thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--Digital Divide Shows Why Schools Should Be A Priority In Lockdown Exit Strategy

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School’s out, for summer?
Early on in this pandemic, it was suggested by some that Covid-19 was somehow an equal opportunities virus. The fact that even prime ministers and cabinet ministers could catch it, and indeed be hospitalised by it, was seen as proof of its indiscriminate nature.
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Of course, we are learning that coronavirus in fact has differing impacts on different groups. In health terms, there is the disproportionate impact on black and minority ethnic communities, and on men. Economically, the disease’s impact looks like it will hit women and young people hardest, as they are more likely to be in newly-precarious jobs in retail and hospitality.
But one thing that seems incontrovertible is the way Covid-19 has exposed inequalities that have for too long scarred the nation’s social fabric. And that inequality is nowhere more stark than in education, where all of the gains of the past 20 years risk being undone by the closure of schools to most pupils.
The Sutton Trust’s latest figures on the differing participation rates of children from differing backgrounds may not be surprising but they ought to be shocking. Some 22% of pupils at state secondaries attend online lessons every day, compared to 57% of pupils at private secondaries. Some 27% of the most advantaged state pupils are handing in work, compared to 8% of the least advantaged.
And in schools in the most deprived areas, more than a third of pupils have no access to home technology or wifi. Add in the fact that many of the most deprived children live in cramped flats and have parents who are time-poor as well as cash-poor and the problem is stark. It’s taken weeks for ministers to finally address the idea of providing laptops and wifi routers to deprived households.
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Keir Starmer’s spokesman flagged the dangers today. “We are concerned that the longer the schools are shut, the bigger the inequalities between those children that have access to good homeschooling versus those who may not have access to good homeschooling, because of overcrowded accommodation [for example],” he said.
As Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman pointed out on Newsnight last night, “it’s not just the poorest, it’s the ones with little English... with special educational needs, the young ones who can’t read and write yet”. Spielman earlier this week told the Education Select Committee that no matter how innovative or brilliant the online lessons were, it was a “poor substitute” for actual classroom teaching.
From childcare to educational attainment, members of the public have raised the issue in their No.10 press conference questions. Yet all education secretary Gavin Williamson could tell MPs today was that schools would have to reopen in a “phased manner”. Committee chair Rob Halfon has come up with some imaginative ideas for extra lessons and support but Williamson seemed to have none of his own.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van Tam pointed out he had two sons at home but said any reopenings would need to be “painstakingly” undertaken. He also suggested that it would be “very tricky” to enforce social distancing for four or five-year olds, despite hints from Williamson that reception classes could be among the priorities for reopening.
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What’s extraordinary is that there is so far no clear plan from Williamson for how his phasing may work. It seems obvious that as well as reception (for the transition to infant school) and the final year of primary school (who need all the preparation they can get for crucial transition to secondaries), those pupils in Year 10 (pre-GCSE) and Year 12 (first year of A-levels) need priority.
It’s these last two categories that most concern former Ofsted chief Michael Wilshaw, who has even suggested some of these pupils may need to resit a whole year of schooling unless extra tuition is offered in extended school days, weekends and possibly holidays over the coming coming months.
For children in Year 10 and 12, they are likely to suffer two months of disruption to their studies. If you take holiday into account, that’s a fifth of their entire school year gone. If, as some have suggested, kids don’t go back until next September, that would be a huge chunk of their two-year courses affected.
When you’re 16 or 18, missing months matter much more to you than to a fiftysomething MP. Via university and apprenticeship places, whole lifetimes of opportunity are at stake. And the poorest are most at risk. Yet there seems no sense of urgency in government, not least given the fact that government scientists themselves accept the relatively low risk to children from this disease. Johnson talks about “levelling up” the nation’s schools, but Covid-19 risks “dividing down” our education system further.
Of course getting the economy back on its feet is crucial, that’s why MPs and business groups knock on government doors daily. But it often seems that the children most vulnerable to the downsides of this pandemic lack a similarly powerful lobby to clamour for reopening. Perhaps the PM’s newborn son will act as a reminder of the singular life chances at stake for other children coping with this virus. And maybe in coming days their voice will be heard at the Cabinet table.
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Quote Of The Day
“I absolutely share his, I guess, our, joint horror at the number of deaths.”
Dominic Raab to Keir Starmer on the rising care home Covid-19 mortality numbers in the UK
Wednesday Cheat Sheet
Dominic Raab revealed for the first time combined government figures for hospital and non-hospital Covid-19 deaths. The combined total pushed numbers up by 3,811 to 26,097. A new per capita graph put the UK among the worst death rates in the world, ahead of the US.
Public Health England official Yvonne Doyle warned the public against travelling by car as new figures showed the highest motor traffic since the lockdown began on March 23.
New PHE figures showed London boroughs have had the highest number of affected care homes. In Camden, 10 out of its 11 care homes have reported an outbreak, Hammersmith and Fulham had nine out of 10.
Matt Hancock looks unlikely to reach his target of 100,000 daily coronavirus antigen tests by the end of April. The latest figure 52,429 tests carried out in England, Scotland and Wales on Tuesday, from an overall capacity of just over 73,000 a day.
Boris Johnson’s partner Carrie Symonds gave birth to a baby boy at a London hospital. Although ‘NHS staff’ were involved, No.10 refused to say whether the hospital was an NHS one, whether the baby was premature or any other details. The PM will take his two-weeks paternity leave later this year.
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The GMB union is to investigate allegations of misconduct against its former general secretary Tim Roache. His sudden departure has sparked fresh factional warfare within Labour.
Former PM Gordon Brown will help advise the Welsh government on the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis.
Cut-price pub chain Wetherspoon’s plans to reopen its bars and hotels “in or around June”, despite warnings from ministers that the sector was likely to be the last to be allowed out of lockdown restrictions.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--GMB Union Launches Investigation Into Ex-Boss Tim Roache After Misconduct Claims

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One of Britain’s biggest trade unions has launched an investigation after its general secretary suddenly resigned amid allegations about his personal conduct.
Tim Roache, who has led the GMB union for the past five years, took sick leave on Monday and then abruptly quit on Tuesday night.
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The 600,000-member union, whose donations and influence play a key role in Labour party politics, revealed that Roache had suffered from ME for years and decided he “does not feel mentally or physically able to continue to lead our union.”
But it also revealed the union had received an anonymous letter last week in which “a number of allegations have been made about Tim’s conduct whilst he held the office of general secretary”.
“An investigation has been launched and it is not appropriate to comment further pending the outcome of that investigation,” the union said in a statement issued after an emergency meeting of its finance and general purposes committee.
“Complaints which are brought to our attention will be dealt with appropriately in line with our policies and procedures and with appropriate regard to fairness and sensitivity.”
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Wales and South West regional secretary John Phillips will become acting general secretary with immediate effect, until a permanent replacement is elected in due course.
However, Roache’s dramatic departure - just months after he was re-elected for a fresh term in office - has sparked a fresh bout of bitter internal warfare within the union movement and the Labour party.
Allies of Lisa Johnson, the GMB’s director of external relations, have told HuffPost UK that the anonymous letter sent to party president Barbara Plant last Wednesday appeared to be deliberately aimed at implicating her in the controversy.
Johnson is seen as a lead contender to become Labour’s next general secretary under Keir Starmer, should current party chief Jennie Formby step aside as expected in coming months.
Although Johnson has worked closely with Roache throughout his tenure, it is understood that she had confronted the union boss about his conduct. “Lisa has acted with great courage, integrity and decency throughout this,” one ally said.
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Another figure in the labour movement said that it was no secret that Johnson had some critics both on the Left and among some centrists, but stressed she was respected by most union officials and many Labour MPs. Around 80 MPs are sponsored by the GMB.
The anonymous letter, which included misspellings of Labour party figures’ names, made unspecified allegations about Roache without naming those who it claimed had suffered from his misconduct.
The claims included separate allegations of differing kinds of impropriety.
None of the allegations have ever been referred to the police or any other authorities external to the union.
Roache has repeatedly strongly denied any wrongdoing when directly questioned about the claims. But it is understood that he agreed to step aside after discussions with senior figures within the union this week.
Johnson is seen by some Labour MPs and other unions as responsible for directing the GMB’s approach to votes on the party’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC), where it has two representatives.
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Some members of the NEC believe the GMB has too frequently backed Len McCluskey’s Unite in key votes.
One party source questioned why Roache would have pushed for another term, when the union decided to hold an early general secretary election last November, if he was too ill to remain in post.
Roache upset some on the Left when his union backed Owen Smith’s leadership campaign against Jeremy Corbyn in 2016. The union backed Lisa Nandy in the recent leadership election.
The Labour party staff branch of the GMB was highly critical of a recent leak of an internal report into anti-Semitism, demanding protection for those named within it.
In answer to claims that his union was targeting Formby, he tweeted this month: “The GMB is NOT going for Jennie. FACT.”
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Unison’s Emilie Oldknow, another possible contender for the general secretary post, saw her chances all but disappear in recent weeks after the leak of her private WhatsApp messages ridiculing Jeremy Corbyn when she was a senior party official.
Keir Starmer’s office refused to comment in detail on the resignation earlier on Wednesday. Asked if the Labour leader views Roache as a ‘friend’, his spokesman said “Keir and Tim are colleagues and have worked together.
“Anything further I will direct you to the GMB. Tim resigned yesterday, Keir has seen his statement.”
The GMB said that Roache had been diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) some years ago “which has previously resulted in two years’ sickness absence from work”.
“Having been signed off by medical professionals earlier this week, Tim was advised to refrain completely from work – and has now taken the difficult decision to stand down from the role permanently, indicating that he does not feel mentally or physically able to continue to lead our union,” it said.
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Among the likely contenders to succeed Roache are union officials Gary Smith and Warren Kenny, both of whom are seen as very supportive of Starmer.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--This World Traveller Has Been Stuck In Hong Kong For Lockdown

This World Traveller Has Been Stuck In Hong Kong For Lockdown
Torbjørn (Thor) Pedersen’s goal was travelling to every country without flying over six years, since leaving Denmark in 2013. He was about to leave Hong Kong when coronavirus hit. With nine more countries to go, he’s making the most of where he is.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--Wetherspoon's Plans To Reopen Pubs 'In Or Around June'

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Wetherspoon’s is starting to plan for a reopening of its pubs and hotels “in or around June”, the company has announced.
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The planned move is likely to be met with resistance from the government, which has already said pubs will be among the last businesses to open once the lockdown is lifted.
The chain’s boss, Tim Martin, has been highly critical of the coronavirus lockdown, saying last month it was “over the top” to shut pubs to fight the pandemic.
When the lockdown was announced, he was branded “absolutely outrageous” by his own staff after initially refusing to carry on paying them until the government promised to start its furlough scheme.
In a video message to staff, Martin also suggested they could find employment at supermarkets while the chain’s pubs remain shut.
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Tim Martin. PA
At Wednesday’s No.10 briefing, deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van Tam was asked whether drinking in pub beer gardens, along with the return of Parkrun events, the opening of garden centres and beach trips, could return to the UK soon.
Warning the virus will return if lockdown measures are not eased very carefully, he said: ”These are complex and, at various different points, they might involve a congregation of individuals and one has to be very painstaking and very careful about thinking through some of these before we make the wrong move to relax measures.
“We have to be extremely sure-footed and extremely painstaking about this. This virus will absolutely come back.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--Coronavirus Death Toll Rises To 26,097 With Care Homes And Community Fatalities

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Coronavirus has been linked to 26,097 deaths in the UK to date, figures published for the first time today reveal.
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The total – now including deaths in care homes and the community – means the UK has one of the highest fatality rates in Europe.
Previously, the government only released the number of deaths in hospitals that had been newly reported each day, though some of those are backdated as much as a month.
The new death toll was released by Public Health England and was correct as of 5pm on Tuesday, the government said.
It represents 3,811 more deaths than those previously counted in hospitals for the same period.
While the UK now has one of the highest overall death tolls in Europe, taking into account population the performance of the UK is comparable to Italy and France, and better than Belgium and Spain.
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HuffPost UK
Of the deaths, a PHE spokesperson said: “Around 70% were outside hospital settings and around 30% were in hospital. The additional hospital deaths have been identified through PHE’s laboratory system and were not reported to NHSE.”
Asked if deaths could have been avoided if there had been better testing and screening for care home residents, Raab said there was “always learning in an unprecedented crisis like this that we will want to feed back in”.
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He added: “The key thing above all is to manage the ebb and flow of people into those care homes that might carry the virus, and that of course includes family members and friends, it includes people that are working in more than one care home setting, it includes NHS staff.
“So on top of testing and PPE [...] I think that is probably the single most important aspect.”
It comes with the government under pressure to lift some social distancing restrictions to kickstart the economy when the lockdown is reviewed next week.
There are signs that adherence to the lockdown is fraying, with the use of vehicles at its highest daily level since March 23.
HuffPost UK
“We really have to be vigilant that most people are making huge efforts to stay at home and save lives,” said PHE medical director Yvonne Doyle.
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“This is slightly worrying, so please do stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
“Go out for the necessities and the transport data will reflect that.”
Raab said it was vital the UK proceeds “carefully” in lifting lockdown measures as he pointed to the transmission rate in Germany, which was thought to have risen on Tuesday before reportedly falling again on Wednesday.
He said: “Having relaxed restrictions in Germany over the last week, they have seen a rise in the transmission rate of coronavirus. [...]
“This is a very real risk and it is vital we proceed carefully, guided by the scientific advice, so that our next step through this crisis is a sure footed one.
“We mustn’t gamble away the sacrifices and the progress that we have made – we must continue to follow the scientific evidence and we must continue to take the right decisions at the right moment in time.”
Earlier, Michael Gove suggested ministers could lift restrictions on outdoor activities and businesses first, as the virus spreads more easily indoors.
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He told the Commons public administration committee: “One thing we know is that the disease spreads more easily indoors, so work out of doors – and we’re already encouraging people to support the agriculture sector, whether that’s construction or, indeed, as a number of people have outlined, sales from garden centres – it might be able to take a differentiated approach in that way.
“But, again, I don’t want to pre-empt the judgement which is made across government.
“The prime minister has got to sign off on this, the cabinet has got to agree, but these are the sorts of common sense conversations people are having in public, so I hope I am not jumping the gun.”
Deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van Tam confirmed that the evidence suggested coronavirus spreads less easily outside but played down the prospect of an imminent return to outdoor activities.
He said ventilation and people being more spaced out contributed to making it harder for the virus to spread.
Asked whether that could allow the return of Parkrun events, the opening of garden centres, beach trips or drinking in pub beer gardens, Van-Tam warned that the virus will return if lockdown measures are not eased very carefully.
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“These are complex and, at various different points, they might involve a congregation of individuals and one has to be very painstaking and very careful about thinking through some of these before we make the wrong move to relax measures,” he told the No.10 briefing.
“We have to be extremely sure-footed and extremely painstaking about this. This virus will absolutely come back.”
The reason for the discrepancy with the new official UK figure was not immediately clear. The government has described the new number as “confirmed deaths”, which may suggest it only includes people who have actually tested positive for Covid-19 rather than all those who have displayed symptoms.
PHE medical director Yvonne Doyle appeared to accept this, saying the figure for deaths in care homes may be revised upwards further.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--Watch Live: Dominic Raab Chairs Daily Coronavirus Briefing

Watch Live: Dominic Raab Chairs Daily Coronavirus Briefing
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab leads the daily press conference in Boris Johnson’s absence. It comes after the prime minister’s partner Carrie Symonds gave birth to a baby boy earlier today.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--Concerns About Role Of Trevor Phillips On BAME Coronavirus Inquiry Must Be Addressed, Says Labour

Trevor Phillips’ appointment to the government’s BAME coronavirus review must have the support of the community, Labour has said.
Following disproportionate death rates among BAME communities as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, the government recently commissioned Public Health England (PHE) to conduct a study.
The appointment of Phillips, the former head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has been criticised after he was suspended from the Labour Party over allegations of Islamophobia.
A Labour Party spokesperson told HuffPost UK: “We welcome the government’s decision to hold an inquiry, given the devastating impact on BAME communities.
“It’s important that this inquiry has the support and confidence of the BAME community,”
“We are aware of the representations that have been made about Trevor Phillips’ appointment. What we would ask is that the health secretary engages with those concerns and discusses an appropriate way forward.
“We are aware of the concerns that have been raised, this is a government led inquiry, it’s for the government and health secretary to address those concerns.
“Our principle though is that it is important that the communities have confidence in that inquiry.”
Phillips is working on the inquiry alongside Professor Richard Webber to provide expert support via their Webber Phillips company.
An open letter signed by 100 Black women, the InfluencHers, and published on Monday describes Phillips as being famous for “discarding the very real issues and consequences of structural racism”.
Another letter from representatives of thousands of BAME healthcare workers calling for his removal from the inquiry.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--Starmer Warns Mnisters: Poorer Pupils Suffering Most From School Closures

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Keir Starmer has ramped up the pressure on ministers to reopen schools as soon as possible, warning that the longer they remain closed the more damage will be done to poorer pupils’ life chances.
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As Starmer urged the government to come up with a timeframe for its “exit strategy” from the Covid-19 lockdown, his spokesperson said the Labour leader feared disadvantaged children would fall further behind their peers.
“We are concerned that the longer the schools are shut the bigger the inequalities between those children that have access to good homeschooling versus those who may not have access to good homeschooling, because of overcrowded accommodation [for example],” the spokesperson said.
“There are extraordinary lengths that teachers and parents are going to during these very difficult times. Where we want to see is clarity from the government about how it is going to maintain education during the lockdown and what support is going to be made available.”
Education secretary Gavin Williamson told MPs on Wednesday that schools would reopen in a “phased manner”, but he refused to give any timelines apart from saying that there were no plans to keep them open during the summer holidays.
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Starmer’s intervention follows warnings from current and former Ofsted chiefs that online schoolwork is causing even bigger divides between pupils from different backgrounds and is a “very poor substitute” for classroom teaching.
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) charity this week published an analysis suggesting that the coronavirus pandemic in the UK risked “reversing” all the gains made in narrowing the attainment gap over the past decade.
The loss of several weeks of classroom schooling, which could amount to a full term, is hitting poorer households disproportionately because of a lack of home wifi, computer equipment, household space and parental skills or supervision.
The spring and summer terms for children in their penultimate year before GCSEs and A-levels are particularly crucial in their learning, but they face the disruption to a sixth of their entire curriculum across all subjects.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London. PA
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The Sutton Trust estimates that while 30% of middle class pupils are taking part in online lessons every day, that figure drops to just 16% for poorer pupils. In the country’s most deprived areas, teachers report that up to 30% of their pupils simply don’t have internet access or the technology needed.
The Department for Education has in recent days unveiled plans to give children from disadvantaged background across England free laptops, tablets and 4G routers, but many think even that is no replacement for classroom tuition.
On Tuesday, Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman told the BBC’s Newsnight: “It’s not just the poorest, it’s the ones with little English... with special educational needs, the young ones who can’t read and write yet.”
And earlier this week, she told the education select committee: “We have to accept that what can be done while schools are substantially closed is a very poor substitute for full normal education.
“And it would be unrealistic for anyone, including me, to expect the vast majority of children to have made the same progress they would have made if they’d been in school, which is why I truly believe that it’s in children’s interests to be back in school as early as possible.”
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Her predecessor Sir Michael Wilshaw said that unless schools after the lockdown are open for weekends or longer days and even holidays, some children would have to repeat a whole year to catch up. “That will have huge logistical differences and progression problems for university.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--Boris Johnson To Delay Paternity Leave Amid Coronavirus Crisis

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Boris Johnson is not planning to take paternity leave until “later in the year” after his partner Carrie Symonds gave birth to their baby boy.
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The prime minister, who like any other father is entitled to a statutory two weeks’ leave, returned to No.10 after Symonds gave birth at a London hospital on Wednesday morning.
It comes as the UK is in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic and after Johnson himself has recovered from the disease following a stint in intensive care.
The couple’s baby had been due in early summer, prompting speculation that their son had arrived early.
Asked earlier this year at a press conference if he would be taking paternity, he replied: “Almost certainly, yes.”
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The prime minister’s official spokesperson said on Wednesday, however: “Later in the year, he will be taking a short period of paternity leave.”
A number of figures, including Labour leader Keir Starmer and health secretary Matt Hancock, have congratulated the couple, who are also engaged to be married.
A spokesperson for the pair said: “The prime minister and Ms Symonds are thrilled to announce the birth of a healthy baby boy at a London hospital earlier this morning. Both mother and baby are doing very well.
“The PM and Ms Symonds would like to thank the fantastic NHS maternity team.”
David Cameron was the first prime minister to take statutory paternity leave when wife Samantha gave birth to their son in 2010.
Tony Blair refused to take paternity leave when son Leo arrived, instead saying he would be in “holiday mode” temporarily.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--We Are Doctors Who Study Trauma. Here's How To Cope With The Covid-19 Crisis

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A patient calls in a panic. She was diagnosed a week ago with Covid-19, and her shortness of breath has been escalating at home. She is no longer allowed to visit her mother, who is dying in a nursing home. By video conference, we determine that her breathlessness likely stems more from her anxiety than the virus itself. Instead of sending her to the ER, I practice breathing techniques with her to calm her surging adrenaline and elevated blood pressure — and it helps.
A week later, her breathing and blood pressure are improved, but the evening news triggers a new tidal wave of dread. Traumatic images flood her thoughts as the grim reality of post-pandemic life (and perhaps another outbreak in winter?) sets in. Will work, school, relationships and even grocery shopping ever feel safe? The shortness of breath returns.
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Over a month into the pandemic, we recognise this as a mental health crisis. It’s called trauma.
We are experiencing collective trauma unlike anything previously experienced in America in our lifetimes. It is devastating to our individual and shared well-being. The virus’ invisibility, asymptomatic spread and ubiquity are uniquely terrorising. The absence of safe spaces, the possibility of another mass outbreak, and the tragic realities broadcast into our living rooms promote further fear.
And just when we most need our normal coping strategies like exercise, sports and congregating with friends to manage stress and loss, they are severely constrained for our own – and others’ – good.
But naming this disaster as a collective trauma helps introduce a set of specific recommendations for coping – now, and for the long haul.
We are doctors. One of us connects with patients one on one, treating physical and mental health in parallel. The other interviews thousands of people who’ve experienced tragedies, both personal and collective. And from our combined 60 years of clinical and research experience, we have seen the immediate and lasting emotional, behavioural, medical and societal effects of traumatic life events. We also know how to help individuals and communities process, cope and move beyond suffering.
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“Feeling intermittently (or constantly) on edge, worried or sleepless are normal 'fight-or-flight' reactions to this trauma. We are not going crazy. We are simply coping with a new reality — whether we are sick or not.”
First, let’s explicitly recognise that our mental health not only informs our physical health – it defines our health and humanity. Addressing mental health in the doctor’s office is not a luxury; it is essential for optimising patients’ health.
Let’s also acknowledge that feeling intermittently (or constantly) on edge, worried or sleepless are normal “fight-or-flight” reactions to this trauma. We are not going crazy. We are simply coping with a new reality – whether we are sick or not.
We can also help ourselves by developing adaptive coping strategies like limiting media exposure, avoiding mistruths, and practicing breathing, yoga or meditation. Asking for help is crucial for some, and can add structure and support to the coping process. Virtual social connections – whether it’s a weekly online happy hour with friends or joining a support group – can help us make sense of this crisis.
Some may find the dread is too overwhelming, in which case professional help through psychotherapy or grief counselling, for example, may help the patient manage acute stress while developing strategies to cope with ongoing uncertainty.
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Our decades of research on personal and collective traumas also make clear that people are incredibly resilient, despite whatever life throws at them. A man who lost his home in a firestorm – only to lose his business in an earthquake a month later – was able to rebuild his life with the support of family and a sense of unwavering optimism.
Research after tragedy tells us that people often find meaning in adversity and can recognise strengths they did not realise they had. During the pandemic, we are reaching our friends and loved ones through new means, becoming more capable with technology, and finding new ways to connect with neighbours ― all of which can help us make sense of this crisis.
Recognising that all of us working together to practice social distancing is helping us save lives can turn feelings of isolation into a sense of purpose. When we realise and yield to our own capabilities, we are better equipped to get through it.
“Recognising that all of us working together to practice social distancing is helping us save lives can turn feelings of isolation into a sense of purpose.”
Taking care of our mental health is not a luxury. The trauma of Covid-19 is having immediate effects on people’s emotional and physical health. From worry, hopelessness and panic to breathlessness, chest tightness and sleep disturbance, our bodies and minds are on high alert and exhausted at the same time. And when we feel this vulnerable, behaviours like self-medication, substance abuse and self-harm can ensue.
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Unfortunately, the trauma will persist even if we’re able resume some sort of normalcy. Large-scale crises like the Covid-19 pandemic have lasting effects, particularly when trauma is repeated and prolonged. The emotional, physical and behavioural ramifications of PTSD have been well-studied. In the aftermath of SARS in Hong Kong, for example, nearly two-thirds of survey respondents expressed helplessness, and nearly half reported moderate or severely deteriorated mental health.
Not only does trauma affect us emotionally; there are also compounding physical ramifications. Patients who have experienced adverse childhood events are at significantly higher risk for developing subsequent health problems like obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Individuals who were acutely stressed by watching the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath on TV were more likely to develop heart problems over the ensuing three years.
We need to get comfortable talking with our doctors about mental health. Primary care providers have never been more well-positioned to help. Although assessing raw data like weight, blood pressure and cholesterol is important, the role of health care providers should also include recognising, affirming and incorporating the emotional and behavioural factors that give way to the medical outcomes that directly inform our human experience. Health care providers need access not only to our data but to our true selves, inside and out.
After all, how could a blood pressure reading possibly measure all we’ve been through?
Lucy McBride, M.D., is a practicing internal medicine physician in Washington, D.C
Roxane Cohen Silver, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Psychological Science, the Department of Medicine, and the Program in Public Health at the University of California, Irvine
This article first appeared on HuffPost Personal


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--Healthy 14-Year-Old Dies As Coronavirus Claims 640 More Lives Across UK

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A 14-year-old with no known underlying health conditions is among 640 more people confirmed to have succumbed to coronavirus in British hospitals.
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The increase consists of 475 in England, 83 in Scotland, 73 in Wales and nine in Northern Ireland.
The teenager is known to have died on April 20, but was not included in daily updates until today due to delays in data processing and verification. It comes after 13-year-old Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab of Brixton died after testing positive for the killer virus. He, too, had no known underlying health conditions.
Some 96 of the deaths in England occurred on April 28, with 148 on April 27 and 42 the day before.
UK-wide figures from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have not so far been released, so the total is taken from each nation’s individual reporting.
SIPA USA/PA Images
It brings the working total to 22,309.
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Thirty of the 475 deaths in England involved patients who had not tested positive for Covid-19 but who were suspected to have it based on their symptoms. The youngest victim in England was the 14-year-old, and the oldest was 101.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--Channel 4 Is Strapping Cameras To Dogs To Snoop Around Celebrity Homes For The Bizarrest Lockdown TV

Channel 4 Is Strapping Cameras To Dogs To Snoop Around Celebrity Homes For The Bizarrest Lockdown TV Show Yet

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If you thought TV commissioners were running out of ideas for new shows while the country is in lockdown, think again.
Channel 4 has just announced details of a new series that is a whole new level of bizarre.
Snoop Dogs (great name) will take viewers inside the homes of the rich and famous for a Through The Keyhole-style game of ‘guess who?’ – but there’s one big difference.
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With crew being unable to enter the houses owing to social distancing, the filming will be done by dogs.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Not actual footage from the show (we think) damedeeso via Getty Images
Go-Pro cameras will be strapped to the homeowner’s pooches, with the “pup-arazzi” guiding us round their lavish homes.
Viewers will then be invited to guess who the famous homeowner is.
Speaking about the show, Sean Doyle, deputy head of features and formats at Channel 4, said: “I didn’t want lockdown to stifle creative conversations and Snoop Dogs is a perfect example of a reactive and outside of the box commission.
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“We’ve come up with a wonderfully ridiculous spin on filming in lockdown that only Channel 4 could get away with.
“We hope families enjoy playing along whilst getting a healthy dose of doggy mischief and celebrities’ lush properties and home interiors.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--Immigrant NHS Staff Get Visas Extended – But Care Workers Left Out

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Coronavirus has changed everything. Make sense of it all with the Waugh Zone, our evening politics briefing. Sign up now.
Immigrant NHS midwives, radiographers and other health professionals will have their visas automatically extended for a year to help the fight against coronavirus, the home secretary has announced.
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The move by Priti Patel extends the scheme announced last month to give NHS doctors, nurses and paramedics automatic visa extensions to ensure the health service is at full capacity.
Social care staff employed by the NHS in “defined occupations” will also have their visas extended.
But Patel did not extend visas for the vast majority of care workers who work outside the NHS, arguing the “disparate” nature of the field presents a “unique challenge” in determining people’s immigration status, while promising to keep the situation “under review”.
There was also no visa extension for porters, cleaners, students and agency staff working for the NHS.
In total approximately 3,000 vital health and care workers and their families will benefit from the extension.
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But Commons home affairs committee chair Yvette Cooper said the measures were “very unfair” given deaths in care homes are rising and health secretary Matt Hancock wants to give care workers the same status as NHS staff.
The Labour MP told the committee: “This does feel very unfair to care workers given that the deaths in care homes now are rising substantially, and also the health secretary said he wanted to give care workers parity of esteem.
“It also feels very unfair to the porters and the cleaners and hte people who are scrubbing the virus off the door handles or who are washing the bedding and the gowns in our hospitals as well, that they aren’t included in this NHS visa extension.”
Responding, Patel insisted the Home Office did not want to segregate different groups of workers.
“We are conscious right now of the status of all NHS professionals, I think we should just be very, very clear about that,” she said.
“This is not about segmenting or discriminating against anybody who works in the NHS.
“I’m in daily discussions with the department for health and social care, as is the department (Home Office) as am I directly with the health secretary and that is exactly why we have brought the measures that we have brought in so far.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-29--Nine Things You Need To Know About Coronavirus Today

Get the latest on coronavirus. Sign up to the Daily Brief for news, explainers, how-tos, opinion and more.
The government has expanded coronavirus testing to all care home residents and staff in England after it was revealed that there were more than 4,000 deaths in care homes related to Covid-19 in just two weeks.
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According to the latest figures:
Coronavirus has been linked to 26,097 deaths in the UK to date, figures published for the first time today reveal. The new death toll was released by Public Health England and was correct as of 5pm on Tuesday, the government said.
As of 9am April 29, 632,794 people have been tested of which 165,221 tested positive.
As of 9am 29 April, there have been 818,539 tests, with 52,429 tests on 28 April.
632,794 people have been tested of which 165,221 tested positive.
As of 5pm on 28 April, of those tested positive for coronavirus across all settings, 26,097 have sadly died. pic.twitter.com/Qw1GB5s3Wc — Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) April 29, 2020
Here’s the latest:
Wetherspoon’s Plans To Reopen Pubs ‘In Or Around June’
Wetherspoon’s is starting to plan for a reopening of its pubs and hotels “in or around June”, the company has announced. The planned move is likely to be met with resistance from the government, which has already said pubs will be among the last businesses to open once the lockdown is lifted. The chain’s boss, Tim Martin, has been highly critical of the coronavirus lockdown, saying last month it was “over the top” to shut pubs to fight the pandemic. When the lockdown was announced, he was branded “absolutely outrageous” by his own staff after initially refusing to carry on paying them until the government promised to start its furlough scheme. In a video message to staff, Martin also suggested they could find employment at supermarkets while the chain’s pubs remain shut.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Schools to reopen in ‘phased manner’
Schools will reopen in a “phased manner” when the coronavirus lockdown is eased, Gavin Williamson has said.
The education secretary refused to confirm a date, but told MPs schools in England would not open their doors during the summer holidays.
Speaking before the Commons’ education committee, he said ministers would base their decision on advice from scientists, adding: “I do expect schools to be opened in a phased manner. I also intend to be giving schools as much notice as possible.”
Schools, colleges and nurseries across the UK closed their doors to the majority of pupils, apart from the children of key workers and vulnerable youngsters, more than five weeks ago.
Williamson said: “We recognise that the idea of schools all returning on day one with the full complement of pupils is not realistic or practical.”
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Immigrant NHS staff get visas extended – but care workers left out
Immigrant NHS midwives, radiographers and other health professionals will have their visas automatically extended for a year to help the fight against coronavirus, the home secretary has announced.
The move by Priti Patel extends the scheme announced last month to give NHS doctors, nurses and paramedics automatic visa extensions to ensure the health service is at full capacity.
Social care staff employed by the NHS in “defined occupations” will also have their visas extended.
But Patel did not extend visas for the vast majority of care workers who work outside the NHS, arguing the “disparate” nature of the field presents a “unique challenge” in determining people’s immigration status, while promising to keep the situation “under review”.
There was also no visa extension for porters, cleaners, students and agency staff working for the NHS.
In total approximately 3,000 vital health and care workers and their families will benefit from the extension.
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Elsewhere, all care home residents and staff in England are now eligible for coronavirus testing, Matt Hancock announced as part of plans to roll out testing to millions more people.
Covid-19 tests will also be offered to all those aged 65 and over and workers who have to leave home to do their jobs and their households from Wednesday.
P&O plans to cut workers’ pay despite taking government furlough cash
Ferry company P&O is attempting to cut essential workers’ pay despite handing shareholders huge dividends and cashing in on the government’s emergency coronavirus wages scheme.
The firm’s owner – Dubai-based DP World, which operates the Dover to Calais route – has also asked for a government bailout to keep operating, while P&O has used UK funds to furlough some 1,400 workers.
Gareth Fuller - PA Images via Getty Images
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Now the company has told stevedores and other key workers, who are transporting food and medical supplies into the UK during the lockdown, that they may have to take a 20% cut in pay and benefits.
A document from P&O’s management seen by HuffPost UK and sent to the GMB union, which represents staff at Dover, tells staff the company is looking to cut £142m of staffing costs by 20% – around £28m.
It says: “This must be found from wage costs, our operating model and the terms and conditions of employment.”
Frank Macklin, regional organiser for the union, accused the firm of seizing on the crisis to make “opportunistic” cutbacks.
Spain unveils four stage plan to return to new normal ‘by the end of June’
A woman and her son wear face masks as they walk on a beach in Badalona, near Barcelona ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Spain has announced a four-phase plan to lift its lockdown – one of the toughest in Europe – and return to a new normal by the end of June.
Prime minister Pedro Sanchez announced the news as the daily Covid-19 death toll fell to 301 – less than a third of the record high of 950 in early April, Reuters reported.
The scheme to lift lockdown will begin on May 4, Sanchez said.
During the initial phase, hairdressers and other businesses that operate by appointment will open, while restaurants will be able to offer takeaway services.
In the next stage, envisaged to begin on May 11 for most of Spain, bars will reopen their terraces but will be limited to a third of their capacity.
From this point, healthy people with no underlying medical conditions will be allowed to socialise together in small groups, while family members will be permitted to attend funerals.
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How Spain moves through the stages will depend on how the rate of infection changes, the number of intensive care beds available and how the public complies with social distancing rules, Sanchez said.
Remote working will be recommended where possible until the last phase of the plan towards the end of June, when beaches would also be able to reopen with the support of local authorities.
‘Almost 18,000 extra people could die from cancer because of coronavirus impact’ – new study
Empty hospital room with bed boonchai wedmakawand via Getty Images
Almost 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year in England due to the impact of Covid-19, according to new research.
Delays in diagnosing new cancers and getting treatment for those who already have the disease could significantly impact survival, a new study from University College London and DATA-CAN, the Health Data Research Hub for Cancer, suggested.
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Experts looked at real-time weekly hospital data for urgent cancer referrals and chemotherapy attendances during the coronavirus epidemic and found that the majority of patients with cancer or suspected cancer are not accessing health services.
When looking specifically at England and Northern Ireland, they found an average reduction in attendance for chemotherapy of 60% and a 76% average drop in cancer referrals for early diagnosis.
This was across three trusts in England – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the Royal Free in London and University College London Hospitals – and all five health trusts in Northern Ireland.
When looking specifically at England and analysing data from more than 3.5 million patients, experts estimated that pre-Covid-19, about 31,354 newly diagnosed cancer patients would die within a year in England.
But as a result of coronavirus, they found there could be at least 6,270 extra deaths in newly diagnosed cancer patients – a rise of a fifth.
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When all people currently living with cancer are included, the figure jumps to 17,915 excess deaths.
Professor Mark Lawler, scientific lead at DATA-CAN, said: “We believe countries need to rapidly understand how the emergency is affecting cancer outcomes, otherwise we risk adding cancer and other underlying health conditions to the escalating death toll of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The study comes as England’s top cancer doctor urged people to get checked if they are worried about any symptoms.
Mike Pence refuses to wear face mask during clinic tour
Vice President Mike Pence as he toured the facilities supporting COVID-19 research and treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota ASSOCIATED PRESS
US vice president Mike Pence chose not to wear a face mask during a tour of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, an apparent violation of the world-renowned medical centre’s policy requiring them.
Video feeds show Pence did not wear a mask when he met a Mayo employee who has recovered from Covid-19 and is now donating plasma, even though all other people in the room appeared to be wearing one.
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He was also without a mask when he visited a lab where Mayo conducts coronavirus tests.
Pence was also the only participant not to wear a mask during a round-table discussion on Mayo’s coronavirus testing and research programmes.
Mayo tweeted that it had informed the vice president of its mask policy before his arrival, but the tweet was later removed.
But Pence said he had decided not to wear a mask because he was being tested frequently for the virus.
“As vice president of the United States I’m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus,” he said.
“And since I don’t have the coronavirus, I thought it’d be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers, these incredible healthcare personnel, and look them in the eye and say ‘Thank you’.”
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Health workers stand up to anti-lockdown protesters in North Carolina
Counter-protesters during a Reopen NC rally in downtown Raleigh (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--Lizzo Blubbing After Beyoncé Sent Her A Birthday Message Is Oh So Relatable

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Can you imagine having a birthday message from actual Beyoncé? It would certainly make celebrating in lockdown a bit more bearable, huh?
Well, that’s exactly what happened to Lizzo – and she had an oh-so-relatable reaction to Queen Bey even knowing of her existence.
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After Bey shared a picture of a baby Lizzo on her website along with a “Happy Birthday” message, the Juice singer had something of a meltdown on Instagram.
Lizzo had an emotional reaction after receiving a birthday message from Beyoncé Shutterstock/Instagram
An emotional Lizzo sobbed: “Beyoncé wished me happy birthday. Beyoncé wished me happy birthday on her website. She knows it’s my birthday. Thank you Beyoncé. Oh, my god. Thank you, Beyoncé.
“She knows. She knows I exist. I don’t know what to do with myself. Wow, gonna sit with that one for a while.”
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Lizzo also shared a screenshot of Beyoncé’s message, along with a candid pic of herself after receiving it.
She wrote: “ALL. @beyonce BEY YON SAY wished me a happy birthday B***H ! I don’t know how to ACT 😫 She is my inspiration to be a singer after seeing destiny’s child perform in the 5th grade…
“I LOVE YOU BEY! Thank You! Let me go drink some damn water.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--Captain Tom Moore Celebrates 100th Birthday With RAF Flyover

Captain Tom Moore Celebrates 100th Birthday With RAF Flyover
The World War II veteran celebrated his 100th birthday today, after raising almost £30m for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his back garden earlier this month. Captain Tom also scored a number one hit shortly afterwards. Today, as part of a Battle of Britain Memorial, a flyover of signature planes from the war were organised by the RAF to mark his birthday.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--These Pictures Of Colonel Tom Moore's 100th Birthday Have Cheered Us All Up

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A Battle of Britain flypast, 140,000 cards, and an honorary title of colonel – the 100th birthday celebrations for Colonel Tom Moore have been something special.
Despite the nationwide lockdown, Moore – who on Thursday morning surpassed £30m in fundraising for the NHS – was able to mark his centenary in style.
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The war veteran lives in Bedfordshire with his family. He became a household name across the UK after raising 30,000 times his initial £1,000 target by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.
The millions raised will be going to NHS Charities Together – a small charity that has now set a target of raising an ambitious £100m to support the health service through the Covid-19 crisis.
A birthday message for Colonel Tom Moore (who was promoted from captain on Thursday) is displayed on the advertising boards in Piccadilly Circus in London. TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images
Speaking on his birthday on Thursday, Moore said: “Reaching 100 is quite something. Reaching 100 with such interest in me and huge generosity from the public is very overwhelming.
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“People keep saying what I have done is remarkable. However, it’s actually what you have done for me which is remarkable.
“I felt a little frustrated and disappointed after I broke my hip and it knocked my confidence.
“However, the past three weeks have put a spring back in my step. I have renewed purpose and have thoroughly enjoyed every second of this exciting adventure – but I can’t keep walking forever.”
As well as cards from more than 140,000 well-wishers, set out by volunteers in the hall of a nearby school, Moore received messages from PM Boris Johnson and Clarence House.
Johnson said: “Captain Tom, I know I speak for the whole country when I say we wish you a very happy 100th birthday.
“Your heroic efforts have lifted the spirits of the entire nation. You’ve created a channel to enable millions to say a heartfelt thank you to the remarkable men and women in our NHS who are doing the most astounding job.”
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I want to wish @captaintommoore a very special 100th Birthday. Thank you on behalf of the whole country. pic.twitter.com/YqJxtHLCav — Boris Johnson #StayHomeSaveLives (@BorisJohnson) April 30, 2020
Moore said it was “really outstanding” to receive a message from Boris Johnson, to which the PM tweeted in response: “Happy birthday Tom and thank you for your warm wishes!”
Royal Mail has painted a postbox in Moore’s village NHS blue in tribute to his fundraising efforts.
The postbox, in Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire, has been decorated with a golden balloon.
Bill Chandi, who has been Marston Moretaine’s postmaster for 32 years, said: “This has been an incredible time – far, far busier than even Christmas – but I am very happy to help as Captain Tom is a remarkable man, a real role model.”
Benjie Ingram-Moore presenting his grandfather Captain Tom Moore with a photograph of the Great Hall of Bedford School, Bedfordshire, filled with cards for his 100th birthday. PA
The cards have been set out in the great hall of the nearby Bedford School and Moore was presented with an aerial picture of his huge delivery by his grandson Benjie Ingram-Moore, who attends the school.
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As well as the messages, Moore – who served in the Second World War – was honoured with a special flypast from a Spitfire and a Hurricane, and has been made an honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College by chief of the general staff General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, approved by the Queen.
As a lifelong cricket fan, Moore has also been made an honorary member of the England cricket team.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan said Moore had been “the nation’s heartbeat for the last two or three weeks”.
He told the veteran: “You’ve done so much for the country, you’ve raised so much money for the NHS.
“And now I can officially call you an honorary member of the England cricket team.”
In addition to completing his walking challenge and celebrating his 100th birthday, Moore also managed to rack up a new record when he became the oldest person to reach number one on the official UK singles chart in its 70-year history.
A man preopares a letter box painted blue to mark the 100th birthday of Second World War veteran Captain Tom Moore close to the home in Marston Moretaine, near Bedford. Joe Giddens - PA Images via Getty Images
You’ll Never Walk Alone, which was recorded in lockdown and features Michael Ball and The NHS Voices Of Care Choir, also became the fastest selling single of 2020, according to the Official Charts Company.
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After a whirlwind three weeks, Moore’s fundraiser will close on Thursday night, but the centenarian has urged the public to continue donating to NHS Charities Together.
His daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore said the last few weeks would be “embedded in our hearts forever”, adding that her father had been told to rest after his fundraising efforts.
“We’ve said: ‘Look, take a little rest now.’ But I think we know that he has touched the hearts of many people around the world,” she said.
“He’s definitely engaged us all and given us hope and unity.
Colonel Tom Moore and his daughter Hannah celebrate his 100th birthday, with an RAF flypast provided by a Spitfire and a Hurricane over his home. Emma Sohl - Capture the Light Photography via Getty Images
“So, there will be legacy. We, as a family, have come a long way in these last few weeks, and we are working hard to look at what is the future, what’s the future legacy, but he needs to have a little rest now.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--John Partridge Reveals How MasterChef Helped Him Kick His Cocaine Habit

Former EastEnders star John Partridge has spoken about how signing up for MasterChef helped him beat his cocaine habit.
The actor was a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef back in 2018, and went on to win the series.
John Partridge David M. Benett via Getty Images
Since then, John has joined the culinary world with the release of his own cookbook last year.
However, in a new interview with The Mirror, John revealed that things had taken a dark turn in his personal life before he joined the BBC reality show.
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John explained how cooking became a distraction after he called his agent to get him a spot on MasterChef, having stopped going to Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
“Every day for the next three weeks I’d go to the supermarket instead of going to NA,” John said.
“When it came to that time in the evening – the witching hour – when my husband, Jon, would go to work and I’d be here alone I’d start to get twitchy fingers. So, I’d buy random ingredients and cook. That was how it started.”
He added: “I wasn’t a big drinker, I was a big snorter, yeah, that was my thing. The booze was really secondary, the coke was the thing that was my go to.”
John with his MasterChef trophy BBC
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After being crowned winner of Celebrity MasterChef, John revealed back in 2018: “My life was rapidly spinning out of control with substance abuse and alcohol.
“I would get up and go to the supermarket, I would buy groceries and I would stand here and cook all day. So I didn’t have a minute in the day to think about something else
“That’s what cooking did for me. I’ve been clean for seven months, sober 185 days and it’s amazing.”
Need friendly, confidential advice on drugs?


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--This Is Who Qualifies For A Coronavirus Test And How To Get Tested

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We’re here to guide you through the coronavirus lockdown. Sign up to the Life newsletter for daily tips, advice, how-tos and escapism.
Testing is one of the key ways to limit the spread of coronavirus and ensure essential workers are able to safely head back to work.
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The government said it hoped to carry out 100,000 tests a day by the end of April – but on 29 April, only 52,429 tests were carried out. Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told Sky News: “Even if we don’t hit it, and it’s probable that we won’t, we will in the next few days hit that target.”
People can be tested in two ways: at drive-through sites or through home kits, although availability of the latter is currently limited. Every day, those eligible for tests are encouraged to visit gov.uk and register, but the site reaches capacity very quickly.
It’s important to get tested in the first three days of experiencing coronavirus symptoms, although testing is considered effective up until day five. Here, we answer some of the other questions you may have about tests right now.
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Who is eligible for a test?
This depends on what country you’re based in. In all UK countries, hospital patients with suspected Covid-19 are prioritised for testing. Each country has made testing available to a certain number of key workers – and sometimes members of their households, too.
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In England, the following groups are eligible for testing if they have symptoms of the virus:
essential workers, including NHS and social care workers. You can see a full list of essential workers online if you scroll to the bottom of the page,
anyone over 65,
anyone whose work cannot be done from home (for example, construction workers, shop workers, emergency plumbers and delivery drivers),
anyone who lives with any of the groups mentioned above and has symptoms.
In Wales, 438,000 critical workers will be eligible for testing if they have symptoms of the virus. In Scotland, key workers with symptoms, as well as symptomatic members of their household, are eligible. And in Northern Ireland, testing is eligible for essential or key workers who are self-isolating because they are symptomatic, or have household members who are symptomatic.
The UK government has also revealed it will be testing all social care workers and residents in care homes whether or not they have symptoms. This comes after figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest a third of all coronavirus deaths in England and Wales are happening in care homes.
There are currently 16 mobile testing units in operation, with the aim to increase this to 96 in May. These units travel to care homes and other areas where there are people who need to be tested but can’t get to a facility.
Nuthawut Somsuk via Getty Images
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How do you get a test?
Self-referral and employer referral booking routes are available for essential workers who work in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
To self-refer, you need to go to the self-referral portal and register for a test. However this is easier said than done as the system is inundated each day and availability quickly runs out.
The employer referral route allows employers to refer essential workers who are self-isolating. Employers will need a login first – you can get one by emailing portalservicedesk@dhsc.gov.uk. In the email, include your organisation’s name, nature of business, region, and names (where possible) and email addresses of two users who will load essential worker contact details onto the system.
In Wales, workers can find details of their most appropriate testing referral routes through their Local Resilience Forum.
Can you apply for a test on behalf of elderly parents who don’t live in your household?
A key group eligible for testing is the over-65s, if they have symptoms. However it’s not entirely clear in the new guidance whether a person could apply for a test on behalf of an elderly parent who isn’t part of their household.
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HuffPost UK contacted the Department of Health and Social Care, who confirmed that if you have the person’s permission, you can book a test on their behalf. The home-testing route would likely be the easiest option if you’re doing it this way.
You could also go down the drive-through option if your relative has a car, but you’d need to send them the barcode you receive to your mobile after registering on their behalf. They will need to show this barcode when they arrive at the drive-through testing facility.
What actually happens when you get tested?
The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat.
At a drive-through testing facility, of which there are 43 (and counting) across the UK, a healthcare professional will swab your mouth and nose while you sit in your car with the window down. At some sites, you might be given a kit with instructions on how to do the test yourself from your car. The healthcare worker will then take the sample and send it off to be tested.
If you order a home testing kit, you’ll have to swab your throat and nose yourself and send the sample off to a lab. Evidence suggests even those without a medical background should be able to get an effective sample.
In a video on how to take a test, Dr Amir Khan, an NHS doctor, urges people to blow their nose prior to doing it and wash their hands for 20 seconds. When you take the swab from its packet, it’s important you don’t let it touch anything else other than your tonsils and the inside of your nose, as this could impair your results.
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Using a mirror, look at the back of your throat, towards your tonsil area, says Dr Khan. Rub the swab fabric across your tonsils five times, taking care not to touch your teeth, tongue or gums.
You then need to use the same swab to take a sample from your nose. Insert the swab inside of the nostril, ensuring you don’t touch any other parts of your face, and once it’s about 2.5cm in and you start to feel resistance, rotate the swab five times against the inside of the nose. Then carefully remove it and do the same with the other nostril.
You’re done – unscrew the cap off your sample tube, put your swab inside fabric end first, and snap off the excess stick at the break point. Pop the cap back on tightly and follow the instructions to safely put the sample in the envelope provided. A courier should come to collect the kit the following day.
Results will be sent out by text message within 48 hours of drive-through testing, and within 72 hours of collection of the home delivery tests.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--The Migrant Staff Helping The NHS

The Migrant Staff Helping The NHS

The Migrant Staff Helping The NHS
The NHS is under unprecedented strain as the global coronavirus pandemic continues to affect people. The NHS is nothing without its staff, many of whom are migrants and we spoke to some of them to find out how the pandemic is affecting them and how it might be changing our appreciation of the work they do.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--Harrison Ford Under Investigation From US Aviation Body After Runway Incident

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Harrison Ford is under investigation following an incident on the runway of a small airport in California.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the Star Wars actor was piloting a plane that crossed the runway as another aircraft was attempting to land at Hawthorne Municipal Airport last week.
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According to the FAA, the two planes came within “approximately 3,600 feet” of each other, but there was no danger of a crash.
They said in a statement: “The FAA is investigating an incident in which the pilot of an Aviat Husky taxied across the runway at Hawthorne Municipal Airport Friday afternoon while another aircraft was performing a touch-and-go landing.”
Harrison Ford ASSOCIATED PRESS
Audio from the incident reveals a tower operator told Harrison, a keen flyer, to “hold short” on the runway due to “traffic”.
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In a harsher tone, the operator then said: “Get across that runway now. I told you to hold short. You need to listen up.”
The actor replied: “Excuse me, sir, I thought exactly the opposite. I’m terribly sorry.”
Harrison’s representative claimed that the purpose of the flight was to “maintain currency and proficiency in the aircraft”.
It is not the first time Harrison, 77, has found himself in hot water with aviation authorities.
In February 2017 he narrowly missed a jetliner carrying 100 passengers and landed his plane on the wrong stretch of tarmac at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California.
The FAA ruled he could continue to fly without restriction but was required to take “awareness training”.
And in March 2015 he was injured when his World War II-era plane lost power and he crash landed at a golf course in Santa Monica.
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Harrison took up flying when he was in his 50s and is also trained to fly helicopters.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--Katie Couric Says Denzel Washington Left Her ‘Shaken’ After ‘Uncomfortable’ Interview

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US broadcaster Katie Couric recalled “a very uncomfortable interview” she had with Denzel Washington several years ago.
“I think he totally misconstrued a question I asked and kind of jumped all over me,” the veteran journalist said on the Everything Iconic with Danny Pellegrino podcast earlier this week.
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Katie shared the story after the podcast’s host asked her if she ever conducted an interview in which she felt “bamboozled.”
The veteran journalist couldn’t immediately think of an interview in which she felt her subject wasn’t forthcoming, but the question did spark the memory of a very awkward 2004 Dateline interview with Denzel while he was promoting The Manchurian Candidate.
The Oscar-winning star played a war veteran in the political thriller who discovers that U.S. soldiers are being brainwashed by the government.
Katie did not specify in the podcast which part of the interview she was referring to, but a transcript of their conversation includes a bumpy exchange in which she asked him if he agreed with the idea that “Hollywood folks should stick to acting” and not talk about politics.
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Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep, his co-star in The Manchurian Candidate ASSOCIATED PRESS
“I don’t know what Hollywood folks are, first of all,” the actor responded. “Hollywood is a town that has some stars on the sidewalk. I don’t know anybody from there. So, I don’t … that’s like saying … calling you a type of folks. I’m not a Hollywood folk. I don’t know who they are.”
Katie then tried to rephrase her question by asking, “Are you one of those people that —”
Denzel then interrupted saying: “Ah, there you go. ‘Am I one of those people?’ Hmmm, isn’t that interesting?”
After Katie tried again to explain her question, Denzel answered: “No, don’t stop. I heard what you just said. ‘Am I one of those people?’ No, I’m not.”
Katie tried to rephrase a third time, this time asking, “Are you an actor who would rather not —,” but he cut her off again.
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“No, I’m not that either,” he said. “I’m a human being. My job is acting.”
Reflecting on the experience on Monday’s podcast, Katie said she felt that she didn’t say “anything wrong” and doesn’t “know what happened”.
But she ultimately chalked it up to Washington’s having a bad day. She added that he later wrote a “really big” check to the colon cancer foundation she started.
“I love him. I admire him so much,” she said. “He’s one of my favourite actors. But I remember walking out and feeling really kind of shaken that he had kind of gone after me in a way that was completely, weirdly uncalled for.”
HuffPost reached out to Denzel for comment but did not receive an immediate response.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--Liam Gallagher Tears Into Noel Over Release Of New Oasis Demo, Don't Stop

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Oasis fans were delighted this week, when Noel Gallagher revealed he was making a previously-unheard demo available to download for the first time.
However, it turns out one person who was less than happy with the release was his brother and former bandmate, Liam.
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Noel announced on Twitter that he’d discovered an old Oasis recording “which he thought had been lost forever” in a box at his house.
“Like the rest of the world I’ve had infinite time to kill lately,” Noel explained. “So I thought I’d FINALLY look and find out what was actually on the HUNDREDS of faceless unmarked CDs I’ve got lying around in boxes at home.”
Gall Michael Augustini/Palace Lee/Shutterstock
Noel continued: “As fate would have it, I have stumbled across an old demo which I thought had been lost forever.
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“As far as I am aware there is only one version of this tune ‘out there’ from an Oasis soundcheck in Hong Kong about 15 years ago.”
He then revealed that the demo, Don’t Stop, would be available to download and stream from Wednesday night.
The following morning, though, Liam voiced his opinion on the track – which is credited to Oasis – and he was seemingly not impressed.
“Oi tofu boy,” he wrote, addressing his brother. “If [you’re] gonna release old demos make sure I’m singing on it and Bonehead’s playing guitar on it... if it’s not, it’s not worth a wank.”
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Oi tofu boy if your gonna release old demos make sure im singing on it and boneheads playing guitar on it if not it’s not worth a wank as you were LG x — Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) April 30, 2020
In a subsequent tweet, he also branded the release a “PR stunt”, urging Noel to release Step Out, another Oasis demo that fans had been calling for.
“He won’t though,” Liam told one of his followers. “Coz I rip it a new arse and he’s jealous.”
He won’t coz i rip it a new arse and he’s jealous — Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) April 30, 2020
Your not daft it’s a PR stunt — Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) April 30, 2020
In recent years, Liam has made no secret of his hopes to once again team up with his brother and reunite their band, which officially disbanded in 2009.
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However, Noel has been slightly more reluctant, and while the brothers have been exchanging harsh words in the media since Oasis’ split, things went up about 10 notches last year.
Back in July, Liam made a public apology after sending a message to Noel’s daughter, his niece, telling her: “Tell your step mam to be very careful.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--No, I Won't Be Clapping For Our Carers Tonight – And You Shouldn't Either

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It breaks my heart, but I won’t be clapping for our carers any more. When 8pm rolls round on Thursday evenings, my door will stay shut, and I won’t be joining the whistles, claps and whoops of my street. I won’t linger a few minutes afterwards chatting to my neighbour.
On Thursday nights, our streets should stay silent, our lights off and our windows dark.
Clapping isn’t just for Covid-19. Most of us have been “clapping” for the NHS and care workers all our lives. Supporting them, valuing them, thanking them. At one time or another, every member of my family has been treated by an NHS worker, whether it’s a GP or a hospital consultant. My daughter’s life has been saved by the NHS. Such a small sentence for such an immeasurable service. These days, my frail and elderly father, who’s lost his mobility, is looked after by carers who come to the house; he can still be with the family and yet he can receive the care he needs.
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“Our clapping doesn’t stop any healthcare worker from being sent into danger everyday. It doesn’t protect them and it doesn’t stop them dying.”
The NHS is our go-to place when we’re suffering, in pain or dangerously ill. We put ourselves into the hands of the doctors and nurses who treat us, we benefit from the support work done by porters and cleaners. They rarely fail us.
It’s now our turn not to fail them. Our clapping doesn’t stop any healthcare worker from being sent into danger everyday. It doesn’t protect them and it doesn’t stop them dying.
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But our clapping gives the impression things are working and lets the government off the hook. In fact it lets them join us, as if they’re not responsible for the perilous situation in which healthcare workers find themselves, and for the deaths of healthcare staff. They can step out at 8pm, Boris Johnson (now he’s back), Hancock, Rishi Sunak and all the others, as if they moved heaven and earth to provide tests and equipment for our medical staff and care workers.
It’s a government’s duty to protect its citizens, and that includes all healthcare staff. What happens to us, if at the end of this Covid pandemic there aren’t enough medical staff or care workers to look after the general population?
It always seemed rather suspicious when the government started announcing they’d made available, this many and that many million pieces of Personal Protective Equipment. I’d think, surely they should be announcing them as kit, the combination of gown, masks, gloves and so on, which form the required protection for front-line staff.
And now we know, from the Panorama programme their accounting was highly creative if not downright imaginary. To count a pair of gloves, as two gloves, to include waste bags and paper towels as PPE, is simply a lie. I’m surprised they didn’t count the individual sheets in the rolls of paper towels. That would have increased the numbers even more gratifyingly for the government.
It’s not just a scandal, it’s dangerous and a dereliction of duty. Lives are at stake. The lives of healthcare staff and the lives of their patients. Coronavirus is the deadliest disease for a hundred years. Our government knew from January onwards what was heading towards Britain. They had time to prepare and organise supplies. “We’ve been put on the front-line but without front-line protection,” says Dr. Irial Eno in the Panorama programme. As a viewer, it was alarming to watch the young doctor who dons a thin plastic apron, as his PPE, knowing he’s on his way to treat patients with Covid-19.
The government wants us to be Clapping for Carers every week; generating a victorious atmosphere and neatly shifting attention away from their own failings. Britain is one of the richest countries in the world. It had the money and the infrastructure to start organising PPE, ventilators and other essentials, as soon as the threat became clear at the beginning of the year. Our Covid response didn’t have to become this terrible, double-edged sword where our health workers are as endangered as the patients they’re trying to save.
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Over 100 healthcare workers have died so far. Their photographs haunt our imaginations, so vivid and full of life. They weren’t in a war zone. When they took on their jobs they didn’t know they’d be required to lay down their lives. All of them have left behind families and loved ones. The heartbreak must be unbearable.
Hard as it is, I won’t be clapping on Thursday nights. We all value our NHS and admire the courage and dedication of healthcare staff. In return, we should be demanding the government do not endanger them and must provide proper protection. Let’s silence the streets, turn off our lights and darken our windows. Send a message the government cannot ignore.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--Tom Hanks And Rita Wilson Share Photos As They Donate Plasma To Covid-19 Research

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Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have beaten Covid-19 themselves, and now they’re pitching in on the global fight against the virus.
The duo, both 63, shared images on social media Wednesday of their contribution to coronavirus research at UCLA.
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Tom showed a bag of plasma that he’d donated to the university, and Rita showed how she was tested for antibodies prior to making her own donation.
Plasma from people who have survived Covid-19 can contain antibodies to the disease. Researchers are investigating the use of this plasma to help patients battling severe cases of the virus recover faster.
Tom said that after the paperwork, the procedure was “as easy as taking a nap.”
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Last week, Tom had put out a call on Twitter for donations to a study led by the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and David Geffen School of Medicine.
In the latest updates, Tom and Rita both shouted out the study’s leader, Dr. Anne Rimoin, an expert in infectious disease epidemiology who serves as public health professor and director of the Centre for Global and Immigrant Health at the university.
In an interview on the NPR podcast, Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me, earlier this week, Tom announced that he and his wife wanted to use their possible immunity to help in any way they could and that they had offered to donate plasma.
The couple returned to the US from Australia at the end of March, following two weeks quarantined on the country’s Gold Coast after they tested positive for the virus.
During the course of their infection, which saw them both hospitalised for three days initially, they reported fevers, body aches and fatigue, among other symptoms.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--Ending Lockdown Could Catapult Many Off A Financial Cliff Edge

While we cannot compare lockdown to the suffering PoWs faced, we can learn lessons. Reuters
As the government grapples with the challenge of an exit strategy from lockdown, many people across the country are worried about a looming financial cliff edge. What happens when the unprecedented package of measures to support wages and reduce the burden of household bills comes to an end?
The furlough scheme and support for the self-employed are putting much-needed money in people’s pockets. Mortgage holidays and a temporary pause of evictions help to reassure people they won’t lose their homes during the first phase of this crisis.
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Yet if these schemes simply end as currently scheduled, millions of people could be forced to cope with the shock of losing their job or a reduction in hours, just as they face increased bills from mortgage and other debt holidays. This could put unbearable strain on their finances, with repercussions that will be felt for years to come.
So, just as the lockdown restrictions will need to be eased gradually to prevent a second wave of the virus, we also need a transition out of the financial protections to avoid a new wave of financial hardship.
At Citizens Advice, we’ve already helped over 200,000 people one-to-one with their problems since the lockdown began – most of them relating to employment issues and claiming benefits. We’ve also seen record-breaking demand for our online advice with millions accessing help. This gives us real-time insight into what people are worried about and the problems they’re facing.
Every day, our advisers speak to people who’ve had their livelihoods disrupted by this pandemic. People like Mark, who was let go from his company after they decided not to furlough him to care for his daughter, who was shielding while suffering from cancer.
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The shock is going to be felt across the social spectrum. Different groups are going to face very different problems in the wake of this crisis, and policy makers face a real challenge to make sure everyone is given the right support to get back on their feet.
“The welfare safety net must be strengthened if it’s going to be fit for purpose while the impact of coronavirus is still being felt.”
The government has already recognised that some of the temporary measures they put in place will need to carry on beyond the initial end date, and they rightly extended the furlough scheme by a month. But much more will be needed.
A gradual transition out of the Job Retention Scheme – as opposed to a hard and fast end – is essential to prevent a new wave of redundancies. This should include additional flexibilities, like allowing employers to partially furlough staff so they can return to work on a part-time basis if full-time hours aren’t available. In addition, further support to sectors that have been particularly badly hit well may be needed. Without this ongoing help, huge numbers of businesses and staff are at risk.
People in the “shielded group” – the 1.5 million people who are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 – need specific protections. They are likely to be advised to stay at home for longer, or self-isolate again in the event of a second peak. No-one in this group should be forced to choose between their health and returning to work.
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The shock to people’s finances and the sheer scale of those affected mean the government and lenders must recognise that many people won’t be able to afford their debt repayments at their current rate. Temporary protections for people struggling financially will need to be extended and strengthened and new forms of debt relief may be needed to make sure a short-term financial blow doesn’t become a long-term debt problem.
The welfare safety net must be strengthened if it’s going to be fit for purpose while the impact of coronavirus is still being felt. Universal Credit is designed to provide a basic amount to live on and incentivise people into work. We know many people on the benefit already struggle to make ends meet, but high levels of unemployment would mean people’s ability to boost their income through work will be severely restricted. The government should enhance support from the benefits system so people can cover their essential costs.
Many other people previously in secure work, who were just about managing before, will probably face major drops in their income. They’re likely to see significant challenges in covering their costs without falling into debt. A Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund would help people - either through a loan or a grant - who face particularly significant income disruption at this time.
The government’s unprecedented measures have, for now, eased the financial burden for lots of households across the country. It now needs to grapple with the question of how it can unwind those support schemes in a way that doesn’t leave households staring into a financial black hole.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--Bollywood Star Rishi Kapoor Dies Of Leukaemia, Aged 67

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Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor has died of leukaemia at the age of 67.
The Indian actor’s family announced that he had died in a Mumbai hospital on Thursday.
He was part of the Kapoor acting dynasty, with his father Raj and grandfather Prithviraj regarded as Bollywood greats, while his wife Nitu Singh co-starred in several of his films, and his son Ranbir is also an actor in the industry.
Announcing Rishi’s death, the family said in a statement that he had kept hospital staff “entertained to the last.”
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Rishi Kapoor has died aged 67 Hindustan Times via Getty Images
“He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents,” they said. “Family, friends, food and films remained his focus and everyone who met him during this time was amazed at how he did not let his illness get the better of him.
“He was grateful for the love of his fans that poured in from the world over. In his passing, they would all understand that he would like to be remembered with a smile and not with tears.”
They also urged fans not to gather together to mourn Rishi, asking them to observe restrictions around movement amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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“He would not have it any other way,” they added.
Rishi was part of Bollywood's famous Kapoor acting dynasty ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rishi had returned to India last September after undergoing treatment in the US for almost a year, and was admitted to hospital twice in February.
He received the National Film Award for his debut role as a child artist in his father’s 1970 film Mera Naam Joker and went on to act in more than 90 films.
Rishi’s biggest hits included Laila Majnu, a story of legendary Indian lovers, Debt, Moonlight, Sometimes, Sea and Lightning. In 1999, he directed Let’s Go Back.
He switched to supporting roles in the 2000s and popular movies included Namastey London and Love Aj Kal, or Love Today And Tomorrow. He acted until recently and his last movie, The Body, was released in 2019.
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Rishi’s death was announced the day after fellow Bollywood star Irrfan Khan, star of Slumdog Millionaire, died at the age of 53.
Priyanka Chopra was among the first to pay tribute to Rishi, describing his death as the end of an era, adding: “#Rishisir your candid heart and immeasurable talent will never be encountered again.”
My heart is so heavy. This is the end of an era. #Rishisir your candid heart and immeasurable talent will never be encountered again. Such a privilege to have known you even a little bit. My condolences to Neetu maam, Ridhima, Ranbir and the rest of the family. Rest in peace Sir. pic.twitter.com/TR6GVSN4m7 — PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 30, 2020
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said Rishi was a powerhouse of talent: “I will always recall our interactions, even on social media. He was passionate about films and India’s progress.”
Rishi is survived by his wife, son and daughter.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-30--Los Angeles Offers Free Coronavirus Testing For All Residents

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Los Angeles is now offering free coronavirus testing to all residents of the nation’s second-largest city, including people who don’t have symptoms.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Wednesday that all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County can now get tested for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. The city has partnered with Los Angeles County and with Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) to provide the testing to residents regardless of whether they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
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“Priority for the same or next day testing is still given to people with symptoms, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath,” the city’s coronavirus testing webpage said. “Testing is also prioritised for certain critical front-line workers who interact with the public while working.”
Announcing that L.A. is now the first major city in America to offer free COVID-19 testing to all residents. While priority will still be given to those with symptoms, individuals without symptoms can also be tested. Sign up at https://t.co/rHWABmXUEl. pic.twitter.com/TYqo6Bzwxe — MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) April 30, 2020
Previously, testing was provided only to residents with symptoms and to essential workers and people in institutional environments such as hospitals and nursing homes.
Health experts have said that increased testing is necessary to better understand how many people have the virus, which could then help government officials decide when and how to phase out stay-at-home orders.
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Testing is by appointment only, and residents can schedule an appointment on the city’s coronavirus website. LA County had 35 testing sites as of April 21, according to the Los Angeles Times.