thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Eight Things You Need To Know About Coronavirus Today

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Coronavirus is dominating the headlines as the number of cases grows each day.
According to official figures published on Sunday afternoon, 1,372 people have now tested positive for the virus – an increase of 232 on Saturday’s figures.
Thirty-five people are now known to have died after contracting Covid-19.
Here are the latest updates:
Over-70s to be asked to self-isolate for up to four months
Elderly people will be asked to self isolate, the health secretary has said. Biserka Stojanovic via Getty Images
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed on Sunday morning that people aged over 70 will be asked in the coming weeks to self-isolate for up to four months in order to protect them from the coronavirus.
Asked if that was in the government’s plan, he told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “That is in the action plan, yes, and we will be setting it out with more detail when it is the right time to do so because we absolutely appreciate that it is a very big ask of the elderly and the vulnerable, and it’s for their own self-protection.”
Pressed on when the measure will be introduced, he said: “Certainly in the coming weeks, absolutely.”
The elderly population are most at-risk from Covid-19, with the overwhelming proportion of deaths occurring in older people, or those with underlying health conditions.
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Hancock also confirmed that ministers were seeking to give police powers to arrest and forcibly quarantine people who are sick with the coronavirus but are not self-isolating.
“We are going to take the powers to make sure that we can quarantine people if they are a risk to public health, yes, and that’s important,” he told the Andrew Marr Show.
“I doubt that actually we will need to use it much because people have been very responsible.”
Deaths in Spain double in 24 hours
A woman, wearing a protective face mask, walks in an empty central street during partial lockdown in Madrid. Sergio Perez / Reuters
Deaths from coronavirus in Spain have more than doubled in a day to 288, with infections at nearly 8,000, authorities in the country said.
The country, which is now the worst affected country in Europe after Italy, is set to go into nationwide lockdown on Monday.
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A number of airlines, including Jet2 and Ryanair have either cancelled or greatly reduced the number of flights to destinations in Spain.
On Friday a spokesperson for the Foreign Office advised against all but essential travel to the Spanish regions of Madrid, La Rioja and the municipalities of La Bastida, Vitoria and Miranda de Ebro.
Pubs could close as part of social-distancing measures
friends at a pub toasting, having a good time, birds view Henrik Sorensen via Getty Images
Pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops could close in the UK in order to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Asked if the UK could follow Italy and Spain in introducing the measures, health secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC’s Andrew Marr: “We haven’t ruled that out.
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“We will do what is necessary because the top priority is to protect life and you do that by protecting the vulnerable and protecting the NHS.”
On Sunday afternoon it emerged that pubs in the renowned Temple Bar area of Dublin would close their doors with immediate effect, after it “proved impossible to follow the public health advice to limit numbers”.
In a statement, Temple Bar Company said: “In the interest of public health and following advice from An Garda Siochana and the health authorities The Temple Bar Company and its members have today decided that all pubs and nightclubs in Temple Bar will close their premises voluntarily with immediate effect.
“And will do so until further advice by the relevant authorities.
“This decision was taken in light of the experiences of members of The Temple Bar Company over the last few days when it proved impossible to follow the public health advice to limit numbers and adequately implement measures to control social distancing.
“Members of The Temple Bar Company felt it was inappropriate to request the diversion of Garda resources away from more pressing needs.
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“As part of the effort to avoid the spread of the Covid-19 virus, The Temple Bar Company will intensify its disinfecting and power-washing of the streets and public spaces in the Temple Bar area as required.”
Wales reports 34 new cases
Customers queue to get into a Costco store in Cardiff on Sunday. Matthew Horwood via Getty Images
Public Health Wales has confirmed 34 new cases of Covid-19 in Wales, bringing the total number confirmed in the country to 94.
Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “We are working with our partners in the Welsh Government, the wider NHS in Wales, and others now that we have entered the ‘delay’ phase.
“This is now not just an attempt to contain the disease, as far as possible, but to delay its spread.”
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People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they believe they may have contracted coronavirus but instead, anyone with a high temperature or new continuous cough should stay at home for seven days.
“They should only contact NHS 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse, or their symptoms do not get better after seven days,” Dr Shankar said.
Testing will focus on cases admitted to hospital, and based on symptoms and severity.
Foreign Office advises against ‘all but essential’ travel to US
The FCO has warned UK travellers to avoid visiting the US. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The Foreign Office has advised against “all but essential” travel to the US after Trump’s European travel ban was extended to the UK and Ireland.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are advising against all but essential travel to the USA following the US government announcement imposing restrictions on travel from the UK (and Ireland) effective from midnight on Monday March 16 EST (4am GMT on Tuesday March 17).
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British nationals with journeys planned and citizens already in the US are advised to contact their airlines or tour operators.
Supermarkets plead with customers to avoid panic buying
Panic-buying has led to empty shelves in supermarkets nationwide. Ollie Millington via Getty Images
Supermarkets have penned an joint letter to customers urging them not to panic buy, as shelves across the country emptied on Saturday.
Retailers have been hit by increased demand as social-distancing measures are introduced and self-isolation becomes an increasingly likely prospect in the UK.
Signed by giants such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Aldi and Lidl, the letter states: “There is enough for everyone if we all work together,” warning that panic buying could “mean that others will be left without”.
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NEW: UK supermarkets have written a joint letter to customers pleading with them not to panic buy. They say doing so could “mean that others will be left without”.
Retailers say online delivery and click-and-collect services are running “at full capacity”.
Full letter: pic.twitter.com/vrMfWHv6Rn — Tom Boadle (@TomBoadle) March 14, 2020
They added: “Those of us with online delivery and click-and-collect services. are running them at full capacity to help you get the products you need when you need them.
“We thank all our colleagues in stores and supply chains who are working day and night to keep the nation fed.”
Hundreds of scientists criticise accuse government of “risking lives”
Scientists have accused the UK government of risking lives. Yves Herman / Reuters
Hundreds of scientists working across a range of disciplines in the UK have accused the government of risking “many more lives than necessary” in its approach to coronavirus.
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An open letter signed by 229 scientists, none of whom are leading experts in the science of the spread of diseases, called for tougher policies to tackle the spread of Covid-19 including increased social-distancing measures.
The letter comes a day after it was revealed that ten more people had died in England from the coronavirus, bringing the total UK death toll to 21.
The signatories also criticised a statement made by Sir Patrick Vallance, chief scientific adviser to the government, about controlling the spread of the infection to achieve immunity within the population managing the spread of the infection to develop “herd immunity”.
The Department of Health told the BBC that Vallance’s comments had been misinterpreted.
The government has been criticised for its approach to the virus, with many members of the public asking why more restrictive measures seen in countries such as Italy and Spain – where full lockdowns are in place – have not yet been imposed.
The open letter penned by the scientists argues that more aggressive social distancing measures would “dramatically” reduce the speed at which the disease spreads through society – sparing “thousands of lives”.
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Donald Trump tests negative for virus
Trump has tested negative for Covid-19. Tasos Katopodis via Getty Images


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Coronavirus: NHS Could Run Out Of Ventilators, Health Secretary Admits

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The NHS may not have enough ventilators to treat all coronavirus patients struggling with the disease, health secretary Matt Hancock has conceded.
The minister was asked repeatedly by Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday whether everyone who needed the key piece of equipment would get access to one and could not confirm they would.
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He said prime minister Boris Johnson would be asking British manufacturers to “turn their production and their engineering minds” to making more and additional NHS will be trained to use them.
The NHS has around 5,000 ventilators and it is thought there could be a shortage.
Hancock also revealed that the over-70s and other vulnerable people will “soon” be asked to self-isolate for as long as four months to protect themselves from the disease.
He stressed, however, that the government was “not yet” officially ordering such action, but it was “clearly in the action plan” drawn up this week.
He said: “That is in the action plan, yes, and we will be setting it out with more detail when it is the right time to do so because we absolutely appreciate that it is a very big ask of the elderly and the vulnerable, and it’s for their own self-protection.”
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Pressed on when the measure will be introduced, he said: “Certainly in the coming weeks, absolutely.”
Health secretary Matt Hancock in Downing Street this week ASSOCIATED PRESS
The minister also appealed to the public not to panic-buy supplies as shelves across the country empty of essentials.
Mass gatherings of 500 or more people and school closures are options the government could take, Hancock said, as he said emergency legislation would be brought before the Commons this week.
It came as the number of deaths in the UK doubled on Saturday, taking the total to 21, while the number of cases hit 1,140 - an increase of 342 from Friday’s figure of 798.
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On ventilators, Hancock was asked three times to say whether every coronavirus patient who needed a machine would get one, and he eventually replied: “You’ve heard me say many times that we don’t make guarantees in healthcare and this virus is clearly a huge challenge and we’re learning about it every day.
“So I don’t make guarantees like that. What I will guarantee is we will do everything we possibly can to protect life and to keep people safe.”
Sophy Ridge asks Health Secretary @MattHancock to confirm that those over-70 will be asked to self-isolate and stay at home for up to four months.
He says "that is the plan" but "not yet".
Follow #Ridge live: https://t.co/8xbsmjBX8F pic.twitter.com/VhvZJMCZ8W — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) March 15, 2020
He said there would be a shortage across the world, and added: “The thing that the NHS needs now, more than anything is more ventilator.
“We’ve been buying as many as we can, but we need to produce more too.”
He added: “The prime minister is hosting a conference call today to say very clearly to the nation’s manufacturers ventilators are the thing that we are going to need.
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“And frankly, right across the world the demand for them is incredibly high, so it is not possible to produce too many. So anybody who can should turn their production and their engineering minds over to the production of ventilators.”
Hancock said the bill setting out emergency powers to deal with the coronavirus outbreak will be published on Thursday.
Asked what it will include, Hancock said details would be shared on Tuesday adding he had been working with Labour’s shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth.
He said: “This is a cross-party approach. He’s made some suggestions of other things that should be in there which we’ve included. And it includes a broad range of actions, all about preparing Britain, making sure that we’re ready, should we need to be.”
Hancock said he was “confident” shops will not run out of food but could not guarantee it and warned the government could take further action.
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Asked if food supply might be at risk, he added: “No, one of the things we are confident about is that the food supply will continue.”
But pressed to guarantee this would not be the case, he said: “Well we are confident about it. What I can guarantee is we will work with the supermarkets to ensure that people get enough.
“I understand why people might be stocking up but people have got to behave responsibly.
“Supermarkets are right to write the letter calling on people to be responsible and to consider the impact their stocking up might have on others.
“And of course we stand ready to take further measures if that’s necessary.”
Hancock also denied that achieving “herd immunity” was part of the government’s policy in tackling the coronavirus outbreak.
“What we will do is listen to all the credible scientists and we will look at all the evidence,” he added.
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“Herd immunity is not our goal or policy, it’s a scientific concept. Our policy is to protect lives and to beat this virus.”
Ashworth, meanwhile, called on Johnson to hold another press conference today and said ministers must do more to explain their approach to the public.
“The World Health Organisation is saying that we should continue testing and contact tracing. They’re saying that is the best way to break the chain of contagion,” he said.
“The UK have taken a different view that if you feel ill that you just stay at home for seven days and won’t be tested.
“Many people are saying to me that they need a Covid-19 test if they’re ill because they need to know whether they should be interacting with other people in a few weeks’ time.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--How The Four Stages Of Coronavirus Could Impact Millennials’ Already-Dwindling Sex Lives

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With millions of couples now holed up together in the fight against coronavirus, could this closeness rekindle the romance in their relationships? Will Covid-19 become a defibrillator for the dwindling millennial libido?
Well, nah, probably not.
You’ll have heard tales, no doubt, of baby booms in the wake of disaster. The story goes that — when stuck at home during a power-cut or what have you — the nation stoically removes its trousers and gears up for long afternoons of unprotected sex.
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One famously overblown example is from America’s northeast blackout of 1965. That outage left 30m people without power for a whole day, and sparked a press frenzy nine months later when it looked like birth figures had shot up. They hadn’t: someone had bungled the numbers.
Perhaps an inconvenient domestic saga is not quite the aphrodisiac we hoped it would be?
For single millennials (who already tend to start sexual activity later and have fewer sexual partners than the generations before them), the problem is obvious: contagion.
With social distancing becoming the zeitgeist, just how good looking does someone need to be to make you swipe right? Sure, he’s hot, but is he going to raise your temperature physically as well as metaphorically?
A surprising number of millennials in their 20s are voluntarily celibate, and under the increasingly dystopian circumstances we find ourselves in, this lifestyle choice is unlikely to change in the coming months.
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And this doesn’t mean that cohabiting folk will be spending their days getting jiggy with it on the sofa, either.
“Try throwing a blanket over your significant other so that, when they de-veil after a long day of working from home, you’re delighted to see their smiling face once more”
Why? First, consider that the conventional advice to keep the spark alive is to ‘maintain an element of mystery’. But that’s easier said than done in self-isolation when you’ve both drunk too much tea and are fighting over the bathroom again. A more useful cliche to lean on in 2020 would be ‘familiarity breeds contempt’. Oh look. It’s them again. In the kitchen, on the sofa, in the bedroom. Them. Them. Them again.
Try livening things up by throwing a blanket over your significant other so that, when they de-veil after a long day of working from home (which, oddly, seems to involve a lot of podcasts and walking back and forth to the kitchen for biscuits), you’re delighted to see their smiling face once more.
Another Covid-19 nail in the coffin for romance is that — and this might blow your mind — anxiety is rarely conducive to feelings of horniness. “I’m afraid for my health, my job and my family. I couldn’t want you more right now,” said nobody, ever.
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And how about the food factor? There’s a noticeable absence of fresh oysters and chocolate-dipped strawberries in most people’s panic-cupboard, so you’ll be subsisting on tins of beans, Fray Bentos pies, and enormous bowls of pasta. Forgive me if I’m wrong, but these are not the traditional ingredients for a night of passion.
To counter the viral barrage of mood-killers, it’s advisable to follow the (un)official government guidance for each of the four stages of coronavirus: contain, delay, research, mitigate.
Contain.
Containment is all about excluding risk factors from the environment. So barricade yourself in one room and do not allow your partner in until you feel a fire in your loins. Choose your location wisely though: the sofa might make the living room seem appealing, but the kitchen contains food and — although no toilet — it does have a sink.
Delay.
The delay stage accepts the inevitability of contamination, but aims to slow the influx to a more manageable trickle. Basically, ask your partner if they can pencil you in for a quickie six weeks from now.
Research.
Knowledge is power, and this strand runs alongside phase one and two. Don’t waste these weeks indoors; use them to gain valuable insights into your partner’s turn-ons and turn-offs. If they perk up whenever Eamonn Holmes comes on the TV, or visibly wither at the sound you singing along to Celine Dion, this is all useful information.
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Mitigate.
This is where things get serious. The inevitable has happened and it’s now a damage-limitation scenario. What we’re saying is, if you’re straight, fertile, and don’t want your offspring to share a class with kids called ‘Covid’ and ‘Karona’, just use a condom.
Ultimately, though, any friskiness can compensate for lost exercise outdoors. Plus, research has shown that having an orgasm actually boosts your white blood cells and therefore your immune response.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--Jason Manford Defends Decision To Stay In Theatre Tour Despite Coronavirus Outbreak

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Jason Manford has defended the decision to continue his current musical theatre tour despite the coronavirus outbreak.
The stand-up comedian – who recently finished in second place in the UK version of The Masked Singer – is currently playing theatres around the country in a production of the musical Curtains, which is set to run until mid-April.
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Posting on Twitter, Jason revealed he’d had a few “forceful” messages suggesting he should have quit the tour, in a bid to try and prevent the spread of Covid-19.
He wrote: “Keep getting the odd, shall we say ‘forceful’ message about is somehow being my choice to ‘put my foot down’ & cancel the current tour I’m in. Unfortunately I, like many people, irrespective of my opinion have a) a contract and a boss who’s [sic] decision this is and b) have a lot of people depending on the income of a tour this size.”
Jason at the Curtains press launch in December last year David M. Benett via Getty Images
Jason continued: “At a push I could financially get through half a year not working before it became a problem financially but if I decided to not go to Leicester on Monday say, the show would still go on as I have an understudy.
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“With cast, crew, band & folks in the office (not to mention the hundreds of zero-hour contract folks who work in the theatres) there are over 100 people all working on this show and if they suddenly cancelled it without the Government’s say so, their insurance would be null and void putting a lot of those people in financial ruin.
“So please do not patronise me about the seriousness of the pandemic, I’m well aware, I get the same news channels as you; I just have a responsibility to these people to make sure that when the worst happens they are in the strongest position to get through it.”
Little statement regarding the @MusicalCurtains tour I’m STILL doing at the moment. Leicester, High Wycombe, Wolverhampton & Southampton coming up. Sent with love ❤ pic.twitter.com/4WtSDWAGyk — Jason Manford (@JasonManford) March 15, 2020
“Extra, extra: person is legally obliged to work until told not to do so...read all about it!” 😂 #WorldsGoneNuts #NotNews #ClickBate https://t.co/iXk1pivMgj — Jason Manford (@JasonManford) March 15, 2020
How the hell is there a pandemic when there sooooo many fucking experts on here? #Baffled — Jason Manford (@JasonManford) March 16, 2020
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Following the coronavirus outbreak, a number of high-profile acts have cancelled and postponed their live shows, while festivals like Coachella and Radio 1’s Big Weekend have been either pushed back to later in the year or scrapped completely.
On Monday, the Old and Young Vic theatres in London announced that they were closing their doors due to the virus.
The former said in a statement: “Whilst we have no reason to disagree with current scientific and government advice on coping with the Coronavirus, given the new travel and other restrictions in place it is nevertheless becoming increasingly impractical to sustain business as usual at our theatre.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--James Bond Star Olga Kurylenko Tests Positive For Coronavirus

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James Bond star Olga Kurylenko has revealed she has tested positive for coronavirus.
The former “Bond girl” said she is “locked up at home” following her diagnosis, and urged fans to “take care” of themselves.
Olga Kurylenko Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP
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Sharing a photo of the view from her window on Instagram, the Ukraine-born French actor wrote: “Locked up at home after having tested positive for Coronavirus. I’ve actually been ill for almost a week now.
“Fever and fatigue are my main symptoms. Take care of yourself and do take this seriously!”
The 40-year-old star, who played Camille Montes in 2008′s Quantum Of Solace, shared the message in both English and Russian.
Olga’s well-wishers included fellow actor Milla Jovovich, who said: “Oh my god, feel better lady! We’re praying for you.”
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Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta, and Chelsea footballer Callum Hudson-Odoi are among the high-profile people who have already been diagnosed with coronavirus.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Instagram


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--I’m Dreading Contracting Coronavirus – Not For Me, But For My Sick Dad

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As news breaks of another coronavirus patient death here in the UK, the dread settled in my chest sinks deeper.
It’s not just a reminder I need to disable the breaking news alerts on my phone. The headline confirming the deceased’s information – a male in his 60s with significant underlying health conditions – serves as a stark reminder of my father, and his vulnerable position in this crisis.
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Dad’s first bout of pneumonia came at just age three, and set the tone for his weak lungs. A further three instances of pneumonia – one in the eighties, another in the nineties and his last in the early noughties – and his ongoing breathing difficulty, chesty cough and frequent wheezing was upgraded from ‘bad asthma’ to a diagnosis of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in 2014. The disease is a progressive chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs, making it hard to breathe, and is often accompanied by a persistent chesty cough. It is not currently possible to cure or reverse the condition completely, but there are treatment options.
Dad’s identifiable wheezing and chesty coughs were simply a part of him that I had become accustomed to growing up; a consistent bassline to the soundtrack of my life. We often tease and joke about his eight-at-a-time evening coughing sequences, labelling him an “obnoxious attention seeker”, which is always met with laughter – and more wheezing. His way of mitigating mine and my mother’s anxieties with moments of levity have been vital throughout the building mountain of coronavirus news and cases.
“"I rely on packed public transport to attend lectures in central London. God knows what I could bring back home."”
But guilt has made its home in my head. I rely on packed public transport to attend lectures in central London. God knows what I could bring back home. Should I remove myself from my family and stay with a fellow low-risk friend for the coming months, leaning on family FaceTime chats to bridge the geographical gap? I’m still considering this option, but am careful to comply with the advice from Public Health England and the ever-updated NHS website, as opposed to consuming social media hysteria and fake news articles. Current precautions that have been implemented at home are disinfecting our phones, door handles and surfaces daily, as well as a Twitter ban to ease my anxiety – not a rule I have successfully been able to stick to so far.
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Since learning the virus had found its way to Britain weeks ago, I have been trying to fight the fear that has been quietly simmering in my stomach over what this means for my dad. Friends’ attempts at easing my concerns over the rising cases of Covid-19 in the UK, whilst well-meaning, had little impact: “Flu claims thousands of fatalities annually… You are probably more likely to die in a road traffic accident, or at the hands of a mosquito… We’re young and healthy, none of us should be too badly affected!”
The indifference of my peers towards coronavirus wasn’t surprising. After all, the majority of my friends have moved out and live with flatmates of a similar age, and all live in generally good health. Many also aren’t consumers of live television, and often rely only on word-of-mouth to be kept up to date with the current news.
However, I remain at home with my family while I study at university and (try to) save money, sharing a living space with my parents (who check the news headlines religiously on the live rolling news channel). My mum works in a doctor’s surgery as a medical administrator, and my dad works for an airline at Gatwick airport – both high-volume, risky work spaces in the event of a pandemic.
“A check-in text from a close friend, no matter how brief, has super-strength healing properties when administered during a lonely, anxious episode.”
After highlighting our different situations and raising my concerns to my friends, their understanding of the scope and the risk of not taking extra care to wash their hands made sense to them. If someone doesn’t ensure to wash their hands and take the recommended steps to reduce their exposure to coronavirus, then they could unknowingly contract it and be passing it on to vulnerable people. I explain this the best I can without trying to project my anxieties on to them, which I think I succeed in doing. Suggesting we replace pub Friday with FaceTime Friday for the next couple of weeks or months seems a step too far, however.
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But would it really? Last week, Boris Johnson said families would continue to “lose loved ones before their time” as the coronavirus outbreak worsens. Friday night pub summits with peers is certainly an effective distraction from my mounting fears over Covid-19, but this realisation sinks their reassurances to the bottom of my mind. In the coming months, I’ll be backing out of big birthday celebrations and sacrificing the cinema (my refuge). These pub trips will re-format into WhatsApp group chats and check-in texts.
Not that this would be entirely unwelcome: I know I’m not alone in confessing that a check-in text from a close friend, no matter how brief, has super-strength healing properties when administered during a lonely, anxious episode. It is important to be mindful of those who will be in this situation amid coronavirus – not so much worried for themselves, but for their loved ones. send them that check-in text and schedule a FaceTime.
For my family, our most effective anxiety-easer will be dad’s upcoming retirement in May on his 68th birthday. Finally.
Lucy Metters is a journalist and student at Birkbeck University


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--The Simpsons Writer Slams Fans' 'Gross' Comparisons Between Coronavirus And Classic Episode

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The Simpsons writer Bill Oakley has hit back at fans who have compared the coronavirus pandemic to a fictional outbreak in a classic episode of the hit sitcom.
In the episode Marge In Chains, the “Osaka flu” arrives in Springfield, infecting a number of residents including most of the Simpson family.
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However, while many on social media have been posting memes based on the episode relating to the Covid-19 outbreak, with some even claiming it’s another of the show’s so-called “predictions”, Bill – who co-wrote Marge In Chains with fellow Simpsons writer Josh Weinstein – is less than impressed with the comparisons.
“I don’t like it being used for nefarious purposes,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “The idea that anyone misappropriates it to make coronavirus seem like an Asian plot is terrible. In terms of trying to place blame on Asia — I think that is gross.”
Bill also noted that the “Osaka flu” was actually based on the Hong Kong Flu in the late 1960s, insisting: “It was just supposed to be a quick joke about how the flu got here.
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“It was meant to be absurd that someone could cough into a box and the virus would survive for six to eight weeks in the box. It is cartoonish.
“We intentionally made it cartoonish because we wanted it to be silly and not scary, and not carry any of these bad associations along with it, which is why the virus itself was acting like a cartoon character and behaving in extremely unrealistic ways.”
An example of the "cartoonish" way the "Osaka flu" arrived in Springfield BBC
Shutting down fans’ ever-growing list of supposed moments in history that The Simpsons “predicted”, Bill added: “There are very few cases where The Simpsons predicted something. It’s mainly just coincidence because the episodes are so old that history repeats itself. Most of these episodes are based on things that happened in the ’60s, ’70s or ’80s that we knew about.”
It’s set to be a big month for The Simpsons, which will finally debut on streaming services here in the UK when Disney+ launches on 24 March.
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More than 600 episodes of The Simpsons will be available on the platform, with the notable absence of Stark Raving Dad, in which Michael Jackson made a voice cameo.
Simpsons bosses made the decision to remove the episode from syndication last year, following the debut of the documentary Leaving Neverland.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--Roy Hudd, Comedian And Actor, Dies Aged 83

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Comedian and actor Roy Hudd has died at the age of 83, it has been announced.
A statement from his agent said: “We are sad to announce the passing of the much-loved and amazingly talented Roy Hudd OBE.
“After a short illness, Roy passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Sunday the 15th of March, with his wife Debbie at his side.
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“The family would ask you to respect their privacy at this very sad time.”
Actor Roy Hudd as Edward McKeever, during a photocall for the new production of 1950s comedy 'The Solid Gold Cadillac' at The Garrick Theatre on Charing Cross Road, central London. PA
The Croydon native made his professional debut as a comedian in 1957 at the Streatham Hill Theatre.
In 1958, he joined the Redcoats at Butlin’s Clacton and worked alongside Sir Cliff Richard and Dave Allen.
He broke into television on the BBC’s Not So Much A Programme, More A Way of Life, which also featured David Frost, William Rushton, John Bird, Michael Crawford and Eleanor Bron.
Roy Hudd with his wife Debbie, holding his OBE for services to entertainment, at Buckingham Palace, London in 2004. PA
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He went on to front the radio sketch series The Illustrated Weekly Hudd and The Roy Hudd Show before hosting BBC Radio 2′s The News Huddlines for 26 years between 1975 and 2001.
An acclaimed actor, he played Archie Shuttleworth in Coronation Street for several years.
In the 1990s, he won praise for his roles in Lipstick On Your Collar and Karaoke and went on to star in the popular crime drama Ashes to Ashes.
More recent acting credits include Broadchurch, Benidorm, Call The Midwife, Midsomer Murders and Casualty.
In 2015, he played his first pantomime dame in Dick Whittington And His Cat, the first show at the then newly renovated Wilton’s Music Hall in London.
“I decided I should really have a go at a dame before I snuff it,” he told The Stage in 2016.
Roy Hudd in panto Alastair Muir/Shutterstock
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He wrote several books on music hall, re-recorded and restored old music hall records, and appeared in a revival show called The Good Old Days.
The showbiz legend was also the longstanding president of the British Music Hall Society, and chose the genre as his specialist subject when he appeared on Celebrity Mastermind in 2014.
Comedian and writer Kathy Burke led the tributes on Twitter...
Very sad news. Had the pleasure of working with Roy in the 90's on Common As Muck. Beautiful, funny and very talented man. RIP ♥ https://t.co/vdT6rlvItb — kath 🙀🕷❄🇪🇺 (@KathyBurke) March 16, 2020
This is terribly sad news. Roy was such a funny and very kind man. He will be hugely missed. https://t.co/DoGDY8CB5G — jennifer saunders (@ferrifrump) March 16, 2020
Roy Hudd was a comic genius but more than that he was one of the nicest people in show business. At least the heavens will be rocking with laughter. — Sandi Toksvig (@sanditoksvig) March 16, 2020
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Bravo, Roy Hudd. I hope you can hear the applause thundering in your ears. What a turn. What an archive. What company.
Now you can give Max Miller his hat back. pic.twitter.com/zTJq0M5f0p — Danny Baker (@prodnose) March 16, 2020
RIP Roy Hudd, 83.
A wonderfully versatile & very funny old school music hall entertainer.
Made millions of people laugh, which is a wonderful legacy. pic.twitter.com/X4Af2oJqxB — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 16, 2020
The lovely Roy Hudd embodied a whole strand of the DNA of British comedy, from music hall and variety to pantomime and stand-up. A living museum, full of joy, humour and enthusiasm. A great life and a great loss. — Rory Bremner (@rorybremner) March 16, 2020
Roy Hudd’s death is so sad. He was such fun, so funny & so talented. Here’s hoping there’s a heaven where he can be reunited with old friends like June Whitfield & meet all his heroes like the great Dan Leno. pic.twitter.com/lEiDwNLGiI — Gyles Brandreth (@GylesB1) March 16, 2020
Just heard the news my dear pal Roy Hudd passed away. RIP one of the nicest guys that ever lived. You will be missed x pic.twitter.com/fp2svDuIYC — Paul Chuckle (@PaulChuckle2) March 16, 2020
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We are very sad to learn of the passing of Equity trustee Roy Hudd. A gifted actor and comedian, and a staunch supporter of the union and his fellow members’ rights, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. pic.twitter.com/1Wq3oMjN9C — Equity (@EquityUK) March 16, 2020
Very sad to hear of the death of #RoyHudd. A lovely, charming man who, upon learning I was a historian, immediately began singing “I’m ‘Enery the Eighth, I am” to me. This photo captures that moment rather nicely. He was a fantastic storyteller. Farewell, Roy pic.twitter.com/5KYYpuK58I — Greg Jenner: 'DEAD FAMOUS OUT MARCH 19TH!' (@greg_jenner) March 16, 2020
Farewell to the wonderful Roy Hudd. A great comic and actor. One of those joyous people who feel like they’ve been with us forever. He was in a ‘Randall & Hopkirk’ I wrote with @dysonjeremy and improvised the band’s sign off as “Jock Strap and his Two Swingers there!” RIP Maestro — Mark Gatiss (@Markgatiss) March 16, 2020
Very sad indeed to hear that Roy Hudd has died. A really lovely bloke, a great comedian, excellent straight actor. And a comedy historian too. I got my start in comedy writing via his Radio 2 show The News Huddlines. He was a total joy to write for. All good wishes to his family. — Simon Blackwell (@simonblackwell) March 16, 2020
I interviewed Roy Hudd on the phone last May. Part way through we got disconnected, so he called back: "I thought you were bored! You’d just put the bloody phone down [thinking], ‘Who’s this old cunt?’" — Graham Kibble-White (@grahamkw) March 16, 2020
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I had the great privilege of working with Roy Hudd. He was an absolute gent. A legend in his own lifetime. RIP Roy. — Emma Kennedy (@EmmaKennedy) March 16, 2020
My first and only, lol, professional acting job was on a Radio 4 show 18 months ago with the legendary Roy Hudd. He was a delight and completely lovely. An honour. Rest in peace, lovely man. https://t.co/7yjZ98ReJr — Matthew Todd (@MrMatthewTodd) March 16, 2020
Sad to hear that the wonderful Roy Hudd has passed away. Spent many hours chatting to him about his amazing showbiz stories. A great talent and will be greatly missed. — Stuart Antony (@STU_ACTOR) March 16, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--Watch: Here’s The Latest On Coronavirus

Watch: Here’s The Latest On Coronavirus

Watch: Here’s The Latest On Coronavirus - 16 March
The global death toll reaches 6,500 as US president Donald Trump extended the country’s travel ban to the UK and Ireland. Top perfume manufacturer LVMH repurposes its factories to make hand sanitiser free of charge and the World Health Organization declares Europe the new epicentre of the pandemic, as Italy saw 368 deaths in one day.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--Taylor Swift And Ariana Grande Urge Fans To Take Coronavirus More Seriously

Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande have urged their fans to take the growing coronavirus outbreak more seriously as they called out those putting the vulnerable at risk.
The pop stars both posted statements on their Instagram Stories after being concerned by seeing people attending social gatherings and adopting a “this isn’t a big deal” attitude.
Taylor Swift PA
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Taylor posted on her Story: “Guys, I follow you online and I love you guys so much and need to express my concern that things aren’t being taken seriously enough right now.
“I’m seeing lots of get togethers and hangs and parties still happening.
“This is the time to cancel plans, actually truly isolate as much as you can, and don’t assume that because you don’t feel sick that you aren’t possibly passing something on to someone elderly or vulnerable to this.”
She added: “It’s a really scary time but we need to make social sacrifices right now.”
Ariana Grande SIPA USA/PA Images
Sharing similar sentiments on her Instagram, Ariana wrote: “I keep hearing a surprising amount of people statements like, ‘This isn’t a big deal’ / ‘We’ll be fine’ / ‘We still have to go about our daily lives’ and it’s really blowing my mind. I understand if that is how you felt weeks ago, but please read about what’s going on please don’t turn a blind eye.
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“It is incredibly dangerous and selfish to take this situation that lightly, the ‘we will be fine because we’re young’ mindset is putting people who aren’t young and / or healthy in a lot of danger.”
She added: “You sound stupid and privileged and you need to care more about others. Like now.”
In the US, there are at least 3,485 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with a total of 65 deaths.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--Please Don't Believe These Coronavirus Scams And Advice

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For the past couple of months, fear and anxiety have been building over the novel coronavirus and the respiratory disease it causes, known as Covid-19.
People have raced to grocery stores to pick up anything that might cut their risk of contracting the virus. There are barely any face masks available, a limited supply of disinfecting wipes, and you’d be lucky to find a bottle of hand sanitiser in most places.
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Meanwhile, certain individuals and companies have cashed in on our fears by sharing advice and selling products that can allegedly (key word: allegedly) keep us safe from Covid-19.
Most, if not all, of these claims are fake. We don’t have a preventive vaccine yet, nor do we have any scientifically proven way to destroy Covid-19 once it’s in our bodies. The best way to stay safe right now is by social distancing and good old-fashioned hand-washing.
Here are the main scams and myths we’re seeing that you should watch out for.
Questionable DIY Hand Sanitiser Recipes
Due to the global hand sanitiser shortage, the World Health Organization recently published a recipe for a DIY hand sanitiser. While that recipe is completely safe and legitimate, others have since shared their own sanitiser recipes.
According to Ben Neuman, the head of the biology department at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, an effective hand sanitiser needs to be 70% pure ethanol, or 140 proof, which is a much higher ethanol concentration than any sort of alcohol you’d find at a liquor store. (Don’t use your vodka, people!).
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Plus, if you do make your own hand sanitiser, it’s not totally guaranteed to work. “Even made properly, an ethanol solution is not 100% guaranteed to keep you safe,” said Neumon, who has researched coronaviruses for 24 years.
During the SARS epidemic, people could still contract the disease despite using ethanol disinfectants, he added.
There’s really no need to make your own sanitiser, said infectious disease expert Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
“I find it puzzling that people are trying to make their hand sanitiser when they have soap and water that works just fine,” Adalja said.
Herbal Remedies And Supplements Claiming To Fight Covid-19
TrongNguyen via Getty Images Any “coronavirus-fighting” supplements you see marketed out there — like chlorine dioxide solution, high-dosage Vitamin C pack, or a bottle of colloidal silver — are a total scam.
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Herbal remedies — including mixtures of honeysuckle, cinnamon twig, and peony root — have gained some traction thanks to false claims that they can treat flu-like symptoms or boost the immune system. Twitter is also all in on garlic right now, asserting that the herb has antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
“Garlic, my goodness,” Neuman said. “SARS-CoV-2 is not a vampire — garlic is tasty in spaghetti sauce, but it is not an antiviral.”
According to Neuman, any benefits provided by herbal remedies are due to the placebo effect, if anything. And the placebo effect, which is essentially when your brain tricks your body into thinking a treatment works, will not keep you from getting Covid-19.
Additionally, any “coronavirus-fighting” supplements you see marketed out there — like this chlorine dioxide solution, this high-dosage Vitamin C pack, or a bottle of colloidal silver — are a total scam. If we had a solution to cure Covid-19, you’d be aware.
“SARS-CoV-2 is not a vampire — garlic is tasty in spaghetti sauce, but it is not an antiviral.” - Ben Neuman, Texas A&M University-Texarkana
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“The fact that anyone would be advertising that anything you put inside your body can fight coronavirus should tell you it is bunk,” Neuman said. There is no science proving these items work — if anything, evidence shows they don’t.
Drinking Water To ‘Kill’ The Virus
There’s a rumour going around that gulping down water can push the novel coronavirus into your stomach, where stomach acids will kill it. Neuman said this advice is “mostly bonkers.”
Once the virus enters your body — through your mouth, nose or eyes — it will quickly infect your cells and, over time, spread to your lungs. For most people, the infection starts and ends around the lungs. In others, the infection could spread to the intestines and cause diarrhoea. But just because the virus that causes Covid-19 reaches your intestines does not mean you are in the clear. You are still fighting an infection, regardless.
“The intestines actually have more of the virus receptor than the lungs, and would offer a potential route of access to the bloodstream and the important organs, so you wouldn’t want to deliberately introduce the virus into the digestive tract,” Neuman explained.
Staying hydrated is a good idea in general, but water is not going to fight the illness itself.
Latex Gloves For Virus Protection
Marina Demkina via Getty Images Latex gloves are not sturdy and rip and tear easily.
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People who can’t get ahold of a face mask (which, remember, isn’t foolproof) are now reaching for latex gloves, but there’s no proof they provide any protection. The novel coronavirus cannot be absorbed through the skin, according to Neuman. It can easily hang out on the gloves and reach all the areas where you can contract the illness (face, eyes, nose).
Latex gloves are also not sturdy and rip and tear easily. “I don’t suspect people wear them that well, and I suspect they get tears in them and people don’t even realise they got tears in them,” Adalja said, adding that the gloves also provide a false sense of security.
Avoiding Packages From China
Scared about ordering goods from China? Don’t be. Though coronaviruses may seem tough, they’re actually quite delicate.
Neuman, who worked with SARS, said keeping a coronavirus intact is no easy task. “Once the virus is outside the body, the clock is ticking and the amount of intact virus drops pretty quickly,” Neuman said. That’s a big journey for the new coronavirus.
Plus, the latest research shows that the virus may survive only about two to three days on surfaces — it takes much longer for your Amazon package to ship from China.
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Here’s What To Do Instead:
Moyo Studio via Getty Images Experts say to wash your hands with soap and water, avoid touching your face, practice social distancing, and disinfect surfaces.
First, try not to panic.
“The word ‘pandemic’ has the power to conjure up frightful images from movies and the distant past, but I think in reality the situation today is more controllable than at the peak of the outbreak in China just over a month ago,” Neuman said.
Around the world, we are now seeing a massive response to Covid-19, which is a very promising development. Follow the updates and pay attention to your local health authorities.
Instead of wasting your time and money on scammy products or bad advice, listen to the experts — wash your hands with soap and water, avoid touching your face, practice social distancing, and disinfect surfaces.
Finally, if you do get sick, please make a telehealth appointment and isolate yourself until you recover (unless you’re experiencing severe symptoms like a high fever and shortness of breath; then seek in-person care immediately).
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Adorable Mini Pony And Donkey Want You To #StayTheFHome

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Screen legend and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is urging Americans to #StayTheFHome to stop the spread of the coronavirus, and he’s recruited two of his adorable pets to help get the message across: miniature pony Whiskey and Lulu the donkey.
“We have a good time eating here together,” Schwarzenegger said as he fed them two carrots. ”So much more fun than going outside. No more restaurants, OK? Public gatherings, restaurants, all those gymnasiums, out the window. We stay home.”
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The “Terminator” star tweeted:
Stay at home as much as possible. Listen to the experts, ignore the morons (foreheads). We will get through this together. pic.twitter.com/FRg41QehuB — Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) March 16, 2020
His message was delivered hours after the state’s current governor, Gavin Newsom, set more restrictions within the state, including closing bars and reducing occupancy in restaurants, and urging older citizens to remain inside.
On Friday, Schwarzenegger also shared some hygiene advice in the age of coronavirus, this time enlisting his dog Cherry:
I tried to do a hand-washing tutorial for Cherry but I think you guys will pay more attention. Be safe. Wash your hands. Listen to scientists and experts, not foreheads. Together, we can slow this down and protect each other. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/evDxVu6Etb — Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) March 13, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--Animal Shelters Call For People To Foster Pets Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

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If the COVID-19 pandemic has you spending more time at home, feeling bored and craving company, there may be a purr-fect solution that will also help an animal in need: fostering a pet.
Fostering a pet typically means that an adoptable animal lives with you temporarily while awaiting a more permanent home. It helps prevent overcrowding in shelters, and can be especially helpful for animals that need special care, like very young kittens or puppies. And the spread of the novel coronavirus has created a situation where some shelters are especially in need of fosters.
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“What we’re trying to do is prepare for the worst at this point,” Eric Rayvid, a spokesperson for Best Friends Animal Society, an animal welfare nonprofit, told HuffPost.
FatCamera via Getty Images
Some shelters have already had to close to the public or cancel events, and many others may need to do so in the coming days ― meaning fewer pets are being adopted out, even as animals continue to come in. Shelters want to move as many animals as possible off the premises and into foster homes, in case they’re hit with staffing shortages as employees and volunteers get sick or need to self-quarantine.
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“If it’s a large-scale shelter and you have a skeletal staff, that’s just going to be that much more of a burden for those folks to have,” Rayvid said. “The less animals that are there, the better work environment for [staff] and the better for the animals.”
And, he noted, fostering is a great opportunity for those practicing social distancing or being told to work from home.
“Having a pet around ... is good for your head,” he said. “It’s going to take you out of yourself a little bit. If you get a dog, it’s going force you to go outside. If you get a cat, it’s going to force you to spend some time cuddling.”
Best Friends has a searchable directory of partner shelters and rescue groups that may need fosters, or you can use Google to find an organization near you.
There’s no evidence as of now that cats and dogs can become sick from COVID-19, or that they’ve been a source of infection for humans. But there are also precautions that health experts recommend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people with COVID-19 avoid interacting with pets and have another household member care for them if possible, at least until “more information is known about the virus.” If you must care for pets while sick, the CDC urges you to wear a face mask and wash your hands before and after interacting with them.
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If you’re not in a position to foster but still want to help animals in your community, Rayvid recommends donating to local shelters or rescues or to a pet food bank, especially since the pandemic is leaving some people out of work.
And while the global situation can be frightening, Rayvid said he’s been heartened by how many people have already stepped forward to help each other and help animals.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--People Most Vulnerable To Coronavirus In The US Are Urging Others To Stay Home. Here’s Why.

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As the coronavirus outbreak continues, some people in the US are using social media to put a face to those who are most vulnerable and encourage healthy individuals to practice social distancing for the sake of public health.
On Saturday, the hashtag #HighRiskCOVID19 starting trending on American Twitter as people used it to share selfies and talk about the disabilities, immunocompromised status and underlying health conditions that put them at even higher risk of getting COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, than others. The hashtag was first created by Molly Schreiber and Charis Hill — both members of CreakyJoints, an organisation that supports people with arthritis — before it was picked up by dozens of other people.
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COVID-19 is primarily characterised by a fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, and it significantly affects the respiratory system. The disease has infected more than 150,000 people globally and killed at least 5,600 people, and there’s no known cure or vaccine for it.
There’s mounting concern from public health experts that people who feel fine and have no symptoms can still potentially be a carrier for the coronavirus — which means they could be unknowingly spreading it to other people who are more vulnerable and more likely to be hospitalised if they get it. And significant testing shortages mean it’s impossible for some people to know whether they’re infected.
Social distancing refers to a strategy for helping to combat the coronavirus, in which people avoid interactions with others — particularly large crowds — to keep it from spreading.
As #HighRiskCOVID19 tweets calling for people to stay home went viral on Saturday, Twitter was also filled with photos of bars and restaurants packed with people who are seemingly unperturbed by the pandemic.
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“I have chronic lung disease as a complication of rhematoid arthritis,” one Twitter user wrote.
“Please think of me before you go out. Please help flatten the curve,” she added, referring to the public health goal of slowing down the number of coronavirus cases over time so the health care system isn’t overwhelmed all at once.
Other people tweeted about their career goals and the lengths they’ve gone to in order to socially distance themselves and their families, such as delaying birthday parties.
Here are a few of the tweets:
I am immunocompromised and my life counts. #HighRiskCovid19
Please join us in putting a face to those who are vulnerable to the #coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/GaCZPUfxyi — Molly Schreiber (@mollyschreiber) March 15, 2020
My name is Sarah and I am #HighRiskCovid19. I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and my lung capacity is extremely limited. In January I got a cold and was home for 3 weeks. Please think of me when you don’t take #SocialDistancing seriously. #CripTheVote pic.twitter.com/4wmbfL8JXE — Sarah Jean👩🏼🦼 (@schwegs14) March 15, 2020
I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which restricts my breathing. I have scarring in my lungs from frequent bouts of pneumonia. I also have heart arrhythmia when I have fevers. I am #HighRiskCovid19. Think abt me when you break #SocialDistancing. pic.twitter.com/3N05zPE4Ke — See Mia Wash Her Hands 🧼👏🏼 🦮👩🏻🦽 (@SeeMiaRoll) March 15, 2020
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I have chronic lung disease as a complication of rhematoid arthritis My doctor says I have a 70 percent chance of dying if I get COVID 19 Please think of me before you go out. Please help flatten the curve #StayHome #HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/v9h2A9YCE8 — Rafia Zakaria (@rafiazakaria) March 15, 2020
Heyo! I have an autoimmune disease and I’m on immune suppressant meds. I’m currently applying to law school and work really hard (sometimes in the ICU) despite my physical limits. Please stay home for me #HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/fkbgxYk7DB — Sara Covelli (@CovelliSara) March 15, 2020
Today is our daughters 9th birthday.
🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY🎂
Grace is immune deficient and among the 20% that are #HighRiskCovid19
We are delaying her B-day party till it’s safe for family-friends to be together.
Wish her a happy-healthy b-day, stay home - spread the word! pic.twitter.com/UefYlfH63d — Rachel, Patron Saint of Ratchet (@Rachels_Ratchet) March 15, 2020
My name is Imani Barbarin, I have cerebral palsy, diabetes and sleep apnea. All of these things affect my breathing in their own way.
I have increased risk factors. If I get this virus, it’s life and death. #HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/mSzayeazda — Crutches&Spice ♿ : Rude For A Disabled Person (@Imani_Barbarin) March 15, 2020
#HighRiskCovid19 I’m 38 and currently having chemotherapy for the second time in 6 years. There are lots of us who would never describe ourselves as vulnerable but it seems in this #COVIDー19 situation, we are. Please think of us if you’re feeling unwell and #StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/MWOBOC24S7 — Gill Slatter (@gibigill) March 15, 2020
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I’m 27, I have #SpinalMuscularAtrophy and about 20% lung capacity. I’ve already been in the hospital twice in two months for respiratory infections despite normally being healthy. Im a news producer, a writer, I like clothes and making joke on twitter. I am #HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/PB2olKt8I2 — Shelby Hintze (@ShelbyHintze) March 15, 2020
I’m immune compromised. I am an advanced stage leukemia patient awaiting a match for a bone marrow transplant. This makes me #HighRiskCovid19. My life& the lives of other disabled ppl matters & is deserving of community protection. Please practice social solidarity in this time. pic.twitter.com/PLXUyw7HEA — Text ITSWALELA to 61474 (@itswalela) March 15, 2020
I’m Leah Grace. I’m 16 and have EDS and an awful immune system. I don’t want to die. This is who you’re protecting. #HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/eR7LQGX3k7 — Leah Grace Roberts♿🏳🌈 (@lgroberts608) March 15, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--I'm 8.5 Months Pregnant During The Coronavirus Pandemic, And It's Scary

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As I sat in front of my class of 20 freshman writing students in a suburban university just outside of Boston, one student coughed and then another. Someone sneezed. The room went silent for a moment as we collectively wondered if that would be the sneeze that would spread COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, through the room like wildfire. I considered breaking out my last remaining mini bottle of hand sanitiser for the third time that class period.
Typically, sniffles and occasional coughing are commonplace in a classroom of college students looking to avoid penalties for missing too many classes. Except this happened to be the day we were all waiting to hear if the university would be closed and moved online for the rest of the semester so we could practice social distancing to reduce the spread of coronavirus, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That, and I am eight-and-a-half-months pregnant.
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As most parents know, the birth of a first child is an epic, momentous occasion in any adult’s life. I bought books about what to expect when expecting and how to have a calm, nurturing and even hypnotising birth. I toured the maternity ward at the hospital and took online courses and chatted about possible birth plans with my partner and doctor.
We had just settled on delayed cord clamping as an important priority when news of the coronavirus spreading to our city took hold. The first confirmed case was reported. And then a second. And then a Biogen conference held at a Boston hotel created a ripple effect of cases spreading throughout the commonwealth. Hand sanitiser and toilet paper disappeared from store shelves, schools were closed, and nonessential employees moved to remote work.
Now, the pile of baby clothes from my baby shower remains in an unfolded heap, my baby books are shoved under the coffee table, and I spent much of my first day as a remote writing instructor in my pyjamas, obsessively refreshing news outlets to read up on the most gruesome details of the pandemic that I could find. This is not the stuff of the stress-reducing, preparing-for-birth mediations and mantras I had expected to be indulging in six weeks before my due date.
“I spent much of my first day as a remote writing instructor in my pyjamas, obsessively refreshing news outlets to read up on the most gruesome details of the pandemic that I could find. This is not the stuff of the stress-reducing, preparing-for-birth mediations and mantras I had expected to be indulging in six weeks before my due date.”
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The icing on the cake is that I am also about to be a first-time novelist, when my debut novel, The Way You Burn, is released on 14 April — even as readings, writing conferences, and book tours have been canceled in recent days. At least that due date, I remind myself, is a known entity. Yet the urge to choose a theme for my nursery feels almost as irrelevant now as questions over whether or not my author website is formatted optimally pre-publication.
I debate going to the gym because I’ve read about the importance of continuing to exercise throughout pregnancy ― but I wonder how contaminated the bars of the elliptical will be. I contemplate spending some time researching online book launches, but opt for leftover cake from the fridge instead. I consider heading to the grocery store to stockpile canned goods with the rest of the country, but social media tells me that lines are out the door and shelves are empty. Plus, all I really want to do right now is nap.
My doctor encouraged me not to worry, and the CDC claims that, although there isn’t much information about how the coronavirus affects pregnant women and newborns, there aren’t enough examples to indicate that my population of women with burgeoning bellies and our soon-to-be offspring are at a higher risk of complications, like we are with the flu. But I’m not sure if this does much to assuage the anxiety attached to a word like pandemic.
The unknowns associated with a pandemic feel overwhelmingly weighty stacked up next to the unknowns of a pregnancy. Will hospitals have a shortage of healthy doctors and nurses in six weeks? Will I go into labour early or will the baby come late? Will tens of thousands end up dying in the clutches of respiratory illness over the next month or will these quarantine precautions “flatten the curve”? Will I be able to deliver naturally or will I require an emergency c-section to get this baby out?
I read that in China, pregnant women were forced to cancel their regular check-ups before birth because hospital staff and resources were reallocated for coronavirus patients. At this point, it is unclear if the situation in the U.S. will escalate to Wuhan- or Italy-scale proportions in the coming weeks or months, but those requiring regular medical interventions, facing unexpected emergencies, or preparing to deliver their babies are carrying the burden of the unknown, when it comes to the risks associated with the virus spreading throughout hospitals and the availability of beds for patients without the virus.
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I try to force the vision out of my head of labouring alone in a hospital room where visitors aren’t allowed, hoping a doctor ― who may be lacking proper safety equipment ― is freed up in time for me to deliver. Or maybe it won’t even be a private room at all, but a hallway. I stop myself there. As it is, hospitals are already facing a shortage of protective masks for hospital staff due to the general public’s hoarding tendencies, but I have learned that languishing in worst-case-scenario fantasies does no one any good.
Although this is the first coronavirus pandemic that mine and my parents’ generations have ever endured, I wonder if my unborn son will grow up in a world in which new viruses become more common, as global travel and interconnectivity continues to expand and develop. I imagine chubby, child fingers flying across iPads and keyboards as distant learning becomes the norm, and social media becomes one of the only safe means for building community without the risk of infection.
“Although this is the first coronavirus pandemic that mine and my parents' generations have ever endured, I wonder if my unborn son will grow up in a world in which new viruses become more common, as global travel and interconnectivity continues to expand and develop.”
As for now, the wait-and-see technique ― coupled with vigorous hand washing ― seems to be the only option for surrendering to global and personal circumstances never yet experienced in this lifetime. The feeling of leaning into the future with my arms spread and my eyes closed in a trust fall comes with a keen sense of terror and yet, in other ways, something like relief.
Christine Meade is a writer, editor and educator. This article first appeared on HuffPost US Personal.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--Cheryl Tricked By Hoax Video Showing Italians Singing Her Song While In Self-Isolation

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Cheryl has become the latest in a line of celebrities to fall for a hoax video of Italians singing their songs while in self-isolation.
The former X Factor judge was taken in by a clip showing a street of people in quarantine singing her hit Fight For This Love on their balconies amid the coronavirus outbreak.
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Cheryl PA
After noticing the video on Twitter, she retweeted it with the comment: “I’m not crying,” with a weeping emoji.
The tweet she retweeted also read: “A whole neighborhood in Italy is singing Fight For This Love by Cheryl while they’re on lockdown and self-quarantined. #COVIDー19.”
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However, the video was made by hoaxers who had dubbed a live version of Cheryl’s 2009 single with fans singing along over the top of the footage of the Italian street.
Other versions have fooled other artists too, with Katy Perry and Madonna also falling for it.
why are all these stan accounts tricking their faves into thinking quarantined neighbourhoods in italy are singing their songs LMFAAOOOO pic.twitter.com/ni1iIc6G3P — 𝖆𝖗𝖈𝖍𝖎𝖊 (@arxhiiie) March 15, 2020
After Katy saw a clip dubbed with people singing her hit Roar, she tweeted: “You cannot break the human spirit. We are one in this,” with a heart emoji and Italian flag.
And Madonna believed fans were singing her song I Rise, tweeting: “Let Us All RISE UP. everywhere around the world!! Earth globe americas Earth globe europe-africa #irise.”
Let Us All RISE UP. everywhere around the world!! 🌎 🌍 #irise pic.twitter.com/NJv93kWnWs — Madonna (@Madonna) March 15, 2020
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In reality, the original footage, taken in Naples, shows the neighbourhood singing football chants in a moment of unity.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--Labour MP Kate Osborne Diagnosed With Coronavirus

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Labour MP for Jarrow Kate Osborne said she has been diagnosed with coronavirus following a period of self-isolation and subsequent testing.
I have been diagnosed with Coronavirus (#covidー19uk) following a period of self isolation and subsequent testing. — Kate Osborne (@KateOsborneMP) March 16, 2020
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Writing on Twitter, Osborne added: “I will continue to self isolate until I have fought off the illness, but in the mean time I would encourage everyone to band together and support the most vulnerable in our communities.
“The NHS are urging people to stay at home for 7 days if you have either a high temperature or a new, continuous cough.
If you are displaying any symptoms yourself, please self isolate and visit http://111.NHS.UK or call 111 for advice.”
Osborne is the second MP confirmed to have contracted the virus, after health minister Nadine Dorries.
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Boris Johnson is to address the nation on the coronavirus threat after meeting ministers and officials to consider measures including banning mass gatherings and lengthy household isolation for the elderly.
The prime minister will chair an emergency meeting of the Cobra committee on Monday afternoon before holding the first of the daily press conferences being planned to update the public on Covid-19.
It comes as The Guardian reported on a Public Health England (PHE) briefing which warned health chiefs the epidemic in the UK could last until spring next year and could lead up to 7.9 million people being admitted to hospital.
As the UK death toll reached 35 on Sunday, health secretary Matt Hancock said over-70s could be told to stay at home for up to four months within the “coming weeks”.
Several MPs have also decided to self-isolate after experiencing symptoms, including Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy.
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There have been a total of 1,543 positive tests for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Monday, up from 1,372 at the same time on Sunday, the Department of Health said on Monday afternoon.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--Seven Things You Need To Know About Coronavirus Today

Concerns over the coronavirus pandemic have led to major changes around the globe as the rate of infection grows.
As of 9am on Monday, there have been 1,543 positive tests for coronavirus in the UK out of a total 44,105, up from 1,372 at the same time on Sunday, the Department of Health said. The department also said 55 people in the UK are known to have died after testing positive for the virus.
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UK takes major step on social distancing
The UK stepped up its efforts to tackle the outbreak by urging all people in the country to avoid pubs, clubs and theatres, and stop all non-essential contact and travel, and work from home if they can.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out the need for “drastic action” to tackle the “fast growth” of coronavirus across the UK as increased social distancing measures are introduced for the population.
As part of the “draconian” measures, anyone living in a household with somebody who has either a persistent cough or fever must now also isolate themselves for 14 days.
All people should avoid gatherings and crowded places, while people who are vulnerable – including those are elderly – will need to undertake even more drastic measures.
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The prime minister said that according to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) “it looks as though we are now approaching the fast growth part of the upward curve” in the number of cases.
“Without drastic action cases could double every five or six days,” he said.
30-day travel ban for EU proposed
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a 30-day ban on all non-essential travel into the European Union – though it wouldn’t affect Britons, who could still come and go as they pleased.
The European Commission president said: “The less travel, the more we can contain the virus.”
The @EU_Commission presents guidelines on border measures & proposes:
1⃣Green lanes/fast lanes giving priority to essential transport to keep the mobility sector going & ensure economic continuity
2⃣Temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU (30 days) pic.twitter.com/9bda9MntF0 — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 16, 2020
The commission chief said she was proposing a “temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the European Union”.
“These travel restrictions should be in place for an initial period of 30 days which can be prolonged as necessary.”
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She added that the EU travel ban proposal would not apply to UK citizens, telling a press conference: “The UK citizens are European citizens so of course there are no restrictions for the UK citizens to travel to the continent.”
Call for priority testing for frontline NHS staff
A nurse holds a coronavirus testing kit as she speaks to the media in Wolverhampton Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
Thousands of people have called for frontline NHS workers to be tested for coronavirus as a matter of priority.
An online petition has earned more than 30,000 signatures calling for health workers to be tested, so they can keep on working instead of going into isolation if they have what simply turns out to be a cold.
Junior doctor Rebecca McCauley, who wrote the petition, said staff wanted to work with “a clear conscience”.
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“My cough is minor, and it’s March, so quite common to get a cough… but how do I know it’s not Covid? The truth is I don’t,” she wrote.
BBC delays over 75s licence fee changes
BBC Broadcasting House in London Leon Neal via Getty Images
The universal free TV licence for over-75s will end on August 1 instead of June 1 because of the coronavirus outbreak, the BBC has announced.
Chair of the BBC, Sir David Clementi, said: “The BBC board has decided to delay changes to over 75s licence fees.
“We are in exceptional circumstances. Now is not the right time. We are fully focused on delivering our services to the public at this difficult time.”
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US bars and restaurants shut down
Empty seats are available at Grand Central Terminal's Oyster Bar during lunch time in New York. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bars, restaurants, theatres and cinemas across the US have shut down.
Venues in New York, California, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington were ordered to close.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday he was ordering restaurants, bars and cafes to only sell food on a take-out or delivery basis. He also said he would order nightclubs, cinemas, small theatres and concert venues to close.
“These places are part of the heart and soul of our city,” he said. “But our city is facing an unprecedented threat, and we must respond with a wartime mentality.”
New York also joined the nation’s other major state school systems in calling off classes as of Monday.
President Trump addresses panic buying
President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing about the coronavirus. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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President Donald Trump has urged the public to stop hoarding groceries amid the coronavirus outbreak, telling Americans to “take it easy” and “relax”.
Trump’s message came as many supermarket shelves across the country were picked bare, with people stockpiling supplies like canned goods and toilet paper.
Similarly, panic buying continued to sweep the UK as a minister hinted government action to ensure food supplies could include rationing.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday he was “confident” shops will not run out of food but appealed for people to think of others and “behave responsibly”.
UK airlines warn pandemic poses aviation threat
Virgin Atlantic heads will write to Boris Johnson on Monday NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Airlines have warned that the UK’s aviation industry may not survive the coronavirus outbreak without emergency financial support.
Virgin Atlantic heads will write to Boris Johnson on Monday to ask for financial help for UK airlines.
US travel restrictions will come in effect for all transatlantic routes from Tuesday, further impacting the sector.
The government said it was open to supporting firms, including airlines.
Earlier developments


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--A Life In A Cage Is No Life At All – Yet 16 Million Farm Animals Are Imprisoned

There’s every opportunity to do better for farm animals as we go through this period of significant political change. Getty Images/EyeEm
In his first speech as prime minister, Boris Johnson said, “Let’s promote the welfare of animals that has always been so close to the hearts of the British people”.
If this is the case, why are 16m UK farm animals trapped in cages every year?
If the government is serious about these ambitions, it must embrace a cage free future — because a life in a cage is no life at all.
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In Britain we pride ourselves on being a nation of animal lovers. And whilst this is certainly true for the animals we keep at home, how much compassion do we really show to the farmed animals used to produce the meat, dairy and eggs that end up on our plates?
At school, we drew happy and colourful drawings of free-range farm life. Happy cows in fields, pigs wallowing in mud and chickens enjoying the great British outdoors. For some animals that picture is the reality and I give huge credit to those farmers who manage their livestock in extensive or organic systems.
But as mentioned, 16m farm animals in the UK are trapped in cages, with little space to move and carry out their natural behaviours.
Not such a pretty picture after all.
More than half of the UK’s mother pigs give birth incarcerated in cages, unable to turn around, confined in their prison-like farrowing crates. And over a third of the UK’s egg-laying hens are kept in cages.
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This is a disgraceful way to rear any animal but astoundingly, it is legal. It’s high time the government took steps to change it. Those of us who choose to eat meat, eggs and dairy products should be assured that they come from animals that have lived a good life and reared to the highest possible welfare standards — from farm to fork.
“More than half of the UK’s mother pigs give birth incarcerated in cages, unable to turn around, confined in their prison-like farrowing crates.”
Caged, industrial scale farming is cruel and unnecessary. But more than that, it doesn’t make good business sense. Due to the huge inputs required to prop up the system, it’s a false economy, highly dependent on large quantities of precious resources, such as grain-based feed, water, energy and medication. Alternative systems are available — like free range and organic systems that are more humane, financially viable and sustainable.
So, what’s stopping us? There’s really no excuse, and there’s every opportunity to do better for farm animals as we go through this period of significant political change.
Many countries across the EU have already taken steps to End the Cage Age. The UK should be leading the charge in the move towards more humane farming systems, not playing catch-up with our European neighbours. If not, it will be to the detriment of farm animals, not to mention our health and the health of the planet.
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It has been shown that eating too much meat, especially processed meat, can contribute to heart disease, certain cancers, obesity and diabetes. In addition, the overuse of antibiotics in farming is fuelling the global antibiotic-resistance crisis. Factory farmed animals are regularly given antibiotics in their feed or water because of the higher risk of disease when large numbers of animals are kept in inhumane, overcrowded conditions. Soon, we could be unable to treat fatal diseases with life-saving drugs.
And what about the impact on the planet? Livestock production, fuelled by factory farming, is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than all the world’s planes, trains and cars put together. This means our food is the main culprit in the rapidly unfolding climate catastrophe.
A parliamentary debate on the future of caged farming is taking place today. This comes following the success of a government petition, of which I’m the lead signatory. The petition gained well over a hundred thousand signatures, proving the public is behind a move to End the Cage Age.
As we transition away from the EU, and with the uncertainty in what future trade deals will mean for the food on our shelves, let’s be the nation that stands proud and strong in our stance as animal lovers.
Britain can’t win a global race to the bottom on global animal welfare standards: there will always be someone who undercuts us.
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And frankly, nobody wants a race to the bottom — not the farmers, not the retailers, not consumers and most certainly not the animals.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--I Tried A Load Of Scented Candles – These Are 6 Of The Best

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.
Candles Candles
I’ve become a bit obsessed with candles lately, partly because the light went in our windowless bathroom, meaning showers by candlelight, and partly because I’m now in my 30s and have suddenly become interested in making my home feel nice. But if I’ve learned one thing, it’s that not all candles are created equal.
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I’m not asking for much when it comes to a candle, just a scent to fill the room rather than one that only smells when you blow it out – like a birthday candle, but without the joy. If I wanted to simply light the space, I’d turn the bloody lamp on.
So here we are. I’ve been testing scented candles for what seems like eternity. My boyfriend came home recently and asked – half-joking, half-concerned – if I was planning on having seance.
I’ve whittled it down to my six favourites, ranging in price and scent. They’re all natural, pretty and guaranteed to make your home smell lush.
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With spring on the horizon, look no further than Hopscotch’s rose candle, which gives me British country garden vibes. I love the clean design and the gold screw top lid, which I fasten every time I use it in hope that it helps make the smell last longer. I have no idea if this actually has an impact, but can confirm the candle has been smelling simply lovely for ages.
Burn time: 60 hours.
HuffPost UK HuffPost UK
This is simply the most beautiful candle. As the candle burns it creates a tunnel that illuminates the dried juniper and limonium flowers blended in the wax. It’s handmade in Latvia, using dried herbs and flowers from meadows and forests. Delicate and delicious.
Burn time: 50 hours.
HuffPost UK HuffPost UK
I first came across Malin and Goetz at Barry’s Bootcamp of all places. Stood in the shower after my first gruelling class, processing what the hell I’d just experienced, I got hooked on the luxurious smell of the eucalyptus body wash. But £50 is a lot to spend on shower gel – much better to invest in a candle. This particular fragrance has a blend of 20 “garden extracts”, to you and me that means scents of grapefruit, rose and geranium (among others). It’s utterly sensational – and you don’t even need to break a sweat.
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Burn time: 25 hours
HuffPost UK HuffPost UK
You should never buy a candle based on appearance alone, but if you were going to, this would get my money. The reusable ceramic jar it calls home is hand-decorated with real 22 Carat gold. It also smells divine: evoking the salty air of the seaside. Major nostalgia vibes if you spent your childhood paddling in the sea like I did.
Burn time: 90 hours.
HuffPost UK HuffPost UK
With a gorgeous blend of lavender, Brazilian rosewood and jasmin, one word springs to mind when whiffing this candle’s scent: spa. And this is a lot cheaper than going to the real thing. Now all you need is someone to give you a massage. Good luck with that.
Burn time: 35 hours.
HuffPost UK HuffPost UK
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If you like rich, woody notes then this is the candle for you. Vetiver layered with cedarwood, its scent envelopes the room in a warming embrace. This is a great candle to burn in your bedroom for maximum cosiness.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--How To Work From Home And Actually Get Sh*t Done

We’re here to guide you through the coronavirus lockdown. Sign up to the Life newsletter for daily tips, advice, how-tos and escapism.
Many people are working from home during the pandemic, to avoid any non-essential contact with others. And while it might be second nature to the well-initiated, it may seem a little daunting to those who haven’t done it before – or those whose homes are filled to the brim with distractions.
It’s something Lee Chambers, a workplace wellbeing trainer and environmental psychologist, knows a lot about. He consults companies and their employees on how to WFH efficiently, having done it himself and struggled.
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So yes, the reality is that working from home is an art, of sorts. How’s best to go about it then? We asked Chambers and HuffPost UK readers who’ve worked remotely for their top tips. Here’s your ultimate guide.
ma_rish via Getty Images
1. Find a space – and claim it.
Choose a designated work space and stick to it, says Chambers. And no, that doesn’t mean your bed. “Design it in a way that feels like a nicely flowing working environment for you,” he says. For some people, being able to go into a different room and close the door is important as it enables them to feel “psychologically closed off from home”, he adds.
Digital PR manager Surena Chande ensures she’s cleaned her desk (which doubles up as her dressing table) so it’s tidy for work – otherwise she gets distracted by the mess. Keep your desk clean throughout the day, advises Chambers, or clean it in the evening so you’re returning to a fresh space in the morning.
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If you can, invest in a decent office chair. “Not everyone will have the luxury, but if you can sit in a chair that’s upright, you’ll be in a more work-focused mindset,” he says. Of course, not all of us will have an office or table to sit at – so how about claiming a certain spot in the living room, and experimenting with a food tray to prop up your laptop?
2. Commute, but not as you know it.
For those new to working from home, Chambers advises getting outside for a breath of fresh air in the morning to simulate a commute – even if it’s just a walk around the block for five minutes. It helps get light into the eyes, fresh air in your lungs and awakens your senses. It’s also a big mood booster.
“You’ve left that feeling of home and you can come back with a feeling of work,” he says, noting that a quick waltz around the block is also good for those who struggle to squeeze exercise into their busy days.
3. Stick to a routine and schedule.
Routine is key to getting your day off the ground, says Sam Akbar, a psychologist who works from home: “You must have a routine. This is crucial for your productivity and mental health. Get up at the same time everyday and find yourself a place to work. Then tell your family to leave you alone.”
Alongside having a routine, it’s important to build a schedule for the day, adds Chambers. Block out what you need to do into bitesize chunks, task by task. If you have kids you need even more focus and stringent scheduling – get the most urgent tasks done first thing because distraction is inevitable, he adds.
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4. Take regular breaks.
“I’m using the Pomodoro technique,” says Chande. This is basically where she focuses for 25 minutes, then takes five-minute breaks in between. “I used to struggle to focus when left to my own devices and found this helps,” she says.
Another way to squeeze in breaks is to work in 90-minute cycles, so working on a task for 60-90 minutes and then taking 15 minutes to disconnect – this doesn’t mean going on social media or switching on the news, though. Instead, stand up, go for a walk, stretch, have a healthy snack or make a tea. All the time, you should be mindful of the activity you’re doing, giving your brain a bit of breathing space.
5. Communicate with your housemates or partner.
Communication with those you’re sharing the space with is key when you’re working from home. If you’ve got an important conference call during the day, make sure everyone is aware what room you’ll be in and that you’ll need everyone to be quiet.
Katrina Marshall works in the media and when she works from home, she’ll send her housemates a reminder an hour before a meeting or call to remind them. “Also: noise cancelling headphones will save your life,” she adds. Noted.
6. Carve out time for social interaction at lunch.
Don’t be tempted to work through your lunch break, because you’ll take a hit mid-afternoon. Likewise, don’t just sit indoors and watch TV. “By watching it you’re still stimulating your mind and you don’t get that disconnection from work,” says Chambers.
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Lunchtime is often a good time to be social – given the current social-distancing measures you might want to avoid popping out and seeing someone, however you could phone a friend or FaceTime your mum instead. “Phone where you’d normally email just to get that human connection,” he says.
7. Nap if you want, but set an alarm.
“It’s a very personalised thing, there are people out there who can’t nap,” says Chambers. That said, there are people who can nap and, if you want to, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t! Take 10-20 minutes only, and set an alarm.
“Naps are incredibly powerful,” he adds. “The most beneficial period [to take one] is during the afternoon lull – that’s nature’s cue to go and get your afternoon sleep.”
8. Know you’ll get distracted – and that’s okay.
You will get distracted throughout the day, especially if you’re a parent. As mum-of-one Michelle Morgan Davies puts it: “Get used to working on your phone in one hand while also making snacks, changing nappies and answering inane questions. Learn to love the blare of Blaze in the background [that’s a kid’s TV show, FYI] or the smash of toy cars on the wooden floor. Be prepared to stop your wee mid-flow if potty-training toddler needs to go.”
How on earth can you deal with that? It depends on how old your kids are, says Chambers. The key is to set boundaries. Older children can be educated, so you let them know: “When the door’s shut, I’m working.” If you have young children, make sure they’re in your eye-line – you might want to sit them in front of the TV or in a play pen if they’re really young – and then get your head down.
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Other times it might be your phone providing the distraction. If this is the case, download an app that controls when you use the phone throughout the day. You could also try using focus music. Grab a pair of headphones and be prepared to drown out the noise of the house around you.
9. And stop.
Just as you have a set time that you start working, you also need to stop at a designated time – otherwise it’s all too easy to work into the evening.
“Because you’re not restricted to 9-5, you need to set a strong boundary for when you finish work so you can disconnect,” says Chambers. “It could be that you know there’s one final task you need to do and once that’s done, you log off.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--25 Of The Funniest Tweets About Married Life

Our bathroom light has been out for a year bc it’s so hard to change & my husband REFUSES to let me hire someone bc “he can do it”. So he finally fixed the light & when I turned it on he says “well just try not to turn it on a lot idk if I wired it right” are they all like this


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--The Dads Using Lego To Make Life Less Stressful, One Brick At A Time

HuffPost UK Getty/HuffPost UK
It’s quite a lot, life. The juggling of work and family commitments, the constant feeling that there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything, the ever-growing worry that you’re not doing enough for your kids. So how do you de-stress?
Some parents have found themselves taking a cue from their kids and getting into Lego as a way of dealing with rollercoaster of parenthood. Whether fully-fledged AFOLs (Adult Fans Of Lego) or more casual enthusiasts, it seems the block building activity is loved by all ages.
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It’s calming. And satisfying. You follow beautifully clean-looking instructions and press one brick into another, again and again, until somehow you have a space shuttle.
HuffPost UK spoke to a four dads who reach for the bricks after their kids go to bed to find out why – and how – it’s such a stress reliever.
‘I enjoy the mindful aspect of following instructions and putting sets together, bit by bit’
Nick Bright, 44, Brighton
HuffPost UK Nick
“Like a lot of kids in the ’80s I loved Lego, especially building spaceships. But as I grew up I faded away from it. It wasn’t until 2011 that I got back into Lego through the collectable Minifigure range – I love them, and have two tattooed on my arm!
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“The more I built, the more I realised what else Lego can do. It was helping with my mental health and wellbeing. I enjoy the mindful aspect of following instructions and putting Lego sets together bit by bit. I enjoy discovering new techniques, as well as new ways to use parts, and I enjoy seeing the final model displayed around the house.
HuffPost UK Nick's son
“After a few years of playing with Lego on my own, I thought they must be other people out there in Brighton who liked it, so I started Brighton Bricks, a chance for fellow fans to meet. I run several regular events now for adults – I suffer from anxiety, and Lego helps me, so I want to help others.”
“I also run a Duplo Club and have discovered building with Duplo with my little one is very relaxing, though my son is more of a master destroyer than a master builder, finding it amusing to knock down anything I build.”
‘I had to hide it, to stop the kids taking my model apart’
Brian McNicoll, 38, Dundee
“I always liked Lego when I was growing up, and was quite good at it. Two years ago, my kids got a lot of Lego for Christmas. My wife was finishing her PhD at the time and was really busy, so there were a few months where I barely saw her, and I’d look after our two boys all weekend. I needed something to keep myself occupied in the evenings.
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“I’m a Dundonian, and have always loved the Dundee V&A – it’s a catalyst for all the change happening in the city – and was interested to see if I could make something out of Lego that looked like its cladding. And then I got wrapped up in it, and it snowballed.
“Once I got into the challenge it was hard to get out of. I’ve always been a bit of a frustrated designer, and Lego is a good outlet for my creative juices. I had to hide it, to stop the kids taking it apart, and even dropped it and had to rebuild it. At first I was scrabbling about for all the bricks we had in the house, but with a model of that size you need a lot of bricks, so I ended up procuring more from eBay, and organising them using protein shake containers.
“The model is still in the house, in a perspex case, and would absolutely be broken if it wasn’t. My boys love Lego, and they’ll be building something most days. I’ve thought about doing more large projects, but we’ve got another child on the way and it would be hard to find the time!”
HuffPost UK Getty/HuffPost UK
‘I built a 5,500-piece triceratops for my son’s birthday’
Matt Elder, 49, London
HuffPost UK Supplied
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“My whole family enjoy building together and making YouTube videos about it. I built a 5,500-piece triceratops for my son’s Jurassic Park-themed birthday party. We also have a Lego-themed holiday let in Margate, and I’m part of the London AFOLs (Adult Fans of Lego) group. We meet once a month in a pub in central London, and at Christmas, we raise thousands for charity.
“Lego is calming and easy to pick up. There really are no rules and you can do whatever you like. It’s a good time to bond with kids – while they might not tell you what’s happening at school, they’ll rave about their latest creation, going in depth with all features while creating narratives around it.
“There’s always satisfaction in building kits, starting with bags of parts and forming a building, car, spaceship or whatever. The rest of the world can fade away – working on a build late at night with some music on, you zone out. It’s almost meditative. It can remind you of childhood when things were simpler, and the nostalgia that comes with that.”
‘I work for a bank, which can be stressful and doesn’t offer a lot of outlets for creativity’
Marton Ferenci, 37, London
HuffPost UK Marton and his son.
“I got back into Lego when my son was born. Having a one-year-old completely justifies buying a 16+ Technic set, doesn’t it? He’s six now and very into Lego. As well as a stress relief, it’s a nice way to connect with your inner child and real child. I went from a weird adult still playing with toys to cool Lego dad. Everyone wants to have playdates at our place.
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“In the ’90s it was like, ‘Why are you still playing with Lego? It’s for kids!’, and being grown-up was about drinking and partying. Being an adult fan was not that popular, but now it’s part of geek culture. You’re not shunned or ridiculed for being into Lego. You’re seen as probably being fairly clever, leading your kids towards STEM careers.
“I work as a risk manager for a bank, which can be stressful and doesn’t offer a lot of outlets for creativity. If you look at the AFOL community, some come from fields with no creative outlet. There are people who may not be talented with a pencil but can use Lego to express their creativity by building sculptures.