thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-12--200 Workers Quarantined On Herefordshire Farm Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

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Seventy-three key workers at a farm in Herefordshire have tested positive for Covid-19, it has been confirmed.
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Dozens more staff have now been forced to self-isolate on the farm in Mathon, on the Herefordshire-Worcestershire border, which is owned by AS Green and Co.
According to the Hereford Times, about 200 key workers are employed for picking and packing work at the farm and – as they live on-site in mobile accommodation during the harvest season – they are now self-isolating together as one extended bubble.
A statement on the AS Green and Co website said: “We confirm that we are working closely with, Public Health England and the Public Health team at Herefordshire Council to support a number of our workers that have tested positive for Covid-19.
“As a precautionary measure we have arranged for testing of additional key workers including management team members and visitors connected with A S Green and can confirm all results to date outside of our site have been returned with negative results.
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“To date there are 73 positive cases on our site.
“Our site is currently closed for all visitors and with the assistance of the various bodies no workers are being permitted to leave our site and are receiving the required support at our site.”
A joint statement from Public Health England (PHE) Midlands and Herefordshire Council said employees were being asked to remain on the farm during the period of isolation.
The council said it is arranging food and essential supplies for residents on the site – who reside in mobile homes based on the farm during the harvesting season – while they self-isolate.
A police officer wearing a face mask at Rook Row Farm in Mathon, near Malvern, Herefordshire, where there have been 73 positive cases of coronavirus confirmed. Jacob King/PA Wire
To date, there have been 809 confirmed cases of Covid-19 Herefordshire, with the biggest daily increase incases recorded on Saturday when 56 positive tests were recorded in the county.
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A spokesperson for AS Green and Co added: “Our work force and local community are our priority at this difficult time and we continue to follow the guidance of the relevant bodies to ensure that the spread of the virus is controlled and our workforce is supported.
“Public Health England advises that it is very unlikely Covid-19 can be transmitted through food or food packaging, so shoppers can remain confident buying British fruit and veg.
“Thank you for your understanding in these difficult times.”
Katie Spence, PHE Midlands health protection director, said that to support the workforce of around 200 key workers, the company had put a range of infection control measures in place.
“Despite these measures, a small number of workers became symptomatic earlier this week and they and a few close contacts among the workforce were tested initially and found to be positive,” she said in a statement.
“In line with NHS guidance, affected individuals were asked to self-isolate for seven days, with their households and close contacts asked to isolate for 14 days.
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“As we have seen a global trend of large food producers being subject to outbreaks, as a precautionary measure, the decision was made to test the entire workforce.
“The initial batch of results showed a significant percentage of positive cases, despite these individuals being asymptomatic.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Miriam Margolyes 'Can't Regret' Controversial Boris Johnson Coronavirus Comment: 'I Was Thinking Alo

Miriam Margolyes 'Can't Regret' Controversial Boris Johnson Coronavirus Comment: 'I Was Thinking Aloud'

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The Call The Midwife star faced a backlash in May when she admitted on the Channel 4 show that she’d initially wanted the prime minister to die when he was hospitalised with the virus in April.
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She told hosts Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker via video link: “I had difficulty not wanting Boris Johnson to die. I wanted him to die. Then I thought that will reflect badly on me and I don’t want to be the sort of person that wants people to die.
“So then I wanted him to get better, which he did do, he did get better. But he didn’t get better as a human being. And I really would prefer that.”
Miriam Margolyes PA
Speaking about the reaction her comments were met with, Miriam has stood by what she said, explaining she had been describing her thought process.
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She told The Times (£): “The first half of the sentence said one thing and the last half of the sentence said completely the opposite, but I was referred to as ‘worse than Hitler’.
“I was thinking aloud, I was describing my thought processes.”
She continued: “I can’t regret telling the truth. Daddy always said you must have a golden reputation, you must never do anything wrong and I don’t do anything wrong, in my view. I always try and do the right thing.”
Miriam Margolyes has no filter - that's why her v.blunt feelings about Boris Johnson and #Covid19 are no surprise. pic.twitter.com/aE8vv0y0H4 — Lorna Cooper🏴🇯🇲🇬🇾 (@Coops_tv) May 9, 2020
Last month, Ofcom confirmed that The Last Leg would not face a formal investigation over Miriam’s comment, after it received 494 complaints.
The TV watchdog ruled that her remark would not have exceeded viewers’ expectations, with a spokesperson saying: “These provocative comments had clear potential to offend viewers, but we also considered the audience’s likely expectations of Miriam Margolyes, a comic actor known for her forthright views, and of this live, late-night satirical comedy show.
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“We also took into account that Ms Margolyes immediately qualified her comments, and viewers were warned in advance about the programme’s adult humour.”
Ofcom cited “a long tradition in UK broadcasting of satirical programmes where comedy will be derived from contributors making provocative and challenging statements about people in the public eye, including elected politicians”.
Boris Johnson was hospitalised with Covid-19 in April ASSOCIATED PRESS
It also “took into account that the presenter, Adam Hills, and regular contributors, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe looked visibly shocked in reaction to Miriam Margolyes’ initial comment, and that none of the presenters endorsed her comments about the Prime Minister.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Boris Johnson To Take 'Staycation' As He Urges Brits To Holiday In UK

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Boris Johnson urged Brits to holiday in the UK this summer as he revealed he would enjoy a “staycation” rather than go abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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Speaking on Monday, the prime minister said people should remember the UK has “fantastic” and “peerless, wonderful, superlative places” to visit.
He did not reveal where in the UK he would go but added it was a “great year” for a staycation.
Johnson’s appeal for people to holiday at home comes as the Covid-19 lockdown is eased, amid widespread concern that the UK hospitality has been hit hard by the pandemic.
However, the appeal follows criticism of Johnson’s own father Stanley, who was accused of breaking lockdown by visiting his villa in Greece.
Stanley Johnson told people he was making the property, in Pelion overlooking the Aegean sea, Covid-secure.
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“I think this is a great, great year for people to have a staycation. This country is uniquely blessed with fantastic places to holiday, whether coastal or otherwise,” the prime minister told reporters during a visit to the London Ambulance Service.
“And I am certainly going to be doing that, but I won’t necessarily tell you where at this stage.
“Obviously if people feel the need for a foreign holiday then that’s completely a matter for them – I totally understand it. But there are fantastic, fantastic places – peerless, wonderful, superlative places – in the UK to go on holiday and that’s certainly what I will be doing.”
Pubs, restaurants and holiday parks have been allowed to reopen after Johnson relaxed the two-metre social distancing rule to “one-metre plus”, meaning a mitigation such as a face covering must be in place.
From July 10 people who live in England will be able to travel to some countries without having to quarantine for 14 days when they return home.
The government’s “travel corridor” list of destinations with “a reduced risk” of coronavirus includes popular short-haul destinations including Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, Greece and Cyprus, as well as long-haul locations including Australia, Barbados, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Vietnam.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Manicures And Massages Are Finally Back – And Women Are Celebrating

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As beauty salons reopen in England this week, people around the country are being buffed, polished and massaged back to normality, emerging from their appointments feeling a little more like their pre-lockdown selves.
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For many, beauty treatments such as manicures and massages are an essential part of self-care, and are as much about feeling good as looking good.
Not all treatments are back on the menu, however, with facial treatments most heavily restricted – you’ll still have to wait for a facial or brow shaping, but beard trims are permitted.
For those who have been able to secure an appointment though, it’s a day they’ve been looking forward to for months.
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Yaourou Konaté Lehrmann, who’s based in Chelsea, London, had a pedicure and manicure first thing this morning after booking an appointment at the earliest opportunity. “It is part of my self-care routine and I also do want to support the salon,” she says, speaking to HuffPost UK on the way to her appointment.
“It feels great mentally. I’ve done my own manicure and pedicure whilst in lockdown, but it’s not the same. Going to the beauty salon immediately makes me feel better. I guess it’s psychological.”
Yaourou
She says the salon she visits always had excellent hygiene standards, even before coronavirus, so she doesn’t have any hesitations about visiting today.
“I feel good,” she says. “I like to have my fingers perfectly polished, so even if one day I choose to dress down, as long as my nails looks good, I’ll stay confident. It’s just a part of my personality.”
Kate Milne, 36 and based in Cheltenham, says it felt great to be back at her regular salon this morning after really missing her appointments with her go-to technician, Gee.
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“Getting my nails done always makes me feel good, and I generally go for an appointment with Gee every few weeks,” she says. “I like choosing a different bright colour every time; today I went for some gold glitter on top, too! It’s nice to get a bit glammed up after so many weeks at home.”
Kate Kate
Being in the salon with Covid safety measures in place did feel “a little strange,” she adds. “But Gee has everything spotless and I felt totally safe – and just really happy to be back.”
Isobel Knight, 25 and based in Clapham, London, has been working from home since March 16, which also happened to be the first day of her new job – so she’s booked in for an hour-long massage later today to de-stress.
“I don’t normally get them at all – I think they’re a bit of a luxury and prefer to get my nails and lashes done, but whilst facial treatments are off for the foreseeable future I thought I’d treat myself,” she says.
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“It feels like a nice way to spend an hour and chill out for a bit.”
Isobel Knight Isobel Knight
Knight’s hoping the appointment will release some of the knots she’s gained from months working without a proper desk.
“I’ve been moaning about my back for a month now, so when they reopened I kind of jumped at the chance,” she says. “The woman I’m going to is self-employed, so I’m keen to support local businesses in the area too.”
Bethan Hartill, 25 from Cannock, Staffordshire, will be getting her false nails put back on later today and says she’s missed that “feeling of being pampered”.
“It’s my time I get to myself, even if it’s for an hour,” she says. “I’ve missed the social side of it, no matter what the topic, you can strike up a conversation with anyone in a nail salon.”
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Bethan Hartill Bethan Hartill
She does feel “a little nervous” about going into a salon for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak, but says as she works in a restaurant herself, she’s seen the cleaning procedures first-hand and that has put her at ease.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Care Workers Will Not Qualify For The Government's Post-Brexit NHS Visa

Maskot via Getty Images
Care workers will not qualify for the new NHS visa under the government’s post-Brexit immigration system.
From January 1 next year a new points-based immigration system will be introduced.
As part of the change, health professionals from abroad will be able to apply for a special visa to work in the UK.
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But Downing Street confirmed on Monday that social care workers would not be able to take advantage of it.
The prime minister’s official spokesperson said the government wanted to “invest more in training and development for care workers in this country”.
“On care workers specifically, our independent migration advisers have said that immigration is not the sole answer here, which is why we have provided councils with an additional £1.5 billion of funding for social care in 2021/22, as well as launching a new recruitment campaign,” the spokesperson said.
Existing EU workers in the care sector could apply to stay in the UK through the settlement scheme “and a very large number have done so”, the spokesperson added.
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“Those people will remain in the UK providing really important care to the elderly and the vulnerable.”
The Brexit transition period ends at the end of 2020, which also sees the end of EU freedom of movement rules applying to the UK.
Home secretary Priti Patel is expected to outline further details in the Commons on Monday.
The decision comes amid increased focus on social care amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Office for National Statistics, almost 30,000 more care home residents died during the outbreak than during the same timer period last year.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--A Minute Of Kindness: The Tattoo Parlour Removing Hateful Tattoos

A Minute Of Kindness: The Tattoo Parlour Removing Hateful Tattoos
This tattoo parlour in the US is offering a free service to people who want to remove the ones they now regret. Mountainside Tattoo in Vermont offers the service for free to those looking to remove the skin art they now see as hateful images.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Alison Hammond Set For Bigger This Morning Role As Summer Presenting Line-Up Is Announced

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Alison Hammond will get to take over at the helm of This Morning this summer, after being announced as a guest presenter.
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Alison is best known for fronting various showbiz and competition segments for the ITV daytime show, but she’ll be teaming up with both Rochelle Humes and Dermot O’Leary to help out on hosting duties during Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield’s annual summer break.
With usual Friday hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes presenting from Monday to Thursday in Holly and Phil’s absence, familiar faces – also including Strictly Come Dancing champ Ore Oduba – will be sitting on the sofa each Friday over the next seven weeks.
Alison Hammond S Meddle/ITV/Shutterstock
On 17 and 24 July, This Morning fashion presenter Rochelle will join forces with Ore. Rochelle will then host with X Factor’s Dermot on 31 July and into August.
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Alison and Rochelle will then team up for Fridays in August, after which Alison and Dermot will pair up.
This Morning’s editor Martin Frizell said: “We’ve been inundated with viewers’ positive feedback throughout lockdown on how This Morning has provided that much needed comfort blanket each day.
“As the nation eases itself out of lockdown over the summer, we promise to continue to bring viewers more of what they trust us to do best - reflecting their real lives at home and what matters to them most.”
Rochelle Humes, Ore Oduba and Dermot O'Leary will all host This Morning while Holly and Phil are off Shutterstock/ITV
Over the years, Alison has earned a legion of fans with her celebrity interviews and competition segments, and has recently been entertaining viewers with cookery and cocktail recipes during lockdown.
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She’s previously hosted episodes of This Morning with Ruth Langsford and Rylan Clark-Neal, while Rochelle, Ore and Dermot are also familiar to the show’s fans.
Rochelle filled in for Holly alongside Phillip in 2018 when she was in Australia presenting I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!.
Dermot and Ore have both sat next to Holly as they’ve filled in for Phillip in the past, while Ore has also guest presented with Davina McCall and Lisa Snowdon before.
Holly and Phil presented their final show until September last Friday, which bosses marked with a compilation of their best bits of the year.
We couldn't wave @Schofe and @hollywills off on their summer break without a little look back at this series!
This show is for you, so thank you for joining us over the past few months.
See you on Monday for #ThisMorning with @EamonnHolmes & @RuthieeL! 👉https://t.co/1kGGeTTpbX pic.twitter.com/3KcqS0wNrm — This Morning (@thismorning) July 10, 2020
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Holly also spoke of her hopes to be reunited with her glam squad when she returns to the show, after social distancing rules have meant TV stars have been having to do their own hair and make up.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Boris Johnson To Decide 'In Next Few Days' If Face Coverings In Shops Should Be Mandatory

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Boris Johnson will decide “in the next few days” whether face coverings will be mandatory in shops as the Covid-19 lockdown is lifted in England.
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Speaking on a visit to the London Ambulance HQ on Monday, the prime minister said coverings have “have real value in confined spaces” and that people “should” wear them in shops.
He told reporters there was “growing” evidence face coverings could limit the spread of Covid-19.
But he went on to say his government had yet to make a ruling on whether they should be made compulsory.
His official spokesperson, meanwhile, has said a formal review is under way into whether masks should be made mandatory in public places in England.
At a briefing with reporters on Monday, he said there is further evidence about the “benefits of face coverings in some environments indoors”.
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Boris Johnson, wearing a face mask, visits the headquarters of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust in London ASSOCIATED PRESS
It comes after Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove added to the mixed messaging by saying on BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show that coverings would not be enforced in shops but that wearing them was “basic good manners”.
Johnson said: “They have a great deal of value in confined spaces where you’re coming into contact with people you don’t normally meet.
“The scientific evaluation of face coverings and their importance on stopping aerosol droplets, that’s been growing, so I do think that in shops it is very important to wear a face covering if you’re going to be in a confined space and you want to protect other people and receive protection in turn.”
Asked if it was his personal view that coverings should be worn, he said: “Yes. Face coverings, I think, people should be wearing in shops, and in terms of how we do that – whether we will be making that mandatory or not – we will be looking at the guidance. We will be saying a little bit more in the next few days.”
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The PM said coverings had “real value” and were “a kind of extra insurance” for the public.
His words echoed those of justice secretary Robert Buckland who said coverings should be worn and that they would boost “confidence”.
Prime minister Boris Johnson boards an ambulance during a visit to the headquarters of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust in London ASSOCIATED PRESS
Johnson added: “We will be looking in the next few days about exactly how, with what tools of enforcement, we think we want to make progress [over coronavirus].
“As the virus comes down in incidence and we have more and more success, I think face coverings are a kind of extra insurance we can all use to stop it coming back and stop it getting out of control again.
“To be absolutely clear I do think that face coverings do have a real value in confined spaces and I do think the public understand that.”
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The PM’s official spokesman added: “A formal review is taking place and we will be discussing it with scientific advisers this week and setting out a final position in the next few days.”
Asked whether there is new evidence behind Johnson’s thinking, the spokesman said: “I’ve always said we would keep this under review and so have the experts who advise the government.”
Johnson also underlined that people “should start to think about getting back to work” if their employers have made their workplaces safe against coronavirus.
Gove had also called on the public to return to work to “fire up” the UK economy, but acknowledged this might not be appropriate in all circumstances.
Businesses have complained that differing messages are confusing, and that the official guidance continues to encourage people to work from home where possible.
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Johnson said: “What I want to see is people who have been working from home for a long time, now talking to their employers, talking to their places of work, about the steps that have been taken, and looking to come back to work in a safe way,” he said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--'Work From Home If You Can' But Also 'Come Back To Work', Says Robert Buckland

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Justice secretary Robert Buckland has said the government wants people to “work from home if you can” but also “come back to work”.
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In an interview with ITV News on Monday morning, Buckland was asked to clarify what the government wanted workers to do.
“The guidance is work from home if you can,” the justice secretary said.
Asked again if he was certain that the guidance that people should “work from home if you can” had not changed, he said: “That’s still there. Work from home if you can, if you able to do things remotely.”
But then he added: “The message is, yes, come back to work. Talk to your employer, make your own judgement or workplace judgement, and come back in where it is safe to do so.”
The justice secretary said “increasingly” more people would go back to work in offices and other places “in a staggered way and safe way”.
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Boris Johnson signalled a shift in messaging on Friday away from “stay at home” to “go back to work if you can” as large parts of the economy were reopened after months of lockdown.
The prime minister added today: “What I want to see is people now, who have been working from home for a long time now, talking to their employers about the steps that have been taken and looking to come back to work in safe way.”
Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, confirmed on Sunday that ministers wanted to “see more people back at work”.
“In some cases it’s appropriate and convenient for people to work from home but we want to make sure that where people can add value, where the economy can benefit from people being at work, that they are at work,” he told Sky News.
“We want to make sure that the economic engines of this country are fired up again.”
It comes amid growing signs the government could move to make it mandatory to wear face masks in shops in England.
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The prime minister said this morning an announcement would be made “in the next few days”.
“They have a great deal of value in confined spaces where you’re coming into contact with people you don’t normally meet,” the prime minister told reporters during a visit to the London Ambulance Service.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--YouTube Star Nicole Thea And Her Baby Son Have Died

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YouTube star Nicole Thea and her baby son have died, it has been confirmed.
The 24-year-old vlogger had been pregnant with her son, and only a few weeks away from her due date, prior to their deaths.
Nicole’s mother shared the tragic news on Sunday, but it has not been confirmed how they both died.
In a post on Instagram, Nicole’s mum revealed the YouTube star and her partner, Global Boga, had named their baby Reign.
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She wrote: “To all Nicole’s friends and supporters it is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Nicole and her son she and Boga named Reign sadly passed away on Saturday morning.
“Also Nicole pre-scheduled a few YouTube videos and Boga has made the decision to allow them to be aired.
“As a family we ask that you give us privacy because our hearts are truly broken and we are struggling to cope with what has happened. Thank you her mum.”
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Nicole’s mum added: “RIP My beautiful baby girl Nicnac and my grandson Reign, I will miss you for the rest of my life until we meet again in eternal heaven.”
The star had more than 85,000 subscribers on YouTube, where she posted videos about her life and pregnancy, as well as hair tutorials and travel and dance videos.
Many fans paid tribute to Nicole and Reign with messages on Twitter.
Boga really just lost the love of his life and unborn child in one go.... I can’t imagine the pain he must be feeling. God I pray for helping and comfort 🥺🥺🥺. Rest in peace Nicole Thea and baby reign 💔🕊 — 4’11 babe 💘 (@princesspxrciie) July 12, 2020
You didn’t even need to know Nicole personally to see how excited her and Boga were to be parents. You could just tell they were soul mates. Such sad news man. RIP Nicole Thea and baby Reign 🙏🏾🤍 — ADEOLA PATRONNE. (@AdeolaPatronne) July 12, 2020
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May God comfort her partner & her family & grant them with all the strength & peace.
May Nicole Thea & beautiful baby Reign rest in wonderful peace, heaven has gained 2 beautiful angels 🤍🤍🕊 pic.twitter.com/EcRKmftivd — sorry, Sir. (@ChiomaMyah) July 12, 2020
This is honestly so sad, life is way too short. Rest in perfect peace Nicole Thea and baby Reign 💔 https://t.co/UD5u3QREOt — 𝒜 (@kilahdidthat) July 12, 2020
Since yesterday my heart was heavy but after seeing that confirmation, i don’t know how to feel. This is a youtuber who I watched all the time, RIP Nicole Thea & her baby Reign — ♡ (@msbellemira) July 12, 2020
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Face Coverings Should 'Perhaps' Be Made Mandatory In Shops, Says Justice Secretary

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Justice secretary Robert Buckland has said the wearing of face coverings in public places such as shops should “perhaps” be made mandatory.
It comes after Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove yesterday said face coverings should not be made mandatory.
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Boris Johnson said on Friday the government could introduce “stricter” rules on where coverings have to be worn.
But the prime minister stopped short of setting out what any new requirements might be.
At present, in England, face coverings are compulsory on public transport but not shops.
In Scotland, a law making face coverings in stores mandatory for most people came into effect on Friday.
Asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Monday whether he is in the “mandatory perhaps” or “mandatory never” camp, Buckland said: “I think I’m ‘mandatory perhaps’.
“Wearing them in an enclosed space where you’ve got lots of people, for example a busy shop, seems to be sensible.
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“It is all about increasing confidence. I think the more of us who do the courteous and responsible thing, the more people you’ll see venture out into shops.”
He added: “If it becomes necessary to nudge people further by taking further action then of course we will consider that. I think the matter is under careful and daily review.”
PA
Asked by the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday if face coverings should be mandatory in shops, Gove said: “I don’t think mandatory, no.”
The senior minister said wearing a covering was “basic good manners” and that he had “trust” in “people’s good sense”.
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Johnson said the shift in messaging towards advocating the wearing of face coverings had come as “balance of scientific opinion seems to have shifted more in favour of them”.
The mix messaging over face coverings comes as beauty salons, nail bars and tattoo shops are to open for the first time in four months as part of the latest relaxation of lockdown restrictions in England.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Emma Bunton Reveals All Five Spice Girls Met Up Last Week

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Emma Bunton has revealed she met up with all four of her Spice Girls bandmates last week, for a less-than-glamorous stroll in the rain.
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This time a year ago, Emma was performing across the UK on the Spice World 2019 stadium tour, alongside Mel B, Geri Horner and Melanie C.
But while Victoria Beckham declined to appear alongside the rest of the group for their latest live shows, she was apparently present and correct when the band met up earlier this month.
All five Spice Girls during a meet-up in 2018 Instagram
Speaking on her Heart radio show on Sunday night, Emma said: “As things slowly, slowly start to get back to normal, we’ve all started to meet up with friends again haven’t we? Which is strange.. I actually started to think I would never see them again… well unless it was on Zoom calls. And this week, yes, I finally got to meet up with Geri, Mel B, Mel C and Victoria!”
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She continued: “Now, you may think we propped up a bar somewhere or had drinks in the garden but no! We went on a social distancing walk in the woods, yes!
“This time last year we were performing at Wembley all glammed up – well this year we were in wellies, walking in the rain. Yes, there’s something you don’t see every day – five Spice Girls in their wellies!”
The Spice Girls with the cast of Viva Forever Dave M. Benett via Getty Images
The latest Spice Girls meet-up comes as Channel 4 has announced a new documentary about the band, which will air later this year.
On their official press site, Channel 4 teased: “Through archive footage and revealing interviews, this series will tell the complete story of the best-selling girl band of all time.”
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Spice Up Your Life with new documentary 'Girl Powered: The Spice Girls' (w/t). Through archive footage and revealing interviews, this series will tell the complete story of the best-selling girl band of all time - coming soon to @Channel4. Zigga Zig Ah! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/Vz0pnGKtnc — Channel 4 Press (@C4Press) July 13, 2020
After saying she didn’t want to tour with the rest of the Spice Girls (despite much encouragement from Mel B) last year, Victoria still supported the band’s venture.
She said at the time: “Being in the Spice Girls was a hugely important part of my life and I wish my girls so much love and fun as they go back on tour, I know they will put on an amazing show and the fantastic fans past and present are going to have a wonderful time!”
It turns out last week was a big one for Victoria, not only meeting up with the rest of the Spice Girls for a socially-distanced walk, but also celebrating the engagement of her eldest son, Brooklyn.
Tune into Emma Bunton on Heart every Sunday from 7pm.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--The Top 20 Baby Names Parents Regret Choosing – And Why

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Hunter and Aurora top the lists of names parents regret calling their kids, according to a new survey.
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The team at Gigacalculator.com interviewed 5,842 parents about their baby name choices, asking if they regretted them – and why. Any names that came up multiple times were compiled into two lists.
Oliver – currently the most popular boy’s name in the UK according to the latest Gov.uk data – made the list of names parents most regret – presumably due to its popularity.
d3sign via Getty Images
The top five reasons parents gave for regretting a child’s name were: not thinking it suits them (64%), the fact their partner picked it (48%), a friend choosing the name for their own child (37%), a child getting teased for their name at school (32%) and a celebrity naming their child the same name (26%).
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Top 10 boys’ name parents regret:
Hunter
Jaxon
Carter
Tobias
Oliver
Grayson
Felix
Jasper
Sonny
Dexter
Top 10 girls’ names parents regret:
Aurora
Arabella
Lyla
Amber
Edith
Maryam
Harriet
Summer
Delilah


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-12--‘Monogamy is a perfectly fine...It doesn't happen to work for me’: Co-Author Of The Ethical Slut On

‘Monogamy is a perfectly fine...It doesn't happen to work for me’: Co-Author Of The Ethical Slut On Open Relationships

‘Monogamy is perfectly fine...It doesn't happen to work for me’: Co-Author Of The Ethical Slut On Open Relationships
Janet Hardy is co-Author of The Ethical Slut, a book about open and polyamorous relationships that has sold over 250,000 copies. In this video Hardy gives a brief “good rule of thumb” to follow if you are thinking about non monogamous relationships.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Kelly Preston Remembered By John Travolta And Former Co-Stars, Following Her Death Aged 57

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The world of Hollywood is in mourning following the death of Kelly Preston at the age of 57.
A spokesperson for the actor, model and wife of John Travolta confirmed that she died on Sunday morning, following a private two-year battle with breast cancer.
John led the tributes to Kelly on Monday, sharing a touching message on Instagram.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer,” he wrote. “She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.”
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John continued: “Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered. I will be taking some time to be there for my children who have lost their mother, so forgive me in advance if you don’t hear from us for a while. But please know that I will feel your outpouring of love in the weeks and months ahead as we heal.”
Several celebrities paid their respects to Kelly in the comments on John’s Instagram post, including his American Crime Story co-star Sarah Paulson, who wrote: “Love you so.”
Mariah Carey also commented: “Sending so much love to you and your family in this heartbreaking moment.
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The couple’s daughter Ella shared her own post on Instagram, writing: “I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you. Anyone who is lucky enough to have known you or to have ever been in your presence will agree that you have a glow and a light that never ceases to shine and that makes anyone around you feel instantly happy.
“Thank you for being there for me no matter what. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your help and thank you for making this world a better place. You have made life so beautiful and I know you will continue to do so always. I love you so much mama.”
Other stars have shared their memories of Kelly on social media.
Maria Shriver wrote: “Shocked by this sad news. Kelly was such a bright loving soul, a talented actress, and a loving mom and wife.
“My heart breaks for her family who have already known such sadness and grief. Join me in sending them love and strength.”
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Shocked by this sad news. Kelly was such a bright loving soul, a talented actress, and a loving mom and wife. My heart breaks for her family who have already known such sadness and grief. Join me in sending them love and strength. #RIP #KellyPreston https://t.co/DndcfOtlOn — Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) July 13, 2020
Reacting to the news of Kelly’s death, fellow actor Josh Gad said: “I’m in absolute shock. What a beautiful and amazing actress and person. So sad to hear of her passing at such a young age.
“My heart goes out to John Travolta and the entire family. What a loss. RIP.”
I’m in absolute shock. What a beautiful and amazing actress and person. So sad to hear of her passing at such a young age. My heart goes out to John Travolta and the entire family. What a loss. 🙏 RIP #KellyPreston https://t.co/yRqOmI3CjW — Josh Gad (@joshgad) July 13, 2020
Many others have also been sharing tributes, including those who knew and worked with Kelly during her lifetime...
I was lucky enough to work with her on one of my very first films, “For Love of The Game.” We were shooting on cold days in Colorado, but she couldn’t have been warmer or kinder to a young, nervous actor trying to make good. I’ll never forget that. Thank you Kelly. #RestInPeace🙏🏼 https://t.co/szGCXxAxyI — Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) July 13, 2020
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RIP to my on screen mom, #kellypreston. What a lovely woman. Such a sad loss. — Spencer Breslin (@Spencerbreslin) July 13, 2020
#RIP Kelly Preston . Prayers go out to John, her family and friends. — Adina Porter (@AdinaPorter) July 13, 2020
This is so sad. I spent an afternoon with Kelly and a few other actresses at a Dolce&Gabbana fashion show and she was open and hilarious and lovely. It was a great afternoon. God bless John Travolta and their kids. #RipKellyPreston https://t.co/XvGQKz3J3b — Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) July 13, 2020
Kelly Preston was enormously kind and unbelievably lovely. Can’t believe this. My thoughts are with her sweet Ella and the rest of her incredible family. RIP 🤍🤍🤍 — Chloe Bennet (@chloebennet) July 13, 2020
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I knew #KellyPreston in high school. She was supernaturally beautiful and kind. Last time we spoke we discussed my directing a remake of 52-PICK UP in which she'd play the Ann-Margret role. It would've been special for us @PunahouSchool alums. All my heart to John, Ella, and Ben. — Rod Lurie (@RodLurie) July 13, 2020
A family spokesperson told People magazine: “On the morning of July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston, adored wife and mother, passed away following a two-year battle with breast cancer.
“Choosing to keep her fight private, she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends.”
After a number of small on-screen appearances, Kelly’s breakthrough roles came in 1985, appearing in the teen comedies Mischief and Secret Admirer.
Kelly Preston Manny Carabel via Getty Images
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Following this, she starred in Jerry Maguire, What A Girl Wants and The Cat In The Hat, as well as the music video for the Maroon 5 hit She Will Be Loved.
She and John also acted alongside one another multiple times, including in Battlefield Earth, Old Dogs and, more recently, the crime biopic Gotti.
The couple married in 1991 and had three children together, 20-year-old daughter Ella, nine-year-old son Benjamin and an older son, Jett, who died at the age of 16 in January 2009.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--US Set To Carry Out First Federal Execution In 17 Years

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The US government is set to carry out its first federal execution in almost two decades.
Daniel Lewis Lee, of Yukon, Oklahoma, is scheduled to die by lethal injection at 4pm on Monday at a federal prison in Indiana, the Associated Press reported.
He was convicted in Arkansas of the 1996 killings of gun dealer William Mueller, his wife, Nancy, and her eight-year-old daughter, Sarah Powell.
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The execution – the first of a federal death row inmate since 2003 – comes after a federal appeals court lifted an injunction that had been put in place last week when the victims’ family argued they would be put at high risk for coronavirus if they had to travel to attend the execution.
The family had vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The decision to move forward with the execution – and two others scheduled later in the week – during a global health pandemic which has ravaged the country’s prisons has drawn scrutiny from civil rights groups and the family of Lee’s victims.
Critics have argued that the government is creating an unnecessary and manufactured urgency around a topic that is not high on the current list of American concerns.
It is also likely to add a new front to the national conversation about criminal justice reform in the lead-up to the 2020 elections.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Kate Garraway Makes Her Return To Presenting Good Morning Britain After Three-Month Absence

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Kate Garraway returned to present Good Morning Britain on Monday morning, after a three-month hiatus.
The daytime star took some time out from GMB earlier this year, as her husband Derek Draper was in critical condition after contracting coronavirus.
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Last week, Kate gave an interview to the ITV show in which she revealed Derek was still “desperately” unwell, describing him as being in a “minimal state of consciousness”.
Having announced during the same interview that she intended to return to host Good Morning Britain, Kate began hosting her first show on Monday, but admitted that her morning got off to a shaky start.
“I’ve got a big smile on my face, it’s lovely to see you,” said co-host Ben Shephard. “Nothing has gone wrong yet, Kate.”
Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway on Good Morning Britain ITV/Shutterstock
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However, Kate responded: “Well, you say that, but quite a lot has gone wrong already. The car picking me didn’t show up.
“A poor, really senior person called Daniel came in really early to make sure my computer worked, because I’m legendary for being useless with computers. Having been away for three months the chances are nobody could even find it, let alone anything else.
“And just as I arrived it went into a two-hour update, so his two hours getting in early were utterly wasted. And apparently we haven’t got anyone on autocue today either?”
Ben then clarified that the person who is usually in charge of the show’s autocue had “overslept”, joking: “Maybe they had the same driver as you… so who knows what we’re going to be saying.”
Kate also insisted she didn’t want anyone in the studio to be “too nice” to her, commenting: “That’s really nice, but don’t be too nice to me because I get emotional. Just go back to being rude.”
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Last week, Kate appeared in the GMB studio for the first time since March, where she gave viewers an update about Derek’s health.
Kate speaks to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid ITV/Shutterstock
She said: “As soon as I walked in I thought, ‘Oh god, this is no good, I’m gonna cry now, hold it together’.
“It’s so lovely to see your faces, it’s lovely to be back, it’s like coming out of a little bubble of sadness. It’s just so strange to still be in the situation.”
Kate and Ben are now covering for usual presenters Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan, who are now on their annual summer break.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Lisa-Marie Presley 'Completely Heartbroken' Following Son Benjamin Keough's Death, Aged 27

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Lisa-Marie Presley is “beyond devastated” following the death of her son, Benjamin Keough, at the age of 27.
A representative for Lisa-Marie confirmed the news of Benjamin’s death to the Associated Press on Sunday night.
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“She is completely heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated but trying to stay strong for her 11-year-old twins and her oldest daughter Riley,” they said in a statement.
“She adored that boy. He was the love of her life.”
Lisa Marie Presley and Benjamin Keough at the red carpet of The Elvis Experience in 2015 SIPA USA/PA Images
Benjamin’s father was musician Danny Keough, his mother’s first husband. The couple also had a daughter, Riley, while Lisa-Marie later gave birth to twin girls in 2009, Harper and Finley, whose father is guitarist Michael Lockwood.
In 2012, Benjamin and his siblings appeared in the music video for their mum’s rendition of I Love You Because, made famous by their late grandfather Elivs Presley in the 1950s.
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Benjamin Keough, who has died at the age of 27 ASSOCIATED PRESS
In one of Lisa-Marie’s most recent social media posts, she shared a photo of herself with her four children, alongside the message “Mama lion with her cubs”.
Mama Lion with cubs ❤💙🖤🧡🦁😘 pic.twitter.com/UiYoceWHWN — Lisa Marie Presley (@LisaPresley) June 20, 2019
Months earlier, she shared another family photo as they celebrated her birthday, writing: “Birthday sleigh ride with my babies.”
Birthday sleigh ride with my babies ❤🥰 .... pic.twitter.com/5wWQQ0cCo6 — Lisa Marie Presley (@LisaPresley) February 2, 2019
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She and her late son were said to have been close, even getting matching tattoos on Mother’s Day in 2009, in honour of their “eternal love and connection”.
Nancy Sinatra paid tribute to Benjamin shortly after the news of his death was reported, tweeting: “I have known you since before your mama gave birth to you, never dreaming you would have pain like this in your life. I’m so very sorry.”
Addressing Lisa-Marie, she wrote: “I’m here.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Trump Reportedly Considered 'Selling' Puerto Rico, Says Ex-Homeland Security Chief

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Donald Trump inquired about the possibility of “selling” Puerto Rico after the island was pummeled by Hurricane Maria, his one-time head of homeland security told The New York Times.
Elaine Duke, former acting secretary of homeland security, said that Trump approached the situation of a devastated Puerto Rico as a businessman would and asked about the option of “divesting” or “selling” the US territory as it struggled in the aftermath of the 2017 hurricane. She was taken aback by that response, she told the Times.
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“The president’s initial ideas were more of as a businessman,” Duke recalled. “Can we outsource the electricity? Can we sell the island ... or divest of that asset?”
Trump railed against Puerto Rican officials at the time over the amount of money needed to rebuild after Maria struck — and complained that the island had thrown the US budget “out of whack.” His administration was sharply criticised for its slow and inadequate response after the catastrophe, which ultimately killed some 3,000 people. Trump called San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz “nasty” after she criticised his administration’s response.
As another hurricane, Dorian, bore down on the island “as usual” two years later, Trump complained in a tweet.
We are tracking closely tropical storm Dorian as it heads, as usual, to Puerto Rico. FEMA and all others are ready, and will do a great job. When they do, let them know it, and give them a big Thank You - Not like last time. That includes from the incompetent Mayor of San Juan! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 28, 2019
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Duke said the Puerto Rico divestment issue was never seriously discussed after Trump raised the idea.
In a related consideration in 2019, Trump revealed that he mulled a “large” American “real estate deal” to purchase the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland, home to 56,000 people. Denmark might be up for it, he argued, because it’s “losing almost $700 million a year carrying” Greenland.
The Danes and Greenland residents were appalled. Officials blasted the idea as “ridiculous” and the “final proof” that Trump had “gone mad.”
Duke, a life-long Republican, also criticised Trump’s embrace of “hate-filled, angry and divisive” language. She said Trump’s paranoia about an imagined “deep state” blocked him from seeking valuable counsel from a variety of experts in the government.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--'Check, Change, Go': New Ads To Highlight Changes To Travel For British Holidaymakers After Brexit

A new series of adverts from the government will highlight how travel will change for British holidaymakers after Brexit.
The “UK’s new start: let’s get going” campaign – which will feature on TV, radio and online from Monday – will give information about travel insurance and how to take pets abroad once the Brexit transition period ends on December 31.
It is hoped the adverts will help businesses and travellers prepare for the UK’s departure from the single market and customs union.
The ads, which will have the tagline “Check, Change, Go”, will direct people to a new checker tool on the government’s website to show them what steps they need to take next.
Businesses will also be able to contact a “field force team” for one-to-one support over the phone.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Katie Price Confirms Son Harvey Is In Intensive Care After Being Rushed To Hospital

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Katie Price has confirmed that her eldest son Harvey is in intensive care.
On Sunday evening, Katie’s rep said that the 18-year-old had been rushed to hospital, “struggling to breathe” and with “a temperature of 42 degrees”.
“His condition is very dangerous and Katie is terrified,” her spokesperson told The Sun. “He has a temperature of 42 degrees and is struggling to breathe.
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“One of his conditions is adrenal failure that could cause his organs to fail and is very dangerous.”
Harvey and Katie Price pictured in 2018 Pete Norton via Getty Images
The reality star and former glamour model has now shared a post on Instagram confirming that Harvey is in hospital, insisting he is “in the best hands”.
She wrote: “I can confirm Harvey is in intensive care and in the best hands.
“I would like to thank the ambulance services and the hospital staff for the quick response and making him stable.”
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Katie’s son Junior commented on the post writing “love you big bro”, while sister Princess added: “I love you Harv soo much.”
Harvey, who has Prader-Willi syndrome and autism, was taken to hospital at the end of last month for “urgent medical care”, after falling ill during a celebration in honour of Princess’ 13th birthday.
It was recently revealed that Katie and Harvey were to appear alongside one another in a new BBC documentary, Katie Price: Harvey & Me, which will aim to shine a light on “what it’s really like to be a mum of a disabled child approaching adulthood”, as Harvey moves “from child to adult services”.
Last year, it was revealed that Harvey was being moved into residential care during the week, but has been at home with his mum for the last few months due to coronavirus lockdown.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Keir Starmer's First 100 Days: 'He Needs To Say Sorry To Leave Voters Before Labour Can Move On'

Coronavirus has changed everything. Make sense of it all with the Waugh Zone, our evening politics briefing. Sign up now.
Singing socialist anthem The Red Flag, Jeremy Corbyn celebrated becoming Labour leader in 2015 at the pub, mobbed, as ever, by a posse of faithful fans.
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When the big moment came for Keir Starmer - who has marked 100 days at the helm of HM Opposition - the occasion was markedly more sober.
The former director of public prosecutions filmed his victory speech practically alone, as the coronavirus pandemic tightened its grip on the UK.
And with Labour facing allegations of institutional anti-Semitism, cash woes and the humiliation of its worst defeat since 1935, he was arguably taking the toughest job in British politics.
While many predicted Labour’s surge to the far left would end in electoral disaster, few doubted the direction Corbyn would take.
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The same cannot be said of the former shadow Brexit secretary.
“He’s an enigma,” said one Labour MP. “Nobody is quite sure where he stands.”
He has yet to unequivocally commit to policies, but early signs suggest he is plotting a route back to the centre.
Be it stepping away from a hard 2030 net zero carbon target, refusing to call for an extension to the Brexit transition period or toughening the party’s stance on China, the signals are that Starmer will opt for the middle ground.
“Right now, it’s about three things: ‘competence, competence, competence’,” said one insider.
They added: “Keir will actually read the brief and think about what we are doing and, almost to a fault, he doesn’t wing it.”
Labour is inviting the public to contrast “forensic” Starmer with “bumbling” Boris Johnson - and there is evidence that strategy is working.
Labour party leader Sir Keir Starmer holds an online phone-in with residents in Glasgow, as part of his 'Call Keir' series ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Starmer is beating Johnson in most polls for ‘best PM’ and has the best ratings of any opposition leader since Tony Blair in 1994.
But given the only way was up for Labour are things really getting better? Or is it a blip?
“There are good signs. It was like ‘amateur hour’ under Corbyn where you basically had activists running the show,” said one left-winger. “Now, it is so slick and so fast.
“Keir mentions an issue to Boris at PMQs and the leader’s office has a letter ready and typed up to go to Number 10 straightaway.”
Rosie Duffield, Labour MP for Canterbury, said: “Keir is letting Boris make a fool of himself and the PM does not need any help with that.”
She said Starmer is “steering a steady ship” and, unlike Corbyn, is not viewed as “down on Britain”, instead talking up businesses and backing the armed forces.
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Tomorrow’s Telegraph front page: “Starmer: 'We owe it to VE Day generation to protect them from virus in care homes' ”#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/AlE9EYL2B9 — The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 7, 2020
Starmer’s biggest achievement as a political leader so far may be to have survived his first 100 days unscathed by the press.
In fact, he secured what many of his predecessors could only dream of: positive front page coverage by the Daily Telegraph on VE Day.
“It may not have been electorally useful, because so few people who read the Telegraph would vote Labour - but it was signalling,” said one source, adding that it countered the “Tory tanks on Labour’s lawn in red wall seats”.
That he has not yet been “put in a box” is success to some.
“The press did a number on Ed Miliband, and he never really recovered,” said one insider.
It may be a long wait before Starmer nails his colours to the mast, however, with sources saying most policies may not be decided until 2024 to avoid them being “out of date” at the next election.
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“It is a four-year marathon, not a short sprint,” one said. “The main thing is to build up a sense of trust and to advertise ourselves as a competent, principled and decent team of people that can form an alternative government.”
Those close to Starmer describe his politics as “close to Gordon Brown” and his shadow cabinet as “mainstream”, aiming to build a case for Scandinavian-style social democracy.
One source drew a different comparison, saying Starmer has the same appeal as John Smith, like “a Scottish bank manager you could trust with your mortgage”.
He added: “He is a lawyer and we don’t get rhetorical fireworks - but you feel you can trust him.”
Some moderates criticise the “slightly odd appointment” of Ed Miliband as shadow business secretary, saying a former leader at the top table could be distracting.
“It’s not the role I would have given him,” said one key activist. “I would have given him something that plays to his strengths.”
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Labour MP Wes Streeting, meanwhile, believes the move demonstrated Starmer’s “confidence”, and underlined Miliband has grown in popularity since losing in 2015.
Another MP added: “They’re friends. Ed was leader when Keir first became an MP. He encouraged him to stand.”
Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband at the despatch box House of Commons - PA Images via Getty Images
Other divisions suggest policy wars may be coming down the track.
Anneliese Dodds, Starmer’s choice for shadow chancellor, who previously worked for John McDonnell, last week backed a wealth tax, only for Labour to later ask Rishi Sunak to impose no tax rises at all in his mini-budget.
The focus will be “jobs jobs jobs, better jobs, more secure jobs, more meaningful jobs, better paid jobs” in the months ahead, but Starmer is unlikely to back a universal basic income (UBI) – something which will be seen as another blow for the Left.
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A shadow minister told HuffPost UK: “I don’t think he will move towards UBI because in his heart of hearts he knows that it doesn’t work. It takes away the incentive to work.”
It also means a softer message on the 2030 climate change target, said one key player: “We can’t push to destroy jobs.”
Critics say Labour is failing to get the all-important “cut-through” on key issues, with headlines dominated by Sunak and Johnson during the Covid-19 crisis.
Starmer allies insist the leader is content to fly beneath the radar for now.
“It will be a slow build up of the case, brick by brick by brick,” said a shadow minister.
Where Corbyn may have demanded an inquiry, for example, Starmer will offer gentler criticism.
And after years of political turmoil, referendums and division, the party’s hope is that the public will find that reassuring.
“Keir will show he cares about keeping the country safe and ensuring people have stability in their lives, jobs and futures,” said one former adviser.
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“It will be a ‘things will be alright’ and ‘you and your kids will be alright’ message.
“That means steady as she goes, no fireworks, no bulldozers going through fake walls, give people a break from the endless drama - make politics boring again.”
As Labour needs to outdo its 1997 landslide to win power, ‘Brand Starmer’ is not likely to be enough
Labour leader Keir Starmer during a visit to the Brewdog Pub and Brewery in the City of London PA
Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols, who describes herself as on the party’s Left, said: “In the Corbyn years, a lot of people felt posting things on Twitter would win people over. Keir is getting out of the echo chamber and that is really important.
“He has avoided some of the traps set for Labour, particularly around extending the transition period.”
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Though he “keeps his cards very close to his chest”, she says: “A lot of people project on to him something that they wanted to see reflected back and there is a lot of expectation on him now from all different parts of the party.”
Starmer has landed blows at PMQs she said, before adding: “It feels like a courtroom but when we have full PMQs, without social distancing, it is more like theatre and there is going to have to be a change in tone. Keir is going to have to adapt his style.”
Another insider complained: “Our hope is that he will grow into the role. If you want to be PM, show me then. I would give him a B-minus so far.”
Not everyone is feeling so lukewarm about the new leader, however.
“Businesses are absolutely relieved,” one advisor said. “There is a lot of people in the business community who are deeply frustrated at the current government. It strikes me that we will have a lot more support from businesses than we had in previous elections.”
The biggest signpost of a change in direction from Starmer came when Rebecca Long-Bailey, his former rival for the leadership, was sacked as shadow education secretary over the sharing of an article that contained an anti-Semitic trope.
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Depending on who you ask, Long-Bailey was either forced out or refused to apologise and left Starmer with no choice.
“She was the only Left-wing member of the shadow cabinet,” said Matt Zarb-Cousin, a former advisor to Corbyn who also worked for Long-Bailey. “I think a lot of people were happy to get on board when we had a seat at the table.
“A lot of people think that the general direction of travel will just accelerate now.
“I think they just want the Left to get demoralised and leave. Local government is where the Left will deploy most of its energy over the next few years.”
Another former advisor says the decision was win-win for Starmer.
“If she refused to apologise, I think he showed a level of decisiveness that people weren’t expecting and an understanding of the threat that anti-Semitism poses to the soul of the Labour Party,” he said.
“If she wanted to apologise, it shows a level of decisiveness that we haven’t seen since the ’90s.
“Conflict clarifies for the public where a leader stands.”
With Momentum regrouping and Labour needing both ideas and activists for next year’s local metro mayors elections, it would be a mistake to isolate the Left, some warn.
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“The Left needs more skin in the game,” one staff member said. “Dennis Skinner used to go and see Tony Blair every week.”
Local elections will be “Keir’s first big test”, said Duffield, adding “we cannot simply assume we will do well”.
Target number one is the West Midlands metro mayor seat, currently occupied by Conservative Andy Street.
“If we had terrible local elections, given the way Boris has run the country, I would be worried if I was Keir,” said one left-winger.
“I think there will definitely be a leadership challenge at some stage - maybe Richard Burgon or Ian Lavery - but I don’t know if anyone will take any notice.”
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Hinting at a broader electoral strategy, Rosie Duffield says ‘blue wall’ seats in the Midlands and North “will be harder to gain” than many three-way marginals held by moderate Tories, further south and in Scotland, where Lib Dems may also be in contention.
“To win, we have to do better than we did in 1997,” she said. “We need some traditional Tory seats, including in Kent and the South, as well as winning back in the North.
“Moderate Tories find Boris Johnson’s government really embarrassing, and they are going Labour or Lib Dem – certainly in my area.”
Duffield, chair of the Women’s Parliamentary Labour Party, added abuse of MPs had significantly subsided.
She said: “There have been some teething problems but on the whole I feel much safer with Keir as leader.”
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While the party remains exposed to criticism it has never had a female leader, supporters say northern woman Angela Rayner serving as Starmer’s deputy “balances the ticket” for voters.
“Keir has real respect for Angela and not just her feel for the wider labour movement but her ability to speak to some of the voters Labour has lost touch with over recent elections,” said one advisor.
Angela Rayner with Keir Starmer Stefan Rousseau - PA Images via Getty Images
Matt Zarb-Cousin says what Starmer’s team has failed to recognise is that economy has made voters less loyal to parties.
“He is obviously conscious of the fact that they need to win seats back in the red wall and there is a definite emphasis on appealing to older, more socially conservative voters, in terms of policy and rhetoric,” he said.
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“The risk of that is that it is informed by the view that we can rebuild the coalition of voters that we had in ’97, but given the context that we are in now – most people under 40 don’t have property, for example, and we have lost Scotland – we have to remember that the working class is less tribal now.”
He said Starmer must prove he can “shift the narrative”.
He said: “When Jeremy Corbyn was leader of the opposition, yes we lost two elections, but the government was influenced by the opposition.”
Starmer replaced general secretary and Corbyn ally Jennie Formby – the party’s failure to deal with anti-Semitism was often laid at her door – with moderate David Evans.
He has also succeeded in pushing through voting changes which, it is claimed, will see more moderates secure places on the party’s ruling National Executive Committee.
But, the source added, he has been “quite slow” in removing what they called “partisan influence” from other sections of the party’s staff.
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While most in the party broadly are happy with Labour’s apparent change in fortunes, there have been missteps.
Starmer is blind to the fact that many voters have not left Brexit behind, even if Westminster had.
One MP, with a Leave constituency, said Brexit voters deserved an apology from Labour.
“The Labour Party needs to make some kind of apology to the communities that weren’t listened to and acknowledge the hurt caused by some people in our party.” - Labour MP
“It isn’t enough for Keir to say that Brexit is over and done with,” she said. “The Labour Party needs to make some kind of apology to the communities that weren’t listened to and acknowledge the hurt caused by some people in our party.
“He needs to say sorry and that we got it wrong before we can properly move on.”
Deep concerns have also been raised over how Starmer has handled questions about the Black Lives Matter movement.
Some mark a “lack of empathy” in statements about the fall of slaver Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol.
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He also dismissed as “nonsense” calls to “defund the police”, which call for more money to be pumped into health, education and other support services.
While Starmer has appointed a number of BAME MPs as shadow ministers, the lack of diversity in his staff - with white people chosen for the most senior roles - is a “five alarm fire”, said one insider.
“It is 2020. You can’t have an all-white team,” he said. “And that isn’t just about the optics – though they are terrible – it’s about having people around the table with lived experience who can say ‘we are missing something here’.”
We kneel with all those opposing anti-Black racism. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/ZvjBndwqKk — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 9, 2020
He added a failure to engage meaningfully with BAME communities would lose the party votes: “It is similar to what is happening with Joe Biden right now. A lot of BAME people are saying: you have had our support for 20 years and what have you done with it.”
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One shadow frontbencher, however, defended Starmer, saying: “It was an instinctive reaction [to reject the phrase ‘defund the police’] and would be aligned to what average voters think.”
While the first 100 days are important for any leader, it is perhaps the next 100 that could be the real measure of Labour’s new leader.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is expected to publish its investigation into anti-Semitism in the party within weeks.
“He feels strongly about the Labour Party rebuilding its moral authority,” said one advisor.
“People underestimate how strongly he feels about anti-Semitism festering in the party. His wife’s family is Jewish.”
Another source added: “There will be expulsions, it will be a big moment and we hope to see Labour recover its moral authority,” said one insider.
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While that reckoning has yet to arrive, most are satisfied with the state of play.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--16 Ways To Practise Self-Care That Cost Next To Nothing

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In the age of Instagram, “self-care” has become synonymous with indulgences that cost money. That all sounds great if you have tons of disposable income. But for most of us, spending serious cash on self-care just isn’t realistic.
“The whole concept of self-care has really strayed from the original intent, and become a meme unto itself,” said Kathleen Dahlen deVos, a psychotherapist in San Francisco. “When I talk with my clients about self-care, rarely am I encouraging practices and habits that cost money. In fact, spending excessive money or funds we don’t have In the name of ‘self-care’ can actually be distressing, destructive and work against our mental and emotional wellbeing.”
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We asked experts in the wellness space to share some of the best ways to practice self-care that are basically free. Here’s what they told us:
1. Spend some time outside.
Take a walk around the block, sit in the grass, hike a local trail or just let the sun shine on your face for a few minutes.
“No matter where you live, you likely have access to an outside space,” said Tiffany Lester, an integrative medicine doctor in San Francisco. “If it’s not in your neighbourhood, think of a close space you can get to within 10 to 30 minutes. Getting outside and away from our devices calms our nervous system from the negative effects of everyday stressors.”
2. Clean and organise your living space.
When your apartment or office is a mess, it can take a toll on your mental state, making you feel more stressed, anxious and overwhelmed.
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“For some, a messy or disorganised space can activate their nervous systems and impact mental health wellness,” said therapist Jesse Kahn, director of The Gender & Sexuality Therapy Center in New York. “If that’s you, taking time to clean up your space can be an act of self-care and self-love, and may feel healing rather than like a chore you don’t want to do.”
3. Reduce the amount of time you spend on social media.
Mindlessly scrolling through your social media feeds for hours on end is not only a time suck, but is also linked to lower self-esteem, sleep issues and an increased “fear of missing out,” or FOMO.
“Social media and the internet is a great resource to connect, cultivate support and community, but it can also be a place of overconsumption, distraction, and numbing out to what we truly may need in our lives,” said McKel Hill Kooienga, a registered dietitian in Nashville, Tennessee, and founder of the site Nutrition Stripped.
4. Do some journalling.
CSA Images via Getty Images Journaling can be a very therapeutic (and inexpensive) exercise.
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All you need is a pen and some paper to get started. Journaling can be a therapeutic practice that helps you understand thought patterns, work through difficult emotions, reflect on certain events or cultivate more gratitude in your everyday life.
“Sometimes I find it just as helpful as therapy — and I’m very pro-therapy; I’m studying to be a therapist,” said Lauren Donelson, a writer and yoga teacher based in Seattle. “Journaling helps us externalise what’s going on inside our heads, and it helps us to look at our thoughts more objectively.”
5. Get better sleep.
“Maybe the self-care practice here is getting a certain number of hours a night, not exceeding a certain number of hours, getting to sleep by a certain time so you’re able to wake up by a certain time or creating a ritual to help you calm your body, relax and go to sleep,” Kahn said.
6. Meditate.
Practicing meditation is one of the best ways to restore and reconnect with our mind and body, said Tamara Levitt, a Toronto-based meditation instructor and head of mindfulness at Calm.
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“As (writer) Anne Lamott said: ‘Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes,‘” Lamott said. “There is immense value in giving ourselves time and space to shift from ‘doing’ mode to ‘being’ mode. Meditation allows us to reconnect with the needs of our mind and body.”
If you prefer guided meditations, you can check out the free version of apps like Headspace or Calm, or find videos on YouTube. And, of course, meditating in silence is another great option that doesn’t cost a dime.
7. Check in with yourself.
At least once a day, if not more, take some time to check in with yourself. Pause to assess how hungry or full you are, any emotions you may be feeling or scan your body for areas of tightness.
“Simply asking yourself the question, ‘How am I doing right now?’ is a gentle reminder to take care of yourself,” Hill Kooienga said.
8. Move your body.
Malte Mueller via Getty Images You don't need to spend a lot on a gym membership to get moving.
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It might be dancing in your bedroom to a fire playlist, doing squats in your living room or participating in a community yoga class (which is generally less costly than a boutique fitness class).
“However, if that still doesn’t fit in your budget, there are many free online yoga videos on YouTube,” Kahn said. “One of my favourites is Yoga With Adriene.”
9. Connect with loved ones offline.
Texting and email are convenient forms of communication, but they don’t satisfy our deep need for connection in the way more personal interactions do.
“Call a friend, take a walk with a colleague or cook dinner with a family member,“ Dahlen deVos said. “Connecting with others we care for helps to shift us out of our heads, regulates our nervous systems and elevates our moods.”
10. Invest time in a hobby.
The demands of work, family and other obligations take up most of our time and energy, leaving barely any room in our schedules for activities we truly enjoy. But carving out some time for our hobbies — even when we have a lot on our plate — matters.
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“Most of us are too busy to make time for activities that are joy-filled and feel nurturing,” Levitt said. “Find a time each week to shut off your electronics, and engage in a hobby that rejuvenates your spirit; play music, write in a journal, take a cooking class. While electronics deplete us, our favourite activities nourish us.”
11. Take some deep breaths.
During high-stress periods, we may go hours or even a whole day without taking a full, grounding breath if we’re not intentional about it.
“I like to take a few deep breaths in the morning and also throughout the day because it helps me to recenter and connect more with the present moment,” said Jessica Jones, a San Francisco-based registered dietitian and co-founder of Food Heaven. “One strategy that I use to remind myself to do this is to take three deep breaths every time I go to the bathroom and wash my hands. It’s easy, free and makes a huge difference in my daily stress levels.”
12. Volunteer your time with an organisation you care about.
Choose your cause, whatever it may be, and then figure out a way you can pitch in.
“Engaging in altruistic acts and seeing our actions make a direct and positive impact in the lives of others is a surefire way to shift your mood and feel part of something bigger than yourself,” Dahlen deVos said. “This can help put our problems in context, or at least give us a break from stressors without numbing out.”
13. Eat more vegetables.
Malte Mueller via Getty Images Like your parents always told you, eat your vegetables.
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Aim to put more of your food budget toward veggies and less towards ultra-processed snack foods. Then, to up your intake, cut up some vegetables at the beginning of the week and store them in your fridge — that way you can easily grab them when you need a snack or throw in a handful or two to spruce up your meals.
“Most of us are not consuming near enough whole foods let alone vegetables, which keep us nice and full because of prolonged satiety from the fibre,” Hill Kooienga said. “Vegetables nourish our physical bodies on a cellular level with fibre, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, and they can taste really delicious too.”
14. Cuddle with someone you love.
Snuggle up next to your partner, your child or even your BFF.
“Cuddling releases oxytocin, a feel good hormone, that also helps with reducing stress,” said Lynsie Seely, a marriage and family therapist in San Francisco.
Pets make great cuddle buddies, too. Plus, spending time with our furry friends has been shown to alleviate anxiety, depression and feelings of loneliness.
“If you don’t have access to a pet, go visit adoptable animals at the local shelter, sign up to walk dogs for a service such as WAG or sip tea at a cat cafe,” Dahlen deVos said.
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15. Say “no” more often.
We often think of self-care as doing something extra for ourselves on top of our normal day-to-day activities. But self-care can also be about what you choose not to do, Seely said.
One way to give a healthy “no”? Start setting boundaries with the people in your life.
“So many of us are people pleasers and spend a lot of time doing things out of feelings of guilt and obligation, causing us to feel energetically drained and lacking the ability to focus on ourselves and what we truly want,” said Sara Groton, a nutrition and eating psychology coach in San Francisco. “Any time I find myself thinking ’I should do that or I have to do that,′ I take a moment to question and challenge that thought.”
16. Practise self-compassion.
All the face masks, manicures and massages in the world can’t undo the damage of that harsh inner voice criticising, judging and berating yourself all day long.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Is It Safe To Try On Clothes In Shops During The Coronavirus Pandemic?

Much of the planet has been in a coronavirus-induced lockdown for months now, going out to shop only when necessary to buy essential goods. But non-essential stores like those that sell clothing are open now. So what are they doing to protect their customers? And how safe is it to try on new clothes?
While people do want to go out and shop again, they also want stores to follow strict health guidelines that keep the shop sanitised and the customers safe. A survey by First Insight concluded that 65% of women and 54% of men are not comfortable using a dressing room right now.
Another survey by MysizeID found that the majority of millennials would prefer contactless payment options and purchases made via mobile devices. Gen Z would like the ability to book a private fitting room, while the majority of baby boomers want retailers to hold returned merchandise for 48 hours before it goes back on the shelves.
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In other words, consumers have concerns.
Is it possible to catch the coronavirus from clothes?
According to William Lang, director at the concierge medicine practice WorldClinic, fabrics do not harbour the virus for very long. However, since we are still learning new things about the coronavirus every day, it is difficult to measure the risk factor associated with trying on garments. “The data is still not completely clear on this,” Lang said.
The greater risk of contracting the virus in a store is if a fellow shopper coughs, sneezes or even talks. If their droplets reach you, whether through the air or on a surface, you could become infected.
Stores are taking extra precautions.
You’ll find different clothing stores operate at different levels of caution.
For example, St. HROUDA in Brooklyn, New York, is letting customers try on clothing while employees are wiping down hot spots like door handles, cash registers and fitting rooms more frequently. “We are cleaning the boutique more frequently, after every customer or hour,” a representative of the store told HuffPost. Face masks are mandatory and customers are requested to sanitise their hands as soon as they walk in. Employees steam every piece of clothing someone tries it on before putting it back on the rack. The store is also offering pickup for those who are uncomfortable coming in.
galitskaya via Getty Images Shopping with a mask isn't mandatory in every store, but it's strongly suggested.
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Major brands like Gap have also reopened their fitting rooms. “In response to customer demand, we’re reopening most of our fitting rooms and increasing regular cleaning,” the company noted on its updated FAQs page.
Nordstrom has decided to keep some changing rooms closed to ensure social distancing. And after a customer tries on or returns an item, the store keeps the item on hold for a period of time before putting it back on the sales floor.
Some stores don’t let customers enter if they are not wearing masks and others are letting only a handful of customers shop at a time. And in most cases, employees are wearing masks or face shields.
What to keep in mind before going out shopping.
According to licensed physician Leann Poston, you should be careful in choosing a store. The risk of exposure to Covid-19 depends on four factors: how many people are crowded in the space, how enclosed the space is, how long you spend in the space, and the number of people in the space who are infected. Visit when you can expect the least number of people in that particular store and spend as little time there as possible.
Whether or not wearing a mask is mandatory in that store or that area, it’s in your best interest to do so. Larger respiratory droplets that carry Covid-19 are better contained when people are masked, and hence, the risk decreases for everyone.
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“If you think about standing out in the cold and the fact that you can see your breath when you talk, you get a general idea of how many droplets are hanging in the air when we walk around,” Poston said.
Best practices for shopping and using a dressing room.
Besides social distancing, it’s important to sanitise your hands when you enter and leave the store.
The risk of transmission from packages, shopping bags and other surfaces is relatively lower than initially thought, but it’s still a good idea to avoid touching too many surfaces.
Lang suggests wiping down the handles of carts and baskets with sanitiser before and after using them. “This reduces the risk that you could leave behind any infectious particles for others if you are infectious and don’t know it yet.”
Touch your phone as little as possible. “Many times, people are careful about not touching their faces, but they touch their phone and then hold their phone to their face,” Poston said.
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And opt for digital transactions as much as possible, instead of handling cash.
Sanitise new clothes when you get home.
Set new clothes aside for at least two days, long enough some experts think for the virus to become inactive. “The longest I have seen that the virus stays alive on objects is 48 hours,” Poston said.
Then, wash your clothes before wearing them, making sure to clean your hands as well after putting the clothes in the washing machine. You can also use some bleach while washing the clothes to eliminate the risk of Covid-19.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Kelly Preston, Actor, Model And Wife Of John Travolta, Dies Aged 57

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Kelly Preston has died at the age of 57.
The actor, model and wife of John Travolta died on Sunday morning, following a private two-year battle with breast cancer.
A family spokesperson told People magazine: “On the morning of July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston, adored wife and mother, passed away following a two-year battle with breast cancer.
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“Choosing to keep her fight private, she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends.”
Kelly Preston in 2018 Manny Carabel via Getty Images
“She was a bright, beautiful and loving soul who cared deeply about others and who brought life to everything she touched. Her family asks for your understanding of their need for privacy at this time,” the statement concluded.
John paid his respects to his late wife on Instagram, writing: “It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.
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“My family and I will forever be grateful to her doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center, all the medical centers that have helped, as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side.”
John Travolta and Kelly Preston picture alliance via Getty Images
He continued: “Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered. I will be taking some time to be there for my children who have lost their mother, so forgive me in advance if you don’t hear from us for a while.
“But please know that I will feel your outpouring of love in the weeks and months ahead as we heal.”
After a number of small on-screen appearances, Kelly’s breakthrough roles came in 1985, appearing in the teen comedies Mischief and Secret Admirer.
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Following this, she starred in Jerry Maguire, What A Girl Wants and The Cat In The Hat, as well as the music video for the Maroon 5 hit She Will Be Loved.
She and John also acted alongside one another multiple times, including in Battlefield Earth, Old Dogs and, more recently, the crime biopic Gotti.
The couple married in 1991 and had three children together, 20-year-old daughter Ella, nine-year-old son Benjamin and an older son, Jett, who died at the age of 16 in January 2009.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--What You Need To Know About Immunity To Covid-19

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“Have I had coronavirus and, if so, am I immune?” It’s the question many of us are asking – but sadly it isn’t an easy one to answer.
Immunity is defined as being able to resist a particular disease. Specifically, it’s the “protection against a particular disease or illness by particular substances in the blood”, according to the Cambridge Dictionary.
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So, if you were immune to Covid-19, it would mean you could be exposed to the virus again and it wouldn’t affect you or cause any nasty symptoms.
But can that actually happen? We asked an expert to explain the science – here’s what he wants you to know.
What are antibodies and do they give me immunity?
Some people who have tested positive for coronavirus have developed antibodies in their blood – these are molecules produced by the immune system to fight infection. In theory, it’s thought people with antibodies would be able to fight the virus if they caught it again.
But as it stands, the World Health Organisation says there’s “no evidence” that people who have recovered from Covid-19 and have antibodies are definitely protected from a second infection. Professor Danny Altmann, an immunology expert from Imperial College London, isn’t aware of any evidence either.
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That said, there’s a growing belief that antibodies may protect us from the virus. Harvard scientists did a small study with macaques, where they deliberately infected monkeys with the virus. A month later, the monkeys were reinfected and they didn’t become ill – the scientists found they had developed antibodies.
Test tube experiments have also shown a certain type of antibody – the ‘neutralising antibody’ – can prevent the virus from entering cells. But, not all antibodies are created equal and therefore not all of them can prevent the virus from wreaking havoc again.
It also depends on how many antibodies are present – the higher, the better. A study of people who had recovered from Covid-19 found just 1% of them had high levels of antibodies that could neutralise the virus.
Why do we have antibody tests then?
Antibody tests – also called serology tests – are designed to check if a person has detectable antibodies in their blood. It can, therefore, show if someone has had Covid-19.
Is a test an effective solution to finding out if people have some form of immunity, then? Given the evidence so far, Prof Altmann believes so – although only up to a point. ”[There is] more and more evidence that antibody levels variably wane within a few months,” he says.
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Multiple studies have found antibody levels decline quite quickly over a short space of time. Some 365,104 adults took part in three rounds of testing for a study by Imperial College London between late June and September to measure the prevalence of coronavirus antibodies in England.
The study found that antibody levels fell by 26.5% overall during the three-month period. Just 4.4% of adults had some form of immunity against Covid-19 in September, when UK cases began to increase again. This is compared with 6% found to have antibodies between June 20 and July 13, and 4.8% between July 31 and August 31.
Experts said the data from the Real-Time Assessment of Community Transmission (React-2) study showed immunity was “waning quite rapidly”, which could lead to an increased risk of reinfection.
Graham Cooke, professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London, said: “The big picture here is that after the first wave (of coronavirus), the great majority of the country still did not have evidence of protective immunity.
“Although we are seeing a decline in the proportion of people who are testing positive, we still have a great majority of people who are unlikely to have been exposed. So the need for a vaccine is still very large if you want to try and get a large level of protection in the population.”
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Another study from King’s College London (KCL) found a steep decline in patients’ antibody levels three months after infection, The Guardian reported. Blood tests of 90 patients and healthcare workers revealed that while 60% of people had a “potent” antibody response when they first developed the virus, only 17% retained the same potency three months later. In some cases, antibody levels became undetectable.
This, in theory, could mean after a few months of immunity, you’re back to square one and could become reinfected with the virus. There have now been a few cases of people becoming reinfected with Covid-19 around the world – including a 25-year-old man who experienced more severe illness the second time around.
Does everyone develop antibodies?
Some people who have a positive swab test – showing they have the virus – have later found they don’t have any antibodies when having an antibody test.
This is “not uncommon,” says Prof Altmann. His theory is that if the viral load initially was quite low when a person became infected, the innate immune system (the body’s first line of defence) might’ve been able to fight it off without having to fire up an antibody response.
Initially, your immune system tries to fight off the virus with white blood cells (called B cells and T cells). If you become more ill, your immune system produces antibodies to kill the virus. So the antibody response is basically your body’s second line of defence, which tends to kick in about a week after becoming infected.
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z_wei via Getty Images
Are some people more likely to develop antibodies than others?
There are trials under way in the UK to see if blood from people who’ve had the virus can be used as a treatment for those worst affected by symptoms. Researchers want to see if the antibodies in the blood could help people who are unable to develop their own immune response. Figures from NHS Blood and Transplant show that 43% of male blood plasma donors had high antibodies, compared to 29% of women. It’s generally agreed that the higher the antibodies, the better. As a result, men are being urged to donate their blood if they’ve had a positive Covid-19 swab test and recovered. Explaining why men might have a higher antibody count, Professor David Roberts, from NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Our studies and many others around the world show men with Covid-19 are more likely to become seriously ill than women. This makes them better plasma donors once they’ve recovered.”
Antibodies aside, are there other ways to find out if I have immunity?
Antibodies are one way to find out if people may have immunity. Another is T-cells. The body’s second line of defence to fight off a virus involves the release of B-cells, which produce antibodies, as well as T-cells, which kill infected cells.
T-cells are important, according to a growing body of research. A pre-print study (which means it’s not been peer-reviewed by other scientists) from the Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital revealed many people with mild or asymptomatic Covid-19 demonstrate “T-cell-mediated immunity” (a.k.a Covid-19 immunity) – even if they did not test positively for antibodies.
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According to researchers, this means public immunity is probably higher than antibody tests suggest. “T-cells are a type of white blood cell specialised in recognising virus-infected cells, and are an essential part of the immune system,” said Marcus Buggert, assistant professor at the institute’s Centre for Infectious Medicine.
Roughly twice as many people have developed T-cell immunity compared with those with antibodies, the results showed, which led researchers to suggest more people might have some ability to react to and fight off the virus again.
This could be important, suggests Prof Altmann, as T-cell immunity for coronaviruses seem to last for some years (rather than the mere months that antibodies have been found to last).
It’s also informative, he says, “because T-cell immunity has been detectable in people who never show a positive antibody test”.
In short, immunity isn’t simple.
If there’s one thing Prof Altmann wants us to know, it’s that immunity to viruses is very complex, “encompassing different types of white blood cells making very diverse molecules, from different antibodies to different cytokines”.
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“We don’t yet fully understand what protective immunity to the virus looks like, so can’t possibly define who or how many have it,” he says.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-13--Frozen Yoghurt Lollies Are The Ultimate Summer Treat For Kids

We’re here to guide you through the coronavirus pandemic. Sign up to the Life newsletter for daily tips, advice, how-tos and escapism.
Whether the kids are involved every step of the way or you fancy making this deliciously creamy frozen yoghurt pops for yourself, cool down this summer with our latest Cooking With Kids recipe.
Chef and cookbook author, Bettina Campolucci Bordi treats us to a healthy ice cream alternative that uses fresh fruit and lets the little ones get creative with their own favourite combination. “Try lots of different fruits or juices, these lovely lollies are easy to make, quick, and inexpensive,” she explains. “There is no need to spend money on expensive trendy moulds, either. I like to use old yoghurt pots – they work a charm!”
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Have fun decorating together and give them the all-important task of popping the lollies out from pots. Bordi added: “It’s also an opportunity to teach your kids how to be kinder to the environment and discover new ways of reusing old things. Last but not least, patience – good things are worth waiting for.”
Frozen Mixed Fruit Yoghurt Pops
Serves: 4 | Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 4 hours of freezing time
Bettina Campolucci Bordi Frozen Mixed Fruit Yoghurt Pops
Ingredients:
250g strawberries or other fruit of choice
100ml alternative yogurt
1 tsp maple syrup
Method:
1. Whizz up the fruit (be sure to reserve some for decoration), yoghurt and maple syrup in a blender or food processor.
2. Taste and add a little more syrup if needed. Divide the mixture between four ice lolly moulds (or old yogurt pots) and top it off with whole berries, then pop a stick into each one.
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