thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--How Restaurants Are Radically Changing To Deal With Coronavirus

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Streets are barren. Bars are largely devoid of patrons. And you’ll have no problem getting a reservation at that fancy restaurant ― unless, that is, it’s closed entirely.
Welcome to the new normal in the time of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday issued a recommendation urging people not to attend events with 50 or more people for the next eight weeks. Officials in some places went further, ordering the closing of restaurant dining rooms or advising eateries to cut their seating capacity.
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Restaurants are responding by doing what they can to assuage a nation that will be increasingly isolated, deciding whether to close entirely or to limit their business to takeout and delivery.
Renowned chef Jessica Koslow of Sqirl in Los Angeles talked about her decision to go take-away on Instagram:
An LA restaurant group that includes Ludo Lefebvre’s Trois Mec on Friday emailed reassuring words diners: “For those who decide to dine at home, most of our restaurants offer pick-up or delivery services; This includes Son of a Gun, Jon & Vinny’s Helen’s, Petit Trois, Kismet and Kismet Rotisserie.”
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Enterprise Fish Company, with locations in Santa Monica and Santa Barbara, promised patrons measures to prevent the spread of the virus. “Employees will be washing their hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after handling cash, credit cards, before and after breaks,” the company said in an email to patrons.
For many establishments, the response to the virus has been taken out of their hands.
New York City will shut bars and restaurants, except for takeout and delivery services. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti moved Sunday night to close bars, gyms and movie theatrers until March 31, and said restaurants will be limited to pickup and takeout orders.
The restaurant industry is already showing signs of adjusting to the abrupt change.
Chef Nick Shipp at Upper West in Santa Monica, California, is offering a 20% discount to those picking up food.
“This has happened so rapidly,” Shipp said.
Jeenah Moon via Getty Images An empty restaurant is seen on March 13, 2020 in New York City.
Shipp pointed out that cleanliness has always been a core mission in the restaurant industry. For his restaurant, other steps now include clearing tables for extra space and having abundant hand sanitiser at the ready.
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“If you’re more comfortable sitting on your couch and hanging out, we get it,” Shipp said. “We just want you to be able to enjoy our food.”
The coronavirus clampdown will do more than rob diners of a well-earned good time, Shipp noted. For those who rely on the industry for their livelihood, it could be dire.
“The biggest casualty of a lot of this stuff is the hourly paid employees and the guys that rely on tips,” Shipp said. “The margins are already so thin in this line of work, anyway. This is kind of a doomsday scenario. It’s like really, really bad.”
The OpenTable reservation service assessed the coronavirus effect on the industry last week, before much of the US began responding to the outbreak, and found that diners “declined by around 30%,” according to March 12 data.
Ray Garcia’s Broken Spanish in Los Angeles will temporarily shut down, but is accepting orders for tamales via pickup with an online form.
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Brennan’s in New Orleans remains open, Ralph Brennan and Terry White, co-proprietors of the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, said in a statement that promised increased cleaning and readily available hand sanitiser.
Chef David Guas, owner and operator of Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar and Eatery in Arlington, Virginia, will reduce hours and provide curbside takeout service.
Guas is also thinking about how the virus outbreak is affecting life beyond his business and is partnering with the nonprofit Real Food for Kids to serve free lunches to local children affected by the shutdown of schools.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Supermarket Anxiety Is A Real Thing. Here's How To Overcome It.

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Groceries are an essential part of life, but food shopping is no walk in the park for those with anxiety.
And that’s without a global pandemic. The coronavirus outbreak is sending shoppers to the store in doomsday-like droves. Packed aisles, noisy carts and decision-making overload ― which cause pit-in-the-stomach stress on an ordinary supermarket shop ― are now at an all-time high. A general misunderstanding of how the virus spreads doesn’t help.
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Even without an outbreak, psychologists can attest: Supermarket anxiety is absolutely real — and many are struggling with it now more than ever.
According to Kevin Chapman, a clinical psychologist who specialises in anxiety-related disorders, supermarket anxiety is common. Like other forms of anxiety, it stems from the inability to control the experience.
“The essence of anxiety is thoughts of uncontrollability and unpredictability of a future event,” Chapman told HuffPost. Supermarkets are filled with uncertainty — think parking spots, crowds, food decisions, malfunctioning self-checkout scanners and unbearable cashier lines. That’s why they’re a hotbed of anxiety triggers, Chapman said.
Supermarket industry expert Phil Lempert also attributes in-store stress to the overwhelming number of options. “If we take a look at an average store, it has about 40,000 different products,” he told HuffPost. While anxiety is not a top concern among grocers, they do have their eye on it. “What we’re seeing now, for example, is retailers curating offerings. They may not have 100 bottles of olive oil. They may have 10 that are more relevant.”
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Supermarket anxiety is on a severity continuum.
While having fewer options can help those who struggle with decisions, it’s only a fraction of the larger problem — a problem that Chapman said affects shoppers across a spectrum of stress. “Supermarket anxiety is on a continuum,” he said. “On one end you have the people who can’t wait to go to the supermarket. On the other end would be the extreme cases, like agoraphobia.”
Agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder that causes fear of situations or places where it’s difficult to escape, keeps those with the condition out of crowded places like supermarkets or shopping centres. The National Institution of Mental Health estimates 1.3% of adults struggle with agoraphobia during their lives, which means that same percentage either suffers through supermarket trips or avoids the store altogether.
RapidEye via Getty Images The National Institution of Mental Health estimates 1.3% of U.S. adults struggle with agoraphobia during their lives, which means that same percentage either suffers through grocery store trips, or avoids the store altogether.
“Most people who avoid going places like the supermarket do so not necessarily because of, say, food selections, it has more to do with being in a place where escape might be difficult or embarrassing in the event of having a panic attack,” Chapman said.
According to the Mayo Clinic, agoraphobia often develops after a person has experienced a panic attack, which typically stems from a biological predisposition paired with “generalizsd and specific learning experiences that teach the individual to perceive the physical symptoms of fear as dangerous,” Chapman said. If a person experiences a panic attack in a supermarket, the store could become a trigger for the fear response in the future due to a learned association between fear and the store.
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Can you overcome supermarket anxiety?
Lempert said stores across the country are attempting to curb anxiety through welcoming aesthetics. Some stores now use wood interiors, warm lighting and wall ivy to make shoppers more comfortable while muffling anxiety-triggering sounds like shopping carts and loud speakers. Others even offer in-store registered dieticians to help customers with food decisions.
While these adjustments are all well and good, Chapman said facing even the worst supermarkets head-on is the only long-term cure for this kind of anxiety.
“I’ll be bold and say it is fixable,” he said. “You can programme the memory structure in your brain to see supermarkets as shrug emoji instead of ‘Jaws’ music. First, you have to change your anxious appraisals about the supermarket in and of itself.”
This is cognitive behavioural therapy at its core. Chapman tells his clients to pick more flexible, neutral thoughts about going to the supermarket. “It could be that the supermarket is not that crowded, or it is, but it’s not that big of a deal,” he said. “The generation of different thoughts leads me to be more confident in my approach.”
From here, he urges exposure therapy by facing the supermarket multiple times — in all types of circumstances (yes, even on Super Bowl weekend or Sunday afternoons). “Vary the day of the week, whether you’re going with or without someone, leaving your phone in the car — these are all variables that manage the associated distress,” he said.
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Speaking of variables, Chapman is not a believer in solely shopping during off times or having a supermarket buddy. This triggers what he describes as “safety signals,” which make anxious shoppers feel better in the moment, but can backfire in the long run. “It’s best to get used to any variable that occurs because it’s kind of like you’re saying to your brain, “Even if I face 25 variables — and I still don’t have a panic attack — that must mean supermarkets aren’t dangerous,” he said.
RapidEye via Getty Images The average grocery store offers about 40,000 different products, according to supermarket industry expert Phil Lempert.
Chapman suggests a similar approach for his agoraphobia clients, although he recommends they confront their physical limitations, too. “If someone is sensitive to their heart racing [before shopping], I might get that person to run in place for a whole minute before going to Kroger, because they’re confronting the symptoms and the situation,” he said.
Judgement is a lesser-known supermarket stressor.
According to Chevese Turner, chief policy and strategy officer at the National Eating Disorders Association, another form of supermarket anxiety stems from judgmental glances cast by fellow shoppers. This is particularly tough for those in higher-weight bodies, due to internal and external stigmas and pressures.
“People in higher-weight bodies tend to be anxious about food shopping because they know they’re going to be judged,” she said. “There are all kinds of nightmare stories out there, like people commenting on what the person is buying, or the silent judging.”
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To help those struggling, Turner said a smile or non-food-related conversation with fellow shoppers could help. “If you notice someone is having a difficult time in the supermarket, have a positive conversation with them,” she said. “Don’t get into their business, just be friendly. It could make their day.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Long Lines At Cannabis Cafes Ahead Of Amsterdam Lockdown

Long Lines At Cannabis Cafes Ahead Of Amsterdam Lockdown
As customers in European cities line up to stockpile food and hand sanitisers, some Dutch shoppers have new priorities after the government announced cannabis cafe closures on Sunday. People queued up just minutes after ministers ordered most businesses and schools shut down in a televised press conference.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Home And Away Continues Filming Amid Coronavirus As Star Ada Nicodemou Says She's 'Anxious And 'Scar

Home And Away Continues Filming Amid Coronavirus As Star Ada Nicodemou Says She's 'Anxious And 'Scared'

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Australian soap Home and Away has continued its filming schedule amid the coronavirus outbreak.
On Tuesday, one of its longest standing cast members, Ada Nicodemou, opened up to fans about feeling “anxious and scared” about Covid-19 while she prepared for another day of shooting on set.
Home and Away has continued filming amid the coronavirus outbreak. Channel Seven
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The 42-year-old said in a video shared on her Instagram story: “Hey everyone, just in my dressing room at work,”
“I really don’t know why I’m videoing, I’m just feeling quite anxious and scared. I hope everyone out there is staying safe. Just be kind everyone, we’ll get through it.”
Ada then admitted, she was “just feeling really flat today”, before ending her message with, “stay safe”.
Home And Away star Ada Nicodemou in her work dressing room on Tuesday Instagram/Ada Nicodemou
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Home And Away – which airs in the UK on Channel 5 – films its internal scenes in Sydney’s Eveleigh. HuffPost Australia has confirmation that a case of Covid-19 was recently “in the building”. The show’s external scenes are shot at Palm Beach in NSW.
HuffPost Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.
Several TV shows in the US and UK have already been affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Two NBC late night shows – The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers – are suspending production amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The shows will not come back until at least 30 March, The New York Times and Variety first reported.
Production on both BBC dramas Line Of Duty and Peaky Blinders has been halted as a precautionary measure, as the UK deals with the rising number of cases of coronavirus.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Tom Hanks And Rita Wilson Leave Hospital After Coronavirus Treatment

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Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have left hospital after receiving treatment for coronavirus.
A representative for the couple confirmed they are now in self-isolation at a rented home in Australia.
Tom and Rita, who have been married for more than 30 years, announced they had been diagnosed with Covid-19 last week, contracting the virus while working Down Under.
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Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Instagram
Tom, 63, had been filming Baz Luhrmann’s as-yet untitled Elvis Presley biopic for Warner Bros, in which he will play the singer’s manager Colonel Tom Parker.
Following his diagnosis, production on the film was halted.
There are currently 375 confirmed cases of the virus in Australia.
Tom had previously offered thanks to “the helpers” while he was in hospital.
He shared a photo of a stuffed kangaroo and koala and a piece of toast thickly spread with Australian staple Vegemite.
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Tom and Rita are not the only high-profile stars to test positive for Covid-19.
On Monday, Idris Elba told fans he had the virus, but said he feels “OK” and does not have any symptoms.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Trump Urges Avoiding Crowds Over 10 People To Prevent Coronavirus Spread

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In his most serious remarks yet about the dangers of the coronavirus outbreak, President Donald Trump urged Americans on Monday to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people and to stay away from various public places.
He said the new guidelines apply to everyone, “including the young and healthy,” for the next 15 days. His tone was very different from it has been at previous news conferences, when he has downplayed the threat of the virus.
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“We’ve made the decision to further toughen the guidelines and blunt the infection now,” Trump said. “We’d much rather be ahead of the curve than behind it, and that’s what we are.”
NEW: Pres. Trump outlines new guidelines for Americans, "including the young and healthy," including engaging in home education, avoiding gatherings of more than 10, avoiding discretionary travel, and avoiding bars, restaurants and food courts. https://t.co/DE3Gmeo5cQ pic.twitter.com/O4DRltS84s — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) March 16, 2020
Trump said people should participate in school from home if possible, avoid discretionary travel, and stop going out to bars and restaurants.
While answering reporters’ questions after his initial address, Trump contradicted himself and said these guidelines could be in place until July or August. However, Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, stepped in to clarify that these guidelines are only in place for 15 days.
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Trump brushed off criticism that the US has been too slow in responding to the crisis, saying, “We have a problem that a month ago nobody ever thought about.” The US confirmed its first coronavirus case, in Washington state, nearly two months ago.
He also commended his administration for focusing on controlling the spread via border control, calling various travel bans “very good early decisions.” When asked how he’d rate his response to the virus, he gave himself a 10 out of 10, much like he did after a hurricane ravaged Puerto Rico in 2017.
But the US is still only conducting a small fraction of the number of coronavirus tests that other countries are doing ― a comparison that appeared to peeve Trump.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--3,800 Leave Cruise Ship Unscreened After Former Passenger Tests Positive: Report

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Some 3,800 passengers were allowed to disembark from a cruise ship in Miami Sunday unscreened for coronavirus, even though a previous passenger had tested positive for the illness, The Miami Herald reported. Many of those passengers went directly to Miami International Airport to head home.
The former passenger departed from the MSC Meraviglia on March 8 after taking a Caribbean cruise, leaving behind the crew and 103 passengers for the next voyage, according to the Herald. The ship then picked up thousands of additional passengers.
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On March 12, Canada’s Public Health Agency informed the cruise line that the passenger had tested positive for COVID-19, the newspaper reported.
After officials received the notice from Canada, MSC Cruises placed seven crew members in isolation; however, everyone else was allowed to leave the ship in Miami. Officials told the Herald that none of the passengers was exhibiting any symptoms.
Due to the evolving situation with COVID-19, MSC Cruises has cancelled all Caribbean cruises until April 30. We want to reassure you we will keep on sailing soon! Please have a look at all of the itinerary changes in the Caribbean here: https://t.co/Cqwb4GZfUj pic.twitter.com/ZVoscA84U0 — MSC Cruises (USA) (@MSCCruisesUSA) March 14, 2020
Failing to screen could have dire consequences. The first person to die of coronavirus in California was a passenger on the Grand Princess cruise ship where guests and crew members tested positive for the disease on a subsequent voyage.
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In contrast to what happened in Miami, the Grand Princess was ordered to remain off the coast of California until screening protocols were established. Once the ship docked in Oakland last week, all passengers were screened in a fenced-off section of the port. American passengers were then quarantined at U.S. military bases while foreign guests and crew members were transported to their home countries on charter flights.
A passenger on the MSC Meraviglia from South Carolina told the Herald he learned of the previous passenger’s illness in a letter from the cruise operator.
“If we have it, it’s going to spread throughout the country,” he told the newspaper. “When I say there was no check, there was none whatsoever. I expected us to have some kind of a screening. They didn’t do a single thing. We walked straight off the ship.”
MSC Cruises spokesperson Alyssa Goldfarb told the Herald that the company “worked closely” with Canadian health authorities, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and officials from the Port of Miami, and “followed all protocols as required.”
“MSC Meraviglia received clearance after health authorities reviewed all the necessary documentation regarding the health of passengers and crew on board,” she stated.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Norway College Urges Students To Return From 'Poorly Developed' U.S. Amid Pandemic

“In line with the advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I, as NTNU’s Rector, strongly recommend that all NTNU students who are outside Norway return home.
This applies especially if you are staying in a country with poorly developed health services. This also applies for countries with poorly developed collective infrastructure, for example the USA, where it can be difficult to get transport to the airport if you don’t have a car. The same applies if you don’t have health insurance.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Italy Has Been Trying To Send Us A Warning. Will We Listen?

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Italians, their country locked down with the world’s second-highest number of Covid-19 infections after China, are sounding a dire warning for other countries about what could be in store for them if they don’t take the pandemic seriously.
Italy’s coronavirus infections have surpassed 24,000. Over the weekend, the country reported 368 deaths in 24 hours ― a toll that exceeded China’s highest single-day number at the height of its outbreak, according to The New York Times.
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Humbled by the experience of showing the world what not to do, quarantined Italians, including health care workers, are sharing what they’ve learned, admonishing people to take the virus seriously and to heed advice not to gather.
“In Italy we waited too long, these countries should really start implementing aggressive containment measures now,” Italian researcher Silvia Merler wrote on Twitter last week. She posted a “lag tracker” graphic showing Covid-19 cases in the US and other countries are now following the trajectory of the outbreak in Italy 13 to 16 days earlier.
📊 France, Spain and Germany are about 9 to 10 days behind Italy in #COVID19 progression; the UK and the US follow at 13 to 16 days. In Italy we waited too long, these countries should really start implementing aggressive containment measures now. pic.twitter.com/xL7jUczpmY — Silvia Merler (@SMerler) March 10, 2020
Other Italians also are using Twitter to tell people that their situation is “not good” and that they should learn from Italy’s “mistakes.”
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Dr Marco Vergano, an anaesthetist at San Giovanni Bosco hospital in Turin, told HuffPost via email that it’s “evident” to him that “acting like a community, rather than personally feeling violated in individual freedom will be more difficult for Americans than for Europeans.”
Americans, Vergano said, “should stop believing that Covid-19 is a ‘bad flu’” and “stop circulating low-quality information and ‘fake news.’”
The US “should abandon woefully incompetent political leaders, that in an unprecedented emergency like this can lead the country to a catastrophe,” Vergano advised. “They should not panic, but in case restrictive measures are difficult to enforce without panic, well... then a bit of ‘fruitful panic’ may be useful!” He said Americans should take “advantage of the few weeks between Italy and US.”
Cristina Higgins, who lives in Bergamo, wrote on Facebook last week that Americans and some Europeans “are weeks away from where we are today in Italy.”
“You have a chance to make a difference and stop the spread in your country,” Higgins wrote. “Push for the entire office to work at home today, cancel birthday parties, and other gatherings, stay home as much as you can. If you have a fever, any fever, stay home. Push for school closures, now. Anything you can do to stop the spread because it is spreading in your communities – there is a two week incubation period – and if you do these things now you can buy your medical system time.”
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Dr Daniele Macchini, who’s also from Bergamo, wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook post that Italy has so many patients it’s impossible to give all of them adequate care.
“The display boards with the names of the sick, of different colours depending on the operating unit they belong to, are now all red and instead of the surgical operation there is the diagnosis, which is always the same cursed: bilateral interstitial pneumonia,” Macchini wrote in her essay, according to a translation.
Hospital employees wearing a protection mask and gear tend to a patient at the Brescia hospital, Lombardy, on March 13, 2020. MIGUEL MEDINA via Getty Images
“The epidemiological disaster is taking place. And there are no more surgeons, urologists, orthopedists, we are only doctors who suddenly become part of a single team to face this tsunami that has overwhelmed us,” Macchini wrote. “The cases multiply, we arrive at the rate of 15-20 hospitalizations a day all for the same reason. The results of the swabs now come one after the other: positive, positive, positive. Suddenly the emergency room is collapsing.”
Macchini warned people to stay away from “the theater, museums or gym” and to have “mercy on that myriad of older people you could exterminate.”
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“Please, listen to us, try to leave the house only to indispensable things,” he added.
Roberta Re, a nurse at Piacenza hospital in Emilia-Romagna, told The Guardian that working to help people recover from the coronavirus is akin to “a world war.”
“But it’s a war that isn’t fightable with traditional arms ― as we don’t yet know who the enemy is and so it’s difficult to fight,” Re said. “The only weapon we do have to avoid things getting even worse is to stay at home and to respect the rules, to do what they did in China, as this is paying off.”
Giacomo Grasselli, a senior Italian health official working in Lombardy, likened the coronavirus escalation to “a bomb that exploded.”
“Everything happens very quickly, if one had told me that in two weeks we would have created 500 new ICU beds … I would have said ‘OK you’re crazy,’” Grasselli told the United Kingdom’s Channel 4.
“Everyone must understand” what he said is “very, very important for every country,” namely “to behave in some way in order to avoid the spread of the disease.”
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Many Americans appear to be ignoring the message. Despite warnings to avoid public spaces and crowds, many people over the weekend continued gathering at restaurants, bars and other places as they normally would in a world without a pandemic.
On Baltimore’s historic Fort Avenue, “every bar and restaurant is packed,” a Baltimore Sun reporter tweeted on Friday. In New York City on Saturday night, people waited in a long line to crowd into a bar.
Waiting on line to get into a packed Second Avenue bar...
Millennial Darwinism. pic.twitter.com/XDnI8JBpRL — Mark B. Spiegel (@markbspiegel) March 15, 2020
In Washington, DC, dozens of people waited to get inside the bar Sauf Haus.
Here’s that line I took from across the street. It was really bad - that bar is tiny and should not have been open and packed today pic.twitter.com/zZsOBFdbCb — Anjali Kumar, Ph.D. 🏳🌈 (@anjalikumar6) March 15, 2020
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And in Florida, Disney World looked typically congested.
Current crowds at the Magic Kingdom for tonight's showing of Happily Ever After... #DisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/xtBoObaQAx — WDW News Today (@WDWNT) March 16, 2020
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday released new advice that goes along with some of what the Italians are saying, suggesting that gatherings of more than 50 people should be cancelled or postponed for at least eight weeks. Some states and local governments imposed their own rules, closing schools, restaurants and bars.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Seven Things You Need To Know About Coronavirus Today

Concerns over the coronavirus pandemic have led to major changes around the globe as the rate of infection grows.
The number of people to test positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Tuesday is 1,950, up from 1,543 on Monday, the Department of Health said.
A total of 50,442 people have been tested with 48,492 negative results.
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The Department of Health said on Tuesday that 71 people in the UK are known to have died after testing positive for the virus. A second Scot and a second person in Wales were confirmed to have died, along with 14 in England.
Here are the key developments you need to know today:
Queen cancels garden parties
Buckingham Palace said on Tuesday that changes were being made to the Queen’s diary “as a sensible precaution and for practical reasons in the current circumstances”.
Garden parties at the palace planned for May have been scrapped, with invitees expected to attend next year instead, and the Maundy Service at St George’s Chapel on April 9 will not go ahead.
The monarch will leave Buckingham Palace for Windsor Castle a week earlier than planned, on March 19, and the palace said “it is likely” she will stay there beyond the Easter break.
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She will be based at her favourite home with a reduced household and will be following appropriate advice, a source said.
Suspension of public worship
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York has called on the Church of England to suspend public worship to help stem the spread of Covid-19.
But they said that far from having to “shut up shop”, the Church of England must face the challenge by becoming a radically different kind of church rooted in prayer and serving others.
The Archbishops expressed the desire that church buildings may, where practical, remain open as places of prayer for the community, observing social distancing recommendations.
They also invited clergy to maintain the ancient pattern of daily prayer and, where possible, the eucharist – live streaming their worship if they have the resources to do so.
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Today, Archbishop @JohnSentamu and I are calling @churchofengland to suspend public worship to help stem the spread of #coronavirus. We must be a radically different church for now – but one that’s hopeful, prayerful and committed to serving others: https://t.co/cU8ZQIdzcb — Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) March 17, 2020
Non-urgent elective surgery suspended
NHS England is suspending non-urgent elective surgery to free up beds for coronavirus patients, chief executive Sir Simon Stevens has said.
Sir Simon told the Commons Health and Social Care Committee operations would be suspended from April 15 at the latest for at least three months.
“In readiness for the likely influx of more coronavirus patients, we are going to be taking concerted action across the NHS,” he said, calling for the freeing up of “up to a third of the general and acute beds – perhaps 30,000 of those general and acute beds – for coronavirus patients”.
He said they were also working intensively with community health services and social care to “unblock” some of the discharge processes, and with community and independent hospitals to bring back capacity for coronavirus patients.
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Government to unveil new financial measures
Boris Johnson urged everyone to avoid unnecessary social contact on Monday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Boris Johnson’s government is set to announce more financial measures to assist the economy during the coronavirus pandemic, in response to concerns that latest warnings could harm businesses.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to appear at the Downing Street news conference later today, the BBC reports.
Business leaders - from transport bosses to pub and restaurant owners - have been calling on the government to help them amid the crisis.
Leaders of the hospitality industry are calling for immediate action to support it financially after Johnson advised people not to go out but stopped short of ordering entertainment venues to close.
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The British Beer and Pub Association has written to Mr Johnson, demanding urgent steps are taken to prevent mass job losses and permanent pub closures.
Meanwhile, Charlie Cornish, the boss of Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, warned the coronavirus outbreak is “the greatest threat the UK’s travel sector has ever faced.”
It comes as cabinet minister Oliver Dowden said he was staying at home after a family member developed coronavirus-type symptoms.
The culture secretary said on Twitter: “A member of my family currently has #covidー19uk symptoms so in line with government advice I will be remaining at home.
“I’m feeling fine and will of course be working on @DCMS priorities in these very challenging times, and continuing to support my constituents in Hertsmere.”
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Parents are taking their kids out of school
As of Monday evening, the UK government has resisted pressure to close schools amid the coronavirus outbreak. picture alliance via Getty Images
Growing numbers of parents concerned about the spread of coronavirus are choosing to ignore official advice by keeping their children off school to protect their health and that of vulnerable relatives.
Mother-of-three Jazmine Parham, from King’s Sutton, told HuffPost UK she mulled over the situation over the weekend before deciding to keep them off school starting this week.
“We are a very high risk family and I just cannot take the chance of my children getting ill with coronavirus themselves or them being carriers and giving it to high risk members of the family,” she said.
The government has so far resisted pressure to close schools in the same way other countries have done to tackle the spread of Covid-19 – but there is mounting unease at the escalating situation, which has led to some parents taking the decision into their own hands.
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Iran releases 85,000 prisoners
Iran has temporarily freed around 85,000 prisoners – including British-Iranian mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe – in response to the coronavirus outbreak, a spokesman for its judiciary has confirmed on Tuesday.
“Some 50% of those released are security-related prisoners... also in the jails we have taken precautionary measures to confront the outbreak,” said Gholamhossein Esmaili.
On March 10, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran said he had asked Tehran to free all political prisoners temporarily from its overcrowded and disease-ridden jails to help stem the spread of coronavirus.
Gatwick job losses and airlines cut flights
Airlines are responding to the outbreak. NurPhoto via Getty Images
Gatwick Airport said it had laid off 200 staff as part of “decisive action to protect the business”.
It will also be closed to flights between midnight and 5.30am with immediate effect, except for emergency landings.
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The airport’s chief executive Stewart Wingate and his executive team will take a 20% salary cut and waive any bonus for the current financial year.
Virgin Atlantic will also cut four-fifths of its flights and has asked staff to take eight weeks of unpaid leave
Ryanair and EasyJet are grounding most of their fleets, while BA owner IAG is to cut capacity by 75%.
Norwegian Air has cancelled thousands of flights and more than 7,500 staff will be made redundant.
Holiday company Tui, the UK’s biggest travel company, has suspended “the vast majority” of its holidays, while P&O Cruises and Cunard have cancelled all cruises until April 11.
Hundreds of Brazilian prisoners escape
Hundreds of prisoners broke out of four Brazilian jails on Monday, the day before their day-release privileges were due to be suspended over the coronavirus outbreak.
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The Sao Paulo state prison authority said it could not say how many inmates had escaped as it was “still tallying the exact number of fugitives.”
Local media reported that as many as 1,000 had fled from four jails – Mongaguá, Tremembé, Porto Feliz and Mirandópolis – ahead of the lockdown.
Supermarkets tackle panic buying
Thousands of Brits have been panic buying in response to the outbreak and growing uncertainty. Owen Humphreys - PA Images via Getty Images
Scores of shoppers have been panic-buying essentials, including toilet paper, as fears intensify over the spread of Covid-19.
Retailers have since reported a rise in abuse of staff as a result, despite supermarkets calling for calm from shoppers.
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This has prompted retailers to take a stand.
Tesco is imposing a maximum purchase limit (five per customer) on items including anti-bacterial products, dried pasta and UHT milk.
Boots and LloydsPharmacy have limited the sale of hand sanitiser.
And an Iceland store in west Belfast said it’s opening between 8-9am for the elderly, starting this Tuesday, so they can get what they need.
Shutdowns announced
Odeon cinemas have all closed following guidance issued on Covid-19.
In a statement posted on Twitter, the cinema chain said: “Following government guidelines Odeon cinemas are closed until further notice.
“If you have pre-booked tickets online these will be refunded automatically.”
Cineworld and Picturehouse has announced the closure of all its cinemas across the UK starting from Wednesday and in Ireland starting on Tuesday until further notice. Vue cinema chain is also closing all 91 of its cinemas from today until further notice.
The Royal Albert Hall has announced it has closed its doors due to the coronavirus outbreak, as has the Barbican.
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The Tate has announced its museums will be closed from this evening through to May 1. There are four Tate galleries: the Tate Modern and Tate Britain in London, the Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives.
The National Portrait Gallery in London will close temporarily from March 18, as will the British Museum and the Natural History has closed its buildings in South Kensington and Tring.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Carphone Warehouse To Axe 2,900 Jobs As All Standalone Stores Close

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Retailer Dixons Carphone has said it will axe 2,900 jobs under plans to close all 531 of its standalone Carphone Warehouse stores.
The group said the shops – which make up around 8% of the entire group’s selling space – will shut on April 3 as it plans to sell mobile phones solely in its 305 combined Currys PC World stores and online across the UK.
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It expects to make 2,900 redundancies, but said almost 1,800 affected staff are set to take new roles elsewhere in the business.
The group’s 70 Carphone Warehouse stores in Ireland will remain open and its international operations are unaffected.
Today we’re taking the next step in our transformation by joining up our UK Mobile operations with the wider business. We will close our UK standalone Carphone Warehouse shops to focus on selling mobiles & connectivity in our Currys PCWorld stores & onlinehttps://t.co/AzkRUlBMRg pic.twitter.com/Ly6BsNAg4I — Dixons Carphone plc (@DixonsCarphone) March 17, 2020
Dixons Carphone said the move is “essential” to help turn around its UK mobile arm, which is set to make a £90 million loss this year.
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Carphone Warehouse group chief executive Alex Baldock said: “There’s never an easy time for an announcement like this, but the turbulent times ahead only underline the importance of acting now.”
He added: “We’re working hard to look after those colleagues we can’t find new roles for, financially and otherwise.
“We’ll pay enhanced redundancy, any bonuses, honour their share awards, and help them find new jobs through an outplacement programme.”
Dixons Carphone said it had not yet seen a large hit from the coronavirus crisis across its core chain apart from supply issues, but is “preparing for one”.
However, its 29 travel stores have been badly affected by the outbreak as passenger numbers plummet, and it is expecting profits from the division to be knocked by around £5 million.
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And it warned of an impact from the Greek government’s decision to close shops for two weeks from March 18.
However, it said both the travel and Greek businesses are small parts of the overall group and stuck by its full-year profits guidance.
We don’t underestimate how upsetting this news will be for our colleagues, and we’ll treat everyone with honesty, respect and care. We want to keep as many of our colleagues as we can and expect to find roles for almost 40% of those affected.https://t.co/hgyHTPjlcX — Dixons Carphone plc (@DixonsCarphone) March 17, 2020
The firm said it had also seen a “notable” rise in demand for fridges and freezers, small domestic appliances and laptops as people prepare for home working and potential self-isolation.
Dixons Carphone said: “We are aware that our stores could experience a significant reduction in sales in the months ahead and we are modelling a range of downside scenarios and planning accordingly.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Game Of Thrones Star Kristofer Hivju Tests Positive For Coronavirus

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Game Of Thrones star Kristofer Hivju has revealed he has tested positive for coronavirus.
The actor - who plays Tormund Giantsbane in the fantasy series - shared a lengthy statement on Instagram explaining he was self-isolating at home in Norway.
Kristofer Hivju played Tormund Giantsbane in Game Of Thrones. HBO
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Sharing a selfie, he wrote: “Greetings from Norway! Sorry to say that I, today, have tested positive for COVID19, Coronavirus. My family and I are self-isolating at home for as long as it takes.
“We are in good health – I only have mild symptoms of a cold.”
The 41-year-old continued: “There are people at higher risk for who this virus might be a devastating diagnosis, so I urge all of you to be extremely careful; wash your hands, keep 1.5 meters distance from others, go in quarantine; just do everything you can to stop the virus from spreading.”
Kristofer’s Game Of Thrones co-star John Bradley, who plays Samwell Tarley, was one of the first to share their well wishes.
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“Oh mate. Sending my love to you all. Get well,” he wrote.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--The Definitive Ranking Of The 35 Greatest Neighbours Characters Of All Time: #20-11

Neighbours Shutterstock/HuffPost
This article was originally published for Neighbours’ 35th anniversary in 2020.
Our countdown of Neighbours’ most memorable residents has already included some big hitters.
We’re now into the Top 20, which includes another two of Paul Robinson’s wives, an ugly duckling who transformed into a swan and a pair of identical twins…
20. Terese Willis
Rebekah Elmaloglou, 2013-
Network 10
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The moment we first saw the new Lassiters Hotel manager, we knew she was here to stay. The second wife of returning 90s character Brad Willis, Terese has not only managed to outlast Brad and their three children but she’s now half of an Erinsborough power couple thanks to marrying Paul. This pocket dynamo is capable on the work front, but can be hot tempered and impulsive in matters of the heart. (Which just makes her more fun to watch). Usually always in full control, Terese’s battle with the bottle saw her go off the rails in spectacular style. Paul has definitely met his match with wife number six.
19. Jim Robinson
Alan Dale, 1985-93; 2019
Network 10
The patriarch of the Robinson clan, Jim provided an anchor during all the comings and goings of the show’s first decade. Introduced as a widower living with his mother in law and his four children, engineer Jim was generally a calm and reasonable figure. His most memorable moment came during his unintentionally hilarious death scene, when he collapsed and died of a heart attack on the floor of the Robinson kitchen, knocking over Helen’s fruit bowl in the process.
Brilliantly, Jim would resurface 25 years later to give some harsh life lessons to son Paul, who saw a vision of his dead dad in a Christmas bauble. Neighbours, don’t ever change.
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18. Steph Scully
Carla Bonner, 1999-2010;2013; 2015-18
Network 10
The coolest biker chick to ever rev up Ramsay Street, Steph had a torrid time of it over the years. She survived breast cancer, being jilted at the altar, infidelity, imprisonment, losing custody of her son, a stabbing and being sectioned. Steph’s fragile mental state and fluid sexuality made her one of the most intriguingly complex characters the show has ever had. A big fan favourite, we hope we haven’t seen the last of Steph.
17. Lou Carpenter
Tom Oliver, 1988; 1992-2016
Network 10
Loveable rogue Lou was first introduced as Harold’s nemesis from their schooldays who’d always fancied Madge. Lou scarpered after failing to stop her from marrying ‘Jelly Belly’ but returned to Erinsborough four years later once Harold was presumed dead. A failed engagement to Madge followed, before Lou married the ill-fated Cheryl Stark. At various times a used car salesman, a publican, a garage owner and a shopkeeper, Lou wasn’t averse to a dodgy deal but he usually got away with it thanks to those twinkly eyes and that dirty laugh. His most enduring partnership was with Harold – their odd couple double act gave us plenty of laughs.
16. Jane Harris
Annie Jones, 1986-89; 2005; 2018-
Network 10
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Studious and serious, bespectacled schoolgirl Jane lived with her strict nan Mrs Mangel and was bullied at school, earning the nickname ‘Plain Jane Superbrain.’ Her friendship with the more outgoing Charlene helped mousy Jane to come out of her shell. Her biggest moment was when Mike asked her to be his date for the end of year school dance. Even though Jane was clearly gorgeous, when she ditched the glasses and had a complete makeover it was the biggest transformation we’d ever seen.
15/14. Dee Bliss / Andrea Sommers
Madeleine West, 2000-03; 2017; 2019 and Madeleine West, 2017-19
Network 10
Sweet natured nurse Dee had been cheated on by two different boyfriends, so she was due a happy ending when she married her housemate Toadie in 2003. Alas, his careless driving after their wedding reception memorably saw them drive off a cliff into the sea. Poor Dee’s body was never found and she was presumed dead. A grief-stricken Toadie eventually moved on, but viewers always held out hope that his bride would eventually ‘do a Harold’ and return from the dead.
Fast forward 13 years and our prayers were answered when a visitor appeared on Toadie’s doorstep claiming to be Dee. Which is when things got really complicated. As Toadie tried to process the idea that Dee was actually alive, and that her teenage daughter Willow was also his child, his current wife Sonya had her suspicions.
The eventual reveal that Dee wasn’t Dee but was instead a lookalike scammer called Andrea Somers sent Neighbours fans into overdrive. The twists and turns multiplied, as Andrea prowled around her motel room sipping white wine and cooking up a plan to steal Toadie and Sonya’s savings. And this was all before the real Dee also turned up, alive and well.
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Faked DNA tests, a moment of adultery caught on Skype, a backstory involving nuns and identical twins and some glorious split screen action when Dee and Andrea eventually came face to face – this insanely OTT saga had it all and more. One of the most genuinely brilliant storylines of any soap, period.
13. Gail Robinson
Fiona Corke, 1987-89; 2005-07; 2019
Network 10
The true love of Paul’s life, smart cookie Gail only wed him – in the Robinsons’ living room - as a marriage of convenience to secure a business deal from Japanese businessman Mr Udagawa. (Hey, it made sense at the time). Inevitably, the couple fell in love for real but ambitious Paul’s dedication to the dollar eventually drove Gail away. Seven months pregnant with triplets, she fled. She has since returned for more drama and is always welcomed by fans. Gail served so much high-powered executive realness back in the Eighties that a ‘Fiona Corke’s wardrobe by Kamizole’ mention was a highlight of the show’s end credits. Iconic.
12. Izzy Hoyland
Natalie Bassingthwaighte, 2003-07; 2018
Network 10
Untrustworthy, manipulative and definitely not a girl’s girl, homewrecker Izzy tore through Erinsborough like a massively entertaining tornado. Neighbours had shied away from ‘superbitch’ characters before, but with Izzy they fully embraced the mayhem. Karl had already strayed from Susan in the 90s with brunette secretary Sarah. But it was his 00s dalliance with blonde troublemaker Izzy which saw all hell break loose, including paternity lies and several slanging matches between Susan and ‘Isabelle.’ Bizarrely, Izzy’s one true friend throughout it all was Harold.
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11. Sonya Rebecchi
Eve Morey, 2009-20
Network 10
Before we met her, Sonya had a troubled past involving addictions to drugs, alcohol and gambling, but she went on to become one of the show’s most beloved characters of recent times. As mayor of Erinsborough she brought a grounded, relatable presence to the show, and her previous life experiences gave her some hard-earned empathy.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--The Best Fitness Apps For Home Workouts. Yes, We've Tried Them

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With Brits now essentially on lockdown and only able to leave the house in exceptional circumstances, you may be looking to work out at home, in the garden or in the park – at a clear and safe distance from others, of course.
If you’re someone who loves going to fitness classes or the gym, these latest Coronavirus measures probably feel like a hefty spanner in the works. In uncertain times, exercise is important for both our physical health and mental wellbeing – and can really help to stave off the existential wobbles.
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But panic not, there are great workouts you can do from home – and many of them are completely free. We don’t know about you but we felt really inspired by those videos of residents exercising on their balconies in Seville, despite being in lockdown.
So, here are the best fitness apps and online resources to keep active, as tried and recommended by team HuffPost UK.
Westend61 via Getty Images
Recommended by Brogan Driscoll, Life Editor
I’ve been using Down Dog for about six months and love how personalised it is: I’ve never done the same sequence twice. You completely customise your settings to suit you: if you want a full practice or something more restorative, those options are available, and you can specify how long you want your ‘savasana’ to be – or whether you want one at all.
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There are five experience levels to choose from – beginner to advanced – and you can boost your session with hip flexor stretches or core strengthening, among other options. You can also specify the music and choose from six instructor voices (ideal if one of them starts to get on your nerves).
Once you’ve made your selection the app generates a bespoke yoga sequence, all you need to do is find a zen space to roll out your mat. Yoga can be expensive, but this app makes it super accessible – especially as it’s now offering free membership due to the coronavirus outbreak. The company has a range of other fitness apps (also currently free): Yoga For Beginners, HIIT, Barre and 7 Minute, which has full body workouts that last for, yes, 7 minutes.
Recommended by Ashley Percival, Entertainment Editor
This isn’t strictly an app, but Joe Wicks (aka The Body Coach) has a wealth of online content to help you work out at home. On his YouTube channel, there’s a host of HIIT sessions (high intensity interval training – or short bursts of exercise followed by a rest) that cater for all abilities.
So this is good, whether you’re a beginner, injured or can only cope with low impact, or you’re looking for something that’s going to make you SWEAT. And the great thing is, the majority of them don’t require any equipment at all, just using bodyweight exercises that can be done in even the smallest of spaces – great for if your house share isn’t blessed with much floorspace.
Wicks is also brilliant at talking you through each exercise – with encouraging words to help you through when you might be about to give up, too.
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Recommended by Brogan Driscoll, Life Editor
Some people have got their shit together when it comes to exercise: they know how to use all the equipment in the gym, can create their own workout, and are incredibly self-motivated. I am not one of these people, which is where this app comes in. It’s super accessible with a variety of workouts to choose from. You can even get started on a training plan to keep you motivated (and accountable).
You can browse exercises for different muscle groups, choose between different workout types (endurance, mobility, strength, yoga) and specify what equipment you have (don’t worry, there are lots of exercises that include no equipment).
The workouts are designed by Nike Master Trainers (the brand’s elite trainers) and come with a banging playlist, so you don’t waste time faffing with your own music. I’d recommend the bodyweight only four-week plan as a good place to start.
Recommended by Jess Pitocchi, Deputy Audience Editor
As a complete novice runner who made the sensible decision to run the London Marathon (now postponed for six months, sob), I’ve been on the lookout for some guidance to help me make sense of where and how to start training.
Enter, Nike Run Club. This app has the capability to create a training plan from scratch based on your current level of fitness. The plan is manageable, adaptable and flexible for when life and other things get in the way. It also syncs up with my fitness watch like a dream and other activities like spin and even just daily footsteps fold into my overall plan.
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For me the best thing about this app is the guided runs – a feature where a coach pops up in your ears every few songs to offer you words of non-cringe inducing encouragement. My favourite part on a long run is where Coach Bennet asks you quick-fire questions to distract you from your legs on fire. Although panting my answers aloud (think “cats”... “pizza”... “reading a book”) does result in some funny looks from passers-by. Now at a distance, of course.
Recommended by Chris York, Senior News Reporter
Sworkit touts itself as a “personal trainer app”, only without the subscription fees, gym, and actual hired help that a personal trainer normally entails. It covers a huge range of programmes that guide you over the course of a few weeks and whether you’re an unfit mess looking to run 10k or a budding athlete keen to indulge in some high intensity training, there’s something for you. There’s also some niche but potentially really useful stuff too – pre- and post-pregnancy workouts and rehabilitation if you’ve got an injury.
It’s easy to set up and there are little videos to show you how to do the movements. My biggest success has been doing a few of the yoga courses. I can now touch my toes for the first time without something snapping.
It does have its limits – to really justify the £55 annual cost, you need plenty of space and some basic equipment like a kettlebell or some dumbbells and resistance bands to get the most out of it. Or, take it with you to the gym and use theirs. It’s still way cheaper than an actual PT and you can certainly achieve a solid level of fitness with it, even if an app will never replace the real thing.
Recommended by Sarah Turnidge, News Reporter
It wasn’t until I moved to Bristol 18 months ago that I decided I was going to give running a proper go, but in a sustainable way that wouldn’t put me off for life. I’d heard loads of good things about the Couch to 5k Challenge, and had even tried it a few times (but always given up) so that seemed like a good place to start.
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The One You app is free, really intuitive, and being sponsored by the BBC even gives you four different “celebrity trainers” to guide you along; Sarah Millican, Jo Whiley, Michael Johnson and Sanjeev Kohli. It breaks running down into a nine-week course, that’ll get you from barely being able to shuffle to the end of the road, to jogging confidently for 30 minutes.
Starting out for a minute at a time is about as gentle an introduction as you could hope for, and I was genuinely surprised by how much I could feel myself improving with every level. The app really reinforces the self-confidence aspect of running – the first time it told me to run for 20 minutes I thought “no way”, but it turned out the app had given me all the training I needed, and I was away.
The app is really designed to be deleted. Once my nine weeks was up I said goodbye and moved on to the tracking app Strava and now I’m running at least 10km a week – something I never would have thought possible.
Recommended by Rachel Moss, Life Reporter
I’m not a die-hard yogi, but I’ve been using this YouTube channel for over a year, logging on sporadically to help ease aches and pains or unwind after a stressful day. The tutorials are super straightforward and easy to follow even if you’re a total beginner or, like me, painfully inflexible and naturally clumsy.
Adriene’s back catalogue contains more than 550 videos, meaning every time I’ve logged on, I’ve found something that fulfils my needs to a tee. There are tutorials aimed as specific body parts such as ‘yoga for neck ache’ or ‘yoga for lower back pain’, which I’d highly recommend and come in handy if you’re feeling stiff after a day working from home.
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But the tutorials that focus on wellbeing seem particularly suitable right now – try ‘yoga to heal stress’ or ‘yoga to unwind’ when the world feels a bit too noisy.
The tutorials vary in length, meaning it’s easy to find something to suit your schedule. The seven-minute videos can spark a quick burst of energy if you complete them on a lunch break, while the 35-minute videos are great if you want a genuine workout that gets the heart rate going.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid Self-Isolating After One Of her Children Shows Coronavirus Sympt

Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid Self-Isolating After One Of her Children Shows Coronavirus Symptoms

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Susanna Reid will be absent from Good Morning Britain for at least two weeks after one of her children developed symptoms of coronavirus.
The 49-year-old, who hosts the ITV breakfast show alongside Piers Morgan, said she is “currently well” but adopting the precautionary measures.
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I am currently well but due to the new advice today I will be self-isolating for two weeks due to symptoms in my household. Stay well everyone ♥ — Susanna Reid (@susannareid100) March 16, 2020
“I am currently well but due to the new advice today I will be self-isolating for two weeks due to symptoms in my household,” she wrote on Twitter. “Stay well everyone.”
During a live link-up on Tuesday’s GMB, Susanna told co-host Piers: “One of my children has a cough, a persistent cough. And that came on yesterday. Before the briefing yesterday afternoon, the advice had been the person themselves would be confined to the house for seven days.
“Well, suddenly with these new drastic action measures, that changed yesterday afternoon. It meant if one member of your household had the cough or fever you would all have to go in self isolation for 14 days. Immediately, I thought I can’t go into work and work with you guys for 14 days.
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“All the children are off. We’re two households. It’s a very unusual situation. I am very, very lucky. I’m paid even when I’m sick. I’m in a privileged position.”
Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
The news follows newsreader George Alagiah’s “difficult decision” to withdraw from the BBC’s newsroom amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The 64-year-old was diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer in April 2014 and continues to receive treatment.
His agent said he will self-isolating after consulting with his doctors and editor.
George Alagiah in the BBC World News studio Jeff Overs via Getty Images
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George said: “It’s been a difficult decision. At a time like this I so wanted to play my part in the BBC Newsroom, working with my colleagues to report on this unprecedented crisis - especially as so many are turning to the BBC to make sense of what can seem a frightening and confusing situation.
“After talking to my doctors and my editor we all decided that, on a balance of risks, it was probably best that I withdraw from the newsroom.”
The newsreader underwent 17 rounds of chemotherapy to treat advanced bowel cancer in 2014 before returning to presenting duties in 2015. In January 2018, he revealed that the cancer had returned.
Meanwhile, Idris Elba has revealed he has tested positive for coronavirus.
The Luther actor said he is currently showing no symptoms of the virus but was tested after coming into possible contact with Covid-19.
Sharing a video of him and his wife Sabrina on Twitter, Idris said that receiving the diagnosis “sucked”.
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This morning I tested positive for Covid 19. I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus. Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing 👊🏾👊🏾 No panic. pic.twitter.com/Lg7HVMZglZ — Idris Elba (@idriselba) March 16, 2020
He wrote in a tweet: “This morning I tested positive for Covid 19. I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus. Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing. No panic.”
In the video, Idris explained he had been in self-isolation after someone he’d had contact with tested positive for the virus on Friday.
He urged people to continue social distancing and washing their hands.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Why Am I So Tired After A Big Sleep? A Quick Guide

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Your weekend lie-in might seem like a good idea at the time, but if you’ve ever woken up after a big sleep feeling even groggier than before you went to bed, you’ll know it’s not always for the best.
So why does this happen? Rebecca Robbins, a sleep researcher at Harvard Medical School and co-author of Sleep for Success, tells HuffPost UK it’s because we’re throwing our systems out of sync.
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Our bodies are creatures of habit, she explains. The circadian rhythm relies on structure, including: exposure to light first thing, keeping a consistent sleep schedule, and adopting bed-time patterns that tell your body you’re gearing up for sleep.
To put it simply: we love a good routine, so when we sleep past our usual wake-up time, our body (and brain) get confused. Cue, the grogginess.
We’re basically giving ourselves jet lag, or social jet lag, as scientists call it. “We may have actually tricked ourselves into thinking we have hopped in an airplane and flown to a new destination, making sleep the subsequent night also challenging,” says Robbins.
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Malte Mueller via Getty Images
If you have snatched, shorter sleeps throughout the week, it’s probably not best to switch off your alarm on the weekend and sleep for hours and hours.
“When we cut our sleep short and have to ‘catch up the next night’ the stages of our sleep will be out of sync, causing us to wake up and feel disoriented after sleeping for longer than usual,” says Robbins.
The best sleep is one that is sufficient (7-8 hours ideally) and consistent, which means it follows a similar schedule from night to night – yes, even at the weekend.
“This allows our body to know when it is supposed to be tired and when it is supposed to awaken,” she says. “Our sleep will organise itself very efficiently within this window, slipping in and out of the various stages that allow us to wake up refreshed.”
So if you’re tempted to have a big kip, try to resist. The best option is to keep sleep consistently throughout the week and make up for lost sleep with a short power nap – 20 minutes should do the trick.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--The Best Flower Delivery Services To Celebrate Mother's Day

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HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.
Mother’s Day is fast-approaching and there’s no better way to show mum you care than with a fresh bouquet of flowers.
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Whether you’ve decided to postpone your Mother’s Day celebrations or make alternative plans, it doesn’t mean you can’t show gratitude to the mum figure in your life.
Ahead we’ve rounded up the best flower delivery services so mum can still enjoy full blooms to decorate her home with.
HuffPost UK Bloom & Wild Mother’s Day Flowers, available from 30
Bloom & Wild has mastered the art of flower delivery, thanks to its colourful bouquets that fit through a letterbox, so even if your mum is out, she’ll still get her gift on time. Available as one-off deliveries, or as a subscription service for three, six or even 12 months, you can choose whether to give a gift that keeps on giving or a one-off showstopper. There are also exclusive bouquets only for Mothers’ Day, available to order between until 22 March.
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HuffPost UK Freddie's Flowers
Freddie’s Flowers, available from £25
If your mum is a dab hand creative, we’d recommend a bunch from London-based Freddie’s Flowers. The team handpicks the freshest, seasonal flowers each week for bouquets – there’s even a handy guide with each delivery, meaning you can arrange them at home. The flowers will arrive on your mum’s doorstep weekly, but you can cancel at any time.
HuffPost UK Flowerbx, available from £35
Flowerbx, available from £35
You can have a lush bouquet or bulbs delivered with Flowerbx. If you order from the Mother’s Day collection, which includes fresh tulips, snapdragons or orchids you’ll be able to get complimentary standard delivery and gift wrapping included – perfect if you’ve got dodgy wrapping skills.
HuffPost UK Marks & Spencer Mother’s Day Flowers, available from £20
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Good old M&S has a huge offering of blooms in its Mother’s Day collection, which starts from £20 and come with free delivery. All you need to do is make your choice and write a message for the accompanying card – will it be potted roses, chrysanthemum bouquets or a calla lily trough?
HuffPost UK Waitrose Mother’s Day Flowers and Plants, available from £30
Waitrose Mother’s Day Flowers and Plants, available from £30
Head to Waitrose for a colourful and vibrant selection of flowers and plants to pick from. We’ve got our eye on the Foundation Spring Sunshine Bouquet, £30, the sunflowers will bring a pit of much needed cheer.
HuffPost UK Serenata Flowers, available from £19.99
Serenata Flowers, available from £19.99
For speedy delivery, especially if you’ve left it last minute, Serenata offer free next day delivery across all its flowers and plants, so you won’t be left looking like a bad son or daughter. We love the Happy Gerberas, a colourful palette of pinks, reds, yellows and oranges to ring in spring. It comes with a beige vase, which can be used as a watering jug once the flowers are gone.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Here's The Difference Between Coronavirus And Covid-19

The symptoms of Covid-19 you should know
Experts say many Covid-19 cases will be “mild.” This means they’ll feel similar to the cold or the flu (which, to be clear, is still unpleasant, but means it’s likely you’ll have experienced something like it before). Some people may not have any symptoms at all but could still be infected.
The main signs are a cough, a fever of 100.5 or higher, and general malaise. Some may also experience nausea or diarrhoea. A runny nose, sore throat or upper respiratory symptoms with a fever less than 100 are more often seen in colds than Covid-19.
If you suspect you’re sick with Covid-19, call your doctor or get in touch through a virtual appointment, which helps to reduce the spread of the virus. You should seek immediate, in-person care if you’re experiencing severe symptoms, like shortness of breath or an extremely high fever. That could be a sign of pneumonia.
Keep yourself healthy to prevent Covid-19
Everything you’d normally do to prevent getting sick applies here as well. Wash your hands regularly for more than 20 seconds using soap and warm water. (The type of soap you use doesn’t matter!) Wipe down any public surfaces you may come in contact with, like doorknobs, tables, plane seats and trays, and your workstation. Get enough sleep and try to control your stress.
There are a few other preventative measures needed to control the spread of Covid-19, especially so people in high-risk groups stay healthy.
If you can, practice social distancing: Limit how often you go out to restaurants, the movies and other large gathering spaces. Work from home if you’re able to do so.
Buy supplies like hand sanitiser, but don’t hoard every bottle ― leave some products for those who have a bigger chance of getting sick. You should also apply this guidance to face masks, which need to be saved for health care workers and those who are already sick. And speaking of being sick, stay home if you are displaying any symptoms. It doesn’t matter if it’s the cold, the flu or Covid-19.
The disease is already here, so we can’t necessarily prevent it. But the steps we take now can help minimise the spread of it. Be a good human ― not only for yourself, but for others.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--People Are Turning To Kindness During Coronavirus – Here's How You Can Too

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Kindness is spreading like wildfire across the UK, with communities coming together to help those in need during the coronavirus outbreak.
Complete strangers are fetching food for vulnerable neighbours, shop owners are offering free supplies to the elderly, and creatives are coming up with new ways to connect communities – physically and digitally. Across the pond in the US, one author even offered to pay off other people’s bills.
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It’s nothing short of amazing and, during uncertain times, kindness is needed more than ever. We’ve rounded up the people doing great things for others right now – take inspiration from these amazing souls.
Becky Wass, 32, devised an innovative yet simple way to reach out to her neighbours: a PDF postcard offering practical help. Anyone can print it, fill it in and distribute it – and the cards have been shared widely across the UK already.
Wass, a freelance copywriter, told HuffPost UK: “My husband and I wanted to do something to help, but without making things worse.”
Becky my wonderful wife came up with a great idea last night, and it's already going viral. Wash your hands, print this, fill it out and pop it in your neighbour's letterbox. Simples. #viralkindness #COVID_19uk #coronavirusuk https://t.co/wnxVhvk742 pic.twitter.com/tnVQMIiSMI — Jonny Green (@MrJonnyGreen) March 13, 2020
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Community app Nextdoor has witnessed an “overwhelming response” from neighbours across the UK who are offering support locally. “From delivering shopping to picking up prescriptions, communities are uniting together to help those who need it the most,” a spokesperson tells HuffPost UK.
Using the app, Lucy, from Milton Keynes, offered to assist people in her area who are self-isolating – and had more than 50 people willing to help, too. The single mum-of-four was inspired to do something after realising she didn’t have a support network in place if she became ill. She wanted to organise the community for when, or if, a lockdown happens. Her aim is for everyone to have a neighbour they can rely on if needed.
Meanwhile Neal, who lives in Highbury, north London, was concerned elderly people might be afraid to leave their homes. He posted on the app to see if anybody needed help and so far, he’s done shopping and delivered papers for a few neighbours.
Elsewhere in the UK, a group of volunteers have formed Covid Mutual Aid UK – a national organisation supporting local community groups through the outbreak. It’s coordinated by Anna Vickerstaff, a campaigner based in London, who wanted to bring the efforts of local groups into one national resource.
The website connects people to their nearest local groups, willing volunteers and those in need. Vickerstaff set it up on Friday – 13 March – and more than 600 groups have already been listed. “We could sense there was a real element of panic with the stuff that was coming out from the news and the lack of adequate government response,” she tells HuffPost UK.
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“We could see there was a real want from people to help the most vulnerable in their communities, so wanted to provide resources so people are able to step up and physically and emotionally support people – in a safe and efficient way.”
The response so far has been “really heartening”, she adds.
In Ireland, Samantha Kelly wrote to her 50,000+ Twitter followers that if they needed help or felt lonely, they could tweet her and she’d spread the word to try and connect people – and the #selfisolationhelp hashtag was born.
Since then, hundreds of people have offered to help others across Ireland and the UK using this hashtag. Taxi driver Ray O’Hara, from County Westmeath, Ireland, offered to pick up shopping and prescriptions (“or whatever else you might need”) and drop them at people’s doors.
“I just thought about the people [self] isolating and isolated in rural areas, particularly the elderly,” he tells HuffPost UK. “A lot of them have family that have emigrated overseas and have no one to look out for them.”
So many people are self isolating at the moment. Many have underlying illnesses. So if that is you and you would like help with anything or you are feeling lonely please tweet to me and I will spread the word so you can connect with others in the same situation. #Selfisolation — Samantha Kelly (@Tweetinggoddess) March 10, 2020
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Freelance radio producer Johnathan Randall turned the #selfisolationhelp hashtag into an interactive map so people could mark themselves as available, or find help more easily. “We needed a way to share these important gestures, and I thought it would be better if they could be placed on a map,” Randall, who is based in Dublin, tells HuffPost UK.
The map was launched on Saturday morning – 14 March – and the 26-year-old was only expecting a handful of volunteers to come forward. “We had 1,200 people add themselves over the first 24 hours and 3,000 in 48 hours,” he says. “I can’t believe how many people have been using it.
“What strikes me is that after such a tough week of news, people are made-up to see so much kindness in their region, and people want to be part of it.”
The #SelfIsolationHelp hashtag is excellent but it's a bit hard to find helpers near you.
I've created this map where you can mark yourself as available to help.
If you think it's useful, please share/RT - it only works if people use it.https://t.co/GK1CoUHHkb — Johnathan Randall (@MrJRan) March 14, 2020
In Earlsheaton, west Yorkshire, butcher Dave Jones has offered his services to locals who might be struggling. Taking to Facebook, he wrote: “We are a community butchers shop and part of being in such a wonderful community is that in times of need we step up a notch. We will do all we can to ensure our elderly and vulnerable customers are catered for.”
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The kindhearted butcher often provides free meat parcels to those who would otherwise go without – last year he offered them to parents who would’ve struggled to feed their kids over half term.
Further north, the owners of convenience store Day Today Express in Stenhousemuir, Falkirk, are giving away free face masks, antibacterial hand gel and cleaning wipes to elderly customers. They’re also offering a free delivery service to residents who are self-isolating. Asiyah Javed and her husband Jawad have become local celebrities thanks to the kind gesture, which has set them back £2,000 already.
“We are just trying to help people who can’t get out the house,” said Asiyah.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--My Daughter Has Special Needs. I’m Terrified By The Possibility Of School Closures

Sam Carlisle with her daughter Elvi Sam Carlisle
That sound you hear at the beginning of every September is the sigh of relief from exhausted parents sending their kids back to school after the summer holidays.
The thud that echoes across the country at the same time is the sound of parents with disabled children falling to their knees, tested to their very limit by caring for their kids 24 hours a day for six weeks.
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The threat of school closures because of coronavirus is difficult for any mum, dad or carer. How can we keep working without childcare? How will we keep them amused without driving ourselves insane? How will we feed them if we can’t earn money and Tesco has run out of pasta?
For families of the 1.1m disabled children in Britain, the thought of school closures is terrifying.
Yes, we have to keep our kids safe, particularly those with underlying medical needs. But the prospect of having our children at home without the professional support from carers they need and we have fought for is almost too much to bear.
Sonny, my able-bodied 13-year-old son is practically licking handrails on buses as he’s so excited about the thought of weeks off his mainstream school. If that happens, we will deal with it. Our main focus will be to stop him catching the bug and trying to prevent him getting RSI from over use of the Xbox controls.
My daughter Elvi is 18. She has a rare genetic disorder, RCDP, which means she has the hormones and mood swings of a teenager but the learning age and tantrums of a two year old.
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She is completely dependent on me. She needs to be washed, dressed and fed by me, she still uses nappies which I have to change. She bum shuffles around the house: I have to lift her down from chairs and up into her wheelchair. We suspect she has autism which in her case means she melts down with rage because she doesn’t understand why she can’t be taken for a walk at 4am.
Elvi regularly sleeps just three hours a night without ever napping during the day. When she is awake at 3am she screams the house down until I get up and entertain her. Looking after the daughter I love so much is shattering. There is no emotional respite.
I’m one of the lucky ones. My ex-husband, Elvi’s dad, is a brilliant father and her stepdad steps up to help out. I can’t imagine how hard this is for single parents.
For these reasons we have fought for years to build up a package of care that enables her to live the best life she can while we stay sane. Since September Elvi has boarded at her special needs school three nights a week enabling the rest of us to sleep. We have a fabulous carer, Dawn, who gives me a hand with Elvi for eight hours a week at home.
“It takes more than one person to look after disabled kids – it often takes a team.”
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But if Elvi’s school closes and she is home with me for weeks or even months without support, I do not know how I will manage.
Charity forums and SEN parents’ WhatsApp groups are prickling with fear. We are told children are less prone to contracting Covid-19 but our kids are vulnerable to infections, or tube fed, or have respiratory conditions. Elvi’s head has already, rightly, warned us to keep medically fragile pupils away from school.
It takes more than one person to look after disabled kids – it often takes a team. Our schools are as much medical care centres as educators, with full-time nurses and skilled therapists on staff. Without these how will we keep our children safe?
There is little chance of help at home because there is a critical shortage of professional carers in the UK – 120,000 vacancies. When care minister Helen Whately, claimed that care providers could arrange ‘mutual support’ and make use of untrained ‘volunteers’, parents of disabled children laughed at the suggestion. We know the reality of the care system even in the minister does not.
What if I start showing symptoms of the virus? Who will look after Elvi?
The messages from government never mention our children or our families.
Even before anyone had heard the C-word we had felt isolated, ignored and angry at lack of support from local authorities and central government.
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We are more likely to be on low incomes because the mountain of paperwork and hospital appointments that build up with a complex child makes us unemployable.
I have been working with the Disabled Children’s Partnership, an umbrella group of more than 70 disability and children’s charities, on their Give It Back campaign. This is asking the government to return £434m owing in social care funding to our families to decrease isolation, give support and equipment where it is needed and keep families together.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Too Many Men Are Suffering With Their Mental Health. I'm Training As A Social Worker To Help Change

Too Many Men Are Suffering With Their Mental Health. I'm Training As A Social Worker To Help Change That

Courtesy of the author HuffPost UK
As a trainee mental health social worker, I work with some of the most severely unwell people in the heart of the capital. The people who are referred to my community mental health team experience mental health issues such as paranoid schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, and more; many of them are (or were) professionals, and many of them have a history of attempted suicide, or suicidal thoughts.
Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 – more than cancer, heart attacks, or violent crime. My colleagues and I work with a wide range of people, of all ages, backgrounds, sexualities, and genders, but something I’ve always been interested in is how societal norms and pressures, and masculinity – toxic masculinity in particular – affect men and impact their mental health. Although suicide attempts in men and women occur at approximately the same rate, men are more likely to die from their attempts as they use more violent methods.
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Men commit almost 80% of violent crimes – but are also the biggest victims of violent crimes (from other men). I believe this is because men are made to feel that violence and aggression are normal. Men also have higher rates of substance abuse, and homelessness. They are less likely to access mental health services, and usually do at a much more severe stage of their illness. These are the effects of a patriarchal, male-dominated society that, on the one hand, benefits and privileges men – for example with the gender pay gap, and more men being in positions of power – but on the other hand hurts them and others around them.
“My role is challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding, and I think it’s vital that our profession reflects the people it helps.”
Society has yet to really carve out or accept a role for men beyond what they can financially contribute. Social isolation, social disconnectedness and feeling like a burden are also significant contributing factors; research shows that men isolate themselves more, and have weaker support networks. These factors can also exacerbate mental health problems.
Social workers are incredibly valuable in mental health because we take a holistic view of each person we work with. Rather than looking at someone through the lens of their diagnosis, we look at the social issues that impact their mental health, what their skills and aspirations are, what they are passionate about, and what they can contribute to society. In essence, what tools they have that can help them to lead a fulfilled and meaningful life.
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More men need to consider mental health social work as a career; we are underrepresented not only in this role – only 19% of social workers in adult services in England are men – but also within care roles generally, which are often seen as the duty of, or more naturally suited to, women. My role is challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding, and I think it’s vital that our profession reflects the people it helps.
“We need to address the wider societal issues that are causing men to feel disconnected, to face pressure to behave a certain way, and avoid seeking support”
There is a lot to be done beyond mental health services too. We need to provide early intervention and education; whether that’s within schools or in our families and friendship circles, reaching out to each other, providing open and safe spaces where these difficult conversations can be held and expression can be encouraged. And we need to normalise seeking professional help.
This is why I wrote Mask Off: Masculinity Redefined. I found that a lot of my male friends and I were going through the same things; aloneness, not having anyone to talk to, and isolation. I realised that there must be a way to bring these issues to the forefront and have these conversations collectively, in a way that is easily accessible – and that maybe, if we had been made aware of these issues sooner, we would have been more adequately equipped to deal with them.
We can keep working towards improving mental health services – and we should always be doing that as there is so much that needs to be done. But it’s not enough on its own. We need to address the wider societal issues that are causing men to feel disconnected, to face pressure to behave a certain way, and avoid seeking support. I was one of those men who was carrying a burden in myself and thinking that I didn’t need help. But I got the support that I needed and now I work to give it to others.
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Things can change, and they need to.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--My Teen Daughter Is Sick But Can't Get The Coronavirus Test. That's Simply Not Okay

Courtesy of the author HuffPost UK
My daughter Molly was supposed to take the SAT on Saturday, but she is under parent-imposed quarantine right now due to worries about her potentially having covid-19, the disease caused by coronavirus).
She was not able to take the test in December with her classmates because of a sequence of very unfortunate injuries that eventually took her out of school for nearly two months, so she has had her eyes set on 14 March since then. She is a girl who likes making a schedule and sticking to it, and missing the December test date was hard.
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I thought missing the test would be even harder. But it was not.
Perhaps the disappointment will sink in later, when she is feeling better. Or perhaps there is some solace in knowing that the entire world has been turned upside down at the moment, not just hers.
And yet, while her friends are relieved that school has finally been closed for a week due to growing fears and precautions related to covid-19, her feeling is different. Because Molly has been sick for nearly a week with a painful dry cough and a fever.
Her fever has generally been low grade, hovering around 100.5. But it has gone higher. And she has had it every day since Monday. The cough started earlier, last Sunday. And it has grown more painful each day.
Those symptoms, not alarming in ordinary times, are cause for genuine concern right now, because they are the symptoms associated with covid-19. I don’t know if she has the virus. We might not ever know, because I cannot get Molly tested.
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In New Jersey, Molly’s symptoms are currently not enough to warrant a test. The state Department of Health has approved tests only for those who have recently traveled abroad to the identified high-risk nations or have had known direct contact with someone who has a confirmed case of covid-19. Molly does not meet either of those criteria.
And so, while she goes untested, she has the potential to infect others, including her family. And though Molly has been home, in social isolation, since Monday afternoon, we have not. Like so many other parents with sick kids in these past weeks, I have hesitated to utter a word about Molly’s illness to friends or acquaintances. I have not wanted to cause alarm or panic.
“While she goes untested, she has the potential to infect others, including her family. And though Molly has been home, in social isolation, since Monday afternoon, we have not.”
To be clear, I have no specific reason to think that Molly has covid-19. And if she does, I am not in a panic that she will not recover. She is 16, and, from what I have heard, the virus has difficulty adhering to the lungs of young people. But I have also learned that things can change quickly in the second week of the illness, and that the damage to the lungs can be permanent.
What’s more, I worry that if she is infected, she may have unknowingly spread the illness to others, perhaps some who are elderly or immunodeficient and could have a difficult time recovering from covid-19. I have multiple sclerosis, which is an autoimmune disease, so I am also worried about my health.
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Beyond our family concerns, my broader worry is that all week I have watched people make decisions based on the fact that there had been no confirmed cases of covid-19 in my city. That changed Friday when the first case here was confirmed.
But we have all been watching the spread of the virus across the nation and around the world, and we have all been reading about the alarming shortage of tests in the United States. Yet many school districts have remained open, because shuttering them is not a simple decision: Low-income families depend on schools to provide breakfast and lunch, and many parents do not have alternate childcare. But open schools enable the potential spread of illness from one potentially carrier to the next, to the next.
The leadership in my home of Jersey City has been proactive in preparing for covid-19. This has included setting up a hotline for residents concerned they may be sick. I called the hotline on Friday and shared my daughter’s symptoms, hoping that she might be cleared for a test. At the very least, I want her listed in the Department of Health’s records.
I received a return call from a nurse on Saturday morning, about 20 hours later. In that time, my daughter’s temperature had thankfully all but returned to normal, even as her cough persists.
The nurse advised me to have Molly tested at her doctor’s office. I replied that she had been to her paediatrician but the doctor’s office did not have tests and that no tests are being administered without the approval of the Department of Health. The well-meaning nurse, who works for the Department of Health, seemed unsure about this.
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She pivoted and advised me to take Molly to the emergency room. Again, I asked, Will they test her there? Because my understanding is that all tests must be approved by the Department of Health. She assured me, yes, they would test her.
Moments later, a nurse from my paediatrician’s office called to check in on Molly. She listened with incredulity when I recounted the conversation and told me to stay put unless Molly’s breathing becomes laboured or she is not urinating.
Apparently, a trip to the ER will not yield us anything at this point, other than exposure to more sick people. And if Molly is indeed infected with covid-19, she would expose others, who, in the catch-22 created by the stringent testing criteria and scarcity of tests, would also not qualify for testing.
I had cancer when I was very young and throughout my life have had chronic health problems, including multiple sclerosis, so I have spent decades navigating the healthcare system. I’ve become adept at finding competent, compassionate medical professionals, in whom I place great trust.
But what I see is that we are often very bad at thinking about the big picture. The big picture is messy and complicated. It’s easy for a political figure, or even a nurse fielding calls on a hotline, to tell people to get tested for covid-19 and to direct them to their doctors or to the emergency room. But the doctors don’t have tests, and in the emergency room, the sick will be exposed to other sick people and will add their own germs to the mix, only to be sent home because hospitals cannot meet the demand.
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Some people might currently be proud of the relatively low — but rising — number of cases in this country without asking if we have all of the information we need. But that pride is foolish. Without adequate information, how can a school district, or even the College Board overseeing standardised tests, make responsible decisions about whether to close its doors? Officials are only operating with the available information, and so Molly’s sister went to school on Friday, along with the other children in this city. The SAT was set to proceed on schedule until the very last minute, after the first local case of covid-19 was confirmed.
“Some people might currently be proud of the relatively low — but rising — number of cases in this country without asking if we have all of the information we need. But that pride is foolish. Without adequate information, how can a school district ... make responsible decisions about whether to close its doors?”
What is difficult is thinking ahead, protecting each other, and being forthcoming about all that we do not know.
It’s not even so difficult, but it requires that we think beyond what we can see in front of us — thinking about the kind of care that keeps a sick teenager out of the busy, contaminating emergency room, and provides the tests that she needs now in order to keep all of us safe.
Perhaps my daughter’s experiences last fall — when her world was a triangulation of home, doctors and physical therapy — prepared Molly well for the life of social isolation, uncertainty and dashed plans that she once again finds herself in now. Perhaps it puts her ahead of the curve in understanding how to remain calm in the face of the unknown immediate future.
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And perhaps it prepared me for the maddening work of safeguarding her health, while trying to appreciate the perspective of her teachers, who are facing other demands, and even of her sister, who has her own set of needs.
I feel cautiously optimistic that my child is on the mend, and that her illness is nothing but a blip that will be behind her in a few weeks. But I don’t know what kind of consequences could await others, including myself, if she has or had covid-19 and may have unknowingly spread it before her self-quarantine. And I know we as a nation can do better.
We must. We have known about covid-19 for months, and infectious disease specialists have offered their expertise at every turn on safeguarding our communities. We had time to secure tests and to set up systems for navigating this outbreak.
So many regular people — neighbours, teachers, small business owners, arts organisations directors, health care professionals, local governmental leaders — are being pushed to the limit while they do the work of calming nerves and adjusting routines to keep covid-19 in check. Perhaps the federal government will follow the example set by people. I hope it does because this is one test we cannot afford to fail.
Ann E. Wallace, PhD writes of her experiences with cancer and MS, motherhood, love and life in contemporary America. You can follow her on Twitter @annwlace409. This article first appeared on HuffPost US Personal.