testing positive aged 2 to 11, 17 to 24 years and 25 to 34 years.
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We are yet to see what impact, if any, the “rule of six” which came into force on Monday has had.
The figures dropped minutes before the government confirmed local lockdowns would be enforced across parts of the North West, Midlands and West Yorkshire.
From Tuesday, residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens.
Restaurants, pubs and bars will be restricted to table service only, while all leisure and entertainment venues including restaurants, pubs and cinemas must close between 10pm and 5am.
London is about “two weeks behind” these regions when it came to infection rates, Sadiq Khan warned today, amid suggestions similar rules for the capital are on the cards.
At some point it might be easier to count the areas that are not under a local lockdown than the ones that are. As Sky News points out, just under 13 million people, one in five of the UK population, are now under some form of extra controls.
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A short-term “circuit break” of national restrictions in England would likely see the government attempt to keep business and education up and running while clamping down on the fun stuff such as pubs and household mixing.
Matt Hancock told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the “good news” was the number of cases being passed on in workplaces was “relatively low”.
“Protecting the economy, protecting work and protecting education, protecting schools, these can be done alongside restrictions of our social lives,” he said.
The prime minister said earlier this week a second national lockdown would be “wrong” and “disastrous”. But it’s worth remembering there is no precise definition of what a “lockdown” means.
Under pressure in July over accusations the country was shut down too late, Hancock claimed the first lockdown actually began on March 16 when he told the Commons “unnecessary social contact should cease”, not March 23 when Boris Johnson said people “must” stay at home.
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It’s been reported restrictions could be imposed to coincide with October half-term. But that’s five weeks away. Which is a long time in pandemics.
Quote Of The Day
“He’s enormously, enormously vigorous.”
– Matt Hancock defends the prime minister during an interview with Times Radio
Friday Cheat Sheet
Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has resigned as a special UK envoy over the government’s plans to break international law over Brexit.
London’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display will not take place this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, Sadiq Khan confirmed.
The US will ban the downloads of the Chinese apps TikTok and WeChat on Sunday, with a total ban on the use of the latter, citing national security and data privacy concerns.
What I’m Listening To


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-18--UK Records More Than 4,000 Coronavirus Cases For First Time Since May

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The UK has recorded more than 4,000 new coronavirus cases for the first time since May.
Government data published on Friday revealed that 4,322 cases had been reported in the previous 24 hours, bringing the UK’s total to 381,614.
The last time daily cases exceeded 4,000 was more than four months ago on May 8, when the positive coronavirus test results of 4,649 people were added to the UK’s infection tally.
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The jump in cases recorded on Friday comes amid a surge in coronavirus infections in recent weeks, which has seen the government limit social interactions to a maximum of six people in England.
There has also been a slight rise in the number of people being admitted to hospital, which was above 1,000 on Friday for the first time in more than a month.
Meanwhile, government figures reveal there were 127 people on ventilators as of Thursday. However, despite the steady increase in infections, deaths from coronavirus remain comparatively low, with the deaths of 27 people reported on Friday.
On May 8, when cases last breached the 4,000 mark, the deaths of 579 people were recorded by the government.
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Prime minister Boris Johnson has warned that the government is prepared to take “tough” action to curb a second surge in coronavirus cases and “protect” Christmas from extensive restrictions.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-18--Amal Clooney Resigns As UK Special Envoy Over Government Plans To Break International Law

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Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has resigned as a UK special envoy over the government’s plans to break international law over Brexit.
Clooney – who was appointed as the UK’s special envoy on media freedoms in 2019 – said she was “dismayed” by Boris Johnson’s plans regarding the Internal Markets Bill.
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In a letter to foreign secretary Dominic Raab, she said she was “disappointed” to have to resign, having “always been proud of the UK’s reputation as a
champion of the international legal order, and of the culture of fair play for which it is known”.
“However, very sadly, it has now become untenable for me, as Special Envoy, to urge other states to respect and enforce international obligations while the UK declares that it does not intend to do so itself.”
Amal Clooney has quit as a UK govt envoy pic.twitter.com/XgiEK0C7pW — Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) September 18, 2020
Her resignation follows plans by the government to introduce a law that would allow Johnson the power to override parts of the Brexit agreement with the EU.
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Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis admitted in the Commons earlier this month that the bill would break international law in a “specific and limited way”
In her letter to Raab, Clooney condemned government plans to do so, saying it was “lamentable for the UK to be speaking of its intention to violate an international treaty signed by the prime minister less than a year ago”.
The barrister said she had been convinced to resign having spoken to government officials and having received “no assurance that any change of position is imminent”.
Clooney is not the first person to resign over the controversial Internal Markets Bill.
Lord Keen of Elie QC, one of the PM’s most senior law officers, quit on Wednesday, saying in a letter to Johnson that he had found it “increasingly difficult to reconcile what I consider to be my obligations as a Law Officer with your policy intentions”.
Amal Clooney. Leon Neal via Getty Images


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-18--The Queen Strips Harvey Weinstein Of His CBE

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Harvey Weinstein has been stripped of his CBE.
The former movie mogul was granted an honorary CBE, for his contribution to the British film industry, in 2004.
The 68-year-old is currently serving a 23-year prison sentence in New York after being convicted of rape in February.
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A notice in The Gazette, the UK’s official public record, said: “The Queen has directed that the appointment of Harvey Weinstein to be an Honorary Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, dated January 19 2004, shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order.”
Queen Elizabeth II meets Harvey Weinstein during the Dramatic Arts reception at Buckingham Palace on February 17, 2014 in London. WPA Pool via Getty Images
Weinstein was once one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, with credits such as Pulp Fiction, The English Patient, Good Will Hunting, Gangs Of New York and Shakespeare In Love to his name.
He was the man Meryl Streep jokingly called “God” at the 2012 Golden Globes, with his films notching up more than 300 Oscar nominations.
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Honours can be removed on the advice of the forfeiture committee and with the approval of the Queen.
The committee considers whether the holder of an honour has brought the system into disrepute.
Senior Labour MP Chi Onwurah has been calling for the CBE to be removed from Weinstein since 2017, the year several women came forward to allege serious sexual misconduct.
Announcing his CBE in 2004, Weinstein said at the time: “My life and my career have been greatly influenced and enriched by great British film-makers and authors and so I am especially honoured and humbled to be receiving the CBE.”
Prosecutors in Los Angeles have filed a request to extradite Weinstein from New York, in a bid to try the disgraced Hollywood producer on five counts of sexual assault.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-18--The Future Of Fashion Shows Is Here With The Fabric Of Reality Immersive Fashion Experience

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September has long been known as fashion month. A time when editors, buyers, bloggers and more hit New York, London, Milan, Paris and beyond to see the latest creative works from designers and brands.
Recent years have seen a backlash against these fashion weeks – the economics, waste, lack of diversity and environmental impact have caused many to rethink how fashion should be presented and call for change.
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When the Covid-19 pandemic halted everything, making travel an impossibility, the clever minds at Verizon’s in-house creative studio, RYOT, along with the Fashion Innovation Agency (FIA), got together to create a fashion show unlike any we’ve ever seen before: The Fabric of Reality.
RYOT Studio Designer Damara and VR artist Sutu created this out-of-this-world immersive fashion experience
The Fabric of Reality unites three, young, out-of-the-box thinker designers with leading VR artists for a completely virtual fashion show experience, which first premiered online in July 2020 but lives on in shared VR space, the Museum of Other Realities, until summer 2021 (grab your VR glasses and get watching).
The project paired up designers and artists, including: Damara Inglês, who partnered with interactive artist Sutu to create a realm and garment exploring the relationship between our biological bodies and digital identities; Charli Cohen, who worked with Anand Duncan and Joy on a collaboration with Sanrio character gudetama to explore mental health; and Sabinna, who collaborated with VRHUMAN to create a post-lockdown oasis combining handcraft with hi-tech.
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The event breaks down the fashion world’s barriers in a number of ways, democratising the fashion show experience for people around the globe. It illustrates the immense power and potential that virtual, immersive worlds afford designers and creatives, allowing them to reimagine garments in fantastic new ways without having to negotiate the constraints of reality.
RYOT Studio Wilson talks about how The Fabric of Reality came about in the panel presentation
Matthew Drinkwater, Head of FIA at London College of Fashion and Joseclyn Wilson, creative technologist at RYOT, two of the main architects behind The Fabric of Reality, came together for a panel discussion to discuss topics ranging from how the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the need for a show of this type to the boundary-breaking potential of digital fashion, which will change the way we shop, produce and experience fashion. Brooke Roberts-Islam, who runs The TechStyler, hosted the discussion.
According to Drinkwater, one of the goals of The Fabric of Reality was “the opportunity to demonstrate to the fashion industry that a digital showcase could be something that doesn’t need to replicate what already existed in life, for us to show that these aspirational, emotional moments can live in a purely virtual space.”
Wilson talked about how consumer behavioural changes as a result of the pandemic are likely to stick around long into the future, as are the positive changes that can come from embracing future-thinking technologies (sustainability, inclusivity, etc). She also spoke to the power of VR to imprint an experience on the mind like a memory.
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Designers Sabinna and Charli Cohen were also part of the conversation, touching on a range of topics, like how their storyworlds came about to the messaging they wanted to get across to viewers.
Charli, Ana Duncan and Joy’s “divided” storyworld used fashion to explore mental health issues, centred around Sanrio character, gudetama, a lazy egg who struggles with depression even though he’s a DJ who seems to be on top of the world. Her central garment, The Why? Coat, is an upcycled sleeping bag emblazoned with Why? messaging, worn by a central Princess Mononoke goddess figure.
“With VR, you have the opportunity to actually enable somebody to see the world through somebody else’s eyes, so in terms of being able to help people empathise with issues like depression and anxiety, that’s a really incredible tool. I can’t really think of another medium that does that,” Cohen says.
After participating in this project, making a purely physical garment just wouldn’t have the same impact - or be as satisfying, according to Cohen. She is working on implementing augmented reality in all of her garments before the end of the year.
Sabinna’s Eternity coat is a personification of memory, captured in a garment. She and VRHUMAN created a storyworld based on nature, that merged past, present and future and explored desire to exit into a post-pandemic world, where handcraft techniques became natural wonders.
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“Our challenge was to capture all the textures, colours and prints, in a digital manner,” she says.
RYOT Studio Designed with Ana Duncan and Joy, Charli Cohen's immersive world focuses on mental health through Sanrio character gudetama
Damara and Sutu’s storyworld and symbiotic garment focused on the interplay between an underwater realm and a mythical-style underworld, with an emphasis on the protective power of face filters. For Sutu, who traditionally makes his art in the comic book style, the opportunity to draw a 360-degree world around him, while wearing a VR headset, was wildly different from anything he’s ever experienced.
“I’ve never been able to stand inside my artwork before,” he says. He anticipates there will be more multiplayer VR encounters in the future, where you can visit virtual environments with your friends. Also, look out for the integration of AI technologies, where artists know where you are in an environment and can make that environment react to you.
Designer Damara pre-recorded a message on what she learned from the experience.
“All the work was developed online, all the collaborations were online, but it feels like we actually all met each other, it feels like we actually all hugged each other. Looking back at the project, the only thing I can say is ‘Wow’,” says Damara.
The VR artists who collaborated on the storyworlds, Ana Duncan, Joy and Sutu, also took part in the conversation, discussing how their art has changed with the cross-pollination of immersive technologies.
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In a not-too-distant future, we’ll be stepping through our screens and expressing ourselves in new ways, without the constraints of gravity and garments, where we’ll be creating new identities, faces and even personas for the day ahead.
It was the stories from the virtual fashion show that stayed with people even more than the garments did, and as consumers, we’re expecting and demanding more from our digital experiences.
5G is going to get us there: it will “superpower” existing technologies, according to Wilson, eliminating friction points and bringing consumers what they want, when they want it. RYOT is a innovator in this field, with the first 5G studio in Europe, located in London.
As Damara declares: “Now, we are cavemen of the virtual age.”
And we can’t wait for the new discoveries to come, thanks to the power of immersive technologies and 5G.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-18--Alex Scott Thanks Fans For Support And Shares Poem Following Racist Abuse Over Question Of Sport Rum

Alex Scott Thanks Fans For Support And Shares Poem Following Racist Abuse Over Question Of Sport Rumours

Alex Scott has thanked fans for their support after being targeted by racists over reports she has been chosen as the new presenter of A Question Of Sport.
The former footballer and presenter has reportedly been signed up to replace Sue Barker as the host of the long-running BBC quiz show.
Sue is stepping down after 24 years while team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell will also depart as part of a major shake-up.
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Alex Scott PA
On Friday, Alex tweeted: “The love & support shown to me yesterday has me smiling through the weekend #thankyou. I am going to #keeponkeepingon like always! The only thing that is signed sealed delivered that I am buzzing about right now though is....@Aubameyang7 @Arsenal.”
The love & support shown to me yesterday has me smiling through the weekend #thankyou I am going to #keeponkeepingon like always!
The only thing that is signed sealed delivered that I am buzzing about right now though is....@Aubameyang7 @Arsenal 🙌🏾🤣 #COYG pic.twitter.com/qKR7HAGhYS — Alex Scott MBE (@AlexScott) September 18, 2020
Alex, who appeared on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing, also shared a photo of a poem she wrote in 2018 on her Instagram Stories.
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It reads: “I was that girl that played football, I really didn’t care / I was that girl that played football, long brown hair / I was that girl that played football, with no regards to the colour of my skin / I was that girl that played football, because I always wanted to win.
“I retired from football with medals and honours galore / I retired from football to open a new door / Now I talk about football live on your TV / Some want to say I’m ticking a box, but that’s not me.
“Football is football and that is what I see. Hi, hello, I’m Alex Scott and you know what, football is me.”
Alex Scott poem Instagram
The BBC has denied that any decision has been made over the new presenting line-up for A Question Of Sport.
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A spokesman for the broadcaster said: “This is all speculation and no conversations have been had about the future line-up.”
Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker was among those who voiced support for the 35-year-old sportswoman, tweeting on Thursday: “Congratulations and good luck to @AlexScott on being the new host for Question Of Sport.
“Smart, knowledgeable and perfectly qualified for the role. Oh… and if you have a problem with Alex getting the job, you might just be part of the problem.”
Gary’s tweet has since been deleted, however another BBC presenter, Richard Osman, has also voiced his support for Alex.
Alex Scott will be such a great 'Question Of Sport' host. I'm old enough to remember people getting angry that Sue Barker was appointed too. The tune never changes. — Richard Osman (@richardosman) September 17, 2020
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The final series of A Question Of Sport with the current line-up will air next year.
Referred to by the BBC as “the world’s longest running TV sports quiz”, the episode aired in January 1970.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-18--How A 'Circuit Break' Lockdown Works – And Why It's Needed

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On top of local lockdowns and curfews, England could be braced for a two or even three-week ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown to curb the rise in infections.
The aim would be to reduce socialising by asking hospitality businesses including pubs and restaurants to close early, or close completely, while workplaces stay open, but people work from home where they can.
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In England, households could also be banned from mixing completely. Other options that could be on the table include closing entertainment venues and hair salons, and discouraging people from non-essential travel.
It’s likely this kind of lockdown wouldn’t be as drastic – nor as long – as the national lockdown at the start of the pandemic, where people were only allowed to leave their homes once a day.
Scotland has already implemented such a lockdown, which came into force on October 9 and will last until October 26.
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Mariia Reshetniak via Getty Images
It was previously reported that scientists from the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) recommended that a national lockdown should coincide with the October school half-term so children don’t have to lose out on education. “As schools will be closed for one week at half-term, adding an extra week to that will have limited impact on education,” one member told the Financial Times.
Around 13,000 people, on average, are testing positive for the virus each day in the UK.
A UK government source told HuffPost UK a range of data is used to make decisions, and that there is no “specific point” at which a second shutdown would be triggered. So, what do experts think? Could a ‘circuit breaker’ work?
The idea of a ‘circuit breaker’ is very simple, says Professor Mark Woolhouse, an expert in infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh. The aim is to use additional social distancing measures to reduce the R number well below one for a short period, he says. In this case that would be two weeks.
“Think of it more as a firebreak,” says Dr Julian Tang, honorary associate Professor at the University of Leicester. He describes how you can’t stop people who are already infected from being infected – “like trees that are already on fire in a burning forest” – but you can stop the virus spreading to those who are susceptible and uninfected, like you can stop a fire from spreading to new trees.
Professor David Hunter, an expert in epidemiology and medicine in the Nuffield Department of Population Health at University of Oxford, is sceptical of how much impact such a move would have, however. “A two-week national lockdown would have an impact, but it would probably be a short-term impact to delay or flatten the exponential increase in cases which will then have a knock-on effect to hospitalisations and deaths,” he says.
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“I think it very much depends on what the situation is when a two-week circuit breaker was imposed, we shouldn’t be under any illusions that it would do more than just delay the second wave.”
What would the benefits of a ‘circuit breaker’ be, then?
It could have a positive effect on the rapid rise of the virus, buying more time for hospitals and testing facilities to prepare. It would also lower the risk of infection to those who are most vulnerable to Covid-19. “Lower incidence means lower risk of infection and, for the minority most vulnerable to Covid-19, lower risk of severe illness, although the latter benefit might not be seen until after the circuit breaker was over,” says Prof Woolhouse.
Another advantage is that it can be scheduled and planned for. “In contrast to previous national and local lockdowns, we would know in advance how long it would last,” he continues. “That should mean that it is less disruptive to businesses and the economy.”
Professor Paul Hunter, an expert in medicine at the University of East Anglia, says any lockdown – local or national – will have an impact on transmission rates and ultimately lead to a decline in reported case numbers starting from two weeks after the start of lockdown and continuing for two weeks afterwards.
“The problem is that cases decline in lockdown at a much slower rate than cases increase during the period before,” he says. “In the 28 days up to the peak in early April, case numbers were doubling every seven days and more rapidly than that early on. In the following 56 days, case numbers were only halving every four weeks – though partly this was because of better availability of testing.
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“So an on-off approach to lockdown is only likely to work if we have at least twice as long in lockdown as out of lockdown.”
What would happen after the circuit breaker?
In short: cases would begin to rise again. But hopefully there would be a bit of a dent in the rate of transmission, buying everyone – but mainly the government and the NHS – a bit more time to prepare.
“At the end of the two weeks we would expect to see incidence start to increase again, but it would take some time before it returned to its pre-circuit breaker value,” says Prof Woolhouse.
“Exactly how long would depend on the measures kept in place after the circuit breaker. The expectation is that all this will buy several weeks of time which could be used, for example, to improve the performance of the test, trace and isolate system.”
What needs to happen now?
First up, avoiding large indoor gatherings is a no-brainer. This is where Covid-19 has a chance to spread among lots of people. Prof David Hunter even suggests “venues that attract large gatherings need to either be closed or remain shut”.
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There’s also an obvious need for more Covid-19 testing, “but that’s not an issue that can be solved in a matter of weeks,” he adds. “We lost the opportunity over the summer to get that fixed, but there needs to be maximum efforts to ramp up testing.” And hospitals need to be readied for winter, he adds.
We can all play our part to help drive down cases in the coming weeks. Prof David Hunter urges anyone who has symptoms – so that means a fever, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell – to try and get a test. And importantly, to self-isolate until the result of that test comes through.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-18--Brad Pitt And Jennifer Aniston Reunite - And Things Get Flirty

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Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have reunited again - and things got a little flirty between the former couple.
Alas, it was all in the name of art when they took part in the star-studded table read for the classic 1980’s film Fast Times At Ridgemont High.
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Brad and Jen, who were married between 2000 and 2005, were joined by a stellar cast including Oscar-winning actors Julia Roberts, Matthew McConaughey, Sean Penn and Morgan Freeman, who took the role of narrator.
Henry Golding, Shia LaBeouf, Jimmy Kimmel, John Legend and Ray Liotta also took part, along with host Dane Cook.
During the reading, Brad read the lines of popular high school student Brad Hamilton while Jennifer played the part of Linda Barrett.
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And in a perfect bit of casting, the Hollywood stars recreated a risque scene between Phoebe Cates and Judge Reinhold from the 1982 film.
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt Instagram
Brad’s character has a daydream about Jennifer’s Linda making an advance on him
“Hi, Brad,” Jennifer read. “You know how cute I always thought you were. I think you’re so sexy. Will you come to me?”
Brad struggled to keep a straight face throughout.
Hollywood’s former golden couple have rekindled their friendship in the years following their split, and in January shared a touching moment backstage at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, where they were both winners.
The table read was to support charities Core and Reform Alliance in their efforts to alleviate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-19--Dominic Raab’s Bodyguard Taken Off Duty After Leaving His Gun On A Plane

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Dominic Raab’s bodyguard has been stood down from his duties after allegedly leaving his gun on a plane at Heathrow.
The police protection officer travelling with the foreign secretary has been taken off his operational duties while an investigation into the incident takes place.
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Dominic Raab had been in Washington DC to talk to US politicians about Brexit.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, during a press conference at Lancaster House in central London, following a meeting with United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. PA
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of the incident on a flight into the UK on Friday September 18 and we are taking this matter extremely seriously.
““The officer involved has since been removed from operational duties whilst an internal investigation into the circumstances is taking place.”
The gun was reportedly found by a cleaner.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-19--Mass Shooting Sounding Like ‘Vietnam War’ Erupts At New York Party: Fatalities Reported

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Two people are believed to have been killed and around 14 others injured following a mass shooting at a party in Rochester, New York.
Gunfire broke out in Rochester just after midnight on Saturday morning and was described by one witness as “sounding like the Vietnam War.”
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A man and a woman, both aged between the ages of 18 and 22, died in the shooting, interim police chief Mark Simmons told reporters.
The 14 wounded people were taken to two different hospitals. Simmons said. None of them are believed to have life-threatening injuries.
My hometown trending on Twitter for the wrong reason 😟
Two dead and 14 injured following mass shooting in Rochester, New York https://t.co/yfMg0t6lHL — Michael Ferdinand Joseph Doria (@MikeDoria) September 19, 2020
“This is truly a tragedy of epic proportions,” said Simmons from near the crime scene, which appeared to stretch at least a block.
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Officers responded to calls of shots fired and found “approximately 100 people” running from the scene. Before the call, police had not been aware of the party.
“This is yet another tragedy where individuals are having these illegal, unsanctioned house parties taking place in these properties, which — number one — is not safe because of COVID, because of the conditions. And then you add in alcohol and violence and it just becomes a recipe for disaster,” Simmons said.
Some really sad news coming out of Rochester New York, another mass shooting, to anyone who has been affected by this my heart goes out to you, to all my American friends I am so sorry your having to live with this again 😢 💔 #notagain #RochesterNY — Ashley Iontton (@ionttona) September 19, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-19--Outpouring Of Grief As Nation Mourns 'Hero' And 'Titan' Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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There was an outpouring of grief as news broke of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death on Friday following a decades-long battle with cancer.
Admirers from both sides of the political aisle paid tribute to the 87-year-old Supreme Court justice and women’s rights crusader on social media.
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They remembered her wisdom, her resilience and her unwavering dedication to fighting for freedom and equality for all. Former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg referred to her as a “titan of justice.” Veteran journalist Dan Rather said she was an “American hero, in every sense.”
“Justice Ginsburg paved the way for so many women, including me,” former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a tweet. “There will never be another like her.” Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, said “Ginsburg’s life and landmark opinions moved us closer to a more perfect union.”
Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris described her as “a relentless defender of justice in our country and a legal mind for the ages.”
We have lost one of the most extraordinary Justices ever to serve on the Supreme Court. Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life and landmark opinions moved us closer to a more perfect union. And her powerful dissents reminded us that we walk away from our Constitution’s promise at our peril. pic.twitter.com/dDECiBxae6 — Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) September 19, 2020
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Justice Ginsburg paved the way for so many women, including me. There will never be another like her. Thank you RBG. — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 19, 2020
"Laura and I join our fellow Americans in mourning the loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She dedicated many of her 87 remarkable years to the pursuit of justice and equality, and she inspired more than one generation of women and girls." Read full statement: https://t.co/qNGbgc1ZMz — George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) September 19, 2020
Fmr. President Carter on the death of Justice Ginsburg: "A powerful legal mind and a staunch advocate for gender equality, she has been a beacon of justice during her long and remarkable career. I was proud to have appointed her to the U.S. Court of Appeals in 1980." pic.twitter.com/n0H3B6k4yT — NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) September 19, 2020
Tonight we mourn, we honor, and we pray for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her family. But we also recommit to fight for her legacy.
Doug and I send our heartfelt prayers to Jane and James, and the entire Ginsburg family, particularly on this holy day of Rosh Hashanah. pic.twitter.com/SNyqZCznfv — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 19, 2020
Tonight, the flags are flying at half staff over the Capitol to honor the patriotism of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Every woman and girl, and therefore every family, in America has benefitted from her brilliance. — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) September 19, 2020
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The passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a tremendous loss to our country. She was an extraordinary champion of justice and equal rights, and will be remembered as one of the great justices in modern American history. — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) September 19, 2020
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a trailblazer who served the Supreme Court—and the country—faithfully for 27 years. My prayers go out to her family during this time. — Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) September 19, 2020
America lost a giant. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was shunned from courtrooms when she began her career because she was a woman.
But she persisted, blazing a trail for millions of women and others who had been excluded or oppressed.
RBG is a lioness of the law. She is irreplaceable. — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) September 19, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a titan of justice. Her jurisprudence expanded the rights of all Americans, shaping our lives for the better. And her example now shines within the history of our country, there to inspire generations. pic.twitter.com/GffcMQivDx — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) September 18, 2020
I am so, so saddened by the news that Ruth Bader Ginsburg has passed. Justice Ginsburg was a trailblazer and an extraordinary jurist who devoted her life to advancing the causes of equality and justice. We are in her debt.
May her memory be a blessing to us all. — Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) September 19, 2020
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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a credit to the Court.
I disagreed with many of her decisions but they were all well reasoned and well argued.
She was a close friend of her ideological opposite, Justice Scalia.
They both loved opera, law and the U.S.A.
May She Rest In Peace — Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) September 18, 2020
Ruthie was my friend and I will miss her terribly. The t-shirts simply labeled “RBG” made her notorious. But it was her wit, her tenaciousness, and her skill as a jurist that made her an icon. — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) September 19, 2020
As a young mom heading off to Rutgers law school, I saw so few examples of female lawyers or law professors. But Ruthie blazed the trail. I’m forever grateful for her example — to me, and to millions of young women who saw her as a role model. — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) September 19, 2020
Later, Ruthie’s groundbreaking work as a legal advocate for women led to a distinguished career as a federal judge and a Supreme Court Justice. Her lifelong dedication to fighting for justice for everyone, and her love for our nation, will be sorely missed. — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) September 19, 2020
With voting already underway for the 2020 elections, Ruthie’s “most fervent wish” was for her replacement not to be named “until a new president is installed.” We must honor her wish. — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) September 19, 2020
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg lived an extraordinary life. She fought to ensure equal protection in our laws, fearlessly dissented and defended, and was a powerful role model for us all. I'm devastated to hear of her passing.
Thank you, Justice Ginsburg. Rest in power. pic.twitter.com/QZeSzuIPrX — Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) September 19, 2020
RBG was a seminal legal figure. If she never served a day on the Court she would still have been considered a giant. Ruth Bader Ginsburg shaped the law and in doing so changed this nation. Hers was a consequential life well led. We are all in her debt. — Eric Holder (@EricHolder) September 19, 2020
This is devastating, an incalculable loss. We owe so much to RBG. Rest in Power Ruth Bader Ginsburg. #RIPRBG — Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) September 19, 2020
I don’t know about you, but I’m finding it hard to balance the need to grieve and the urge to fight in this sad moment — Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) September 19, 2020
So sorry for Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s family and for our country. She was a fighter and she was firmly on the side of justice. I hope her example and her legacy can inspire us all in the fight of our lives. RIP RBG. — Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) September 18, 2020
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My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Ruth Bader Ginsburg tonight. She leaves a legacy of thoughtful public service, a dedication to the law, and a life of great accomplishment. May she Rest In Peace. — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 19, 2020
This is a painfully tragic loss for our nation. Justice Ginsburg’s profound impact on the country’s justice system is unparalleled as a leader who shined light and hope when we needed it most. It is now our turn to carry her fight. Rest In Power, RBG. pic.twitter.com/MpqjTi1p1l — Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) September 19, 2020
My heart is broken. RBG, we did not deserve you. — George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) September 18, 2020
I'm at a complete loss.
Before fear sets in... thank you RBG for your life of fighting for our most vulnerable, for championing true equality for all, for your resiliency, and for inspiring countless women and girls to stand up and take charge.https://t.co/yflVuuPAX1 — Danica Roem (@pwcdanica) September 18, 2020
I want to express my sincere condolences to the family of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a titan & legend on the Supreme Court whose undeniably brilliant legal mind & dedication to justice & equality moved our country forward. We’ve lost a champion tonight, but her legacy lives on. — Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) September 19, 2020
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A shock. A sadness. A great loss. The passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg leaves a hole in a nation already reeling. She is an American hero, in every sense. We can honor her by joining to carry forth her legacy of equality, empathy, and justice. May she Rest in Peace. — Dan Rather (@DanRather) September 18, 2020
A true giant. Thank you for your service RBG 💔 pic.twitter.com/TN2yCcC9A5 — Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) September 19, 2020
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a torch-bearer and a champion of justice and equality. Her peerless work spanned over half a century, and will always be an inspiration to so many attorneys, activists, and young women who look up to her as their hero, including my own daughters. — Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) September 19, 2020
We should honor the life of RBG, American hero, by refusing to give in, refusing to back down, fighting for the civil rights of all people & demanding our leaders honor the the rule of law. This is our fight now. May her memory be for a blessing. — Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) September 18, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the kind of scholar and patriot you get excited about explaining to your kids. The kind of person who you say “who knows, one day you could be HER”. I hope you rest well, RBG, you must have been tired from changing the world. — Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) September 19, 2020
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Okay, today we mourn a Lioness Of Light and Righteousness, tomorrow we fight like RBG did for us every single day. She would have it no other way. Rest In Power Justice RGB! We will prevail on your behalf. — Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) September 19, 2020
NY’s heart breaks with the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
During her extraordinary career, this Brooklyn native broke barriers & the letters RBG took on new meaning—as battle cry & inspiration.
Her legal mind & dedication to justice leave an indelible mark on America. — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) September 19, 2020
Joining the whole nation tonight in mourning the loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—a trailblazer, a dedicated public servant, and an inspiration to so many. My prayers are with her family and friends. — Mark Meadows (@MarkMeadows) September 19, 2020
Stunned, devastated, and crushed. Thank you, RBG, for a lifetime of service to building a better America. It’s impossible to express how much we will miss you. — Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) September 18, 2020
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg led a remarkable life of consequence. She worked with passion & conviction, inspired many women, offered hope to other cancer survivors.
Prayers to her loved ones.
May She Rest In Peace. — Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) September 19, 2020
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My daughter has a Ruth Bader Ginsburg “action” figure in her room and t-shirt in her wardrobe.
RBG was a hero and one of the most important women ever.
I’m devastated by the loss of RBG and terrified of the vile, horrible ghouls that will rush to replace her.
Fight like hell. pic.twitter.com/lXK9e4YZQM — Brian Altano (@agentbizzle) September 19, 2020
Her rest is earned. It is our turn to fight. — kerry washington (@kerrywashington) September 19, 2020
RIP RBG. Gutted. Sad.
Grateful for all she did. And very very scared. — Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) September 18, 2020
“So that’s the dissenter’s hope: that they are writing not for today but for tomorrow.”
My Shero, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has died.
To pay tribute, those who believe in equality & freedom must fight for the ideals she championed.
For her.
For us.
For generations to follow. pic.twitter.com/oHJOGSVZIy — Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 19, 2020
I liked living in a world with John Lewis and RBG. It made us all better. — Susan Glasser (@sbg1) September 19, 2020
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If there is a God, may She bless and keep RBG. — Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) September 18, 2020
NPR: “Do you have any regrets?”
RBG: “I think that I was born under a very bright star.”
We do too. Thank you, Justice Ginsburg. pic.twitter.com/vRk49IyVDq — Ava DuVernay (@ava) September 19, 2020
Rest in power to a feminist icon and American hero! Thank you Ruth Bader Ginsburg for your service, for working well BEYOND retirement until the very end because our country needed you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. https://t.co/cQgTwuafVJ — Janet Mock (@janetmock) September 18, 2020
RBG, you are a super hero🕊♥For those that don’t know, she spent every day fighting for equal rights, women’s rights, LGTBQ+ rights, affordable healthcare AND MORE... Thank you for fighting for all of us. Thank you for being so brave. Your work will never go unappreciated. pic.twitter.com/TFHkANLVhG — Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) September 19, 2020
Regardless of politics, all Americans -specially women- owe #RBG a debt of gratitude for moving the ball forward considerably on equal rights.
She lived her life as an example of perseverance and commitment to service.
Also, 2020 sucks.
I hate this interminably shitty year. — Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) September 19, 2020
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No one fought harder. We must continue in her footsteps. She refused to rest up until the bitter end. Neither should we. RIP the great, great, GREAT RBG. https://t.co/yaHwB59xOq — billy eichner (@billyeichner) September 18, 2020
Just heard the worst news... so sad! Ruth Bader Ginsburg you will live in history forever. May you rest in peace. 😢🙏😢 — Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) September 19, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A model for fairness, rational thought, and progress. She will be missed more than we can yet imagine. — Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) September 18, 2020
She was my hero. I never got to meet her.
But I loved her and the way she moved through this world with such strength and grace and conviction.
Rest In Peace, Ruth Bader Ginsberg. #RIPRBG — Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) September 19, 2020
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Today couldn’t be sadder. A brilliant Jurist, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is gone. We must fight not to allow an Impeached Criminal to take her seat. — Rob Reiner (@robreiner) September 18, 2020
YEP. Freak out tonight, pour one out, back at it twice as hard tomorrow. #RBG https://t.co/znb2FYkqWi — Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) September 18, 2020
“A gender line...helps to keep women not on a pedestal, but in a cage."- Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Rest in Justice. pic.twitter.com/zdneRZGASk — Maya Wiley (@mayawiley) September 18, 2020
Her legacy on this country's justice system, unparalleled. Her tenacity for ensuring this country lived up to its promise for equality, unmatched.
The loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a giant loss for our country. May she rest in peace. — Tom Steyer (@TomSteyer) September 18, 2020
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Thank you, RBG for devoting your life, love and legacy to the rule of law. What a trailblazer in every way. What an immeasurable loss in every way. We will honor you by voting to protect all that you stood for. #rbg #heartbroken — Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) September 19, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, for whom my wife Caroline clerked & who married us 25 years ago, was an extraordinary trailblazer, a fighter and an inspiration
Our thoughts are with her family and all those she lifted. RIP #rbg pic.twitter.com/eQnyi4tC4v — Robert Malley (@Rob_Malley) September 18, 2020
The saddest news for justice & democracy. We have lost RBG, a great role model for women and our protector of equal rights. RIP Ruth Bader Ginsburg. May her spirit protect us from the unprincipled Senate Republicans reversing their Merrick Garland rule. Let's celebrate RBG life. — Jill Wine-Banks (@JillWineBanks) September 18, 2020
Everyone freak out tonight. Everyone get to work tomorrow. Okay?
(fuck)#RBG — Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) September 18, 2020
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“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.”
Thank you, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We’ll keep pushing our way into all the places we’ve yet to be invited. — Brie Larson (@brielarson) September 19, 2020
I’m thinking today about Justice Ginsburg’s remark that there will be enough women on the Supreme Court when there are nine. History will remember #RBG as a trailblazer and a voice for liberty and equality. — Rep. Katie Porter (@RepKatiePorter) September 18, 2020
Rest In Peace, Justice Ginsburg. You served your country beautifully. An inspiration for women everywhere, and an example in how to befriend those across the aisle. Justice Scalia is waiting for you, cuing up the opera orchestra. #rbg — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) September 18, 2020
"Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time." - Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — The Academy (@TheAcademy) September 19, 2020
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-19--Those Tom Hardy James Bond Rumours Have Just Seriously Heated Up

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Back in 2018, former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan publicly backed Tom Hardy to be the next 007 - and if latest reports are to be believed, it might just be happening.
While nothing has been confirmed, according to one movie source at least, Tom has reportedly been locked into the role since auditioning back in June.
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Tom Hardy Kevin Winter via Getty Images
The Vulcan Reporter claims the 43-year-old was expected to be announced as the new Bond in November, but this now seems unlikely due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic.
The outlet reckons an official announcement confirming Tom will be replacing Daniel Craig in the long-running film franchise will come before the year is out.
An article from The Vultan Reporter claims that Tom Hardy has been cast as the next James Bond/007.
They’re a very reliable source, so it seems as if it’s only a matter of time before this is officially announced. If true, we are insanely happy about this. The man is everywhere! pic.twitter.com/ZOmba59Ipj — DR Movie News 📽 (@DRMovieNews1) September 18, 2020
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The latest rumours saw the British star’s name trending on Twitter thanks to an awful lot of excited fans…
TOM HARDY AS THE NEW JAMES BOND PLEASE LET IT BE TRUE pic.twitter.com/4BXwpajzxY — kate (@filmhardy) September 18, 2020
I would watch Tom Hardy peeling potatoes tbh, so if he is the new James Bond Issa wrap for my ovaries as I fear they may actually implode ✌🏼 — Jess. (@jessicaaapeters) September 19, 2020
shaking and crying this better happen — aqe (@paraqsite) September 19, 2020
This might be the only good news I’ve heard in 2020. — Sharon (@ValentiSharon) September 19, 2020
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Tom Hardy as James Bond ?
Tom Hardy as 007 ?
Yes Please pic.twitter.com/KJagBue7zd — ✨BU✨ please check pinned📍 (@TortugaH0e) September 18, 2020
If this is what it takes for me to finally watch a bond film SO BE IT GIMME! — beka (@nightwindow_) September 18, 2020
Mahn Tom Hardy new James Bond. If true, oouuu. That's superb. — Rango Mando (@chisnkyTrillz) September 19, 2020
If Tom Hardy is gonna be the new Bond, I shall have to reconsider my position on the 007 front. pic.twitter.com/e3TxjZpHkT — Darren Lacey 🏳🌈 (Schitthead) (@dazlarrr) September 19, 2020
Pierce Brosnan, who played the British spy between 1994 and 2005, told the Daily Mail in June 2018 that Tom would “put a bit of wiggle” into the legendary screen character.
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“Daniel Craig has been an incredible Bond. He’s very physical, he looks lethal. You genuinely believe this is someone who could kill a man,” he said.
“He’s complained about doing the part because he’s put himself through a lot physically, but he will do the next movie, and then I think Tom Hardy could be a good Bond. I’d be happy to see him do it. You need an actor who can put a bit of wiggle into it, that’s what makes Bond.”
However, not everyone was happy about the possibility of Tom playing 007, especially as Idris Elba is reportedly in the running to be the first Black Bond.
Tom Hardy as James Bond? This again? No. Bring in Idris Elba. pic.twitter.com/RsKpeJ8nNe — D E L O W U S U aka Pianoman (@platinummind) September 19, 2020
yeah i love tom hardy but idris elba playing james bond would be the serve of the century pic.twitter.com/2Diy0x2TaL — ً (@cIooneys) September 18, 2020
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Tom Hardy being the next James Bond is actually class but let’s not beat around the bush here; it should’ve been Idris Elba — Sam (@SamBirdyy) September 19, 2020
absolute shock they cast another white James Bond when idris elba was the obvious choice but whatever — jax 🚀🐳 (@jaxonpjames) September 19, 2020
Tom Hardy as the new James Bond and not Idris Elba 🤨...2020 is a right off — Ramla Ali (@somaliboxer) September 19, 2020
As well as Tom and Idris, Tom Hiddleston and Richard Madden are names that have also repeatedly been linked to the role, while there’s also been a lot of debate about whether the character should next be played by a woman.
Earlier this month, the new trailer for the latest James Bond film No Time To Die was unveiled.
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No Time To Die was originally slated to hit cinemas in April, but its release date was pushed back seven months due to the coronavirus pandemic, and it will now debut in UK cinemas on 12 November.
This was far from the first bump in the road for the film, though, which marks Daniel Craig’s final outing as James Bond.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-19--Boris Johnson Has Had Another Stinker Of A Week As Prime Minister

“Without a measureless and perpetual uncertainty, the drama of human life would be destroyed.”
Nope, not a leak of Matt Hancock’s attempts to defend the government’s testing service but the words of one Winston Churchill.
Britain’s wartime leader is, of course, Boris Johnson’s greatest hero.
But after the chaotic stinker of a week his government has just presided over, you have to wonder whether if Churchill’s bulldog spirit offers Number 10′s current occupant - or indeed the British public - much comfort.
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More lockdowns, a jump in the all-important Covid-19 “R” rate, more U-turn drama, Brexit talks exploding and Jacob Rees Mogg telling people to cease “carping” on about tests are just some of the things in Johnson’s in-tray.
Here’s a breakdown of yet another bad week for Boris Johnson.
Testing is a mess
People queue at a test centre following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Southend-on-sea Hannah Mckay / reuters
On Friday, the latest official figures showed that the Covid-19 pandemic is continuing to grow, with the “R” rate jumping to between 1.1 and 1.4.
This was reflected in a surge in hospital admissions and daily case numbers growing to reach 4,000 for the first time since May.
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So it would help if NHS Test and Trace - which Johnson promised would be “world beating” - was doing its job.
Instead, up to three quarters of a million Covid test requests are going unanswered every day and thousands of people are being turned away from test sites, due to the “unexpected” rise in demand.
Dido Harding, the head of the testing service, admitted that online and phone applications for tests was “three to four times the number of tests we currently have available”.
The fiasco will not give people much faith that Johnson’s much-vaunted “Operation Moonshot” - which would see quick-result on-demand tests available for everyone by spring - is remotely realistic.
Meanwhile, the north-east, huge swathes of the north-west and Midlands have seen curfews and new social distancing rules imposed, with London and other parts of the country expected to soon follow suit.
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Far from Johnson being on course to “save Christmas” by flattening “the next hump of the camel” (really, prime minister?) it feels like a very bleak winter beckons.
Breaking the law - and everything else with it
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden ASSOCIATED PRESS
It’s not like Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis let the cat out of the bag when he admitted that the internal market bill breaks international law “in a specific and limited way”.
A backbench Tory rebellion over the legislation, which Johnson survived on Monday, was already under way.
The bill, which will be brought back before parliament with some key changes next week, is controversial because it gives UK ministers the power to unpick key parts of Boris Johnson’s withdrawal agreement (WA) that govern trade in Northern Ireland.
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Justice secretary Robert Buckland has not ruled out resigning over the plan, amid concern it damages the UK’s international reputation for upholding the law.
Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has resigned as a UK special envoy, saying she was “dismayed” with Johnson.
Lord Keen of Elie QC, one of the PM’s most senior law officers, also quit over the legislation Wednesday, saying in a letter to Johnson that he had found it “increasingly difficult to reconcile what I consider to be my obligations as a Law Officer with your policy intentions”.
But that’s not all.
Joe Biden, the frontrunner to be the next US president, hinted the plan could imperil the US-UK trade talks, tweeting earlier this week: “We can’t allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit.”
Jacob Rees Mogg being Jacob Rees Mogg
Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg ASSOCIATED PRESS
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The leader of the Commons has made life difficult for the prime minister on more than one occasion.
Be it telling MPs concerned in the early stages of the Covid pandemic that they could “open the windows” in parliament.
Or having to apologise for suggesting that victims of the Grenfell Tower fire did not use “common sense” and leave the burning building.
Then, there was of course THAT image of Rees Mogg reclining on the frontbenches in the Commons.
This week, the “honourable member for the 18th Century” suggested that the opposition should stop “carping” about testing.
Slightly missing the tone, he told MPs this week the government’s testing system a “success”.
He said: “And the prime minister is expecting that to go up to half a million people a day by the end of October.
“And instead of this endless carping saying it’s difficult to get them, we should be celebrating this phenomenal success of the British nation in getting up to a quarter of a million tests for a disease that nobody knew about until earlier in the year.”
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Oh ... and another Tory rebellion looms, this one over cheap US food imports
Liz Truss, Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, ASSOCIATED PRESS
And you thought Theresa May had a difficulty life at the helm!
Boris Johnson is facing a fresh rebellion intended to stop the UK importing cheap quality food as part of post-Brexit free trade deals with Donald Trump’s America, HuffPost UK learnt this week.
Tory MPs are uniting around plans to strengthen the Agriculture Commission set up by Trade Secretary Liz Truss earlier this year amid an outcry over the prospect of chlorinated chicken or hormone-fed beef being sold in the UK.
Peers are on Tuesday set to pass an amendment which would give the commission legal powers to make recommendations to parliament on how the UK maintains food standards in trade deals.
Tory MPs have been lobbying Truss to adopt the plans, but a Whitehall source made clear that she does not back the rebels.
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It sets the stage for another parliamentary showdown when the Agriculture Bill returns to the Commons.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-19--Hugh Grant Has 5 Good Reasons Why He’s Become A Better Actor In The Last Ten Years

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Hugh Grant will be celebrating 40 years since his first on-screen acting role next year, but the British star thinks he’s only really hit his stride in the last decade.
And there are five very good reasons why, according to the 60-year-old actor.
“People say to me ‘You’ve got better as an actor in the last ten years... Why?’ And I sometimes think it may be because of the kids,” he tells Weekend magazine.
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The actor has two children with his ex, Tinglan Hong, and three with Swedish TV producer Anna Eberstein, who he married in 2018.
Hugh Grant SIPA USA/PA Images
“I mean, it’s completely knackering trying to be a young father in an old man’s body and I’ve found that if you’re 60 and there are five small children in the house you can’t have a hangover either,” he says.
He adds: “But it’s worth it. Absolutely.”
Anna Eberstein and Hugh Grant married in 2018. NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Hugh, who is known for playing ‘the English charmer’ in the likes of Four Weddings And A Funeral and Notting Hill, reveals he wants to play more “revolting roles” as he gets older.
He said: “I don’t know if you’ve ever talked to Richard Curtis about this, but he always found it hilarious that the public might think I really was that nice guy in his films, because he knew very differently.
“That was a real bit of character acting, because that Mr Nice Guy’s never been me.”
He adds: “I do find that as I grow older I’m increasingly drawn to, and more comfortable in, revolting roles.”
Hugh, who stars alongside Nicole Kidman in Sky Atlantic’s upcoming psychological thriller The Undoing, has recently taken on villains including the evil Phoenix in Paddington 2 and politician Jeremy Thorpe in the BBC1 drama A Very English Scandal.
The Undoing, which starts next month, is about therapist Grace Fraser (Kidman) whose husband (Grant) disappears.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-19--The Rock Rips Off Gates To Mansion With His Bare Hands And We’re Equal Parts Impressed And Terrified

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We’ve all been there.
You’re late for a meeting and the electric gates to your mansion won’t open and the gate technician is 45 minutes away.
The solution? Rip the gates off the wall with your bare hands.
Sorted.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson did just that when he found himself trapped on his driveway because of a power outage as he tried to head off to film the DC Comics superhero movie Black Adam.
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State of it.
The Hollywood star - who is the highest paid actor in the world - said “hundreds” of crew members were waiting on him, and so he took matters into his own (incredibly strong) hands and “did what I had to do”.
“I pushed, pulled and ripped the gate completely off myself. Ripped it completely out of the brick wall, severed the steel hydraulics and threw it on the grass.
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“My security team was able to meet the gate technician and welders about an hour later — and they were apparently, ‘in disbelief and equally scared’ as to how I ripped it off.”
Same.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson SIPA USA/PA Images
The 48-year-old star added: “Not my finest hour, but a man’s gotta go to work. And safe to say, I’m ready to be BLACK ADAM.”
Filming for Black Adam is reportedly under way in Georgia, after production had been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The film is a spin-off from 2019 action-comedy Shazam! starring Zachary Levi.
The Rock describes Black Adam as a “rebellious, one-of-a-kind superhero, who’ll always do what’s right for the people”.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-19--Tormund From Game Of Thrones Doesn't Look Like This Anymore

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Eat your heart out, Brienne.
Game of Thrones actor Kristofer Hivju has revealed on Instagram that Tormund Giantsbane has got himself into a hairy situation — or rather, less hairy.
The former Wildling and president of the Brienne of Tarth fan club is apparently ditching his signature red beard for a wildly different look.
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Here was Hivju on the show:
Tormund before. HBO
And here he is now:
Earlier this year, Hivju announced that he had contracted and recovered from the coronavirus, saying he and his wife had spent several weeks in quarantine.
So it’s good to see that the actor is better now and even participating in the PCS Open, a Professional Disc Golf Association B tournament in Norway, according to a representative for the event. He apparently nixed the beard ahead of the contest.
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The rep also sent HuffPost a photo of the Wildling in action with his new look:
Actor Kristofer Hivju would never bend the knee to the disc golf gods. Truls Vik
Fans of facial hair shouldn’t fret, however. Hivju wrote in his Instagram post that the “beard is off” but “on its way back,” adding, ”#pcsopen here I come!”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-19--Cooking Burnout In The Pandemic Is Real. Here's How To Cope.

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When entering my kitchen one day triggered a physical reaction that ended in gagging profusely, I knew something wasn’t right. Despite the fact that my landlord had picked a repulsive countertop, my reaction had more to do with an existential dread to cook than ’80s interior design.
Naturally, I had figured my 900-square-foot apartment would eventually feel tired after months upon months of staying within its asbestos-ridden walls during the Covid-19 pandemic. But I was surprised that setting foot in my kitchen was the last thing I wanted to do. From tallying food needs to standing over my stove (an act I had previously loved so dearly), suddenly I was just over it.
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I’m no stranger to burnout. I’ve worked in both the entertainment and digital publishing industries, where burnout is plentiful. But this was frustrating. Taking out the trash or moving my car for street sweeping is annoying, but tasks that I willingly participate in because I have to. Cooking was something I had previously looked forward to, researched and cultivated. Now, it was my worst enemy. Thinking about food became too much. Eventually, I ended up supporting local restaurants as I watched my bank account empty with each meal.
When I pressed friends and family, they agreed. The topic of food was exhausting. What to eat, from where and when was frustrating. Coupled with the anxiety of sanitising each plastic container, the once-beloved necessity became the ultimate chore. From feeding large families to brainstorming food for ailing relatives, anxiety surrounded every facet. And it felt that food, cooking and eating were the ultimate betrayals during a global pandemic.
Motortion via Getty Images Is this you?
I sought out professional help. Cary Cherniss is an organisational and community psychologist, emeritus professor of applied psychology at Rutgers University and a published author. His latest book ”Leading with Feeling: Nine Strategies of Emotionally Intelligent Leadership,” came out in July. Here’s how he said we can cope.
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First, know what burnout looks like
“Burnout is a feeling of severe physical and/or emotional exhaustion, resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed,” Cherniss said.
Burnout is typically associated with work, but living in lockdown can lead to the same feeling ― or an even worse one. Before the pandemic, your daily work burnout may have dissipated when you left the office at 6pm. But when you’re working at home full time, the feeling of all-encompassing burnout is overwhelming.
“In addition to feelings of depletion, we begin to experience negative feelings toward activities that we previously enjoyed,” Cherniss told HuffPost. “We also become detached from the work. We lose interest in doing it and find it increasingly difficult to motivate ourselves. So, in the case of cooking, doing even a limited amount of it would leave us feeling exhausted, and we would increasingly dislike it. We would avoid doing it as much as possible, and when we had to do it, we would put in the minimal amount of effort and feel resentful about having to do it.”
If you’re still scratching your head as to how a passion can turn into a burden, consider your meal options pre-pandemic, compared with now. Before, you could easily grab a coffee and bagel on the go, perhaps lunch at an office cafeteria, and go to a restaurant for dinner. During the pandemic, those options have been taken away or greatly reduced, making preparing food necessary multiple times a day.
“Cooking is rewarding for many people. However, it can also become another source of stress and burnout, especially in the environment created by the current pandemic,” Cherniss said. “When people must cook the same things every day, the lack of variety and freedom of choice can lead to stress and burnout. When people feel that cooking is not meaningful and intrinsically rewarding, then it becomes just another chore.”
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And the myriad ingredient shortages that were common early in the lockdown only increased the pressure.
“Obstacles or limitations also contribute to burnout,” Cherniss said. “So, for instance, if one is not able to get many of the ingredients necessary for the kind of cooking that one would like to do, cooking can become a source of frustration and burnout.”
And then there’s the pressure to cook for your loved ones. “Having to divide one’s attention among other pressing commitments, such as caring for others who are ill, overseeing children’s learning or managing one’s own illness, also can make it more difficult to invest the time and effort that make cooking pleasurable,” Cherniss said. “As a result, it becomes just one more demand on one’s time.”
Add all those elements together, and it’s no wonder you hate cooking. It’s a virtual pressure cooker of anxiety bubbling up in a very small pot.
So how to cope? Finding solace in preparing food is vital to survival. Cherniss recommends employing some coping mechanisms.
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“Setting aside time each day for meaningful, rewarding activity can be especially effective in avoiding burnout,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be a lot of time. Sometimes a few minutes is all we need to recharge. To be meaningful, an activity should involve optimally challenging tasks ― not too difficult but challenging enough so that we feel a sense of accomplishment when we complete the task successfully.”
But there also should be variety, Cherniss stressed.
“For example, rather than cooking the same things day after day, experiment with new dishes. Autonomy and control also are important: the activity should be something that you choose and that you can do without too much interference or constraints imposed by others. Working with others can also make an activity more rewarding and meaningful. Try cooking with another person sometimes. But keep in mind that working with others can also be a source of conflict and frustration, so it sometimes is better to do an activity that you really like on your own.”
It may feel ridiculous to complain about a task that is necessary for survival, but burnout is real in all its various forms. Eventually, you’ll probably circle back to finding the joy in cooking.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-19--Cheer Coach Monica Aldama On Jerry Harris Arrest: 'My Heart Is Shattered'

Netflix echoed her comments. “Like everyone we are shocked by this news. Any abuse of minors is a terrible crime, and we respect the legal process,” the streaming service said in a statement sent to Variety.
Harris’ arrest came three days after teenage twins filed a lawsuit alleging Harris “sent them sexually explicit photos of himself and cornered one of them in a bathroom and begged for oral sex,” The Associated Press reported.
Harris admitted that he asked one of the teens on Snapchat to send him photographs and videos of his genitals and buttocks and repeated that request for more than a year, the criminal complaint said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-19--Lights! Camera! Socially Distanced Action! This Is How Tough It Is To Film A Show During A Pandemic

“I just set up my iPad on a table, I sat in a chair and experimented,” said David Bradley, the Harry Potter and After Life actor when HuffPost UK spoke to him about the filming he’d been doing at the start of lockdown.
Filming needn’t be done from home anymore, as the easing of restrictions means shows can return back to studios. This could all change if the pandemic worsens of course, but for now, producers have been given creative license to get back to lights, camera, action!
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...But what’s it actually like on set?
HuffPost UK spoke with Mark De Lisser, vocal coach on ITV’s forthcoming series of The Masked Singer, as well as Jason Maza, producer on soon-to-air Channel 5 thriller The Drowning, to get the scoop on filming during lockdown.
First off, it’s a huge creative challenge
Filming from a social distance has been getting underway picture alliance via Getty Images
“Regardless of your production, there will be creative compromises,” explains Jason. “It’s really hard to make art in this situation because it just becomes so clinical.”
Jason notes that it’s “very very tough to have fun, or be in the moment” when everything is geared around making the set safe - but finishing filming “felt like an incredible, unbelievable achievement” after months of working out new ways to tell their story while obeying social distancing on set.
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For Mark De Lisser, not being able to get up close to singers has meant getting creative about how he judges sound.
″As a choral director, I want the sound closer to me. I want to work on the diction and I want to work on the blend, but actually, being so far away, due to distancing, you lose so much,” Mark says.
Vocal Coach, Mark De-Lisser Adam Prosser, adamprosser.com
He continues: “We use our ears in a completely different way. For the BBC’s VE Day celebrations, filmed under lockdown, I had to really listen hard to make sure everything was balanced and where it needed to be.”
Directors also can’t go closer than two metres to actors unless they’re in the same bubble (even the same bubble, people keep the same distance where possible). So if one bubble is comprised fully of actors, the director must distance themselves from the on-screen stars while on set.
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“Our director Carolina Giammetta had to keep two metres from the cast,” notes Jason. “It’s so much harder to communicate and create that bond. We were fortunate we had a brilliant cast and director, but this is going to be a continual problem.”
Distancing on set is also a huge logistical challenge (that costs loads of money)
It’s not just hard to tell the story properly with social distancing in place - it’s a massive administration nightmare too, and costs the earth.
“There’s lots of different bubbles. Actors are in one bubble, the director and script supervisor in another bubble, costume in another bubble, and you have to keep two metres away from people in other bubbles,” explains Jason.
“Even in terms of facilities - how do I get my crew from unit base to set. Normally we’d be able to do one mini bus. Now we have to put on three or four minibuses, it’s a continual expense to be able to deliver what we want.”
Although actors can share social bubbles to avoid social distancing, it’s not always possible
Actors are able to get close to one another if they are in a bubble together, but some actors aren’t able to bubble up, such as 74-year-old Deborah Findlay from The Drowning, as she’s in the vulnerable category so couldn’t go near another actor on set.
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“No one can come within two metres of Deborah on set, which is incredibly tough,” says Jason. “Ultimately there’s compromises you have to make: we had to be creative and find creative logical reasons why she wouldn’t be going up to her son at a funeral,” for instance.
Crews have to get clever with camera angles
Using long lenses can give the impression that actors are closer together than they actually are picture alliance via Getty Images
One way to make actors in different social bubbles seem closer is by using clever camera angles to give the impression people are nearer than they really are.
“We ask which camera angles can we use to sell it the best we can,” Jason says. “We use a lot of long lenses, which create the illusion they’re closer together.”
Actors occasionally need to get close to the crew, which sometimes means they need to wear masks
“Sometimes actors have to wear masks during their take as they’re close to the camera person,” explains Jason. “It’s really not ideal: acting’s all about being in the moment, listening, connecting, reacting: all of that’s out of the window.”
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When you have a mask on you need to be a better communicator which ultimately means that filming can take longer, costing more money. Although actors wore masks in certain unique instances when filming, the masks won’t actually be seen in the finished show due to more clever camera angles.
Mark De Lisser reckons The Masked Singer couldn’t feel more pertinent right now.
“We joked the other day that The Masked Singer is probably the best prepared show in the world for a pandemic because it’s all about masks,” he says.
He agrees that it’s a huge inconvenience not to be able to go closer to the contestants. In the past, he says “you might be a little more tactile, but now there’s absolutely none of that. You have to be two metres apart and there has to be a perspex screen.”
And when things go wrong, it means reacting at lightening speed
“We had one incident,” reveals Jason. “We had an actor coming in to start, so he got tested, and found out he had Covid on Saturday. We had to recast on the Saturday, get them tested on Saturday, results on the Sunday, they were Covid free so were allowed to shoot on the Monday.
“I can’t begin to tell you what would have happened if that’d been an actor that shot previous continuity, and then had to come back to finish off the show. It just would have been an absolute nightmare.”
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Elsewhere in entertainment, socially distanced audiences are becoming more popular
Strictly Come Dancing haven't revealed whether or not they will have a live studio audience Dave J Hogan via Getty Images
Strictly Come Dancing, which returns to screens later this autumn, has been the focus of discussions around what to do about a live studio audience.
For many shows like Strictly, having a live audience has been crucial to creating the energetic atmosphere. This year the show delayed revealing details about whether they’d have a studio audience or not due to the changing status of the virus.
However, they have just announced they will return with a minimal, masked-up audience. Others shows that have returned with reduced, socially distant studio audiences include QI and Have I Got News For You. The Graham Norton Show is also set to return with a socially-distanced audience and guests.
Real-life partners of actors are being dragged on set
EastEnders has enlisted the real-life partners of actors for kissing scenes on the show, and is using clever camera angles to make actors and their real-life love interests appear as if they are characters on the show.
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People from the real-life social bubbles of the actors are also being called in to play extras on the soap opera. The show recently returned to the BBC after dropping off air earlier in the summer when they ran out of canned episodes and had to halt filming due to the virus.
What’s the bottom line?
Ultimately, producers are doing all they can to keep actors safe on set by following the guidelines, but bosses can only go so far and cannot control what actors and crew get up to on their own time, says Jason.
He asserts that there’s no magic answer for how to get shows back in production smoothly until there’s a vaccine, and in the short-term, filming is just incredibly hard work.
“I think there just has to be an understanding that trying to shoot with Covid is very very difficult and anyone that manages to get through their production without a hiccup has honestly virtually achieved a miracle.”
There’s no magic answer...
“We’re still learning, it’s a continual process,” says Jason. “It’s incredibly tough to shoot with Covid, that’s just the reality of it.”