thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-27--Breathe In Some Fresh Air At These UK Getaway Spots

Whether you ’ re looking for an easy weekend-break that can be accessed in under an hour from the capital , or a more immersive trip further afield , these are the best places to fill your lungs with fresh air across the British Isles .
A mere 55-minute train ride from St Pancras International , Folkestone is a port town located on the South-Eastern coast nestled in between the cliffy crags of Dorset and coastal region of Hastings .
Originally an important shipping harbour during the 19th and 20th centuries , the town has , more recently , become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city break that is less densely-crowded ( and expensive ) than its neighbours further down the coast .
With a surprisingly broad selection of restaurants on offer , Folkestone is fantastic for foodies keen to gorge on the freshest shellfish in modernised surroundings .
In recent years , efforts have been made to regenerate aspects of the town , including the opening of The Harbour Arm – a promenade stretching from the old railway station to the lighthouse .
The walkway is open 7 days a week - weather permitting - from dawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pop-up food stalls , champagne bars and even a cinema showing classics such as Alfred Hitchcock ’ s Vertigo .
For those in search of a more intimate eating experience with similarly impressive views of the undisturbed coast , Rocksalt , founded by Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Mark Sargent , focuses on seasonal Kentish food sourced from local merchants and farmers .
Seafood is , without a doubt , the focus of the day , with popular classics - such as the homemade fish soup - becoming welcome mainstays on the menu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salmon , which is as delicious ( and moreish ) as any we ’ ve tried .
Served with warm docker rye , there are few finer places to enjoy than the sun-drenched terrace with the sound of the waves lapping against the wooden dock – utter , unadulterated bliss .
Corsham , Wilshire - For the other side of the Cotswolds For years , the Cotswolds have been the go-to destination for Londoner ’ s seeking solace from the stress , pollution and heightened tourism as summer hits and the weather becomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ villages and an uncompromised pastoral landscape , it has been harder and harder in recent years to find weekend breaks in the high season ( May - August ) .
Still a hidden gem in the Cotswolds , Corsham is a small village located on the fringe of the Cotswolds and is a 20-minute drive away from the World Heritage site of Bath , Somerset .
If travelling straight from London , the district can be accessed in under two hours by car and a similar time from London Paddington by low-speed train @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly recommend booking one of the rooms at Guyer ’ s House , set in six acres of rolling countryside in Pickwick .
The award-winning country house hotel has a fantastic restaurant on site ( dinner can , and should , be taken on the terrace overlooking the garden but be sure to book upon arrival to avoid missing out ) .
For an afternoon of uninterrupted bliss , take to one of the site ’ s many walking routes , which the staff are happy to tailor to meet your ability and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - The jewel in the crown of the Southern coast Having recently grown in popularity due to its beach-based fishing team which bring in fresh seafood on a daily basis , Hastings has an epicentre of fantastic gastronomic outposts and idyllic , seaside villas that offer an easy weekend getaway for city dwellers .
Of the many boutique shops and cafes lining the streets of the medieval town , AG Hendy ( a restored Tudor house reopened in 2011 pictured above ) , attracts the masses keen to stock up on the store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bric-a-brac .
For those travelling in groups , the shop offers courses including a fish cookery workshop , filleting , cooking and eating the catch-of-the-day , and even a food styling course for those keen to get into the world of blogging and curation .
The store can accommodate guests ( in a private , equally chic residence above the main outpost ) .
Be warned , though : availability is notoriously tight and in the summer months it can be hard to find space to peruse the shop let alone bag an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of high season as the weather curbs ( around late August/early September ) , as children flock back to school and prices tend to dip .
If you have a more time to spend ( and don ’ t mind travelling a little further afield ) , Dornoch , a seaside resort in the Highlands of Scotland , offer some of the best , unspoilt views across the Northern Coast and is refreshingly mild compared to other destinations further on the Scottish coast .
Besides a glorious beach , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning chocolate shop Cocoa Mountain ) and a bookshop containing a fantastic selection of children ’ s books to keep little tots entertained for the journey home .
For those looking to gain a sense of the area ’ s rich historical relevance , Dornoch Cathedral , built in the 13th century , is an iconic local landmark and has an impressive , perfectly preserved display of stained glass panels dating back to its inception .
There are also plenty of great places to eat , including coffee shop Gordon House ( with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and The Courthouse Café , which even has a sibling spa and skincare company offering seaweed-based facials , skin peels and massages .
There are few places to truly feel worlds away from the hustle and bustle of city life .

By Charlotte Stanners
With the weather becoming milder and the daylight hours longer, there’s never been a better time to enjoy one of the UK’s many idyllic getaway destinations.
From the unspoilt Kentish coast to the Eastern climes of Dornoch in the Scottish Highlands, we’ve combed the places to visit for ultimate rest and relaxation.
Whether you’re looking for an easy weekend-break that can be accessed in under an hour from the capital, or a more immersive trip further afield, these are the best places to fill your lungs with fresh air across the British Isles.
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Folkestone, Kent - A foodie lover’s trip to the seaside
A mere 55-minute train ride from St Pancras International, Folkestone is a port town located on the South-Eastern coast nestled in between the cliffy crags of Dorset and coastal region of Hastings. Originally an important shipping harbour during the 19th and 20th centuries, the town has, more recently, become a mecca for those seeking a coastal city break that is less densely-crowded (and expensive) than its neighbours further down the coast.
With a surprisingly broad selection of restaurants on offer, Folkestone is fantastic for foodies keen to gorge on the freshest shellfish in modernised surroundings. In recent years, efforts have been made to regenerate aspects of the town, including the opening of The Harbour Arm – a promenade stretching from the old railway station to the lighthouse. The walkway is open 7 days a week - weather permitting - from dawn till dusk and currently accommodates a host of pop-up food stalls, champagne bars and even a cinema showing classics such as Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo.
For those in search of a more intimate eating experience with similarly impressive views of the undisturbed coast, Rocksalt, founded by Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Mark Sargent, focuses on seasonal Kentish food sourced from local merchants and farmers. Seafood is, without a doubt, the focus of the day, with popular classics - such as the homemade fish soup - becoming welcome mainstays on the menu. The house also cure their own salmon, which is as delicious (and moreish) as any we’ve tried. Served with warm docker rye, there are few finer places to enjoy than the sun-drenched terrace with the sound of the waves lapping against the wooden dock – utter, unadulterated bliss.
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Corsham, Wilshire - For the other side of the Cotswolds
For years, the Cotswolds have been the go-to destination for Londoner’s seeking solace from the stress, pollution and heightened tourism as summer hits and the weather becomes more temperate. Comprising of quaint picturesque villages and an uncompromised pastoral landscape, it has been harder and harder in recent years to find weekend breaks in the high season (May - August).
Still a hidden gem in the Cotswolds, Corsham is a small village located on the fringe of the Cotswolds and is a 20-minute drive away from the World Heritage site of Bath, Somerset. If travelling straight from London, the district can be accessed in under two hours by car and a similar time from London Paddington by low-speed train.
For those staying overnight, we highly recommend booking one of the rooms at Guyer’s House, set in six acres of rolling countryside in Pickwick. The award-winning country house hotel has a fantastic restaurant on site (dinner can, and should, be taken on the terrace overlooking the garden but be sure to book upon arrival to avoid missing out). For an afternoon of uninterrupted bliss, take to one of the site’s many walking routes, which the staff are happy to tailor to meet your ability and time restraints.
Advertisement
Hastings, East Sussex - The jewel in the crown of the Southern coast
Having recently grown in popularity due to its beach-based fishing team which bring in fresh seafood on a daily basis, Hastings has an epicentre of fantastic gastronomic outposts and idyllic, seaside villas that offer an easy weekend getaway for city dwellers. Of the many boutique shops and cafes lining the streets of the medieval town, AG Hendy (a restored Tudor house reopened in 2011 pictured above), attracts the masses keen to stock up on the store’s hugely popular homewares and Victorian-style bric-a-brac. For those travelling in groups, the shop offers courses including a fish cookery workshop, filleting, cooking and eating the catch-of-the-day, and even a food styling course for those keen to get into the world of blogging and curation.
The store can accommodate guests (in a private, equally chic residence above the main outpost). Be warned, though: availability is notoriously tight and in the summer months it can be hard to find space to peruse the shop let alone bag an overnight stay. We recommend travelling at the end of high season as the weather curbs (around late August/early September), as children flock back to school and prices tend to dip.
Dornoch, Highlands - For unparalleled beauty
If you have a more time to spend (and don’t mind travelling a little further afield), Dornoch, a seaside resort in the Highlands of Scotland, offer some of the best, unspoilt views across the Northern Coast and is refreshingly mild compared to other destinations further on the Scottish coast. Besides a glorious beach, there are plenty of sweet shops (including award- winning chocolate shop Cocoa Mountain) and a bookshop containing a fantastic selection of children’s books to keep little tots entertained for the journey home.
For those looking to gain a sense of the area’s rich historical relevance, Dornoch Cathedral, built in the 13th century, is an iconic local landmark and has an impressive, perfectly preserved display of stained glass panels dating back to its inception. There are also plenty of great places to eat, including coffee shop Gordon House (with a highly memorable red velvet cake) and The Courthouse Café, which even has a sibling spa and skincare company offering seaweed-based facials, skin peels and massages. There are few places to truly feel worlds away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-27--Epic Day Trips For Arty Types Looking For Adventure

If you ’ re looking for an excuse to escape the city , a great gallery is an excellent reason to head off for a mini-adventure .
Plus , I don ’ t care what Banksy says , who doesn ’ t love a gift shop ?
Fortunately , a lot of great art galleries are in spots that are worth visiting anyway , which means you really can make a day of it .
While we ’ re all familiar with the excellent art on show in London , it is so important to step out of the bubble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK has to offer .
Sitting next to the fishing beach in Hastings ’ Old Town , the location of the Jerwood infiltrates the gallery itself , as long , narrow windows offer stunning sea views amongst the art on the walls .
The space is home to modern and contemporary British art which sits well in this quintessentially British seaside town of fisherman cottages , arcades and fish and chip shops .
When making a day of it , trendy Old Town provides chi-chi shopping and eating .
Margate ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Contemporary shows no sign of slowing , especially thanks to DreamLand , the retro , sea-front venue offering food , live music , rollerblading and more .
Boutique shops and restaurants have popped up , with even the Libertines announcing plans for a hotel in the town at one point .
The striking modern white and square gallery gives a graphic like quality against the backdrop of the rustic harbour .
Barbara Hepworth ’ s beautiful sculptures sit nestled in her former garden , among the rose bushes , her studio and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked from 1949 until her death in 1975 .
A few minutes from the sea and hidden away behind narrow streets of Cornish cottages , this is a treasure trove to roam and explore .
And whilst you ’ re there , you might as well pop over to the Tate St Ives .
More glorious sea views .
With no entry fee and no walls , Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a dog-friendly haven to appreciate beautiful art in the great outdoors .
Wander freely whilst using an app to understand the 80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grounds .
Look out for works by Henry Moore and Joan Miro .
Sitting on the southbank of the Tyne , in an old flour mill , BALTIC is the UK ’ s largest dedicated space to contemporary art .
Whilst there , make the trip to see Anthony Gormley ’ s spectacular Angel of the North or explore the Roman remains ’ of Hadrian ’ s wall .
Housed In the old converted Albert dock on Liverpool ’ s waterfront , with a cafe designed by Peter Blake , vast structures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A vibrant buzzing city , and a must for any a Beatle fan ( take a tour to the see where the fab four grew up ) , wander up to Liverpool Cathedral to take a look at the 20 ft neon pink Tracey Emin that reads “ I felt you , and then I knew you loved me ” .
Other artists with work in the cathedral include Elisabeth Frink , Craigie Aitchison , Christopher Le Brun and Adrian Wiszniewski .
Top tip : drive out to Crosby beach to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beach , gradually disappearing as the tide comes in , under the waves .
Incredibly powerful stuff .

By Marisa Bate
If you’re looking for an excuse to escape the city, a great gallery is an excellent reason to head off for a mini-adventure. Plus, I don’t care what Banksy says, who doesn’t love a gift shop?
Fortunately, a lot of great art galleries are in spots that are worth visiting anyway, which means you really can make a day of it. While we’re all familiar with the excellent art on show in London, it is so important to step out of the bubble and explore the art the rest of the UK has to offer.
Here’s our guide to the best arty days out.
The Spoils Credit: Tracy Jones
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The Jerwood Gallery, Hastings
Sitting next to the fishing beach in Hastings’ Old Town, the location of the Jerwood infiltrates the gallery itself, as long, narrow windows offer stunning sea views amongst the art on the walls. The space is home to modern and contemporary British art which sits well in this quintessentially British seaside town of fisherman cottages, arcades and fish and chip shops. When making a day of it, trendy Old Town provides chi-chi shopping and eating.
The Spoils Credit: Laurie Noble via Getty Images
Turner Contemporary, Margate
Margate’s revamp since the arrival of the Turner Contemporary shows no sign of slowing, especially thanks to DreamLand, the retro, sea-front venue offering food, live music, rollerblading and more. Boutique shops and restaurants have popped up, with even the Libertines announcing plans for a hotel in the town at one point. The striking modern white and square gallery gives a graphic like quality against the backdrop of the rustic harbour.
The Spoils Credit: Jim Dyson via Getty Images
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Barbara Hepworth Museum, St Ives
Barbara Hepworth’s beautiful sculptures sit nestled in her former garden, among the rose bushes, her studio and her house, where she lived and she worked from 1949 until her death in 1975. A few minutes from the sea and hidden away behind narrow streets of Cornish cottages, this is a treasure trove to roam and explore. And whilst you’re there, you might as well pop over to the Tate St Ives. More glorious sea views.
The Spoils Credit: Andrea Pistolesi via Getty Images
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield
With no entry fee and no walls, Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a dog-friendly haven to appreciate beautiful art in the great outdoors. Wander freely whilst using an app to understand the 80 or so art pieces or installations in the grounds. Look out for works by Henry Moore and Joan Miro.
The Spoils Credit: View Pictures via Getty Images
BALTIC, Gateshead
Sitting on the southbank of the Tyne, in an old flour mill, BALTIC is the UK’s largest dedicated space to contemporary art. Whilst there, make the trip to see Anthony Gormley’s spectacular Angel of the North or explore the Roman remains’ of Hadrian’s wall.
Advertisement
The Spoils Credit: Tate Liverpool
Housed In the old converted Albert dock on Liverpool’s waterfront, with a cafe designed by Peter Blake, vast structures holds artworks from 1500 to the present. A vibrant buzzing city, and a must for any a Beatle fan (take a tour to the see where the fab four grew up), wander up to Liverpool Cathedral to take a look at the 20 ft neon pink Tracey Emin that reads “I felt you, and then I knew you loved me”. Other artists with work in the cathedral include Elisabeth Frink, Craigie Aitchison, Christopher Le Brun and Adrian Wiszniewski. Top tip: drive out to Crosby beach to see dozens of Anthony Gormley figures line the beach, gradually disappearing as the tide comes in, under the waves. Incredibly powerful stuff.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-27--English Sparkling Wines That’ll Make You Ditch Champagne

“ I drink champagne when I ’ m happy and when I ’ m sad .
Sometimes I drink it when I ’ m alone .
When I have company I consider it obligatory .
I trifle with it if I ’ m not hungry and drink it when I am .
Otherwise , I never touch it ― unless I ’ m thirsty.
” So said the formidable Lily Bollinger , head of the eponymous Champange house and a woman with a tireless ability to promote her family business ( as well as , it would seem , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champagne retains its allure - as the mythologised , adored , essential component of any ‘ special occasion ’ - it ’ s not the be-all and end-all .
All that glitters is not gold , and all that sparkles is not Champagne - these days , English sparkling wines provide an increasingly brilliant alternative , as Master of Wine Anne McHale explains .
“ English sparkling wine is most similar in style to champagne as the wines are made using the same method , known as the ‘ traditional method ’ for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That means that they have a second fermentation in bottle which traps the bubbles and allows the wines a period of ageing on yeast , giving them that lovely biscuity character .
Many of the wines are also made using the same grape varieties as champagne , and from vineyards planted on similar chalk soils .
However , the climate of England is what makes the wines totally unique - it ’ s further north and cooler , giving the wines a mouth-watering , lip-smacking freshness .
That cool character is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planting vineyards in England now.
” What ’ s more , English sparkling wine has been on the ascendent for some time .
“ It first reached the world stage in 1998 when Nyetimber won best sparkling wine in the world , beating even the top champagnes , ” says McHale , “ so the quality has been top-notch for a while .
But in recent years there are many more good wines than there were before - the potential has been spotted , so more people are getting involved and are doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and craftsmanship.
” As a result , English sparkling wines are rising in prominence - but it ’ s possible to buy some real bargains .
“ There ’ s a real desire now here in the UK wine industry to promote our home-grown wines , and the work that ’ s been done over the last decade or so to bring them to forefront of the popular consciousness is gradually paying off.
” As for the million dollar question - what should you be drinking ?
Here are five alternatives to champagne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of which can be enjoyed whether it ’ s a special occasion or not .
“ This sparkler from husband-and-wife team Mike & Hilary Wagstaff , from vineyards located on the sunny south-facing chalk slopes of the Hog ’ s Back at Puttenham , just outside Guildford , is definitely lip-smacking .
More than a year of pre-release ageing has given it a savoury backbone , yet it ’ s still overlaid with delicate citrus and green apple flavours.
” “ Husband-and-wife team Henry and Kaye have produced this fantastic English sparkling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above Marlow in the Chiltern Hills .
It shows a soft red fruit and lovely richness on the palate.
” “ The first sparkling in England to be made solely from Pinot Meunier , this delicate rosé has a beautiful pale salmon pink colour and an attractive floral perfume to transport you to summer .
It exhibits a fine balance between rounded red berry , peach flavours and razor sharp crispness.
” “ The original , and some would argue , still the best .
Nyetimber revolutionised the English wine scene by winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1998 .
Two decades on , its classic cuvée is as stylish and complex as ever .
”

By Max Olesker
“I drink champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it ― unless I’m thirsty.” So said the formidable Lily Bollinger, head of the eponymous Champange house and a woman with a tireless ability to promote her family business (as well as, it would seem, a considerable drinking problem).
But whilst champagne retains its allure - as the mythologised, adored, essential component of any ‘special occasion’ - it’s not the be-all and end-all. All that glitters is not gold, and all that sparkles is not Champagne - these days, English sparkling wines provide an increasingly brilliant alternative, as Master of Wine Anne McHale explains.
“English sparkling wine is most similar in style to champagne as the wines are made using the same method, known as the ‘traditional method’ for sparkling wines,” says McHale. “That means that they have a second fermentation in bottle which traps the bubbles and allows the wines a period of ageing on yeast, giving them that lovely biscuity character. Many of the wines are also made using the same grape varieties as champagne, and from vineyards planted on similar chalk soils. However, the climate of England is what makes the wines totally unique - it’s further north and cooler, giving the wines a mouth-watering, lip-smacking freshness. That cool character is so desirable that there are even champagne producers planting vineyards in England now.”
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What’s more, English sparkling wine has been on the ascendent for some time. “It first reached the world stage in 1998 when Nyetimber won best sparkling wine in the world, beating even the top champagnes,” says McHale, “so the quality has been top-notch for a while. But in recent years there are many more good wines than there were before - the potential has been spotted, so more people are getting involved and are doing so from a vision of real quality and craftsmanship.”
As a result, English sparkling wines are rising in prominence - but it’s possible to buy some real bargains. “There’s a real desire now here in the UK wine industry to promote our home-grown wines, and the work that’s been done over the last decade or so to bring them to forefront of the popular consciousness is gradually paying off.”
As for the million dollar question - what should you be drinking? Here are five alternatives to champagne, as recommended by McHale, - all of which can be enjoyed whether it’s a special occasion or not.
Greyfriars Non-Vintage Cuvée, Surrey
“This sparkler from husband-and-wife team Mike & Hilary Wagstaff, from vineyards located on the sunny south-facing chalk slopes of the Hog’s Back at Puttenham, just outside Guildford, is definitely lip-smacking. More than a year of pre-release ageing has given it a savoury backbone, yet it’s still overlaid with delicate citrus and green apple flavours.”
Advertisement
Harrow and Hope, Brut Reserve NV, Buckinghamshire
“Husband-and-wife team Henry and Kaye have produced this fantastic English sparkling from their vineyards on the flinty slopes above Marlow in the Chiltern Hills. It shows a soft red fruit and lovely richness on the palate.”
Albourne Estate, Blanc de Blancs 2013, West Sussex
“100% Chardonnay and three years’ ageing on this first release sparkling from Albourne Estate’s inaugural harvest in 2013 has produced a spectacularly elegant and delicious wine.”
Exton Park Vineyard Pinot Meunier Rosé NV, Hampshire
“The first sparkling in England to be made solely from Pinot Meunier, this delicate rosé has a beautiful pale salmon pink colour and an attractive floral perfume to transport you to summer. It exhibits a fine balance between rounded red berry, peach flavours and razor sharp crispness.”
Nyetimber Classic Cuvée NV, West Sussex
“The original, and some would argue, still the best. Nyetimber revolutionised the English wine scene by winning Best Sparkling Wine in the World in 1998. Two decades on, its classic cuvée is as stylish and complex as ever.”
Anne McHale is a Master of Wine, and sets the wine menu at the Coral Room - thecoralroom.co.uk


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--Coronavirus Latest: Four More Cases Of Covid-19 Confirmed In England, Bringing UK Total To 40

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Four more people have tested positive for coronavirus in England, health officials have said.
It means that 40 people have now been diagnosed with Covid–19 in the UK.
In a statement on Monday, chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said that all four patients had recently travelled from Italy, where more than 1,700 cases of coronavirus have been detected.
The patients – who are from Hertfordshire, Devon and Kent – are all being investigated and contact tracing has begun, Whitty added.
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Included in the above figures are four further cases in England. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 37.
Following previously reported confirmed cases in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, the total number of UK cases is 40. pic.twitter.com/Fqf5wwARu5 — Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) March 2, 2020
The latest news comes after it was revealed that one of the patients who tested positive over the weekend was a health worker at a cancer centre in Middlesex.
But NHS officials at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre said the risk to patients and staff was “very low” and that the centre remained open.
Another case was confirmed at the North East London NHS Foundation Trust offices in Kent.
Vinters Business Park – home to Maidstone Studios and an office suite used by the trust – confirmed that a tenant had tested positive for the virus and their team “is taking the sensible precaution of self-isolating and working from home”.
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Meanwhile, travel firm Tui said 17 of its customers at a quarantined hotel in Tenerife have been flown back to the UK after testing negative for coronavirus.
A Tui spokeswoman said its British guests at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace returned on two separate flights to Bristol and Newcastle on Sunday night.
The company’s remaining 19 holidaymakers will be flown home on Tuesday, subject to their test results, she said.
More than 13,500 people have now been tested for coronavirus in the UK.
A sign for a Covid-19 'coronavirus pod' isolation unit fixed to railings outside University College Hospital in London NurPhoto via Getty Images
Prime minister Boris Johnson has said there is “little doubt” the virus will present a “significant challenge” for the UK.
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Meanwhile, health secretary Matt Hancock refused to rule out British cities on lockdown to prevent the spread of the infection.
He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme: “There is clearly a huge economic and social downside to (shutting down cities).


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--UK Coronavirus Spread Likely To Become 'More Significant', Warns Boris Johnson

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Boris Johnson has warned the spread of coronavirus in the UK is “likely to become more significant”.
Speaking after a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee in Whitehall on Monday, the prime minister said ministers had agreed a plan “if and when it starts to spread”.
Johnson said the government would “take the steps necessary” to “contain the spread of the disease as far as we can, and to protect the most vulnerable”.
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“I think it’s very important to stress that this is a problem that is likely to become more significant for this country,” he said.
Downing Street said a UK-wide action plan to tackle coronavirus had been agreed at the Cobra meeting and would be published tomorrow.
Government sources indicated it could be “months rather than weeks” before the coronavirus outbreak in the UK peaks.
Ministers plan to get emergency powers into law by the end of the month but they may not be required for some time.
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“We don’t want to have to take decisions before we have to,” a source said.
“As much as possible we want people to carry on with their daily lives.”
Johnson has been criticised by Labour for being a “part-time” prime minister as the UK coronavirus toll climbed to 36 cases over the weekend.
But the prime minister’s official spokesperson defended the government’s response to the crisis.
“We have been taking extensive steps led by the best medical and scientific advice since the very beginning of this outbreak,” the spokesperson said.
Globally, the number of people killed worldwide by the virus exceeds 3,000 and there have been almost 90,000 confirmed cases.
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, confirmed that “population distancing measures”, such as banning public gatherings and cancelling football matches, could be considered, while closing schools may become “necessary”.
He has also not ruled out locking down entire British cities to contain the spread of the virus, but has given scant further information about what this would actually involve.
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Labour has said it would support the move if it was deemed necessary.
This morning’s Cobra meeting was attended by Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon and England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--Black People's Day Of Action: Inside The 1981 New Cross Fire March That Brought Britain To A Standst

Black People's Day Of Action: Inside The 1981 New Cross Fire March That Brought Britain To A Standstill

It made history as one of the most significant political demonstrations ever to take place in Britain.
The Black People’s Day of Action march took place on March 2, 1981 – six weeks after the New Cross fire that claimed the lives of 13 young Black people.
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A 14th victim, who had survived the blaze but was unable to cope with the trauma of seeing his friends perish, died by suicide two years later.
The question of whether or not “Black lives matter” predates the last few years; back in the 1980s, Black people felt there was a public lack of regard for the loss of young Black lives in the blaze.
The police were accused of not properly investigating what happened; the government was silent on the issue.
March 2, 1981: Grieving protesters march from New Cross to the House of Commons after 13 Black people were killed in the New Year fire at Deptford, south London Graham Turner via Getty Images
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For many, it seemed as though Black lives were not of importance. The decision to mobilise was borne of frustration with that notion.
Many Black families felt the time had come to stop being compliant with a society that didn’t accept them.
Only 50 people were expected, but hundreds turned up to a meeting on January 25, 1981, at the Moonshot Club in Lewisham, a Black youth centre, and decided to march in protest.
The New Cross Massacre Action Committee was set up, led by the late Darcus Howe and John La Rose, which kickstarted plans for the day of action.
New Cross Massacre poster Maria Carter
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Some 20,000 people marched across London to demand justice for the victims of the New Cross fire and insist that the establishment listen to the Black community.
People came from as far as France to attend, and fleets of coaches descended into the capital from cities such as Birmingham and Manchester.
Some 13 red banners bearing the names of the victims – mainly children – were carried by the crowds in addition to a coffin to be left at No.10.
The demonstration stopped traffic on Blackfriars Bridge, brought Britain to a standstill and signalled a turning point in the movement for race equality.
It went on to spark a series of nationwide uprisings – also referred to as “riots” – in Brixton, Liverpool, Moss Side and other inner city areas in the months and years that followed.
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“I think it’s important that the New Cross fire tragedy isn’t forgotten, particularly in the context of 2020 where we see it reflected in Grenfell, for instance – another huge fire which mostly affected ethnic minority communities” - Joshua Anthony
The situation was further exacerbated by brewing racial tension. Police officers would harass young Black men through legislation such as the “sus laws”, while poverty and unemployment limited the prospects of many inner-city residents.
Some four decades later, the cause of the New Cross fire is still unknown.
Eye-witnesses suggested it was a racist arson attack; there was an account of a man who fled the scene in a white van.
The Lewisham area had a strong far-right presence, with regular attacks on Black people, community centres and youth clubs.
Three years before the New Cross fire, the Moonshot club – a Black community centre in Lewisham – was firebombed in December 1977, shortly after newspaper reports that burning down the club had been discussed at a National Front meeting.
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The following year, the Albany centre in Deptford was set alight shortly after an anti-racism event was hosted there. A note was pushed through the door the following day saying “got you”.
New Cross Fire victims HuffPost UK
Journalist Eddie Botsio, who has previously commissioned a documentary on the New Cross fire, told HuffPost UK: “When tragedies like this occur, grieving families look to the authorities for answers and for someone to be held accountable.
“Whether they’re Liverpool fans at Hillsborough, Stephen Lawrence’s parents in Eltham or the families of those who died at Grenfell, time and again ordinary people go to extraordinary lengths trying to get answers from those in positions of power.
“Yet in their pursuit of accountability, for many bereaved families, justice remains elusive and illusory.”
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Still, one thing is certain: the fire and subsequent Black People’s Day of Action demonstration were a catalyst that led to widespread change in Britain. Things would never be the same again.
Darcus Howe and John La Rose HuffPost UK
Leila Hassan Howe, Darcus’s widow and co-organiser of the march, told HuffPost UK: “People felt very strongly that, with all that had gone on with Margaret Thatcher and all of the racism at the time, this was really the final straw.
“People were angry that no one had taken the death of 13 young Black people seriously, by any stretch of the imagination.
“One of the things that angered us at the time was the way the media had treated this. They didn’t treat it as a racist attack – it didn’t really get a lot of attention, the politicians really hadn’t said anything – so we decided we were going to march.”
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Leila Howe Hussan seen with a photo of her taken by Neil Kenlock at Expectations: The Untold Story of Black British Community Leaders in the 60s and 70s. Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images
Leila, a former Black Unity and Freedom Party member, explained that the move was deliberately designed to disrupt society.
It was decided, at Darcus’s suggestion, that the demonstration take place on a working day, as opposed to a weekend, for maximum impact.
″We wanted to demonstrate in a different way,” she said. “We didn’t want to have a rally, on a Saturday, in Trafalgar Square with speakers and then everybody goes home.
“We had to show British authorities that this was a step too far and we’re not going to put up with it.
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“Once we got moving, you could feel the power of that march. It was people marching with purpose.”
The route was agreed with the police beforehand but the demonstration snowballed. In no time at all, numbers quickly began to swell with people hopping off buses and leaving school to join the cause.
Calvin Francis, then 15, walked out of his class at Peckham Manor School to be a part of the protest. He was grieving the loss of his friend, Patricia Johnson, who had died in the blaze.
“I was supposed to go to that dance [where the New Cross fire broke out] that night, but the party I was at in Lewisham Way was sweeter,” he told HuffPost UK.
“When I got home, my granny was awake waiting for me and told me what she heard on the news – LBC radio.”
On the day of the march, he said, most of his school “just got up and walked out to join it” as it passed the gates.
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“You could feel the power of that march. It was people marching with purpose.” - Leila Hassan Howe
There was a confrontation between police and demonstrators when the procession approached Blackfriars Bridge and the authorities tried to stop them getting past, Leila said.
“Once we’d crossed Blackfriars Bridge,” she told HuffPost UK, “we were in commercial London and the police didn’t want the disruption, even though they had in theory agreed to the route.”
Though the march was largely peaceful, it was this clash that dominated news headlines with stories like “Day the blacks ran riot in London” in The Sun newspaper, “Black day on Blackfriars” and “Britain enters the era of the great terror!” – back when the National Front enjoyed the legitimacy of circulating its own publication.
National Front News Maria Carter
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As protesters marched down Fleet Street, London’s newspaper capital at the time, accounts describe reporters hung out of windows shouting racist abuse, making monkey sounds and throwing banana skins at the crowd.
“All the newspapers were based there,” said Leila. “People who were working at the newspapers were hanging out of the windows, shouting abuse at us. But we were busy shouting ourselves, chanting ’13 dead, nothing said’, so we were making our own noise, I have to say.
“The coverage of the march was awful. It was very negative.”
June Thompson, an administrative worker, described the day as “significant”.
“I’d never been on anything like that in my life but I was inspired to go,” the 55-year-old told HuffPost UK.
Thompson was a part of the action committee and helped oversee the creation of the demonstration banners and “13 dead, nothing said” T-shirts. She still has hers, nearly 40 years later.
“One voice with one purpose – to get our message across,” she said. “At the time there was a lot of racial tension within the air. It came to the stage where people felt like enough is enough.
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“I don’t know if we’ll ever see a day like that again.”
June Thompson HuffPost UK
Wayne Haynes, 56, is a survivor of the New Cross fire.
It was his sound system, “Gemini”, that was providing the music in the house party and he narrowly escaped with his life after jumping out of a window.
He watched the Black People’s Day of Action march from his hospital bed where he spent six long months recovering from injuries sustained during the blaze.
“Do you know what? As a Black man, I am so proud of that day,” he told HuffPost UK. “They showed it [on TV] like it was a coronation. The whole day I lay my hospital bed in Greenwich District Hospital, smiling. We brought London to a standstill.”
Wayne, who believes far more than 20,000 people attended the march, said: “It wasn’t just a great day for Black people. It was a great day for Britain because, on that day, Britain showed the rest of the world that, hear what, we ain’t having it no more.
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“The racism, the slavery, the everything – we’re not having it no more.”
As a result of the fire, Wayne has had 140 skin grafts after suffering first degree burns. He smashed his hip into 163 pieces, damaged his sciatic nerve and up until this day cannot feel anything below his knee.
The music connoisseur has a hole in his foot that won’t heal and damaged tendons; doctors have discussed the possibility of amputating his foot.
Wayne is now classed as being disabled, hasn’t been able to work since the tragedy, and doesn’t leave his house very often.
“Do you know what? The fire destroyed lives. We have no reason why it happened, who done it, why did you do it?”
Wayne Haynes HuffPost UK
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He continued: “As soon as anyone mentions the fire, I don’t even think about myself. I think about those kids first. For most of those parents, they’re going to die and never know what happened to their children. For most of those children, for which I knew most of, they didn’t get a chance to live.”
There were 56 survivors, he says, and the consequences have been severe. One man has a psychiatric breakdown on the fire anniversary, every January, without fail.
“There are other people out there whose minds, it’s just not working for them. Their brain, every year coming up to January, their mindset is gone. They’re the people that I think of.
“Not one of the 56 injured got counselled, not one of us.
“If this had happened anywhere else in the world, there’d probably be 56 millionaires. We’ve got nothing. Right now, I’m still fighting for them to give me back my disabled card that they took away last year. That’s what this country’s done for me. That’s what they’ve done for these people in the fire.”
Mirrorpix via Getty Images
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While Brother Leader Mbandaka, co-chair of the National Afrikan People’s Parliament, didn’t attend the day of action, he followed news of the demonstration closely. It would help spur him into political activism years later.
“I felt hopeful, overwhelmed by the whole thing. As a young man, knowing that so many of our people came out, took a stand, seeing footage of thousands of African people marching the streets, I really felt empowered,” he told HuffPost UK.
“Only a couple of years later, I started to engage in community activism and the New Cross massacre was certainly one of the events of history that inspired me in that direction.
“When you think about the day of action, 25,000 African people took to the streets and that really shook up the establishment.
“I don’t think we would’ve seen all of these positive changes for racial equality had it not been for the ‘turbulent 1980s’ which helped to break down barriers.
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“But I think our focus switched from continuing to organise independently for the empowerment of our people to the point that we can establish an independent, national representative body that can promote, preserve and protect the best interests of African people in the UK.”
Violence broke out as thousands of angry demonstrators marched through London to protest against the police handling of the investigation into a fire in Deptford in which 13 black people died. Mirrorpix via Getty Images
Broadcaster Trevor Phillips described the march as “a revelation to everyone else and a shock to the Black community itself”.
“This was the first time that Black Britons had ever mobilised in such numbers – and the march was exclusively composed of black people,” he told HuffPost UK.
“The Black People’s Day of Action made visible for the first time the quiet rage of a community better known for Carnival and church at its treatment by the authorities.
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“This wasn’t a march of radicals. Perhaps the most telling fact was that people of all ages and backgrounds joined the march – in fact as we were filming live we talked to people who had seen it from their office window, and there and then decided to leave their desks, put on their coats, and join the demo.”
Maria Carter Supplied
Aged 14, Maria Carter joined the demonstration with her older sister.
“That was the only time I missed school, as opposed to being sick, but my mother knew that I was going; I wanted to be a part of it,” she told HuffPost UK.
“I had this sense of Black pride. I was really enthused and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, and was overwhelmed by the amount of people that turned up.
“What I found really shocking to me was the very next day after the march, looking at the tabloids – The Sun in particular, The Mirror – and seeing their reports and thinking: ‘This isn’t what I witnessed.’ actually cried reading some of the accounts, and I still have them. I bought all of the papers involved with that march, but I could not recall what they reported having seen.”
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She added: “When we were planning at the time, a lot of people might have scoffed at this, said ‘nothing’s gonna happen’ – but we’ve never seen the gathering of Black people on such a large scale before in London. When it happened I think it shook and shocked people. They never thought it could actually happen.”
“When the march was coming along Fleet Street, which was at the time the headquarters of our newspapers, you’ve got the reporters hanging out the windows calling us monkeys, (shouting) ’n****rs go home. The same reporters that are writing the stories.” - Wayne Haynes
Maria, now 53, and her older sister were a part of the action committee that organised the march. She has kindly supplied HuffPost UK with archive newspaper articles that she collected at the time for a scrapbook.
“I didn’t know the march would be a part of history at the time – but I was always really proactive when it came to civil rights and our rights as Black people,” she explained.
“I tip my hat to the late Darcus Howe for spearheading it.
“My sister and I sat with him – we were part of the action committee, we would attend meetings in Deptford. He was really instrumental in a lot of planning; he took a lot of flak from the media but it didn’t let it deter him; he kept going.”
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Some people felt it took too long for those well placed in society to offer condolences to the Black community about the fire. By contrast, when tragedies happened to white people, the condolences would be free and forthcoming.
“We felt we were being ignored, that our Black suffering wasn’t akin to the white suffering and we were somehow second class citizens,” said Maria.
The fire, plus racial tensions before and after, stoked a sense of disenchantment within Carter that saw her leave Britain for Barbados – the land of her parents.
“I’d had enough,” she told HuffPost UK.
LONDON - APRIL 30: UB40 announce one of their two new vocalists, Maxi Priest and their new album 27/7 at the Intercontinental Hotel on April 30, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Matt Kent/WireImage) Matt Kent via Getty Images
Grammy award-nominated singer Maxi Priest grew up in Lewisham, just 20 minutes from where the fire happened. He was a part of the demonstration.
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On the night of the fire, he was out with his brother attending another house party but had planned to head to the one in New Cross.
“We were all united in grief over what happened and that’s also what drove that march,” he told HuffPost UK.
“I grew up with most of the people who were in that fire.
“News of the fire spread like wildfire. By the end of the night everybody had heard about the whole situation. We grew up together. I lost some very good friends in there like Peter Campbell and Gerry Francis.”
The “Close To You” singer said he had a “burning feeling of anger” about the whole situation.
“We marched several times for various situations in New Cross because of injustice against Black people; that was the climate of racism at the time,” he explained.
“We walked in twos and three and fours; as brothers and sisters and also as friends, running from some skinhead, greasers, or any of those kind of [racist] people.
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“Black people were fighting for some existence, some recognition, some value to the fact that we were born here. We didn’t ask to come here and here we are with people telling us to leave and ‘go back to your own country’.
“I don’t know anybody from the government or establishment who came to check for us. Prince Charles came down to Moonshot Club after it was on fire; why he did, I don’t know, but I didn’t see anybody else.”
Joshua Anthony HuffPost UK
Years after the Black People’s Day of Action march, the impact of the New Cross fire continues to reverberate.
This is something Joshua Anthony’s family have to live with for the rest of their lives.
His uncle, Peter Campbell, died in the blaze aged 18 and Joshua has watched his grandmother campaign for justice on behalf of her late son ever since.
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“This is someone who campaigned in the ’80s, ’90s, all the way through the 2000s, and [...] yet there was no resolution, there was no support,” said the 28-year-old.
“I think it’s important that the New Cross fire tragedy isn’t forgotten, particularly in the context of 2020 where we see it reflected in Grenfell, for instance – another huge fire which mostly affected ethnic minority communities.
““We were all united in grief over what happened and that’s also what drove the Black People's Day of Action march” - Maxi Priest
“Again, we see how investigations aren’t done in the most transparent way and [it’s] not necessarily the right people who are leading these investigations.”
Shortly after the Brexit referendum result in 2016, Norman Durker witnessed a woman ranting about the fire on the bus in south-east London.
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Echoing Wayne’s description of the mental anguish caused by the tragedy, he told HuffPost UK: “An air of anxiety was starting to develop [after the result] – I remember it clearly.
“It was all kicking off with an increase in racist incidents and the woman was muttering to herself, and ranting a bit, about the New Cross Fire and talking about death.”
Adding that he thought she was suffering from some type of post traumatic stress disorder, the 71-year-old said, “I think was probably had mental health issues and able to just about function on a minimal level.
“The woman was talking about something that happened over 30 years ago and that, in itself, is an indication of unresolved trauma. You don’t need to be a professional to realise that.”
Red banners, New Cross fire Maria Carter
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Norman added: “I think she must have been involved in some direct or indirect way. Whether it contributed to her state, I just don’t know. For someone to come out of the blue and talk about some event that people have largely forgotten about is telling.”
Dr Aaron Andrew, a historian who has been researching the New Cross fire as part of his “Forged By Fire” project, told HuffPost UK: “The implication of the state’s silence over the deaths was that Black people didn’t belong within British society.”
On the importance of his research into the topic, he continued: “When we think of today, with the Windrush scandal and the way that the Grenfell community has been treated by parts of the state, there’s almost a moral and political responsibility to make sure that this story is fully integrated within that larger British history.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--Black People's Day Of Action: Story Of The 1981 New Cross Fire

Black People's Day Of Action: Story Of The 1981 New Cross Fire
On 18 January, 1981, a house fire in south London killed 13 young black people. One survivor died by suicide two years later. Compounded by perceived inaction by the police to investigate the tragedy, silence from senior state figures, and negative media coverage about the fire, the ‘Black People’s Day Of Action’ march was organised. It would turn out to be one of the most significant political demonstrations to ever take place in Britain and was a pivotal moment for the movement of race equality in London and the rest of the UK.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--Jessica From Love Is Blind Says Filming Show Was 'Psychological Warfare'

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Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Love Is Blind on Netflix.
There’s no questioning that Jessica Batten was one of the stand-out stars of the Netflix dating series Love Is Blind, thanks to her rollercoaster romance with Mark Cuevas, her on-off feelings for Barnett and, of course, her dog’s love for a glass of red.
However, in her first interview since the show’s finale debuted last week, Jessica suggested that her experience wasn’t necessarily a positive one.
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Ultimately, as those who have seen the finale will know, the regional manager decided not to go through with her wedding to Mark, saying “I cannot” at the altar.
In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jessica revealed that she had known before the wedding that she wasn’t going to marry Mark, but felt pressured to go through with the ceremony anyway.
Jessica in an early episode of Love Is Blind Netflix
“I had to stay,” she explained. “I definitely had a conversation about leaving and I wasn’t able to do that. My dog got sick too, and almost died during the show, I had so much other stuff going on.
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“It was really frustrating because I kind of knew [Mark and I] weren’t going to get there. I definitely had some conversations and attempted to leave, but I wasn’t able to.”
“It was psychological warfare, for sure,” she added. “Because planning a wedding is stressful enough, I hear. But when you’re planning a wedding with someone that I knew I didn’t want to marry him, we weren’t ready for that, and we actually had multiple conversations and we were both on the same page about that.
“We weren’t ready to marry each other in that allotted amount of time that we had. We were very much on the same page about that.”
Mark and Jessica pictured weeks before the wedding that wasn't Netflix
Love Is Blind creator Chris Coelin previously insisted that none of the contestants were “forced to do anything” during the three-week “experiment”.
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HuffPost UK has also contacted Netflix for comment.
It was recently revealed that Love Is Blind was filmed in October and November 2018, meaning the participants have been sitting on their secret weddings for the last 18 months.
They’ll all be spilling the beans on what has been going on in their relationships (only two of which actually ended in marriages) in a new reunion special, set to debut on Netflix on 5 March.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--Coronavirus Drive-Through Tests Begin In The UK

Coronavirus Drive-Through Tests Begin In The UK
The UK’s first drive-through swab testing centre for coronavirus has opened in London. The NHS trial service allows drivers to pull up outside and get tested for COVID-19. For people who cannot drive however, home visit testing by medical professionals is an option.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--Travel Restrictions Pointless If Coronavirus Gets Worse Says Government Expert

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The government’s chief scientific adviser has stated that restricting travel will be pointless if the coronavirus crisis spreads beyond a certain point.
Sir Patrick Vallance said: “Once the epidemic is everywhere, then actually restricting travel makes no difference at all.
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“At the moment we are certainly not recommending any change to behaviours in relation to that.
“And if it grows in the UK, then of course it doesn’t really make more sense to say that you’re at more risk somewhere else than you are here.”
It comes after airlines including British Airways cancelled more than 400 flights due to a drop in passenger numbers caused by Covid-19.
The International Air Transport Association (Iata) warned last month that airlines could lose $29.3bn (£22.7bn) this year due to the outbreak.
The trade association, which represents airlines, has called for regulators to relax rules on take-off and departure slots amid the drop in demand.
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Allocation of slots at UK airports is governed by the European Union, which has a so-called “use it or lose it” rule, which means airlines must use 80% of their slots or risk losing them.
Chief medical adviser to the UK government Chris Whitty (left) and the chief scientific adviser to the UK government Patrick Vallance (right) arrive in Downing Street on March 3, 2020. ISABEL INFANTES via Getty Images
Iata claimed it would be “inappropriate” to apply the rule in summer 2020, to allow airlines to adjust their schedules in response to the “extraordinary demand developments” caused by Covid-19.
In response, trade body Airports Council International Europe said the virus is “significantly impacting Europe’s airports”.
It added: “We support a partial relaxation of EU rules governing the use of airport slots use, but do not consider at the moment that a blanket relaxation for all air routes is justified.”
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Meanwhile, England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty stressed that the “great majority” will survive coronavirus, even among the elderly.
“Even for the highest risk group, the great majority of people will survive this.
“If you look at the Chinese data, if you take the very oldest people, the great majority survive.
“If you’re talking about the low-risk groups, the rate of mortality is well below 1%.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--Trump Mocks Biden's Gaffes And It Goes About As Well As You'd Expect

You can't close an umbrella, you looked directly in to the sun during an eclipse, you think F38's are truly invisible, etc, etc, etc. You should shhhh....Or hey, if Biden is that far gone, debate him.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--No, You Shouldn’t Be Making Your Own Hand Sanitiser

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With reports of people stockpiling hand sanitiser, some are making it at home to protect themselves against coronavirus – with recipes circulating online.
But there’s little evidence these homemade solutions – usually made from aloe vera gel and alcohol – actually work.
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Public Health England confirmed to HuffPost UK that it is not recommending people make their own hand gels at home.
d3sign via Getty Images
If you’re struggling to get your hands on a shop-bought gel, PHE says you should stick to soap and water – and wash your hands for the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.
“The best way to protect yourself from infections like coronavirus is to regularly wash your hands with soap and water,” said Dr Nick Phin, deputy director at the National Infection Service, PHE, adding that “proper hand washing is the most effective method and this should be your first choice”.
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Dr Jenna Macciochi, an immunologist based at Sussex University, explains that alcohol-based sanitisers that have more than 60% alcohol are considered best – but homemade solutions may not be up to scratch.
“I wouldn’t try and make your own sanitiser at home,” she advises. “It’s not necessary for most people who have access to regular hand washing with soap and water, which is perfectly sufficient. [Homemade sanitiser] will most likely be less effective than ones that you can buy and have a known amount of alcohol in them.”
JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images
Dr Macciochi adds that you may also damage your skin with a homemade solution, if you don’t know the concentrations of the ingredients you’re using.
Always prioritise proper hand washing first, she advises. Sanitisers – homemade or not – may “damage your natural microbiome” with persistent use. It’s also possible that other microbes like bacteria may start to become resistant.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--Disney+ Teases The Simpsons Is Coming After All, And We Can All Breathe A Sigh Of Relief

Remember last week when we were dealt the devastating blow that The Simpsons may well not be among the shows featured on the UK version of Disney’s new streaming service?
Well, it seems there’s been a miracle over at the House Of Mouse, and we’re very much here for it.
Disney announced the plans for the UK edition of Disney+ last week, and unlike its international counterparts, The Simpsons was nowhere to be found, despite having been one of the main reasons we were so looking forward to subscribing.
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This led many to arrive at the conclusion that everyone’s favourite yellow family would not be making the jump to the platform when it makes its debut in the UK later in the month.
But behold, it seems that Simpsons fans in the UK may be able to stream the show after all...
Grab yourself a D'oh-nut and stay tuned... pic.twitter.com/orfYKCYgKG — Disney+ UK (@DisneyPlusUK) March 3, 2020
While the corporation didn’t offer any further information, we can only assume this last-minute change is due to a recently-announced deal between Disney and Sky, which was also announced on Tuesday morning.
The deal will see Disney+ among the streaming services available for purchase as part of the new Sky Q package, and will also be coming to NOW TV in the coming weeks.
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The Simpsons currently airs on Sky One in the UK, as well as Channel 4.
The Simpsons Fox
As well as every single episode of The Simpsons (with one notable omission), Disney+ will also feature every Disney and Pixar film, not to mention the entire Marvel and Star Wars back catalogue.
The service has its own original programming too, most notably the Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian (yes, the one with Baby Yoda in it) and the mockumentary High School Musical: The Musical, The Series.
Disney+ will begin streaming in the UK on 24 March.
HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--Joanna Lumley Ambushed By Gang Who Threatened Her Life While Filming In Haiti

Joanna Lumley was ambushed by a gang who threatened her life while filming her new documentary in Haiti.
The Absolutely Fabulous star and her camera crew found themselves surrounded while driving in the mountains as they made Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana To Haiti for ITV.
Joanna Lumley visits the Citadelle Laferrire in Haiti ITV
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Speaking to Radio Times about the terrifying incident, Joanna recalled: “Suddenly there was a blockage across the road: they’d put branches down.
“Luckily, we had two big bodyguards who got out and said ‘Come on guys, clear this away’. And they went ‘No, we want your money or your life’.
“Sometimes they dig trenches, pour oil in and set fire to it, then they come with guns and take your wallets.”
The crew also arrived in the country’s capital on the day of a riot.
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Joanna said: “Port-au-Prince is an absolute catastrophe. We arrived there on the day of a riot, so we had to have a police escort to the hotel.
“Riots break out like wildfires across the country and if you’re in that place, you’re stuck. All the aid workers in Port-au-Prince don’t go to the parts we went to because they’re no-go areas.”
However, she said she never considered going home, adding: “I’m not really an afraid kind of person.
“If you look timid, people and animals pick it up very fast. In Haiti, people are so poor and living in such squalor, but if you say ‘Bonjour’ and put your hand out, you’ve made friends immediately.”
The full interview with Joanna appears in this week’s Radio Times, on sale now. Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana To Haiti airs on ITV next Monday.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--NHS Launches 111 Online Service Amid Surge In Coronavirus Concerns

HuffPost UK NHS 111 online
The NHS has launched a 111 online service to ease some of the strain off its helpline amid the coronavirus – or Covid-19 – outbreak.
The health service is fielding up to 40,000 more calls a day compared to this time last year, as enquiries about the virus surge. On 1 March 2019, they had 36,671 calls. On 1 March 2020, this rose to 75,963 calls.
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People with symptoms of coronavirus, or those who have come into contact with someone who has tested positive, are being urged to call the helpline rather than heading to GP surgeries and risking spreading the illness further.
The online service is designed to help people get fast advice about coronavirus and has already offered guidance to more than 70,000 people. People are asked about their symptoms, and are then directed to where they need to get help. If deemed necessary, they will be contacted by a nurse.
The new online service comes after HuffPost UK reported that people had waited for up to a day before receiving a callback from call handlers in response to their concerns over coronavirus.
Labour councillor Alev Cazimoglu called NHS 111 after returning from northern Italy with a sore throat and had to wait a day for a callback. She said she was told by NHS 111 it could take up to three days to get tested for the virus. Sky news producer Nick Stylianou said he waited 11 hours for a callback from the service after coming back from Bologna, Italy, and was told he’d have to wait another two days to be visited by a community health team and tested. Last week, an NHS spokesperson confirmed to HuffPost UK the service is “understandably busy” at present and “people may have to wait longer than usual” to speak to someone. “All calls are being responded to thanks to hard working NHS staff,” they said.
How will NHS 111 online help?
The aim of NHS 111 online is to free up clinical call handlers’ time so they can prioritise callers with symptoms. People are asked to input their postcode, gender, and age – and are then asked specific questions about their symptoms.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “We know that 111 has come under pressure as people have understandably turned to the service for help, support and advice which is why we are ploughing in funding to increase staff available to field calls.
“The public is also now benefiting from the new NHS 111 online service which is helping increase capacity and free up clinicians time by offering specific help and advice on coronavirus at the touch of a button.”
In an opinion piece last week, cardiology registrar Dr Dominic Pimenta wrote that the NHS “isn’t ready” for the demand that coronavirus could place on the health service. “There is no cavalry coming. The cavalry has been propping us up for years already,” he said.
“At worst, some estimates show up to 60% of the UK could be infected with Covid-19 – that’s 42 million people, with 2.1 million needing intensive care. That’s the mother of all nightmare scenarios.
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“A much more hopeful 1% estimate would mean less than 700,000 people would be infected, and 35,000 would need intensive care – that’s still nine times as many beds as we have now. That’s still a nightmare scenario.”
NHS England said the public can play their part in slowing the spread of the virus by following public health advice including washing their hands, covering their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze, and putting used tissues in the bin immediately.
Visit 111.nhs.uk for advice.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--Knightsbridge Restaurant Sprayed With Foul Substance That Left Diners Vomiting

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Police want to speak to these men after a foul-smelling liquid was sprayed over the front of a family-run restaurant, leaving diners vomiting.
The incidents caused diners to suffer nausea, and emergency evacuations of the venue and surrounding area took place.
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Detectives have now released CCTV showing two of three attacks on the restaurant in Brompton Road near Knightsbridge, central London, in an attempt to trace one or more suspects.
The substance, thought to be a strong-smelling food preservative, was sprayed on the front of the restaurant on the afternoon of October 30, and the nights of February 19 and February 25.
Police have released stills of two men they would like to speak to in connection with the incident in October PA
The first incident was treated as a chemical spill and saw police, ambulance and fire crews called to the scene, with 27 people evacuated from neighbouring flats as well as 15 staff who had to leave the restaurant.
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During the second attack, witnesses were left with nausea and vomiting and were taken to hospital.
Detective Constable Danielle Sapsford said: “Although no serious harm has come to anyone, a number of people suffering with nausea and vomiting were taken to hospital after the incident on February 19.
“We are not in a position to completely determine motive at this stage. It does, however, appear that each incident has been targeted, and whoever is behind them must be aware of the damage they have caused to this family-run business.
“This has caused great distress to the owner and we want to bring this to an end. The most recent incident took place on a day when the owners expected the restaurant to be very busy.”
CCTV of the most recent incident shows a man in a dark coat with the hood up spraying a liquid onto the front of the shop using a syringe.
Officers have not released the name of the restaurant.
Police have also released stills of two men they would like to speak to in connection with the incident in October.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--Alison Hammond Tearfully Tells Celebs Go Dating Experts She 'Doesn't Love Herself'

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She’s known for bringing her unique sense of fun to everything she tries her hand to on This Morning, but Alison Hammond has shown a different side to herself on Celebs Go Dating.
Alison is one of the stars currently looking for love on the E4 reality show, and after her first date with a new suitor, Ian, the daytime star shared her thoughts with agents Paul Carrick Brunson and Anna Williamson.
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However, after confiding that she was hoping for a second date, Alison had a tearful moment when Anna suggested she wasn’t putting herself first enough.
“[There’s always] an emphasis placed on somebody else having a great time,” Anna told the star. “If someone does present [themselves] with such great joy, as you do, we always wonder if there’s a reason for that masking anything. Have you ever felt any hurt through a relationship?”
Alison gets real with the show's dating experts Channel 4
Alison then offered: “Just with my dad… it’s just abandonment issues.”
Through tears, she continued: “I was always happy for my mum, I wanted her to be happy, because he wasn’t there for her.”
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Paul then told her self-love was important if she is serious about entering a relationship, to which she responded: “I think that’s the reason why I put on so much weight, because I don’t care, I don’t love myself. Maybe I’m not ready for a relationship yet. Because I don’t love me.
“It’s like an epiphany,” she added. “I’ve never even thought about it in that way.”
Alison Hammond got emotional on Celebs Go Dating Channel 4
Fortunately, later in the episode Alison said she was still optimistic about her dating future, saying she hoped to meet someone who could “teach her things she doesn’t already know”.
“Smart people need stimulation,” she told Paul and Anna. “I need a stimulator.”
Oh, Alison. Please never change.
Alison was back to her usual self by the end of the episode Channel 4
Alison originally rose to fame as a contestant on the third series of Big Brother, before landing a small presenting role on This Morning, which has grown over the years to the point she’s now one of the daytime show’s best-loved presenters.
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More recently, she’s appeared with Joe Lycett in the BBC series The Time It Takes, with tabloid reports claiming Alison is even about to land her own chat show on ITV.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--The ‘Sorry, Not Sorry’ Podcast Is Back. And It’s All About Choosing Pleasure, Unapologetically

HuffPost UK Gemma Cairney & Jo Elvin
As we juggle work, family, chores, admin tasks, social schedules (and social media!), what we really enjoy doing and derive pleasure from falls further and further down our list of priorities.
Though it seems easy to ignore, pleasure is a fundamental human need!
It’s the reason self-care is a booming business, and why we feel so good when we book in that holiday to climb a volcanic peak on the other side of the world… or take that first bite of a Galaxy® Darker Milk Chocolate bar as we cosy up in front of a favourite Netflix show.
Pleasure also means different pursuits from one person to the next: active adventure for some, chilled-out bliss for others, decadent treats for others still. If you had an hour to spend however you liked, unapologetically, what would you do for pleasure?
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Jo Elvin chats to host Gemma Cairney on Sorry, Not Sorry. Listen on Spotify or Apple podcasts.
That’s the question championed by the second series of Sorry, Not Sorry from Galaxy® Chocolate. The podcast is devoted to helping you actively Choose Pleasure – and to recognise that quality time isn’t just good for mind, body and soul, it’s an absolute essential, no matter how crammed our schedules.
According to a study of 2,000 adults commissioned by Galaxy® Chocolate, a quarter of Brits said they’re just too busy to enjoy themselves as much as they’d like. 18-34-year-olds in particular give themselves the lowest rankings with regards to how happy they are, scoring their happiness at a dismal 5.9 out of 10.
For its second series, Sorry, Not Sorry host, radio presenter, author and columnist Gemma Cairney chats to a number of successful people about how they make time for pleasure – through adventure, friendships, family time and new discoveries - and how pleasure is linked with empowerment.
Research shows that women who prioritise themselves tend to be happier and more successful. Sorry, Not Sorry’s Choose Pleasure mission is designed to ensure the next generation takes more pleasure from life than the last.
These interviews with inspiring women and men span a range of careers and illustrate how despite their extremely busy schedules, they unapologetically Choose Pleasure in order to live a more fulfilled life. If they can make time for it, we can too.
Join them over a cup of tea and some Galaxy® Minstrels, as Gemma chats candidly to guests like boxer Nicola Adams and adventurer Pip Stewart.
Here are just some of the highlights you can expect from series two of Sorry, Not Sorry brought to you by Galaxy® Chocolate and hosted by Gemma Cairney.
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HuffPost UK Gemma Cairney & Nicola Adams
Nicola Adams on her passions, her pleasures and what’s next after retirement
Nicola Adams, OBE, is a woman who needs no introduction: the two-time Olympic Gold medallist, European and World Champion and Great Britain’s most successful female boxer of all time, officially, has inspired countless women the world over to pick up those boxing gloves.
The role model for female empowerment announced her retirement from the sport in 2017 due to fears over her vision, and talks to Gemma about how she finds time to explore her pleasures even during the most intensive training periods. Listen in to find out what’s coming up for her - in terms of life goals and relaxation, too. Listen on Spotify or Apple podcasts.
HuffPost UK Gemma Cairney & Pip Stewart
Pip Stewart on the wild adventures she’s had – and the next one to come
Adventurer, journalist and presenter Pip Stewart loves to face challenges head on, whether it’s cycling halfway around the world from Malaysia to London, being the first to paddle the length of the Essequibo River or battling flesh-eating parasites. She opens up to Gemma on her passions beyond travel and her biggest adventure to date: motherhood (Pip gave birth to daughter Willow in February 2020). Listen on Spotify or Apple podcasts.
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HuffPost UK Gemma Cairney & Tobi Oredein
Tobi Oredein on the challenges of starting her own business – and what she does in her downtime (like treating herself to meals out)
Entrepreneur and journalist, Tobi Oredein, is the founder of digital lifestyle platform Black Ballad, which aims to chronicle the human experience from the perspective of black British women. Alongside her business, she writes for publications like The Independent and Grazia. She tells Gemma about the challenges of finding time for herself while managing her own business, as well as her favourite things to do. Listen on Spotify or Apple podcasts.
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HuffPost UK Gemma Cairney & Emily Atack
Emily Atack on the pressures of being in the public eye
The actress, comedian, author and TV presenter shares her experience of life in the lime light. You’ll remember her from playing Charlotte in The Inbetweeners and capturing the nation’s heart on I’m A Celeb, as well as numerous other things. Listen on Spotify or Apple podcasts.
HuffPost UK Gemma Cairney & Travel Mad Dad
Travel Mad Dad on the pleasures of finding ‘me’ time while juggling family life
Travel Mad Dad, Shaun, documents his life while travelling the world with his wife, Karen (Travel Mad Mum), and their children, Esmé and Quinn. With a packed schedule of work, travel and looking after kids, Shaun talks about the more adventurous moments of pleasure he and his wife have discovered as a family, as a couple and how he creates ‘me’ time. Listen on Spotify or Apple podcasts.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--Coronavirus Outbreak Could Make One In Five People Absent From Work, Says PM

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The army will be put on standby, schools could be closed for three months and police told to focus only on serious crime under Boris Johnson’s doomsday plan to tackle coronavirus in the UK.
A new government battleplan published on Tuesday also predicts that up to one fifth of Britain’s working population – six million people – may be “absent from work” during the peak of the outbreak this summer.
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Among the emergency measures being drafted are:
Advising people to work from home where possible
Cancellation of all non-urgent NHS treatment
Police focusing on core functions like maintaining public order
The armed forces replacing police at key sites such as nuclear power stations
Helping firms to avoid cash flow by giving them longer to pay tax
Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, the prime minister said he was confident the British public and the NHS would rise to the ‘national challenge’ posed by the disease.
Johnson and his chief medical and scientific advisers said that the immediate aim was to delay the widespread outbreak of the virus until the summer, when hospitals would be better able to cope.
But once the outbreak was established, the priority would be to spend three months using emergency powers to limit the risk to public health, with pensioners and those with underlying health conditions most at risk.
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Johnson said that for most people who contract the virus it would be a “mild disease from which they will speedily and fully recover”.
England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, told reporters “probably around 1% of people who get this virus might end up dying”, but stressed that 99% would not.
He said the the death rate varies according to age group - with older people more vulnerable.
And Whitty was keen to point out that the “great majority” survive coronavirus, even among the elderly.
The wargaming will involve deploying the Army to key sites, including nuclear installations, to help relieve the pressure on the police.
The PM said the police will “prioritise” their approach to maintaining order and serious crime, adding “the Army is of course always ready to back-fill as and when, but that is under the reasonable worst case scenario.”
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In a bid to calm fears of a lack of mortuary space for any deaths, the government’s plan hopes to ensure “dignified treatment of all affected including those who die”.
Pensioners, who are most at risk from the disease, could also be advised to stay away from public events like the VE Day celebrations due on May 8.
Johnson confirmed for the first time that Matt Hancock, the health secretary, has also held talks with social media companies in order to prevent the spread of disinformation.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser, said there was “absolutely no reason to panic-buy or keep large supplies of everything”.
And he stressed that the public should not cancel summer holidays because by then the whole world would be likely to be beyond the point where travel would make a difference to transmission of the disease.
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After an expected nine-week delay phase ends in May, the raft of “reasonable worst case (RWC) scenario” measures is likely to be needed for 12-weeks from May to the end of July.
But moves to cancel large-scale public gatherings such as football matches may not be needed given that the virus is more likely to be caught in groups of 12 rather than 40,000.
The elderly and those with underlying health conditions are most at risk from Covid-19 and are likely to be advised to stay away from public gatherings.
The 75th anniversary of VE Day takes place on May 8, just at the start of what could be the peak of the outbreak in the UK.
A special plan to help care homes for the elderly to maintain supplies of food and medicines is also being drafted.
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School closures are still being weighed up as government health and science advisers are balancing the impact on their education compared to the health benefits. Singapore has not closed its schools but Japan has done so for a whole month.
Although some public health officials and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan have stopped shaking hands, Johnson revealed that he was continuing his own practice of handshaking.
“I am shaking hands, I was at a hospital the other night where I think there were coronavirus patients and I was shaking hands with everybody, you will be pleased to know, and I continue to shake hands,” he said.
“People must make up their own minds but I think the scientific evidence is... our judgment is that washing your hands is the crucial thing.”
Amid fears that workers could lose out financially, the PM added that he was “going to keep all options under review” on getting employers to pay out statutory sick pay.
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Emergency legislation, likely to come before parliament later this month, is expected to include new time-limited plans to relax rules to allow bigger class sizes and for pupils to transfer to different schools.
Moves to quarantine and test overseas visitors are also under consideration.
The government has said people should also check Foreign Office advice before travelling abroad and be understanding of the pressures the health service is under.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, set to open on July 24, could be postponed until the end of the year.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--Love Island's Voting Figures Reveal The Final Was Closer Than Anyone Thought

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Voting figures for the Love Island final have revealed that it was closer than anyone could have imagined.
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However, it has now been revealed that there was less than one percent separating the top two couples.
Paige and Finn collected 44.52% of the final vote, and the £50,000 grand prize, which they chose to split between them.
Paige Turley and Finn Tapp beat Siannise Fudge and Luke Trotman in the final ITV/Shutterstock
Siannise and Luke T were very close behind with 43.61%.
Earlier in the evening, Demi Jones and Luke Mabbott were eliminated when they scored 9.62%, and Jess Gale and Ched Uzor came fourth with 2.25%.
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The Love Island finalists ITV/Shutterstock
After they were announced the winners, Paige was given the choice of whether to keep the £50,000 prize for herself or share it with Finn.
She opted to split the money with the semi-professional footballer.
Afterwards she said she nearly jokingly pretended to keep it, saying: “I should have said ‘I’ll take the £50,000’ and share £5,000 with you! I would have made a joke (about keeping it), but I thought ‘What if he seriously thinks that’s my answer?’ I just thought ‘I’m not going to even put my foot in it!’”
The final episode of the winter series of Love Island came just over a week after former Love Island host Caroline Flack died at the age of 40.
An emotional Laura Whitmore paid tribute to the presenter during the live final, telling viewers that it has been “extremely difficult coming to terms with the loss of our friend and colleague Caroline”.
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She added: “We’re thinking of her family and everyone who knew her at this time.
“Caroline loved Love Island, she loved love, and that’s why tonight’s final is dedicated to her.”
A montage of footage from Caroline’s time hosting Love Island and companion show Aftersun was then played.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--Tokyo 'Could Postpone 2020 Olympic Games' Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

People wearing protective face masks in front of the Giant Olympic rings at the waterfront area at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo, Japan Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters
The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games could be postponed until the end of the year due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Japan’s contract with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) states the sporting event will be hosted from July 24 but, responding to a question in parliament, Olympics minister Seiko Hashimoto said: “The contract calls for the Games to be held within 2020. That could be interpreted as allowing a postponement.”
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Under the hosting agreement, the right to cancel the Games belongs to the IOC. Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, last week said his organisation was “fully committed” to holding the Tokyo Olympics on schedule despite the coronavirus spread.
“We are doing all we can to ensure that the Games go ahead as planned,” Hashimoto told parliament.
The Olympics is due to open on July 24 with 11,000 athletes, followed by the Paralympics on August 25 with 4,400 athletes. Any halt to proceedings would be costly. The latest budget is 1.35tn yen (£9.7bn), with Japan’s government providing 120bn yen to build the Olympic Stadium and 30 billion yen toward the cost of the 2020 Paralympics, Hashimoto said.
Japan’s Board of Audit put government spending between the bid in 2013 and 2018 at 1.06 trillion yen.
The news comes as British Cycling’s performance director Stephen Park raised the possibility of some Olympic events taking place without spectators if the crisis does not subside.
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Park, who joined British Cycling in 2016, remains confident that the Games will go ahead, but says it could be ‘different’.
“You would struggle to find a day when the Olympics didn’t take [place] for any reason. But will it mean that they might be different? Possibly,” he told reporters.
“Look, at the World Cup (Finals) skiing in two weeks time in Cortina, they are doing it on a closed circuit with no fans. And that’s going to an area that doesn’t currently have infections.
“So might there be some of those things that happen [at the Olympics]? Possibly.”
Sporting events have been hit hard across the globe by coronavirus fears, especially in Asia with this month’s Thai Moto GP race the latest to be cancelled.
The viral outbreak of Covid-19 began in China and has infected more than 80,000 people and killed more than 2,700 globally. Five deaths in Japan have been attributed to the virus.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--Jennifer Lopez Spotted In Outfit That Looks Eerily Similar To Iconic Versace Dress

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Jennifer Lopez’s love may not cost a thing, but her outfits sure do.
The 50-year-old singer actor, and dancer was seen out and about in Miami over the weekend in an outfit that many of her fans might find familiar.
Rocking a bodysuit, pants and a matching bag, J-Lo wore Versace clothing featuring the brand’s iconic palm print.
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Jennifer Lopez heads to a family brunch on Saturday at Soho House in Miami Beach, Florida MiamiPIXX/BACKGRID
J-Lo made that same print world-famous when she wore it on a low-cut, silk chiffon dress to the 42nd Grammy Awards ceremony in 2000.
The dress made such a splash when she hit the red carpet that it propelled Google developers to create an image search tool ― what we now know as Google Images ― to help the droves of people searching for “Jennifer Lopez’s green dress.”
J-Lo at the Grammys in 2000 J. Vespa via Getty Images
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The Hustlers star and her famous dress previously made headlines last year during Milan Fashion Week when she closed Versace’s show wearing a near-exact replica of the 2000 gown.
She also wore a recreated version of the gown for a concert in 2014.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--How To Get Your Kids To Stop Touching Their Faces

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As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the world continues to rise, people are taking whatever steps they can to prevent contracting COVID-19. For now, the main expert is advice is to wash your hands and avoid touching your face.
While there are ways to cut down on the number of times you touch your face each day, breaking the habit is definitely a challenge for most people. Given the difficulty adults have, it seems like an utterly fruitless endeavour to get antsy kids to stop touching their faces.
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While I am worrying about not touching my face, I am watching my kid and every other kid touch just about every surface on this Earth without a care in the world. — Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) February 29, 2020
CDC: Dont touch your face
Me to my kid every 20 minutes: pic.twitter.com/Yv8NT2ZlcH — Liz Riley (@lizindublin) February 29, 2020
“That is a tough one,” said cognitive scientist Denise Cummins when HuffPost asked if she had any advice for parents who want to encourage their children to kick the habit. “Trying to control children’s restless energy is often a fool’s errand.”
Still, there are small things parents can try. Below, find tips from Cummins and a couple of other experts on getting kids to stop touching their faces and how else they can stay healthy right now.
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Emma Kim via Getty Images There are small ways parents can encourage their kids to touch their faces less frequently.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Kids tend to respond better to positive reinforcement than criticism or correction.
“Parents have to praise the child when they’re not doing it, which is more important than stopping them from doing it. ‘Great job keeping your hands away from your face’ actually goes a longer way than telling them to stop doing it,” said Paul DePompo, a clinical psychologist and founder of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Institute of Southern California.
Parents can set up little incentives like stickers, toys, treats or even extra screen time to reward non-face-touching.
As DePompo noted, verbal affirmations also help reinforce good behaviours.
“By saying, ‘I like where your hands are’ when by their sides, or ‘I like that you’re not touching your face right now,’” they’re aware of what they should not be doing,” said Sanam Hafeez, a psychologist in New York.
Point Out When They’re Doing It
While positive reinforcement is key, parents can also help their kids become more aware of their face touching by simply pointing it out.
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“It is going to be very difficult to get children to stop touching their faces altogether, but the same exercises that work for adults can work for children. The first being mindfulness,” Hafeez said.
anadorado via Getty Images When it comes to cutting down on harmful behaviors, kids tend to respond better to positive reinforcement.
“If you would remind a child every single time you see them touching their face, eventually it becomes a conditioned response where they will find themselves removing their hands from their faces,” she added.
Parents can also make their kids more aware of the goal to cut down on the habit by modelling it in their own behaviour. They can talk about the ways they’re trying to touch their own faces less and how they reward themselves when they achieve incremental goals to that end.
Give Them Something Else To Touch
As is the case with adults, kids who have their hands free may find themselves more tempted to touch their faces.
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“I would just suggest giving them things to hold or fiddle with because holding and fiddling are incompatible with touching one’s face,” Cummins said. “It is always better to try to replace a problematic behaviour with another behaviour rather than asking children to NOT do something. Inhibiting actions is something that requires a fully functioning prefrontal cortex, and that is not fully developed until about age 25.”
Another recommendation for adults that can work for kids is to make face-touching uncomfortable. You can do this by putting their hands in fingerless gloves that don’t feel great against their skin or painting their nails with child-safe polishes that don’t taste good. But this may be more effort than it’s worth.
Explain The Concept Of Germs
“If a child is at least 3, you can start explaining the concept of germs and how they spread by touching your face, just like you explain to them the importance of sneezing into their elbows,” Hafeez said.
Indeed, there are many age-appropriate ways to educate kids about germs, including games and fun activities. Explaining the reasoning behind your request that they stop touching their faces involves them more in the process and gives them a vested interest in the goal.
GeorgeManga via Getty Images Parents can talk to their kids about what germs are and how they spread.
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Focus On Hand-Washing
Ultimately, remember that kids will be kids (i.e., germy, touchy little monsters), so don’t stress if they can’t miraculously start keeping their hands to themselves at all times.
“Little children touch things. Putting hands in mouths is what they do,” Mark Reinecke, clinical director and senior clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, told HuffPost.
Because it’s so difficult to curtail kids’ face-touching, it’s important to focus on healthy habits that are easier to control.
“What we probably should be doing is just encouraging young children to wash their hands regularly,” Reinecke explained. “Maybe get some disinfectant lotion or sanitiser and regularly put it on their hands. Hand them a Kleenex when they sneeze or have a runny nose.”
Teaching kids to wash their hands is a good practice that parents should be doing anyway, regardless of the news of an epidemic. Parents can also promote their children’s health by feeding them nutritious meals, giving them vitamins if it’s advised by their doctor, and encouraging physical activity and healthy amounts of sleep.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-03--Warehouse Now Does Menswear. It's Sustainable And We're Fans

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.
Warehouse is dipping its toes into menswear for the first time, with a new collection, all sourced from sustainable materials.
Think of it as your smart casual wardrobe sorted. Within the range you’ll find simple t-shirts in a mix of minimalist and maximalist prints, tapered trousers, light wash denim and soft jackets to layer up on in clean, smart silhouettes.
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It’s affordable too, with t-shirts starting at £15, trousers at £42 and suiting for £150. The biggest splurge is a suede jacket that’ll set you back £229.
HuffPost UK Warehouse
Claiming an eco-friendly approach, the garments are made using organic cotton and recycled polyester in a bid, as Warehouse said in its press release, to reduce its environmental impact.
Despite it still being a fast fashion brand, this a step in the right direction and coupled with the styling, we’re interested to see what the take-up is.
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You can get your hands on the new collection from 3 March in store and online and here are our favourite pieces to shop now.
Switch up your t-shirt drawer with a colour refresh. Instead of your usual classic white tee, try a teal shade like this one, paired with denim jeans and trainers for a smart, off duty look for the weekends.
Warehouse Floral Short Sleeve Shirt, £39
The Hawaiian shirt has had an upgrade, going from cliche to chic. This style is perfect for layering under a light jacket and chinos for formal occasions that don’t require a suit.
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Warehouse Roll Up Cargo Trousers, £52
If you like the colour of chinos, but prefer the structure of denim, here’s the perfect compromise. Dress these jeans up with a tailored blazer or keep it casual with a t-shirt.
Warehouse Utility Jacket, £59
A khaki jacket is an easy way to introduce colour into our closet without always reverting to blue denim. This utilitarian piece has roomy pockets and sleeves which can be rolled up to add a snappy touch.
Warehouse Denim Shorts, £39
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Play it safe with a pair of dark shorts as the weather warms up (we hope). This black shade will match with everything you already have and take any guesswork out of your mornings as you hunt for something to wear.
Warehouse Menswear Ribbed Hem Sweatshirt, £35
As we’re getting ever closer to Spring weather, it means switching out bulky jackets for light jumpers. Invest in a colourful knit that will add a touch of sunshine to an outfit, we’ll be wearing this over a white shirt and dark jeans.
HuffPost UK Palm Tree Swim Trunks, £39
Made from recycled polyester, these palm-tree patterned swim shorts will pair perfectly with a splash in the pool, beer in hand.
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Warehouse Beige Shirt