thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--Can Coronavirus Spread To Pets? Here's What Cat And Dog Owners Should Know

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Update: See the latest stories on the coronavirus outbreak.
As it stands, there’s no solid evidence that pets can be infected with Covid-19, nor that they can pass on the virus to humans.
That said, it’s recommended that if a person tests positive for coronavirus (or believes they might have it due to experiencing symptoms), they should restrict contact with animals, just as they would avoid other humans.
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RSPCA animal welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines tells HuffPost UK: “There’s no evidence to suggest that pets can be carriers of coronavirus or can become ill from it themselves. We would urge pet owners not to panic and to not abandon their pets.”
The key advice from the government for pet owners is to wash hands regularly, including before and after contact with animals. Here’s what else you need to know.
Aonip via Getty Images
Dog owners
People with symptoms of coronavirus should remain at home for seven days, or 14 days as a household, which for dog owners will make exercising their pooches quite difficult.
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First and foremost, animal charities encourage people with suspected Covid-19 to try and keep their pets in a separate part of the home to where they are self-isolating – just to be on the safe side. “Avoid contact with your pet including stroking, petting, being kissed or licked and sharing food,” says Dr Gaines.
If you’re self-isolating, you should try to exercise your dog at home. There are still ways to keep your dog happy and healthy, says a Dogs Trust spokesperson, from involving their favourite treats to building doggy dens and treasure hunts. Go out in the garden (if you have one) and play fetch or run around to wear them out. If your dog can’t exercise at home, you should ask someone outside of your household to walk your dog for you.
RSPCA and the CDC advise wearing a face mask while interacting with your pet if you think you might have coronavirus, but don’t put one on them.
People without symptoms of coronavirus are allowed to leave their homes to exercise once a day as per the government’s lockdown measures. This trip should also be used to walk your dog. As always, you should remain two metres away from anyone outside of your household when out in public and wash your hands as soon as you come back from your walk. If possible, don’t let other people stroke your dog.
Dog walkers
The lockdown guidance says you’re able to leave your home to provide care for, or help, a vulnerable person – and this includes walking a dog for someone who is unable to leave their home because they’re self-isolating or being shielded.
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But there are some important things to remember. You should wash your hands before and after handling the dog and keep two metres away from other people and animals, including when handing over the dog to the owner. For extra measure you might want to take some hand gel with you when you’re walking the dog so you can regularly apply it.
Cat owners
The advice for cat owners is pretty limited. Official government advice is that you should wash your hands before and after any contact with your cat.
If you have a neighbour’s cat that visits, try to avoid contact with them – if that can’t be helped, wash hands thoroughly before and after touching them.
Again, cat owners with suspected Covid-19 are encouraged to try and keep their pets in a separate part of the home to where they are self-isolating. Cats will need access to the outdoors or a clean litter tray, as well as their food and water bowls. Most cats are better equipped if their owners are self-isolating as they can go outside on their own terms.
You should avoid contact with your cat including stroking, petting, being kissed or licked and sharing food if you think you have coronavirus.
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Other animal owners
If you have a horse in livery and you think you might have coronavirus, you must not visit them whilst you are self-isolating. Contact your yard manager or vet to make suitable welfare arrangements.
Or, if you have livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, you should arrange for someone else who is not self-isolating to care for them. Where this is not possible you should ensure the basic needs of your animals are met – ensure you wash your hands before and after handling your animals and stay two metres away from other people. If you’re too unwell to care for your animals and there is no one to help, you should call your local authority.
For those who don’t have symptoms of the virus, you should use your one opportunity to leave the house to provide care for your horse or livestock. Wash your hands before and after touching them.
What about the vets?
Self-isolating due to possible coronavirus? You shouldn’t be taking your pet to the vet. If they need urgent treatment, you must phone the vet to arrange the best approach to meet your pets’ needs.
For those who aren’t self-isolating, all non-essential trips to vets should also be avoided. If your pet needs urgent treatment, you can take them but must call the vet before heading there. Remember to wash your hands and remain two metres away from anyone outside of your household.
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Dave Leicester, emergency vet for Vets Now, has shared what actually constitutes a pet emergency.
1. Breathing difficulties
Signs of breathing problems may be obvious, such as choking, gasping and pawing at the throat. Or, they may be more subtle such as breathing through the mouth, panting at rest or increased noise when breathing.
2. Open wound injuries
Heavy bleeding should always be considered an emergency and any bleeding that is a constant flow (especially if pulsing) or doesn’t stop in a few minutes also needs to be seen by a vet urgently.
3. Traumatic injuries
If your pet has been injured in a fall, from a window for example, or hit by a car.
4. Bloating in dogs
Bloating can be a sign of something called gastric dilation and volvulus, GDV, which is also known as torsion. It is a medical and surgical emergency which can be rapidly fatal if left untreated.
5. Failing to urinate
This can happen to any animal but is most common in male cats. If your pet can’t urinate it can lead to kidney failure, bladder rupture and death from internal poisoning.
6. Seizing and fitting
Regardless of whether your pet has had one fit or several, you should contact your vet urgently.
7. Poisoning
If you know your pet has eaten something poisonous – or even suspect it – call for help.
8. Eye injuries
Although damage, infection or injury to the eyes is unlikely to be life-threatening, they can threaten your pet’s sight and have a profound impact on their lives, not to mention cause them pain and discomfort. Eye problems can progress very rapidly, so do not delay seeking help.
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9. Repeated vomiting
It’s quite normal for animals – dogs in particular – to be sick every now and again, so this isn’t necessarily an emergency. But if your pet is repeatedly sick, is generally unwell, can’t keep water down, is vomiting blood, or also has diarrhoea, then you should get them checked.
10. Birthing difficulties
Most dogs and cats give birth without any problem however, as a rule of thumb, female dogs shouldn’t go more than two hours between puppies, bleed a lot, or strain hard for more than 20 minutes without producing anything. It’s similar for female cats, although if they are straining non-productively for 20 minutes, consider it an emergency.
11. Severe pain and anxiety
If your pet is showing signs of severe pain or anxiety, they may well be warning you of serious unseen internal problems.
12. Heatstroke
This occurs when a pet can no longer regulate their own body temperature and keep it at a normal level. It is the result of overheating, for example when pets are left in a hot car or conservatory. Organ damage can happen very quickly. Cooling them down too fast can actually make your pet worse, so seek your vet’s advice.
13. Near-drowning
If your pet has been pulled from water, make sure they are checked by a vet as soon as possible.
14. Inability to weight bear or move limbs
Although broken bones or paralysis may not be life-threatening on their own, your pet may be in pain and there may be other injuries that need checked out.
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15. Collapse
Acute collapse in dogs may see your pet lose consciousness or they may remain conscious but seem anxious, confused or have a “glassy-eyed” appearance. If your pet collapses, even if they recover spontaneously, you should seek help from a vet straight away.
16. Rabbits not eating


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--Coronavirus: How To Talk To Your Kids About The Disease

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As the coronavirus outbreak progresses, parents are facing questions from their children, who have picked up bits and pieces of information (and misinformation) from the internet, TV, teachers and classmates.
The topic is a daunting one to tackle with children, as there’s a lot of fear and uncertainty surrounding the illness. But as with any situation of this kind, it’s important to present yourself as a supportive and reliable figure in the midst of kids’ confusion.
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To help guide this conversation, HuffPost asked experts for their advice about talking to kids about COVID-19.
kupicoo via Getty Images It's important for parents to go into a conversation about the coronavirus outbreak with a sense of nurture and calm.
Calm Yourself Down
Before talking to your child about the coronavirus outbreak, take stock of your own feelings of anxiety or fear. If you have a sense of panic, follow whatever steps are necessary to calm yourself down.
“In ambiguous situations, young children often turn to their parents for how to respond and how they should feel,” Mark Reinecke, clinical director and senior clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, told HuffPost. “If you’re calm and reassuring, they will pick up on this. If you’re anxious or frightened, they will respond accordingly.”
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Kids don’t have the same power and access to information that their parents do, so if you’re openly stressing out, your children will only know that whatever is happening is so scary that even their parents are worried. And they may let their imaginations take them to a more frightening place.
In addition to modelling equanimity, managing your own anxiety will also free up the mental space you need to listen to and support your children.
“If you remain calm, your child will be more likely to grasp what’s important: that events can upset our lives, but we can learn from bad experiences and work together to grow stronger,” Reinecke noted.
Initiate The Conversation
Don’t be afraid to bring up this difficult topic. You want to be your child’s trusted source of information.
“If you have a school-aged child, your child will likely have heard about coronavirus, or similarly anything else happening in the news, whether parents want them to or not,” said Rachel Thomasian, licensed marriage and family therapist and owner of Playa Vista Counseling. “I always recommend getting ahead of the game and having a conversation about things that might be scary before they hear a scarier version from their classmates.”
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Since your kids have likely been hearing about the epidemic from peers and the news, it’s not necessary to make a big production out of this discussion. Make it part of a regular conversation and day-to-day routine as you’re sitting on the sofa or at the dinner table.
Ask What They Know
“I would start off with asking them if they have heard of the coronavirus and if so, what they’ve heard,” advised Natasha Daniels, a child therapist and creator of AnxiousToddlers.com. “Starting with your child’s perceptions or misperceptions will help guide you on where to take the conversation and what corrective reframing you might already need to do.”
Asking open-ended questions can help you gauge your kids’ knowledge, as well as their emotional state. Encourage them to express their feelings and be sure to tailor the discussion to what you know about them as individuals.
“If you know your child is prone to worry, it can be fine to be generic in being open to the conversation by saying, ‘There has been a lot of news about flu season, and I wonder what you have heard,’” suggested Robin Goodman, a clinical psychologist and art therapist who works with children on stress-related issues. “Continue to hear them out and offer that you are available for questions and to get answers.”
Keep It Age-Appropriate
“Parents should approach talking to their kids about the coronavirus with their children differently depending on their age and developmental level,” Thomasian explained. “A good rule of thumb is to only use words your child already understands. Start with what they know about this and/or other illnesses and build on that. The motive for this conversation should be to give them age-appropriate information to help keep them safe, quell their worries and to answer any questions they might have.”
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Pre-school
Kids under the age of five don’t need much detail like the name of a virus or the global threat of an illness because they’re too young to process it. Be mindful about conversations you have with your partner or older children in front of your little ones and shut off any troubling images on TV or social media.
Instead, have a conversation about germs, how people get sick and things we can do to stay healthy like hand-washing. If they do come to you with questions about this specific outbreak or something they’ve seen, offer reassurance that your family is safe and healthy.
School-Age
For school-age kids, you can offer information about the outbreak: what it is, how it spreads and ways to prevent it. But stay away from talk of people dying, especially if your child is on the younger end. Emphasise that the grown-ups in their lives are doing everything they can to keep them safe and protected. And highlight the low number of cases in your local area if applicable.
“Beyond five, keep your messaging simple and with confidence, ‘There is an illness going around right now, so we have to be extra careful about cleanliness and being around people that seem sick,’” recommended clinical psychologist John Mayer. “Kids know sickness and inherently don’t want to be sick, so they will understand the concept of prevention.”
RgStudio via Getty Images Parents should emphasize healthy habits like hand-washing, which are good to practice at all times.
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As always, you’ll want to follow your child’s developmental lead when determining the appropriate amount of information to share. Focus on making them feel secure, and limit their TV news and social media exposure, which can create more anxiety.
“Your child may already be seeing individuals wearing face masks in everyday common places. Don’t make a big deal out of it,” recommended Eirene Heidelberger, a parent coach and CEO of GIT Mom. “If your child asks why they are, answer with a swift, ‘Because they feel it’s their best way to stay healthy, and every family has different strategies. That’s why we are doing a great job washing our hands.’”
You can tell them that the NHS, the group of experts handling this situation, doesn’t think healthy people need to wear masks. It’s also helpful to note that there are lots of doctors and scientists around the world who are working hard to protect people and that the UK in particular has great hospitals and medicine.
Give kids a frame of reference based on their past experiences with sickness to understand how COVID-19 manifests for most people ― a cold, sniffles, aches, fatigue, etc. You can remind them of times they were sick and then got better.
Preteens And Teens
“From about the age of 10 and up, be factual and don’t hide things from them. Stick to the facts as we know them right now and dispel any rumours or alarmist details they may have heard,” said Mayer. “Keep in mind they will pick up things on social media, so don’t think they are not hearing about this illness.”
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With teens, you can also dive into the science and politics around the issue. Offer the data and facts you know and empower them to look up information from reliable sources like the NHS. Seek out answers to questions together.
There’s a lot of uncertainty around this virus, which can breed anxiety. If your preteen or teen is feeling anxious about the coronavirus outbreak, let them talk it out and be a listening ear. Remind them of past experiences with uncertain challenges and how they coped. It’s a helpful developmental exercise for kids to know that there is danger in the world and learn to handle fears, disappointments and negatives.
“It’s helpful for parents to say, ‘Remember when a tree fell on the house?’ or ‘Remember when the roads were icy, and we had a hard time getting to school?’” said Gene Beresin, executive director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital. “Bring it back to challenging times they can remember. Say, ‘We got through it. We’ve gotten through hard times together, and we can do it again now. Of course we’re a little bit worried and don’t have all the answers. But we didn’t have them back then either.’ That promotes resilience.”
On the other hand, your preteens or teens may not be feeling this way at all. Take cues from them.
“If they are unconcerned, respect that indifference and update them as you feel necessary,” said Heidelberger.
Emphasise That You’re There
Ultimately, kids need to know at any age that their parents are there for them to respond to concerns and questions with compassion and understanding.
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“Make sure to keep the conversation open,” Thomasian said, noting that kids may continue to hear things about COVID-19 from peers. “Let your kids know that if they have any questions or want to talk about it again, they’re welcome to come to you. I know that it can get frustrating to revisit a topic multiple times. But not only does having these conversations as many times as your child wants to help them build a sense of safety, but it also helps create a secure attachment between you and your child and helps you become their safe base to come back to.”
Emphasise that keeping them safe and secure is your job as a parent. Respond to their needs, be a consistent support system and show that you care. When it comes to the outbreak, show them the ways you’re keeping the family healthy.
Be Honest And Direct
When your children come to you with questions, answer directly to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.
“I think honesty and transparency are paramount,” Reinecke said. “Anxiety flourishes when there’s a lack of transparency. If you don’t have the answer, say ‘That is an excellent question. Let’s look it up.’ Go to a source you know has useful and valid information.”
Goodman advised focusing on the here and now with kids, even if you’re thinking about the “what ifs.” Don’t make fear-inducing statements like “Everyone is scared” or “There’s nothing we can do.” Instead, offer reassuring truths, such as “We use soap to clean our hands” and “If you don’t feel well, come to me, and I always take care of you.”
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gradyreese via Getty Images Be sure to separate fact from fiction with kids.
Acknowledge their feelings and share things you do when you feel worried, like reading, exercising or playing games.
“Avoid encouraging them to think about worst-case scenarios, catastrophic possibilities and frightening fantasies,” Reinecke noted.
Use Resources
In addition to articles like these, there are other resources to help parents prepare for the coronavirus talk with their kids.
Daniels recommended Dawn Huebner’s book “Something Bad Happened: A Kid’s Guide to Coping With Events in the News” as a helpful guide on how to talk to your child about difficult global events.
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Heidelberger encouraged parents to stay up to date with community resources like their kids’ schools as well.
“Reach out to your child’s teachers and administrators to make sure you’re in the know and not taken by surprise news your child receives at school and brings home to you,” she said. “A proactive parent is a calm parent and in control.”
Give Them A Sense Of Control
A great way to empower kids in an outbreak situation is to show them what they can do to keep themselves from getting sick ― and thereby implement healthy habits for the whole household. This helps them feel a sense of control.
“The same prevention tips recommended for the coronavirus are the same as with all other viruses and colds,” Thomasian explained. “Don’t talk about prevention as a way to scare your child into washing their hands. Instead, talk about the steps you’re all going to take to try and prevent all illness, including washing hands regularly, not touching your face, eating healthy food and getting plenty of rest.”
She recommended making a chart when implementing new habits and getting kids involved by having them draw out pictures. You can make hand-washing fun by singing a song like “Happy Birthday” or the ABCs.
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“Play ‘I Spy’ to capture your child’s attention and fully wash her hands before she loses focus,” Heidelberger recommended. “Twenty seconds is all it takes. Then dry them with a clean towel or let them air-dry.”
Multiple experts recommended explaining habits like hand-washing and coughing into your elbow in the context of other things we do to stay safe and healthy, like wearing seat belts, having smoke detectors, taking vitamins, brushing teeth, eating with forks and wearing clean clothes. Be matter-of-fact to normalise it.
Kids may also feel good participating in other disease-prevention measures like helping their parents wipe surfaces with Lysol wipes.
“Get your child involved in creating the family preparedness kit, including family solutions in the case of school closings and evacuations and your backup plan for child care in the event your child’s school closes,” said Heidelberger. “This teaches responsibility and will allow her to take control over the situation in an impactful and visual way.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--Ben Affleck Reveals His Acting Was So Bad In One Film, They Had To Dub Over Him

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Ben Affleck is a blockbuster movie star, but he’s happy to acknowledge his performances haven’t always made the cut.
In an interview on SiriusXM radio on Wednesday, the Oscar-winning screenwriter and actor admitted he was once voiced over in Buffy the Vampire Slayer because the director, Fran Rubel Kuzui, disliked his performance so much.
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While discussing Ben’s new film The Way Back, in which he plays a basketball coach battling alcohol addiction, host Julia Cunningham asked the actor what it was like stepping into the role of a coach after playing a basketballer in the 1992 vampire movie.
Ben Affleck in Buffy The Vampire Slayer 20th Century Fox
“Apparently I’m so bad in that movie. I had one line, it was ‘Take it,’ I think. I’m holding a basketball, another basketball player turns into like a werewolf or whatever,” he said of his role as Basketball Player #10.
“And I think I say ‘take it, man,’ and I thought it was fine, and the director seemed happy. I went to the movie, didn’t get premiere tickets or anything ... and I was like, ‘That is not my voice. That is not me.’”
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“Apparently the director hated my performance so much that she looped the entire performance ― which was one line. But yes, I am dubbed. In English.”
While that early performance didn’t quite hit the mark, Ben went on to star in Good Will Hunting and Argo, each of which claimed a Best Picture Oscar and a Golden Globe for best drama.
Ben recently discussed his new film, his mission to get his career back on track and his struggles with addiction in several interviews, drawing parallels between his own life and his latest role.
The Way Back, which hits cinemas this week, is a sports drama about a high school basketball star who returns to coaching while struggling with alcoholism.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--What You Need To Know About Travelling Amid Coronavirus

What You Need To Know About Travelling Amid Coronavirus
With Covid-19 spreading across Europe and globally, British holidaymakers may be wondering how it could affect their trips abroad. With new cases announced each day, some advice for travellers looking to go abroad in the next few weeks, months and in the school summer holidays. Covering everything from what to do about insurance, when to book your holiday and where to go, even if that destination might be closer than you think.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--England's Six Nations Clash Against Italy 'Postponed Over Coronavirus Fears'

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England’s final round Six Nations match against Italy in Rome has been postponed over coronavirus fears, the PA news agency has reported.
The match had been due to take place on March 14 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Tournament organisers faced the option of playing the game behind closed doors or delaying it until later in the year and have chosen the latter option, the agency said.
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Official confirmation of the decision is expected from Six Nations later today.
The decision follows an outbreak of Covid-19 in Italy, where more than 3,000 people have been diagnosed with the virus and 107 have died.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Follow HuffPost UK on Twitter here, and on Facebook here.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--Coronavirus Latest: Government Moves To ‘Delay’ Phase After Failing To Contain Outbreak

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The number of cases of coronavirus in the UK has risen by 30 in the last 24 hours as the government’s response to the outbreak has moved into its second “delay” phase after failing to simply “contain” the disease.
Chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, said the delay phase was aimed at pushing back the peak of the epidemic by reducing the spread of the virus.
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That could move the peak of cases away from the “winter pressures on the NHS in all four nations of the UK” to the summer months where viruses are less contagious.
It would also allow more time for research into the nature of the Covid-19 virus. The government set out its action plan earlier this week based on four stages - containing the virus, delaying its transmission, researching its origins and mitigating its impact.
Prof Whitty said there would not be a “step move” from the “contain” phase to the “delay” phase but “we are putting greater and greater priority on the elements of this which are delay”.
Boris Johnson’s spokesperson said this afternoon: “We will continue to try to contain this virus. However it is now likely that the virus is going to spread in a significant way.”
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Downing Street said officials would “now accelerate work on preparations for the delay phase”.
‘Delay’ phase
Prof Whitty said: “For the early stages of delay, contain and delay are very similar, not quite the same. They are largely around finding early cases, isolating them, following their chains of transmission, where necessary isolating those people.”
But as time goes by there would be measures that involved “changes to society”, he said.
Meanwhile, the official number of people testing positive for the virus in the UK as of Thursday morning was 115, up from 85 at the same point on Wednesday, the Department of Health said. Eight of the patients contracted the virus in the UK.
UPDATE on coronavirus (#COVID19) testing in the UK:
As of 9am 5 March 2020, a total of 18,083 people have been tested:
17,968 negative.
115 positive.
For latest information and today’s regional breakdown visit:
▶https://t.co/CZh5JdyN2Q pic.twitter.com/QMrVof4XWv — Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) March 5, 2020
The government has said it could encourage home-working, cancel large-scale gatherings and possibly close schools to slow the spread of the disease and delay the peak of the outbreak until summer, when the health service is under less pressure.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told ITV that Britain’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies was meeting to consider options to try to delay the spread of the outbreak ranging from “quite draconian stuff to more targeted interventions.”
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Asked whether Britain was close to taking measures such as stopping large public gatherings, Johnson said: “We’ll see what the scientists advise.”
Prof Whitty told the Commons’ Health and Social Care Committee that at the beginning it was hoped that the virus could have been contained mainly within China with a few outbreaks elsewhere and once the authorities got on top of it the Covid-19 would go away.
But, he said: “That is becoming an extraordinarily unlikely long-term outcome.
“We are not completely there and it is important to acknowledge that for ‘contain’ we need to have an international view about what we do about this.
“This is something which we should, in a sense, take the views of other nations as well as our own.
“But I think we need to be realistic about the fact that with so many different outbreaks, containing looks pretty optimistic.”
Prof Whitty added it is “highly likely” there is “community transmission” of the coronavirus in the UK and that he was “expecting more today, and expecting more over the next few weeks”.
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“I’m expecting the number only to go up, and there are now several – not large numbers, but several – cases where we cannot see where this has come from in terms of a clear transmission, either because someone has come directly from overseas or because they’ve had a close contact with someone who has recently returned from overseas.
“That I think makes it highly likely therefore that there is some level of community transmission of this virus in the UK now.
“I think we should work on the assumption it is here, on very low levels, at this point in time – but that I think should be the working assumption on which we go forward from this point onwards.”
He added that he had a “reasonably high degree of confidence” that 1% is at the “upper limit” of the mortality rate for coronavirus.
Stating it would be “lucky” to obtain a vaccine in the next year, Prof Whitty suggested that existing drugs could play a role in treating Covid-19.
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“Can we find drugs which we have got a licence for, we know the safety, they are widely available and which work against this virus?
“The answer, I think, is going to be yes. They won’t necessarily be perfect drugs but they may be enough to improve the outcomes for the people in the most high-risk groups.”
Smokers are advised to quit as they are deemed more vulnerable to the virus, but Prof Whitty stressed that even for high-risk age groups, catching coronavirus did not mean you would be “a goner”.
He said that firstly “we intend to do what we can to make sure that they are the group that is least affected, as far as we can”.
He added: “Even in the most vulnerable, oldest groups, in the very stressed health service which Hubei was at the point when most of the data come out of, the great majority of people who caught this virus – and not everybody will – survived it, the great majority, over 90%.
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“So, I think it’s easy to get a perception that if you are older and you get this virus then you’re a goner – absolutely not, the great majority of people will recover from this virus, even if they are in their 80s.”
It comes amid news that three more patients have tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland taking the total to six, the Scottish government said.
Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said the new coronavirus patients are from the Forth Valley, Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Grampian areas and are all contacts of known cases.
In a statement, Dr Calderwood said: “Scotland is well equipped to deal with this kind of infection and we are doing everything we can to contain the virus at this stage and minimise the risk to the public.
“Clinicians are now conducting contact tracing, the process of gathering details of the places those who have tested positive visited and the people they have been in contact with.
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“Close contact involves either face-to-face contact or spending more than 15 minutes within two metres of an infected person. The risk is very low in situations where someone may have passed a patient on the street or in a shop.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--How You Can Help Vulnerable People In The Coronavirus Outbreak

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Coronavirus is dividing the nation between those who have the access and resources to take necessary precautions, and those on low incomes or with other vulnerabilities for whom closures and self-isolation can take a huge toll.
Liam Evans, campaigns officer at Turn2Us, a national charity that helps people in financial hardship, believes there needs to be a collective move by society – as well as the government – to help those who are vulnerable, especially given the current climate. So what can people do to help?
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metamorworks via Getty Images
1. Shop responsibly.
Panic-buying can affect those on low incomes. Evans cited a corner shop that had increased prices of hand sanitiser from £1 to £7 due to demand. “Those sorts of individual choices have an impact on people on low incomes who won’t be able to afford that,” he says. If you overbuy, prices are likely to rise – and this will affect a portion of the population.
Try to keep it to business as usual, until advice suggests otherwise. This means there’s no need to buy more or less than you usually would. Shopping “responsibly” is the key here.
For those worried about having enough supplies in, supermarkets have confirmed they’re working with the government and suppliers to keep food moving quickly through the system while also increasing deliveries to stores.
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They urged the public to “be considerate” in the way they shop. “We understand your concerns but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without,” they wrote in an open letter to the public. “There is enough for everyone if we all work together.”
Rather than going to your supermarket, why not shop at a smaller, local store? Small businesses are also vulnerable in the Covid-19 outbreak – and buying your groceries from them, rather than a chain, could make all the difference.
2. Support food and beauty banks.
As cases of coronavirus rise and more people stockpile, food banks face fresh challenges to make sure vulnerable people have access to supplies, as well as having enough volunteers on hand to keep everything running.
More and more people rely on food banks and if vulnerable people are self-isolating, they will need food supplies but may not be able to stock up two weeks’ worth if they don’t have a freezer or the funds to do so. If you’re unable to get to food banks to donate, it’s worth calling your nearest one to find out if there’s a way for donations to be picked up, or another way you can help.
One way to donate without leaving the house is to speak to your food bank about when they are open and ask if you can send them an online delivery via your local supermarket. Or if you know someone in need, perhaps you could buy a meal from a food delivery service to send directly to their house.
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In addition to food, people also need hygiene essentials. The organisation Beauty Banks helps stock refuges and food banks with these, but it is now desperate for soap, detergent and more. Due to hygiene precautions, it is only accepting monetary donations at this time – a crowdfunding campaign has been set up by founders Jo Jones and Sali Hughes to help those in need.
3. Support local charities.
Grassroots organisations are often best placed to help people in a time of increased need such as the coronavirus outbreak – whether with information, food or funds. Evans puts an emphasis on local, smaller groups that are likely to offer “immediate, practical support” for issues relating to coronavirus.
Are there charities that give cash grants to vulnerable people in your area? Do those charities need support from volunteers to come up with an action plan? See if there are any that could benefit from your time, money – or both.
Or check out Covid Mutual Aid UK, an organisation providing support for local communities. “We focus on providing resources and connecting people to their nearest local groups, willing volunteers and those in need,” the website reads.
4. Look out for your community
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, says that now is the time to look out for your neighbours “The coronavirus outbreak is obviously a huge worry and looks likely to be challenging for our older population so it is more important than ever to be vigilant and look out for older friends, neighbours and relatives to make sure they’re okay,” she told HuffPost UK.
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Letting vulnerable people know of any updated health measures is helpful in itself. “If you have any concerns about their health or need more information about coronavirus call NHS111 or visit the NHS website,” says Abrahams.
Elderly or disabled neighbours might not have the ability to prepare or protect themselves, says Liam Evans at Turn2Us. This could be due to a lack of internet access or shortage of hygiene supplies, while visits from carers might be challenging because one or other person is in self-isolation right now. Older people and their families can call Age UK’s free advice line on 0800 169 65 65 to find out how its nationwide network can help them.
“Obviously, we’re urging the government to step in as much as possible – but no one is going to check on your neighbour more likely than you,” says Evans. “It’s more of a social responsibility to keep an eye on your community.”
Members of the public have also come up with creative ways to connect with those who might need a helping hand. Becky Wass, 32, created a PDF postcard for you to fill out your name, address and phone number, then tick boxes indicating how you can help others – before popping it through the letterbox.
5. Help people top up
Some people might be on a pre-payment energy meter, but unable to leave the house because they are self isolating. Peter Smith, director of policy and research, at National Energy Action, a fuel poverty charity, says given that cold homes can cause or exacerbate circulatory and respiratory conditions it’s “very important that people potentially infected with coronavirus – or any illness – are able to stay warm in their homes”.
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Check if anyone self-isolating on pre-payment meters is out of credit – you may be able to help them or advise them to speak to their energy supplier. “Suppliers can sometimes provide discretionary credit in emergency situations, although we must stress at this point that we can’t confirm what their policies are regarding coronavirus,” says Smith.
“If not then they should be able to advise on other ways that the person can manage their energy use during a period of temporary confinement.”
6. Give blood.
Keeping up with blood donations helps maintain a sufficient blood supply and avoid any potential shortages. As the number of coronavirus cases grows, the number of people eligible to give blood for patients in need could decrease further, which is why the NHS is urging to keep donating.
The NHS advises: “Please keep donating. Blood donation is essential to saving lives. If you have travelled to a coronavirus risk area recently or been in contact with someone who has the virus, you may have to wait some time before giving blood. There are no confirmed cases of any form of coronavirus being passed on through the donation of substances of human origin such as blood, organs, tissues and stem cells.”
7. And finally
You should be following all the health advice laid out by Public Health England to reduce the spread of coronavirus. This will minimise the potential health impact, and reduce infection, illness and death in those more vulnerable.
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You may not have any complications if you are tested positive for coronavirus, but if you pass it on to someone who has underlying health conditions or who is elderly, it could have fatal consequences.
To practise hygiene and reduce the spread, you should:
Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
Always wash your hands when you get home or into work
Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--Flybe Has Collapsed – Here Is Everything You Need To Know If You're A Customer

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In the early hours of Thursday morning, two months after it first looked as if Flybe might collapse, the regional airline finally fell into administration.
All flights have been grounded and passengers have been warned not to go to the airport unless they have booked a new flight with another airline.
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But if you’re a Flybe passenger or member of staff, where do you go from here? Here’s what we know so far.
A Flybe plane takes off from Manchester Airport. Phil Noble / Reuters
How many people are affected by the collapse?
As Europe’s largest regional airline, Flybe carried about eight million passengers a year between 71 airports.
The collapse could leave thousands of people stranded across the UK and Europe.
The company also has around 2,000 staff who have lost their jobs.
What should do if I’m supposed to fly with Flybe today?
The flight departure boards showing cancelled flights at Belfast Airport as Flybe, Europe's biggest regional airline, has collapsed into administration. PA
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Flybe has warned that all of its flights has been grounded, telling passengers not to travel to the airport if they’re supposed to fly.
What if I’m already on holiday?
When previous airlines such as Monarch Airlines and Thomas Cook collapsed, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was ordered by the Department for Transport to launch a major repatriation operation to fly them home.
However, on Thursday morning the CAA said it had not been commissioned to operate repatriation flights because there is “enough capacity in the market for people to travel via alternative airlines, rail and coach operations”.
The government has asked other airlines to offer reduced fares to Flybe customers and has called on coach and train operators to accept Flybe tickets.
EasyJet is now offering £65 rescue fares for Flybe customers until the end of May.
Meanwhile, train operator Avanti West Coast said it was offering free travel for Flybe customers and staff.
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Avanti Info ⚠✈: Flybe passengers can travel for free on Avanti West Coast services today, Thursday 5th March 2020. Passengers will need to show a Flybe ticket. Flybe Staff can also travel for free today on our services by showing a Flybe ID. — Avanti West Coast (@AvantiWestCoast) March 5, 2020
I’m a Flybe customer – will I get a refund?
Unmanned check-in desks at Belfast Airport as Flybe, Europe's biggest regional airline, has collapsed into administration. PA
Some travel insurance companies will cover cancelled flights if they are the result of an airline collapse, but not all policies provide this coverage.
Holidaymakers can also apply to their credit or debit card provider to be reimbursed.
Meanwhile, the Atol scheme provides protection to holidaymakers when travel firms collapse.
If a business collapses while you are on holiday, the scheme will make sure you can finish your holiday and return home.
Customers who have not yet left home will be given a refund or replacement holiday.
The scheme protects most trips booked as a package, such as flights and accommodation, or flights and car hire. It also applies to some flight-only bookings, particularly when the tickets are not received immediately.
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However, flights bought directly from airlines such as Flybe are not generally Atol protected but those bought through a separate travel company may be covered.
What can I do to protect myself from scams?
Flybe customers have been told to be aware of scams. Alan Tunnicliffe Photography via Getty Images
Citizen’s Advice has warned that Flybe customers could be at risk of scams in the wake of the airline’s collapse.
“Unfortunately we’ve found that in these situations scammers quickly jump on the bandwagon,” said senior consumer expert Jan Carton.
“If you’re a Flybe customer and you’re contacted by someone offering to act for you to recover your money it’s more than likely to be a scam.”
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She confirmed that Flybe customers who bought tickets directly from the company won’t be protected by Atol.
“If people have accommodation booked they should check the terms and conditions to see if they can get a refund. If they can afford to pay for another flight, it’s also worth checking if they can alter the dates.”
What is being done to help Flybe staff?
The collapse of Flybe means that around 2,000 people have lost their jobs.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--Billy Porter's Fairy Godmother Will Be 'Genderless' In New 'Cinderella' Movie

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Get ready for a “Cinderella” like no other.
In a new interview, Billy Porter opened up about Sony’s forthcoming movie musical adaptation of “Cinderella” in which he plays the fairy godmother. Due out next year, this version of the fairy tale depicts his character ― traditionally portrayed as a woman ― in a way never done on film before.
“Magic has no gender,” the “Pose” star told CBS News on Tuesday. “We are presenting this character as genderless. That’s how I’m playing it.”
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His new fairy godmother character, which he described as “really powerful,” will be named “the Fab G.” And Porter said he isn’t concerned about loyalists who might object to the reimagined role.
“This is a classic fairy tale for a new generation,” he said. “I think that the new generation is really ready. The kids are ready. It’s the grownups that are slowing stuff down.”
Details on the new “Cinderella,” which stars Camila Cabello in the titular role and is being directed by Kay Cannon, are thus far scarce. Currently filming in England, the movie boasts top-of-the-line talent.
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In addition to Cabello and Porter, Idina Menzel will play Cinderella’s wicked stepmother, while Pierce Brosnan and Minnie Driver will appear as the king and queen. British actor Nicholas Galitzine, whose credits include Netflix’s “Chambers,” will play Prince Robert.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--Anthony Scaramucci Explains Why, As A Republican, He's Backing A Democrat

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Anthony Scaramucci is a Republican, but he’s willing to back former Vice President Joe Biden for president.
The onetime White House communications director ― who held his post for just 10 days in 2017 and is now a vocal critic of President Donald Trump’s administration ― told CNN’s Richard Quest on “Markets Now” on Wednesday that he would vote for the Democratic presidential candidate and even campaign for him, but intends to remain a Republican.
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“Well, of everybody, I would take Joe Biden because of what you know about Wall Street, what I know about Wall Street, they like stability, they like levels of complacency, I think the president is representing disruption from the right,” Scaramucci said when asked by Quest to weigh in on which candidate would have Wall Street’s support. He cited the president’s response to the coronavirus ― the outbreak of which has prompted wild stock market swings ― as a factor.
“In an election between Trump and Biden, do you stay as a Republican?” Quest asked.
Scaramucci said he’d remain a Republican, but would vote for Biden.
We will have to rebuild the Republican Party when this is over. https://t.co/Z2gWCpMSyf — Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) March 4, 2020
“I’m a Republican for Joe Biden. Because the president is not a Republican,” Trump’s former friend said.
“Well, I’m not a Trumpist. I’m an old-school Republican like Mitt Romney, old-school Republican like George Herbert Walker Bush ... I don’t agree with his spending ... I don’t agree with the hatred, the nonsense, the license for impunity, the racism.”
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When asked if he would campaign for Biden, Scaramucci said: “If he asks me to, I will.”
His comments come after Biden swept Super Tuesday with primary wins in North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Minnesota and Massachusetts, ending the night with the most delegates in a stunning comeback after weak showings in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Last year, Scaramucci was spotted at a Southampton, New York, charity event featuring Biden. At the time, he insisted he was still registered as a Republican but was searching for a GOP candidate to challenge Trump because “he’s lost his mind.”
Trump’s challengers in the Republican primaries have seen dismal results (his closest contender, Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, had just one delegate going into Super Tuesday, where Trump coasted to an easy victory). Other conservatives, such as Daily Beast columnist and CNN commentator Matt Lewis, have announced they are crossing party lines to support Biden’s bid for the White House.
Watch Scaramucci’s CNN Business interview below. His comments about his preferred candidate start at the 8:25 mark.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--Olive Garden Restaurant Manager Fired After Complying With Request For Non-Black Server

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A manager of an Olive Garden restaurant in Indiana, US, no longer works for the chain after agreeing to a white customer’s demand to be served by a non-Black employee, according to people familiar with the incident on Saturday.
A bystander and an employee expressed disgust over the event on Facebook. Amira Donahue, a 16-year-old host at the restaurant in Evansville, said she and her Black co-worker were targeted by the white couple. The woman said “awful things” about her, Donahue said, including asking if she was “even from here” and suggesting that she should “work at a strip club instead.”
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“All I said to this woman was ‘sorry I don’t know,’ ‘have a nice day’ and ‘excuse me’ when she was standing in the way of a extremely busy restaurant,” Donahue wrote on Facebook.
Rick Wilking/Reuters
Donahue said that when the woman was seated, she demanded a white server and later screamed at her in the middle of the restaurant’s lobby, leaving both the server attending to the table and herself in tears.
Maxwell Robbins, who said he witnessed the ordeal, wrote that when the customer asked to speak with the manager, the manager agreed to ensure that the table would not be served by a person of colour.
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Donahue said the woman proceeded to eat half her food and demand a refund. “She should’ve been kicked out ASAP. But I guess the racist customer is more valuable than your black employees that were left in tears,” she said.
Olive Garden told HuffPost in an emailed statement that the company has a “zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind, and the manager involved no longer works for our company.”
In an update to his post, Robbins said that he was glad to hear the manager had been terminated.
“We got done what needed to be done and it shows that we will not stand for any racism around here! I love all of y’all and I just want to say she is the sweetest host I’ve ever met at any restaurant, I’m glad Olive Garden took care of her,” he said.
Robbins said he had not heard from the server involved. Donahue told the Evansville Courier & Press that the server was not emotionally ready for an interview.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--Katy Perry Pregnant With First Child With Orlando Bloom

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Katy Perry has announced she is expecting her first child with fiance Orlando Bloom.
The US singer revealed the news in the music video for her latest single, Never Worn White.
The romantic ballad appears to have been inspired by her relationship with the 43-year-old British actor, who she has been dating since 2016.
In the clip, Katy sings: “See us in 60 years with a full family tree.”
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The video ends with a side-on shot of the Firework singer cradling a baby bump.
Confirming the news on Instagram, the 35-year-old star said: “Let’s just say it’s gonna be a jam packed summer.”
She also joked about no longer having to hide her bump, tweeting: “Omg so glad I don’t have to suck it in anymore or carry around a big purse lol.”
omg so glad I don’t have to suck it in anymore 🙄 — KATY PERRY (@katyperry) March 5, 2020
or carry around a big purse lol — KATY PERRY (@katyperry) March 5, 2020
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In a live video, Katy also revealed she is ready to release a new album, saying: “Let’s call it a double whammy.”
The singer added: “I am excited, we’re excited, and happy. It’s probably the longest secret I’ve ever had to keep.”
Katy said she wrote Never Worn White in Santa Barbara and the intro of the track is from Felix Mendelssohn’s Wedding March.
Orlando Bloom, right, a cast member in the Amazon Prime Video series "Carnival Row," poses with his girlfriend, singer Katy Perry, at the premiere of the series at the TCL Chinese Theatre, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
“It’s a super vulnerable song for me to put out there,” she said. “It’s very honest, it’s about surrendering to love and all that you go through when you’re about to commit to someone.”
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Addressing her previous marriage to Russell Brand, Katy told fans the title of her new song is accurate as she wore a dove grey dress for the ceremony.
“The truth is I have never worn white,” she said. “Because the time before this, 10 years ago, I wore dove grey. So let’s just say it’ll be my first time wearing white.”
Katy got engaged to the Pirates Of The Caribbean actor on Valentine’s Day last year.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--I’m The Kid Behind ‘Cal’s Book Account’. These Are My Picks For World Book Day

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“Yo, it’s me Cal and I LOVE books.” So reads the blurb on Cal’s Books Account, the Instagram page of 13-year-old Callum Manning from South Shields, where the teenager posts about the books he’s read and recommends to others.
He was bullied by classmates for it, but Cal has had the last laugh. Dozens of authors and readers have shown him their support by sending their best wishes – and books, lots of them, from the Amazon wishlist he set up when his Instagram went viral, with more than 350,000 followers and counting.
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To mark World Book Day, Cal has shared with HuffPost UK his top six picks from his ever-growing stack of books. Happy reading!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
“After buying numerous chocolate bars, poor Charlie finally finds a golden ticket for a trip to the famous chocolate factory owned by the mysterious Mr Wonka. The visit changes his life for the better. I enjoyed this because of Roald Dahl’s sense of imagination, it’s feel-good and people can relate to Charlie.”
Paper Towns by John Green
“Quentin Jacobson has always liked Margo Roth Spiegelman. To his surprise one day she goes missing, leaving behind a set of clues which take Quentin and his friends on a journey across America. What I liked about this book was the characters and the fact Quentin has such good friends. I was 12 when I read it.”
You by Caroline Kepnes
“Bookstore owner Joe Goldberg forms a deep obsession with university student Guinevere Beck, and won’t let anyone get in the way of their relationship. I read this two months ago and it’s so compelling. This author is my favourite.”
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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
“Rich humbug Stooge hates Christmas! His nephew tries to get him into the spirit but it’s not the only spirit he is visited by: the ghost of Christmas past, the ghost of Christmas present and the ghost of Christmas yet to come. I love how creative and original this is – you get lost in the story. I read it when I was eight.”
The Shining by Stephen King
“Caretaker Jack moves his family to take care of the Overlook Hotel one winter, but gets slowly cursed by the curse of the place and tries to do away with them. I love Stephen King’s style of writing and this story totally grips you.”
The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--How Job Burnout Is Hurting Your Relationship (And What To Do About It)

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Adrien was working 12- to 14-hour days as an engineer on a project that also required a lot of travel when he experienced burnout in 2012.
He dreaded going to work and felt like there was no escape from his job. He was agitated and pessimistic. His appetite diminished. He never felt rested, even after getting a good night’s sleep. And though his friends, family and then-girlfriend were supportive, Adrien could feel the stress of his work taking a toll on those relationships.
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“My girlfriend then was a tour guide that had to be up early for morning shifts. Once she had to wake up at 3 a.m. and stay on the phone with me so that I could drive home without falling asleep,” Adrien, who asked not to use his last name to protect his privacy, told HuffPost. “I was feeling detached and not present in the relationship, making the relationship feel strained. We had very little time to spend together.”
Adrien’s experience is not an uncommon one. According to a 2018 Deloitte survey of professionals, 77% say they’ve experienced burnout at their current job. And 83% say burnout can negatively affect their personal relationships outside of the office, too.
Burnout is a response to excessive and prolonged work-related stress characterised by exhaustion, negative or cynical feelings about one’s work and being less engaged and less effective at the job as a result. While burnout is often associated with overworking, it can also be the result of being underchallenged professionally.
We asked an executive coach and a therapist to explain why occupational burnout can be so damaging to a romantic relationship and what to do about it.
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Burnout can slowly ruin your relationship
Milan_Jovic via Getty Images Those experiencing occupational burnout are often left feeling physically, emotionally and mentally depleted.
Sure, you’d like to shake off the stress and exhaustion of work before you walk through the front door at night, but that’s not easy to do.
“We like to think of ourselves as having a professional life and personal life, but the reality is we’re one person and there is no distinction,” said Katharine Agostino, an executive coach in Silicon Valley.
When you’re chronically depleted from work, mustering up energy to connect with your partner — something you once enjoyed — can feel impossible.
“Relationships take energy, and people who are experiencing job burnout are dealing with physical, psychological and emotional fatigue,” said marriage and family therapist Jennifer Chappell Marsh.
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One CEO Agostino works with recently told her that at the end of most days, he can barely decide what show to binge on Netflix, so “there’s no bandwidth left to plan the logistics of the next day, much less have an engaging conversation with my wife.”
“I was feeling detached and not present in the relationship, making the relationship feel strained.” - Adrien
When you’re spending long hours at the office or days or weeks traveling for work, you want to make the most of whatever time you and your partner have together at home. But those who are burned out don’t typically make good company. They can be moody, apathetic, irritable, withdrawn or otherwise unpleasant to be around.
“They do not have a lot to offer their relationship,” Chappell Marsh said. “The negative emotional state combined with lack of energy creates conditions where conflict is easier to arise in the relationship and harder to repair.”
And sex and other forms of physical connection may also take a hit.
“Intimacy also suffers because burnout brings a rise of cortisol, the stress hormone, which effectively shuts down sexuality,” Chappell Marsh said.
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It’s possible to turn things around
Nick Dolding via Getty Images According to one survey, 77% of professionals say they’ve experienced burnout at their current job.
Once burnout has seeped its way into other areas of your life, you may feel a sense of hopelessness. Even though you may not be able to change your work situation right away, you can make some small but powerful changes to your relationship now.
Don’t assume your partner knows how you’re feeling.
Say what’s on your mind instead of expecting them to read your mind. Opening up about some of the challenges and frustrations you’re dealing with may alleviate some stress and help your partner understand why you’ve been so “off” lately.
“Understand how you cope with chronic stress and then make sure you’re communicating this with your partner so you can be supported,“ Chappell Marsh said. “The most common responses to job burnout are to withdraw and stop communicating or to act out negative emotions by taking your frustrations out on the partner.”
If you need alone time to decompress, that’s OK so long as you let your partner know. And if you’re someone who needs to vent to offload stress, ask your partner to listen without jumping in and offering solutions, Chappell Marsh said.
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Plan date nights that feel doable in your current state.
Getting dressed up, hiring a babysitter and going to a big party might require too much effort for someone experiencing burnout. If you can’t handle that right now, find something simple and relaxing that you’ll both enjoy instead.
“When my husband and I are exhausted, it’s pho and a walk around the neighbourhood,” Agostino said. “And when we’re not? Well, with three kids and two intense jobs and a new puppy, I can’t actually remember what we do on non-exhausted dates, but we make it happen!”
Ask your partner what they need from you. Then do it.
You’re in the throes of burnout, so chances are you haven’t been a particularly attentive partner lately. To turn things around, Agostino recommended asking your spouse: “What’s the one thing I could do for you daily that would create a meaningful shift in our relationship for you?” Then do that thing every day for a week.
“It creates connection and an instant boost because the partners feel heard,” she said.
Some examples from Agostino’s clients include: going for a walk every night after dinner, kissing “hello” when they walk in the door or putting their phone away during dinner.
“So often we give what we think our partner needs without asking and then feel frustrated that the actions aren’t having the desired impact,” she said. “It is so much more potent to ask what they want, believe them (even if it’s not what you would want) and then deliver.”
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Give each other a pass occasionally.
You know those days where your tank is completely empty and you have nothing left to give? When that happens, Agostino and her husband give each other a special “game over” pass. Basically, if one partner is spent, the other will step up and cover their duties for the time being — without getting spiteful about it.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--29 Tweets You'll Relate To If You've Pretty Much Given Up On Dating

dating me is like a piano: really fun & expensive at first but then thru the years it starts to get out of tune & you just kind of get tired of it taking up so much space but it would be a hassle to move so you just post it for free on Craigslist until some other sucker takes it


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--Australians Hoard Toilet Paper Amid Coronavirus Panic

Australians randomly hoard toilet paper amid coronavirus panic. Sonia Giusto / Reuters
Australians are buying and hoarding essential items like toilet paper amid coronavirus panic with #toiletpaper one of the top trending Twitter topics on Wednesday.
Social media images and viral footage shows empty shelves in Sydney and Canberra supermarkets after coronavirus fears prompted shoppers to stock up on foods like pasta and supplies such as toilet paper.
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CEO of Richies IGA told Channel Nine’s Today Show on Wednesday the rush hasn’t impacted fresh produce or deli but he did admit the past 24 hours has been unprecedented.
“I have been in the industry 45 years, been through the SARS and have never seen anything like this before,” Harrison said.
“Toilet paper but also tissues, hand towels. Long life milk. It’s basically the products that have extended code that don’t have a used by date that are starting to move, rice, flour. They are selling. We are starting to see red meat shoot off the shelves as well.
“It’s almost a wipeout now. We do need the public to be a little bit more responsible.”
The women behind me at the Aldi check out #toiletpaper #coronavirusaustralia pic.twitter.com/XnenmvnQaR — Sonia Giusto (@SoniaCrestpac) March 3, 2020
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If there is a run on wine I am the first one at the bottleo!#toiletpaper #toiletpapercrisis #toiletpapergate pic.twitter.com/Pu8aUBwqJR — 💧The Angry Goddess (@Bishop64) March 4, 2020
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To prepare for a pandemic, University of Queensland virologist Ian Mackay advised people in a blog post to stock up on prescription medication and food that will last but urged the public to be sensible as this situation “is not a zombie apocalypse.”
“Don’t buy things you won’t eat later,” Mackay said in a blog post.
“Don’t hoard and don’t buy more than you’ll need for a 2 week period.”
What exactly are these people expecting to happen here? We're not going through a nuclear winter. If schools close or gatherings are shut down, we'll still have access to grocery shops. And...where's the food this will be needed for ? https://t.co/0qltWSEMAY — ɪᴀɴ ᴍ ᴍᴀᴄᴋᴀʏ, ᴘʜᴅ 🦠🤧🧬🥼🦟 (@MackayIM) March 3, 2020
Shelves where disinfectant wipes ,toilet tissues, bottled water, flu medicines are usually displayed are nearly empty at a local store. NurPhoto via Getty Images
Will the essentials actually sell out?
Keen to temper fears, Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged people to remain calm and said he has spoken with Australia’s two largest retailers, Coles and Woolworths.
“They would send the same message I am sending you today. It is important that people just go about their business and their normal processes in a calm manner,” Morrison told reporters in Canberra.
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Woolworths confirmed the purchase limit of four packs per customer transaction will apply in-store and online from Wednesday and IGA added it will do the same.
Biosecurity law to restrict movements of coronavirus patients
Meanwhile Australia will use a little-known biosecurity law to restrict the movements of people suspected of having the coronavirus.
The first community transmission of coronavirus has happened in Australia after a doctor contracted it. State health officials have said the unidentified doctor has not travelled overseas in months and had not treated any of the other confirmed cases.
Amid fears of a widespread outbreak, Attorney-General Christian Porter said the government will expand the use of a rarely used law that would either designate some places as out of bounds or place the patient in home detention.
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“Under the biosecurity act, you could have the prevention of movement from persons in and out of particular places,” Porter told the ABC.
“You might have a major sporting event where people would be in very, very close proximity to each other and... it might be determined that the risk of transmission at a venue like that was too high.”
The law, enacted in 2015, has rarely been used outside Australia’s agricultural sector.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week said a pandemic was likely and Australia has moved to try and prevent the virus from reaching its shores.
Since February 1, Australia has stopped any foreigner from entering directly from China, where the virus originated.
China is Australia’s largest trading partner and the move has prevented thousands of students and tourists from entering the country.
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Some Chinese students have travelled to a third country for two weeks, the incubation period for the coronavirus, which satisfies Australia’s quarantine restrictions.
However, authorities confirmed on Tuesday that one such student, a 20-year old Chinese man, has been diagnosed with coronavirus. The unidentified man spent two weeks in Dubai before travelling to Australia.
Australia now has 38 cases of coronavirus after New South Wales confirmed four more.
Australia has had one death, a 78-year-old man who was a former passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship which was quarantined in Japan.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--My Side Hustle Has Changed My Life, But I Wouldn't Recommend It. Here's Why

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My alarm goes off early on a Saturday morning. I had a busy week at work and I’m exhausted. But while I would love to bury myself back in my duvet, I drag myself awake and make a strong coffee to see myself through my morning shift. Although I may have already put in 40 hours at my office job, my weekends and evenings are taken up by my freelance writing gig, and today is no exception.
Later I will make a three-hour trip to my friend’s birthday party in another city, but instead of taking up her offer to sleep over I have already booked tickets to return on a night bus, catching up on the sleep I’ve missed as we hurtle down dimly lit roads. After all, there are invoices to file the next morning and deadlines to meet before the working week starts all over again.
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I’m not alone in scrabbling to make extra income in my spare time ― 44million Americans report working a side-hustle, with millennials driving the trend. In fact, 61% of younger millennials earn extra money outside of their day job, making a median additional income of $200 a month.
In many ways we’re lucky to be part of a generation that can tap into such varied means of making ends meet. The rise of the gig economy means that flexible work is often only ever a few clicks away. Instead of spending a lazy day off scrolling through Netflix, I can be topping up my bank balance from the comfort of my own bed.
Others squeeze in Uber shifts or freelance work around studying or use gig economy income to support them as they pursue a perhaps low-paying passion project. The world of digital work means that we have the options and opportunity to work in a way that suits us, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have found a side-hustle that I love and that provides me a level of financial security I had not had.
And yet the gig economy is undoubtedly flawed. While for some of us it is a convenient way of making cash, the zero-hours contracts and lack of worker’s rights that characterise gig economy work normalises a culture of insecure work. True, I may enjoy the perks of being able to augment my income in a manner that suits my lifestyle. But there are also serious downsides.
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When I first started side-hustling, it was unquestionably enjoyable. I loved writing, and I’d scribbled away for fun without expecting a cent in return for years. The fact that I could get paid for it seemed like an incredible stroke of luck, and I felt a jolt of disbelief every time I would see money land in my bank account for something that I loved to do.
But as the cost of living continues to creep up and my salary fails to match mounting financial pressures, the shine of the side-hustle has started to wear thin. It can sometimes be hard to find the joy in canceling plans and typing through the night when I’m fatigued from a full day at my desk job.
I am constantly stressed, endlessly worried about balancing personal and professional demands on my time, and anxious about continuing to win work contracts. I feel a vague yet perpetual guilt that while I plug away at my side-hustle, other areas of my life must inevitably suffer — the time and energy I can dedicate to loved ones, my mental and physical health, and my personal hobbies and interests. There’s very little space for anything even resembling a work/life balance when your life has become your work.
From the inside, it is clear that the normalisation of the side-hustle has a sinister slant. We seem to be a society that fetishises productivity, tagging #workporn and speaking of the so-called “hustle” in reverent tones. When I hear side-hustling being lauded as a solution to a workforce suffering from burnout, financial insecurity and endemic apathy toward their primary careers, I feel torn.
All of those things are true, and side-hustling has undoubtedly given me a welcome distraction from the frustrations of a conventional office job and watching myself topple back into my overdraft month after month. But what concerns me is how side-hustling is so often portrayed as a choice — as a means of taking control of your career, your finances and your happiness. When side-hustling is so often a solution to such fundamental issues as how to pay your rent, can we really consider it a choice, or is it a matter of urgent necessity?
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The pressure that some people must feel to put in extra hours becomes more apparent when the tangible risks of side-hustling are highlighted. Working over 39 hours a week has been linked to a host of mental and physical problems, from depression to cardiovascular issues. It is perfectly plausible that side-hustlers like me are quite literally working themselves to death.
So why am I still picking up my laptop to pitch my writing to the highest payer? I am, after all, very privileged to have a full-time job that covers most of my expenses. And yet even with two jobs, owning a house or a car is still an impossibility for me and the millions of young people who are unable to get onto the property ladder. For those of us who came to adulthood amid a recession, financial stability feels like a distant dream even with a side-hustle topping up our incomes.
So what’s the solution? Certainly side-hustling has benefitted me, and it would surely be hypocritical for me to tell others not to pursue a second stream of revenue in their spare time. It’s hard to argue that side-hustling is a bad idea when I’m reaping the financial and personal benefits of pursuing my dream writing career without giving up on the stability of a nine-to-five. And yet, as I spend my weekend declining invites and glued to my laptop, my mood foul from being chronically overworked, I feel my conscience recoil at the thought of recommending the path that I’ve chosen.
My advice to aspiring side-hustlers would be to make the choice with caution. To those already on a side-hustling path, I ask only that the endless glorification of side-hustling is curtailed. The need to have more than one job merely pastes over cracks in an economy creaking at the seams. Overselling the side-hustle dream makes us part of that problem.
This article first appeared on HuffPost US Personal.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--I Quit All Technology And Built A Cabin In Rural Ireland. And I’ve Never Felt More At Peace

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It was 11pm when I checked my email for the last time and turned off my phone for what I hoped would be forever. I had just put the finishing touches to a straw bale cabin that I’d spent the summer building on the three-acre, half-wild smallholding where I live. The following morning I intended to begin a new life without modern technology. There would be no fossil fuels, no running water, no electricity or any of the things it powers: no washing machine, internet or phone. Not even a light bulb.
Having lived entirely without money for three years previously, I was under no illusion that the so-called simple life was going to be the Romantic, bucolic idyll it’s all too often portrayed as. So I woke up the next day with mixed feelings. On the one hand I felt that sense of liberation that comes from no longer having any bills; on the other, that feeling of apprehension that comes from burning your bridges to modernity. Would unplugging from the industrial world mean I’d lose all touch with reality, or finally discover it? I was about to find out.
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I don’t write much these days about the reasons why I’ve rejected tech. This is in part because, deep down, we know them too well already. I could name a few: the mass extinction of species; climate catastrophe; widespread surveillance; the standardisation of everything; the fragmentation of community; the automation of millions of jobs; the stark decline in mental health; and the addictiveness of the hollow excitement that exists behind our screens, the goal of which seems to be the monetisation of our distraction.
“People often remark that this approach is selfish, that I’m turning my back on the world’s problems, and perhaps they’re right. But I’m not sure how my tweet about Trump’s latest antics would help the world...”
These concerns all still matter greatly. Yet, surprisingly, over time I found my reasons slowly change. They now have less to do with saving the world, and much more to do with savouring the world. The world needs savouring.
Since quitting social media and the news, my world has become smaller, and more intimate and detailed. Sometimes I overhear conversations about Trump or some political scandal, but I understand little of it, and it feels abstract and remote when there are so many concrete things in front of me every day: planting trees, fishing pike, making cider, carving spoons and a hundred other things modernity had once done for me. People often remark that this approach is selfish, that I’m turning my back on the world’s problems, and perhaps they’re right. But I’m not sure how my tweet about Trump’s latest antics would help the world more than rolling my sleeves up and doing something that’s useful here and now. This immersion in the world directly around me has done wonders for my mental wellbeing.
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It’s not all been evenings reading by the fire, and blackberry wine in hot tubs – far from it. Hauling wood from the forest, and sawing and chopping it with hand-tools, is hard work, believe me. With no stupidphone, there’s no chatting to faraway family and friends.
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But I’ve learned that this way of life has its own solutions. These days I write letters, a process which elicits an entirely different quality of language and thought. Instead of getting endless emails, text messages, and calls, I receive one or two letters a day, affording me more time to be in the company of those I really care about.
Giving up tech has also meant rejecting ‘clock-time’. This has had a dramatic effect on my relationship with time. In one sense, things do take longer. There is no chainsaw to zip through logs, no electric kettle or gas for a quick cup of tea. But here’s the strange thing: I find myself with more time. Not having any bills or mortgage, I don’t have to do the 40 hours a week required to pay for them.
Writing with a pencil, I can’t get distracted by clickbait or adverts. In doing so, I’ve become more in tune not only with seasonal rhythms, but my own body’s rhythm too. It has taught me to ‘be here now’. I’ve never slept better. There’s more diversity, less repetition. Mindfulness is no longer a spiritual luxury, but an economic necessity. This may not be the most profitable career path, but it’s good for my own bottom line: happiness.
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“I’ve lived with tech and without, and I know which one brings me most peace and contentment.”
What you eventually learn is that the sidekick of loss is gain. Take music, for example. The day I rejected the immortalising world of television, radio and the internet, it was as if all the world-famous artists I loved died at once. Suddenly there was no more Joni Mitchell or Leonard Cohen. Initially I felt a genuine sadness about that. But quitting electronic music prompted me to start going to live trad sessions, which I’ve come to love. I’m even learning to play myself, albeit badly.
People often call this ‘the simple life’. But that’s entirely misleading. It’s actually quite complex, made up of a thousand simple things, like foraging wild food or making rush-wick candles. By contrast, my old life in the city was quite simple, but made up of a thousand complex things, like laptops and plastic.
I don’t romanticise the past. But I don’t romanticise the future either. I’ve lived with tech and without, and I know which one brings me most peace and contentment. This way of life may not be for everyone, but it is for me. Now I want to feel all of the emotions and elements in their entirety. The rain, the joy, the wonder – all of it. In that sense, and that only, is this life I live simple.
Mark Boyle is author of The Way Home: Tales from a Life Without Technology, published by Oneworld, and filed this article via letter.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-05--I Love Books But Hate World Book Day

I Love Books But Hate World Book Day

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Love books, hate World Book Day. Sorry – but that’s the truth, when you’re a parent.
Every year, shortly before The Big Day, the frantic search for a costume begins. And it’s not just me – there are Facebook messages about it, posts on local ‘sell and swap’ forums, even the school WhatsApp group is full of panicked mums and dads trying desperately to find something for their kids to wear.
Many of us give up and let them dress up however they please, whether it’s got something to do with a book, or not. That’s why you see Princess Elsa from Frozen, and characters from Paw Patrol. You’ll probably hear those costumes defended with the excuse that books have been written about the film, so that ‘counts’. Fair play. It can be a real struggle to find a whole new outfit – and expensive, too.
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I can’t help but think we’re losing the meaning of World Book Day, too caught up with the costumes and group chats. Because the real meaning, the reason it all started, is to encourage our kids to fall in love with books. Does this one day do that? I’m not so sure.
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The concept of World Book Day is a wonderful one, for it can only be good to promote a love of literature – after all, studies show that reading to your children can strengthen the parent-child bond and make them behave better. There have also been many studies on the benefits children get from shared reading, including improved literacy, language-building and emotional skills.
But the day is in danger of losing that vital message, because it’s become so much more about dressing up and putting pressure on parents to fork out for a brand new outfit.
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The costumes aren’t important. In fact, I made a pledge long ago never to buy anything new for my children to dress up in for special events at school. After all, they can just make use of our ‘dressing up box’ at home – filled with scarves, hats, wigs and hand-me-down outfits.
“The day is in danger of losing that vital message.”
My kids are those poor unfortunates who go to class in a bed sheet when it’s ‘Romans Day’. If they’re lucky, I’ll recycle last year’s Christmas wreath for them to wear around their heads, too. And any excuse for them to wear a black bin liner, I’m taking it.
In a case of life imitating art, my daughter attended her first ever nursery World Book Day dressed as the feral child from her favourite picture book, ‘Wild’, by Emily Hughes. At school, she’s been Matilda, Mildred Hubble from The Worst Witch, and last year she chose... Cinderella (what can I say? She already had the tattered dress). I want her to love books, of course – the costumes are secondary to that.
The answer, then? Let’s take the pressure off our kids – and each other. This World Book Day, let them wear whatever they want. But later that night, in bed, make sure you read them a story.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-04--Flybe Collapses Into Administration As Coronavirus 'Made Difficult Situation Worse'

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Struggling airline Flybe has said coronavirus “made a difficult situation worse” after it went bust in the early hours of Thursday.
The carrier was saved from going out of business earlier this year but has been unable to obtain a £100 million loan from the government.
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A drop in demand caused by coronavirus has added to Flybe’s long-standing woes and administrators announced it had ceased trading with immediate effect.
Crisis talks were held throughout the day on Wednesday to try to secure a rescue package, but no deal was agreed.
The end of the Exeter-based airline, which employs 2,000 staff, will threaten thousands of jobs and the future of a number of regional airports.
Belfast City Airport is one of those airports worst hit by the collapse, with 81% of its flights operated by the carrier.
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In a statement, Flybe chief executive Mark Anderson said the company had been “unable to overcome significant funding challenges”.
“The UK has lost one of its greatest regional assets,” Anderson said.
“Flybe has been a key part of the UK aviation industry for four decades, connecting regional communities, people and businesses across the entire nation.”
The company said all Flybe flights were immediately grounded and advised all passengers not to travel to airports unless alternative flight arrangements had been made.
As part of the January rescue deal, Flybe agreed an arrangement to defer tax payments of “less than £10 million” with HM Revenue and Customs.
Ministers also agreed to hold a review into Air Passenger Duty (APD).
The structure of APD – which adds £26 to the price of most return domestic flights such as those operated by Flybe – could be altered in next week’s budget.
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Flybe serves around 170 destinations and has a major presence at UK airports such as Aberdeen, Belfast City, Manchester and Southampton. It flies the most UK domestic routes between airports outside London.
A series of issues have affected the airline’s finances, including rising fuel costs, falling demand, competition from road, rail and other airlines, plus a weakening of the pound.
But the firm said in a statement: “(Significant funding challenges) have been compounded by the outbreak of coronavirus which in the last few days has resulted in a significant impact on demand.”
It was bought by a consortium comprising Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital in February 2019, but has continued to make losses.
Amid reports UK airline Flybe is close to collapse, its website has stopped working and an error message says the link is “no longer live”. Full story: https://t.co/IE5ncHm3Gz pic.twitter.com/pV1cb42wcA — Graeme Demianyk (@GraemeDemianyk) March 4, 2020
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Unions and politicians have reacted with fury over the collapse.
Unite national officer Oliver Richardson told the PA news agency: “Unite members and the entire staff at Flybe, will be feeling angry and confused about how and why the airline has been allowed to collapse.
“It is simply outrageous that the government has not learned the lessons following the collapse of both Monarch and Thomas Cook that the much promised airline insolvency review has still not materialised.
“While other European countries are able to introduce measures to keep airlines flying when they enter administration, the UK remains unable or unwilling to do so.”
A Flybe flight departs from Manchester Airport ASSOCIATED PRESS
Andy McDonald, shadow transport secretary, said the loss of Flybe would cause “real anxiety” throughout the country.
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He said: “The Civil Aviation Authority is sadly very well practised, following the collapse of Monarch and Thomas Cook, at responding to airline failure and looking after passengers. No doubt they will do that once more.
“Yet again more airline workers face an anxious future and the government has to respond and provide them with all necessary support.”
On Thursday morning, transport secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News: “We’re all a bit gutted – Flybe is a household name, we’ve been flying with them for 40 years and we really tried to do everything we could back at the turn of the year.
“Unfortunately, with the situation that has developed with [coronavirus], an already weak company, I’m afraid, just hasn’t been able to survive.”
He added: “The concern is for people who have found themselves stranded and we’ve got people at the airport to be able to assist and we’re writing to all the other companies – coach companies, train companies – and asking them to assist.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-04--Noughts And Crosses: From The Cast, To Differences From The Book – Here's What You Need To Know

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Since news of a BBC adaptation of Noughts And Crosses was first announced back in 2018, it has become one of the most highly-anticipated dramas of recent times.
We’re happy to say that the wait is finally over, as this Thursday sees its debut on both BBC One and iPlayer, as Malorie Blackman’s series of novels of the same name is brought to life on screen for the first time ever.
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After the first book was published way back in 2001, the young adult books has won countless awards and has been celebrated as one of the most influential ever.
Whether you’re a long-term fan who has been early awaiting the adaptation, or someone who is new to Malorie’s stories, here’s everything you need to know about the TV adaptation...
BBC/Mammoth/Douglas Hale/Ricky Darko
What’s it about?
Tackling the topics of race, prejudice and ignorance in an alternative society in which Europe has been colonised by Africa, Noughts And Crosses tells the story of Sephy Hadley and Callum McGregor, who are divided by race but united by love.
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Sephy is a Cross, a member of the Black ruling class and daughter of a prominent politician, while Callum is a Nought, a white member of the underclass.
The two have been friends since early childhood, but their relationship grows ever more complicated as they come of age in a world that forbids their love for one another.
Noughts And Crosses tells the love story of Sephy Hadley and Callum McGregor BBC/Mammoth Screen/Ilze Kitshoff
“Noughts And Crosses is my version of Romeo And Juliet,” Malorie says.
“That was the inspiration for it and, from the feedback I’ve had, the teens and adults who have read it absolutely get that. It will be interesting to see how a wider audience will perceive it.”
Does the TV show differ from the book?
Undoubtedly the first thing fans of the book will notice is that Sephy and Callum are older than they first appear in the original novel.
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Malorie’s early work tells the story of the pair’s friendship as children when Callum’s mum Meggie worked as Sephy’s nanny, before things turned romantic between them as teenagers.
However, the TV series will see the characters aged up, with stories slightly adapted to fit their older selves.
Malorie was heavily involved in the adaptation and says she had “various meetings to talk about the direction and about the ageing-up of the characters”.
Author Malorie Blackman Jeff Spicer via Getty Images
“I feel the TV series is closer to how I would write the novel if I were writing it now,” she admits.
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“I was sent the scripts and was able to make comments on them, and then I was sent the rough cuts, so I feel like I have been included in the process every step of the way.
“I know that is not the case with all writers who have had their work adapted so I feel incredibly lucky.”
Malorie also reveals “the whole aesthetic is going to be different”, which is something that she “loves”.
“That in itself poses some stimulating questions and I hope it causes some interesting discussions,” she says.
There are also set to be some changes to other characters, as Callum’s sister Lynette does not appear to feature in the series, while newspaper editor Kolawale has been created especially for the show.
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Former Cold Feet star Helen Baxendale, who plays Callum’s mother Meggie, insisted it has not changed the story, although she admitted she fears some people may be unhappy with them.
Helen Baxendale plays Meggie McGregor BBC/Mammoth Screen/Ilze Kitshoff
She recently told the Daily Mail: “The main reason I took this role was my kids’ reaction. They loved the books and said I had to do it. My kids are 13, 18 and 21 but they’ve all read them. I was worried they’d hate any changes, but they’ll be fine.
“With social media there seems to be controversy at everything. There’ll probably be people from left and right who’ll fume about this. I hope it makes people think; that’s all you can hope. It’s only a TV show after all.”
Who’s in the cast?
Jack Rowan (Peaky Blinders, Born To Kill) and newcomer Masali Baduza take on the lead roles of Callum McGregor and Sephy Hadley.
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Paterson Joseph (Timeless, Peep Show) plays Sephy’s father, Home Secretary Kamal Hadley. Bonnie Mbuli (Invictus, Wallander) plays her mother Jasmine, and her sister Minerva is played by Kike Brimah (Love Type D).
Kamal Hadley (PATERSON JOSEPH), Sephy Hadley (MASALI BADUZA) and Lekan Baako (JONATHAN AJAYI) BBC/Mammoth Screen/Ilze Kitshoff
Helen Baxendale (Cold Feet, Friends) and Ian Hart (The Last Kingdom, The Secret Agent) play Callum’s parents Meggie and Ryan, and Josh Dylan (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, The Little Stranger) plays his older brother Jude.
Shaun Dingwall (Goodbye Christopher Robin, The Long Firm) is Liberation Militia leader Dorn. The cast also features Jonathan Ajayi and Rakie Ayola (Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, No Offence).
And last, but certainly not least, none other than actual Stormzy (!) is playing newspaper editor Kolawale.
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Yes, actual Stormzy appears in the show BBC/Mammoth Screen/Ilze Kitshoff
What are people saying about it?
Full reviews of the series have yet to debut, but that hasn’t stopped some sharing their early thoughts.
In a short preview, the Guardian described Noughts And Crosses as “a story of ill-fated lovers” adding that its “canny amplification of prejudice feels increasingly prescient today”.
A review in Culture Whisperer gave the show four stars and noted: “The BBC’s high-budget series adaptation really digs into the heart of Blackman’s message. In reversing the prejudice, we’re better able to imagine, see, and comprehend the extent of racism in the real world. More than that, the series acts like a poetic, political deconstruction of what racial privilege means.”
After a BBC screening earlier this week, some people also published their thoughts on Twitter:
Thrilled to be at the @BBCOne premiere of Noughts + Crosses ...! Terrific first episode and live Q&A with @malorieblackman and cast members. Can’t wait to watch the full series from Thursday! A powerful story everyone must see! pic.twitter.com/aWGTQHK559 — Sherah Beckley (@SherahBeckley) March 2, 2020
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What a pleasure this evening was. Salute to the cast, producers and of course @malorieblackman, Malorie Thee Blackman for her imagination and skill with words. Do check out @noughtcrosstv @BBCOne 9pm this Thursday https://t.co/ShiPxFTW4n — Clara Amfo & The Leggy Displays (@claraamfo) March 2, 2020
Malorie also says the responses she’s had from people who have seen it have been “overwhelmingly positive”.
“I am grateful for that,” she says. “There are some real hard-core fans out there of the books who are so engaged with Callum and Sephy and their dilemmas.”
What about more series?
While further series haven’t yet been announced – presumably because the BBC is waiting to see how the first pans out – there’s a high chance of more due to the fact there are currently five books in Malorie Blackman’s novel series.
Executive producer Preethi Mavahalli explains: “Series one sets up this world and the two warring families at the centre of the story, and covers much of the action of the first novel.
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“With four more books published and one more to come, there is plenty of scope for this series to return again and again and explore this unique and distinctive alternate universe.”
Fingers crossed.
Is there a trailer I can watch?
When is it on?
Noughts And Crosses begins on Thursday 5 March at 9pm on BBC One, with the whole series then made available to stream on BBC iPlayer.