buzzfeed--2020-04-30--Matt Hancock Announced That Mental Health Services Would Be "Restored" This Week, But They Never Clo

Matt Hancock Announced That Mental Health Services Would Be "Restored" This Week, But They Never Closed

Mental health services are seen as hugely important in the response to the coronavirus outbreak because of the huge psychological impact that the deadly virus — and the measures put in place to fight it — are likely to have on the public and frontline workers .
As BuzzFeed News has reported , mental health services have experienced significant disruption in recent weeks while the NHS urgently pivoted to confronting the pandemic .
Community-based teams were forced to suddenly switch to seeing patients remotely rather than in-person ; many nonacute services were suspended ; people who were expecting to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait ; and inpatient wards were closed to visitors .
But while this has been less than ideal for people who need support , mental health providers say they 've continued doing everything they can under extraordinarily difficult circumstances to remain open and accessible — and that people who urgently need help have not been turned away .
In many cases , assessments that normally would ’ ve been done in person have been done over the phone or by video conference , providers say , but they ’ ve also still been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to — despite the risks to staff of contracting the virus .
“ Locally , we continue to use face-to-face contacts where these are clinically necessary , ” said Michael Spencer , a consultant psychiatrist in the first response service covering Cambridgeshire and Peterborough .
BuzzFeed News sought clarification of the health secretary ’ s announcement from the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England .
A spokesperson for NHS England said that mental health services were not being restored this week because they had continued operating through the lockdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stops '' to keep services going .
The health department initially declined to elaborate on Hancock ’ s comments on Monday but , when pressed , a spokesperson confirmed that “ all urgent treatment within the NHS remained open ” .
Hancock had been trying to push the message that “ the NHS is open ” , the spokesperson added .
On Thursday , in a letter to NHS trusts across the country , the head of the health service Sir Simon Stevens reiterated the importance of mental healthcare and stressed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people affected by the pandemic , including existing patients , NHS staff , and black , Asian , and minority ethnic communities .
Rosena Allin-Khan , Labour ’ s shadow minister for mental health , urged the government to provide clear details about its plans for mental health services as the pressure from COVID-19 eases .
“ For people who require face-to-face talking therapies and access to group sessions , it is critical for them to be able to plan their care , ” Dr Allin-Khan said .
“ Any confusion about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does nothing but add greater stress and anxiety to an already incredibly difficult time .
“ Clear communication has been key throughout this crisis , and will be crucial to help rebuild people 's lives going forward .
The Government should not be sending mixed messages to those who rely on clarity to shape their future — it is irresponsible .
”

Mental health services are seen as hugely important in the response to the coronavirus outbreak because of the huge psychological impact that the deadly virus — and the measures put in place to fight it — are likely to have on the public and frontline workers.
As BuzzFeed News has reported, mental health services have experienced significant disruption in recent weeks while the NHS urgently pivoted to confronting the pandemic. Community-based teams were forced to suddenly switch to seeing patients remotely rather than in-person; many nonacute services were suspended; people who were expecting to start treatment were told they would have to wait; and inpatient wards were closed to visitors.
But while this has been less than ideal for people who need support, mental health providers say they've continued doing everything they can under extraordinarily difficult circumstances to remain open and accessible — and that people who urgently need help have not been turned away.
In many cases, assessments that normally would’ve been done in person have been done over the phone or by video conference, providers say, but they’ve also still been seeing people in person if they have to — despite the risks to staff of contracting the virus.
“Locally, we continue to use face-to-face contacts where these are clinically necessary,” said Michael Spencer, a consultant psychiatrist in the first response service covering Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
BuzzFeed News sought clarification of the health secretary’s announcement from the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England.
A spokesperson for NHS England said that mental health services were not being restored this week because they had continued operating through the lockdown. They had been "pulling out all the stops" to keep services going.
The health department initially declined to elaborate on Hancock’s comments on Monday but, when pressed, a spokesperson confirmed that “all urgent treatment within the NHS remained open”.
Hancock had been trying to push the message that “the NHS is open”, the spokesperson added.
On Thursday, in a letter to NHS trusts across the country, the head of the health service Sir Simon Stevens reiterated the importance of mental healthcare and stressed the need for crisis helplines and ongoing support for people affected by the pandemic, including existing patients, NHS staff, and black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities.
Rosena Allin-Khan, Labour’s shadow minister for mental health, urged the government to provide clear details about its plans for mental health services as the pressure from COVID-19 eases.
“For people who require face-to-face talking therapies and access to group sessions, it is critical for them to be able to plan their care,” Dr Allin-Khan said. “Any confusion about whether or not this will happen, does nothing but add greater stress and anxiety to an already incredibly difficult time.
“Clear communication has been key throughout this crisis, and will be crucial to help rebuild people's lives going forward. The Government should not be sending mixed messages to those who rely on clarity to shape their future — it is irresponsible.”


buzzfeed--2020-04-29--The "Parks And Recreation" COVID-19 Episode Preview Shows Ron Swanson Enjoying Social Distancing

In case you were wondering what he 's been up to , he 's hunting meat so he wo n't @ @ @ @ @ grocery store and he 's really into making jerky .
`` I 've built up @ @ @ @ @ venison jerky , '' says Ron to Leslie .
`` I can ship you some @ @ @ @ @ get your incisor teeth sharpened . ''

In case you were wondering what he's been up to, he's hunting meat so he won't have to go to the grocery store and he's really into making jerky. "I've built up around a 12-year supply of venison jerky," says Ron to Leslie. "I can ship you some. You probably have to get your incisor teeth sharpened."


buzzfeed--2020-03-26--Rihanna Has Spent Over $5 Million To Combat The Coronavirus And She's Officially My New Hero

In addition to all her usual contributions to society , Rihanna has now earned her spot as one of the @ @ @ @ @ .
The Clara Lionel Foundation she founded ( which is named after her grandparents ) @ @ @ @ @ to fight the coronavirus .
That 's incredible !

In addition to all her usual contributions to society, Rihanna has now earned her spot as one of the most philanthropic celebs out there. The Clara Lionel Foundation she founded (which is named after her grandparents) is donating $5 million to fight the coronavirus. That's incredible!


buzzfeed--2020-03-26--Italy’s Far-Right Leaders Are Pushing Debunked Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories To Millions Of Follow

Italy’s Far-Right Leaders Are Pushing Debunked Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories To Millions Of Followers

At the time , many politicians across the political spectrum , including on the left , were pushing similar messages , encouraging residents to go for aperitivos .
Then came the lockdown .
Salvini pivoted .
His new attack line : the lockdowns don ’ t go far enough .
# chiuderetutto — shut everything down — his social media headers read .
Inevitably , as lifelong eurosceptics , Salvini and Meloni began attacking the EU ’ s response to the crisis , even arguing , without evidence , that some member states wanted to exploit the pandemic to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thin , the attacks have become relentless — and the content posted by Salvini and Meloni increasingly extreme .
On Wednesday , the two leaders took a conspiracy theory doing the rounds in some WhatsApp groups and pushed it to their millions of followers on Facebook and Twitter .
The discredited and unsubstantiated theory claims that a news programme aired in 2015 about a Chinese lab ’ s experiments and research on other coronaviruses was proof that the novel virus had originated in that same lab .
`` INCREDIBLE !
!
! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` 2015 , the Chinese created a supercoronavirus with bats and mice !
!
! ''
`` WE WANT THE TRUTH ! ''
Meloni said on the social networking platform .
Both leaders called for the government to answer questions in parliament .
The conspiracy theory has been debunked by Italian fact-checkers and several news outlets , including Il Post and La Repubblica .
In short , the 2015 research had nothing to do with COVID-19 .
A director at the Italian National Research Council ( CNR ) told La Repubblica : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first version of Sars , and not least did it come from mice .
Therefore it [ COVID-19 ] absolutely can not be the virus created in the Chinese lab that is discussed in the [ 2015 ] programme . ''
The magazine Nature , which published the 2015 study on which the TV programme was based , has also said that the novel coronavirus did not originate in a lab .

At the time, many politicians across the political spectrum, including on the left, were pushing similar messages, encouraging residents to go for aperitivos.
Then came the lockdown. Salvini pivoted. His new attack line: the lockdowns don’t go far enough. #chiuderetutto — shut everything down — his social media headers read.
Inevitably, as lifelong eurosceptics, Salvini and Meloni began attacking the EU’s response to the crisis, even arguing, without evidence, that some member states wanted to exploit the pandemic to their benefit.
But with attention still running thin, the attacks have become relentless — and the content posted by Salvini and Meloni increasingly extreme.
On Wednesday, the two leaders took a conspiracy theory doing the rounds in some WhatsApp groups and pushed it to their millions of followers on Facebook and Twitter. The discredited and unsubstantiated theory claims that a news programme aired in 2015 about a Chinese lab’s experiments and research on other coronaviruses was proof that the novel virus had originated in that same lab.
"INCREDIBLE!!!" Salvini tweeted, in all caps, "2015, the Chinese created a supercoronavirus with bats and mice!!!"
"WE WANT THE TRUTH!" Meloni said on the social networking platform.
Both leaders called for the government to answer questions in parliament.
The conspiracy theory has been debunked by Italian fact-checkers and several news outlets, including Il Post and La Repubblica. In short, the 2015 research had nothing to do with COVID-19.
A director at the Italian National Research Council (CNR) told La Repubblica: "The current virus does not originate from the first version of Sars, and not least did it come from mice. Therefore it [COVID-19] absolutely cannot be the virus created in the Chinese lab that is discussed in the [2015] programme."
The magazine Nature, which published the 2015 study on which the TV programme was based, has also said that the novel coronavirus did not originate in a lab.


buzzfeed--2020-03-26--Abortion Providers Will Be Treated As Essential Health Workers During This Pandemic

Multiple state health departments have confirmed that abortion doctors will be exempt from travel restrictions if travelling interstate to carry out surgical abortions , as the procedure is essential , not elective .
BuzzFeed News this week revealed up to 80 women on surgical abortion lists around Australia could be left in limbo as doctors fought to be exempt from new coronavirus travel restrictions requiring self-isolation .
Australia 's biggest abortion provider Marie Stopes Australia ( MSA ) resorted to calling the COVID-19 hotline in an attempt to find answers for its patients as health departments were not responding .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia , the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland that our doctors would be exempt from self-isolation , '' MSA managing director Jamal Hakim told BuzzFeed News .
`` We clearly classify abortion care as a Category 1 procedure because it is so timely and sensitive and it has been really heartening to have that confirmed by some governments . ''
Prime minister Scott Morrison announced on Wednesday that all elective surgery , other than Category 1 ( needed within 30 days ) and urgent Category 2 ( 90 days ) cases would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the federal health department said that curettage and evacuation of uterus — a surgery needed during some abortions — remained in Category 1 .
The spokesperson added that states and territories have their own elective surgery access policies , which would affect how all procedures are triaged and prioritised in hospitals .
MSA has four doctors ( two in Queensland , one in South Australia and one in New South Wales ) who were due to travel this week , and four more due to travel next week , but was concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon returning home then women on surgical lists in their home states would be left in the lurch .
Fly-in-fly-out workers are common in abortion provision as some clinics in regional or remote areas only open one day a week and local staff can be hard to find in regions where there are several conscientious objectors .
But MSA will now suspend all interstate travel and is currently trying to recruit local providers to fill gaps so that women are n't left waiting for this time-sensitive procedure .
The organisation has also temporarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 20 weeks ) at its later gestation clinic in Victoria .
Termination procedures are not classed as elective in Queensland and these procedures are usually performed as outpatient , or surgical outpatient .
`` A number of key groups were made exempt from the recent border restrictions placed on Queensland , as part of the ongoing management and containment of novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) , '' a Queensland Health spokesperson told BuzzFeed News .
`` Essential health personnel , including those offering critical services in the private sector , are included @ @ @ @ @

Multiple state health departments have confirmed that abortion doctors will be exempt from travel restrictions if travelling interstate to carry out surgical abortions, as the procedure is essential, not elective.
BuzzFeed News this week revealed up to 80 women on surgical abortion lists around Australia could be left in limbo as doctors fought to be exempt from new coronavirus travel restrictions requiring self-isolation.
Australia's biggest abortion provider Marie Stopes Australia (MSA) resorted to calling the COVID-19 hotline in an attempt to find answers for its patients as health departments were not responding.
"We have had confirmation from Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland that our doctors would be exempt from self-isolation," MSA managing director Jamal Hakim told BuzzFeed News. "We clearly classify abortion care as a Category 1 procedure because it is so timely and sensitive and it has been really heartening to have that confirmed by some governments."
Prime minister Scott Morrison announced on Wednesday that all elective surgery, other than Category 1 (needed within 30 days) and urgent Category 2 (90 days) cases would be suspended during this pandemic.
A spokesperson for the federal health department said that curettage and evacuation of uterus — a surgery needed during some abortions — remained in Category 1.
The spokesperson added that states and territories have their own elective surgery access policies, which would affect how all procedures are triaged and prioritised in hospitals.
MSA has four doctors (two in Queensland, one in South Australia and one in New South Wales) who were due to travel this week, and four more due to travel next week, but was concerned that if the doctors had to self-isolate upon returning home then women on surgical lists in their home states would be left in the lurch.
Fly-in-fly-out workers are common in abortion provision as some clinics in regional or remote areas only open one day a week and local staff can be hard to find in regions where there are several conscientious objectors.
But MSA will now suspend all interstate travel and is currently trying to recruit local providers to fill gaps so that women aren't left waiting for this time-sensitive procedure. The organisation has also temporarily lowered the gestation limit (from 24 to 20 weeks) at its later gestation clinic in Victoria.
Termination procedures are not classed as elective in Queensland and these procedures are usually performed as outpatient, or surgical outpatient.
"A number of key groups were made exempt from the recent border restrictions placed on Queensland, as part of the ongoing management and containment of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)," a Queensland Health spokesperson told BuzzFeed News. "Essential health personnel, including those offering critical services in the private sector, are included in these groups."


buzzfeed--2020-03-26--Britain’s Food Industry Is Facing A Severe Labour Crisis That Could Lead To Shortages

The food industry has warned that it faces a serious labour shortage that will soon affect food supply because the government ’ s economic package means furloughed workers are unable to plug gaps in production lines .
The bosses of two of Britain ’ s leading food manufacturers told BuzzFeed News that chancellor Rishi Sunak ’ s decision to pay 80 % of the wages of hospitality workers and people in other industries who can ’ t work because of the coronavirus pandemic has had severe unintended consequences .
The food industry was relying on laid-off workers from other industries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the government ’ s measures mean those workers would lose out on receiving the 80 % state-funded contribution to their old salaries if they take new jobs in the food sector .
The Department for Environment , Food , and Rural Affairs told BuzzFeed News it was looking into the problem .
Denis Lynn , chair of Finnebrogue Artisan , a food producer that supplies every major UK supermarket , said his firm is facing a 40 % labour shortage because it is finding it impossible to hire new workers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to man our production lines if we are to feed the nation over the weeks ahead , ” he told BuzzFeed News .
“ The government ’ s 80 % salary commitment to staff in temporarily redundant industries has killed our plan to second hospitality workers to food factories .
There were thousands of responses to our industry ’ s call to action in Northern Ireland alone , but only a handful have signed up since their financial security was guaranteed by the Treasury .
“ The government should allow hospitality staff to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ packet while earning additional money from essential industries as an incentive .
Right now , workers will pay a penalty if they choose to play their part in an essential national industry that needs help .
“ We need people to produce and pack the food that will keep the supermarket shelves stocked .
If , as projected , we lose 40 % of our workforces over the weeks to come , the country will lose a major chunk of its food supply , too.
” His concerns were echoed by Jack Hamilton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mash Direct , who told BuzzFeed News : “ We are currently coping with surging demand in the supermarkets but we will not be able to feed the nation over the coming weeks and months unless we are able to bring on and train additional staff to fulfil demand .
“ The training will be crucial as we will need the new recruits to not only be trained up in our processes but also in the new health and safety measures that we have been rolling out to ensure the safety of everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been working with our friends in the hospitality sector to second their staff who are temporarily out of work .
Unfortunately the government ’ s 80 % salary offer to these people restricts them from doing another job without losing the financial security that has been provided to them .
“ If the government were to allow these people to retain their security while temporarily earning another wage to keep a vital national industry running in the country ’ s hour of need , we will be able to produce the food the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : “ Our industry is facing a labour crisis that will result in food shortages soon if not resolved .
“ HMG [ the government ] have fixed the financial crisis that was looming for individuals in the hospitality sector — but the unintended consequence of that has been to shut the door on a way to keep supermarkets supplied .
That door needs to be blown wide open if we are going to successfully feed the nation over the coming weeks and months.
” Environment secretary George Eustice said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fill that gap and make sure our excellent fruit and vegetables are on people ’ s plates over the summer months .
There are already brilliant recruitment efforts underway by [ the ] industry , and I would encourage as many people as possible to sign up .
“ We will also be looking at other ways to make sure farmers have support they need ahead of the busy harvest months while also keeping workers safe and protected .
”

The food industry has warned that it faces a serious labour shortage that will soon affect food supply because the government’s economic package means furloughed workers are unable to plug gaps in production lines.
The bosses of two of Britain’s leading food manufacturers told BuzzFeed News that chancellor Rishi Sunak’s decision to pay 80% of the wages of hospitality workers and people in other industries who can’t work because of the coronavirus pandemic has had severe unintended consequences.
The food industry was relying on laid-off workers from other industries to be seconded to food production lines. But the government’s measures mean those workers would lose out on receiving the 80% state-funded contribution to their old salaries if they take new jobs in the food sector.
The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs told BuzzFeed News it was looking into the problem.
Denis Lynn, chair of Finnebrogue Artisan, a food producer that supplies every major UK supermarket, said his firm is facing a 40% labour shortage because it is finding it impossible to hire new workers.
“Our industry desperately needs more people to man our production lines if we are to feed the nation over the weeks ahead,” he told BuzzFeed News.
“The government’s 80% salary commitment to staff in temporarily redundant industries has killed our plan to second hospitality workers to food factories. There were thousands of responses to our industry’s call to action in Northern Ireland alone, but only a handful have signed up since their financial security was guaranteed by the Treasury.
“The government should allow hospitality staff to retain 80% of their previous pay packet while earning additional money from essential industries as an incentive. Right now, workers will pay a penalty if they choose to play their part in an essential national industry that needs help.
“We need people to produce and pack the food that will keep the supermarket shelves stocked. If, as projected, we lose 40% of our workforces over the weeks to come, the country will lose a major chunk of its food supply, too.”
His concerns were echoed by Jack Hamilton, chief operating officer of vegetable supplier Mash Direct, who told BuzzFeed News: “We are currently coping with surging demand in the supermarkets but we will not be able to feed the nation over the coming weeks and months unless we are able to bring on and train additional staff to fulfil demand.
“The training will be crucial as we will need the new recruits to not only be trained up in our processes but also in the new health and safety measures that we have been rolling out to ensure the safety of everyone on site."
“We have been working with our friends in the hospitality sector to second their staff who are temporarily out of work. Unfortunately the government’s 80% salary offer to these people restricts them from doing another job without losing the financial security that has been provided to them.
“If the government were to allow these people to retain their security while temporarily earning another wage to keep a vital national industry running in the country’s hour of need, we will be able to produce the food the nation requires."
Another industry insider said: “Our industry is facing a labour crisis that will result in food shortages soon if not resolved.
“HMG [the government] have fixed the financial crisis that was looming for individuals in the hospitality sector — but the unintended consequence of that has been to shut the door on a way to keep supermarkets supplied. That door needs to be blown wide open if we are going to successfully feed the nation over the coming weeks and months.”
Environment secretary George Eustice said: “We need to mobilise the British workforce to fill that gap and make sure our excellent fruit and vegetables are on people’s plates over the summer months. There are already brilliant recruitment efforts underway by [the] industry, and I would encourage as many people as possible to sign up.
“We will also be looking at other ways to make sure farmers have support they need ahead of the busy harvest months while also keeping workers safe and protected.”


buzzfeed--2020-03-05--How Do You Stop Yourself From Touching Your Face?

We hope you love the products we recommend !
All of them were independently selected by our editors .
Just @ @ @ @ @ may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page @ @ @ @ @ from them .
Oh , and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock @ @ @ @ @ .

I'm sure many of you have ideas I certainly haven't thought of — and I'd love to hear them! How have you learned to stop touching your face? Tips, product purchases, whatever! Tell us in the comments below for the chance to be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post.


buzzfeed--2020-01-31--Facebook Said It Will Remove Posts About Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories And Fake Cures

Misinformation about the coronavirus has been rife on social media .
For example , posts and videos are spreading on @ @ @ @ @ will cure or prevent the virus .
Facebook will allow health organisations to flag content @ @ @ @ @ promotes harmful content such as conspiracy theories or false cures for removal , Jin wrote @ @ @ @ @ block or restrict hashtags associated with misinformation on Instagram .
The plan supplements existing efforts @ @ @ @ @ to stop misinformation by allowing independent fact-checkers to review content for false information .
If @ @ @ @ @ one of the company 's fact-checking partners to contain false information , the post will @ @ @ @ @ the platforms and users will see an alert notifying them of the fact-checker 's finding @ @ @ @ @ will start showing an information module with information about the crisis when users view searches @ @ @ @ @ virus , following a similar policy announced by Twitter earlier this week .

Misinformation about the coronavirus has been rife on social media. For example, posts and videos are spreading on Facebook falsely claiming Vitamin C will cure or prevent the virus.
Facebook will allow health organisations to flag content on Facebook and Instagram that promotes harmful content such as conspiracy theories or false cures for removal, Jin wrote.
The company will also block or restrict hashtags associated with misinformation on Instagram.
The plan supplements existing efforts by the social media giant to stop misinformation by allowing independent fact-checkers to review content for false information.
If a post is found by one of the company's fact-checking partners to contain false information, the post will have its reach limited on the platforms and users will see an alert notifying them of the fact-checker's finding.
Jin also said Facebook will start showing an information module with information about the crisis when users view searches or hashtags related to the virus, following a similar policy announced by Twitter earlier this week.


buzzfeed--2020-03-22--Here's What Los Angeles Looks Like During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Not five days ago , California was one of the many states to issue a `` shelter-in-place '' order to @ @ @ @ @ limit the spread of the coronavirus

Not five days ago, California was one of the many states to issue a "shelter-in-place" order to help flatten the curve and limit the spread of the coronavirus


buzzfeed--2020-03-22--I Was Struggling With My Mental Health Before The Coronavirus Outbreak. Here's What It's Like To Dea

I Was Struggling With My Mental Health Before The Coronavirus Outbreak. Here's What It's Like To Deal With That In Isolation

There ’ s a long pause while the network connects , and then finally my psychologist appears in a pop-up window on my laptop screen .
It ’ s time for our first remote therapy session of the coronavirus era .
For nine months or so , the hour I ’ ve spent every Thursday afternoon in this therapist ’ s central London office has been the most important moment of my week .
Now , both of us are in isolation at home — in my case , because a couple of colleagues are suspected of contracting the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had no symptoms — and there ’ s no alternative but to speak by video conference .
It ’ s a strange experience .
I waste eight precious minutes waiting for the application to load and fiddling with microphone settings .
The sound of drilling from building works next door provides a distracting backdrop .
There ’ s been a lot written in recent days about the importance of looking after your mental health in this chaotic situation .
For even the most resilient of us , the spread of a deadly pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the extreme uncertainty about the future — all the things it feels like we ’ ve now lost — are deeply unsettling and stressful .
But it ’ s even more terrifying if you were already grappling with a mental health condition .
Take it from me .
In the late 1990s , I was a 20-year-old in Auckland , New Zealand when I suffered a catastrophic , life-threatening episode of major depression .
After a stint in hospital , I gradually recovered , started a career as a magazine journalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side of the world .
Two decades after arriving in London , I ’ d made a good life : I had a happy marriage , a wonderful young daughter , a terrific job .
But then , at some point last year , I relapsed .
There was no specific trigger , rather a series of stressful life events over a few years that , I eventually realised , collectively became overwhelming .
This wasn ’ t the all-systems meltdown that I ’ d experienced as a young adult : I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most people around me didn ’ t notice .
I never stopped being an attentive dad .
I could still imagine a future .
I wasn ’ t suicidal .
Even so , it was a miserable grind .
I was constantly tired and despondent .
My mind was totally scrambled .
Confidence vanished .
Small things began to seem like crushing obstacles .
It was nearly impossible to concentrate .
Some days I could barely complete an email .
My work suffered .
As a political journalist , I should ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Westminster , but instead I just felt drained and useless .
I was guilty and anxious about leaving the battlefield , letting down colleagues , readers , and sources , but I kept that mainly to myself ; it ’ s hard when you ’ re depressed to find the language to talk about it , even with the people closest to you .
Over several months , I got better .
Put that down to a lot of painful work in therapy and some incremental lifestyle changes .
I learned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( not easy given that , like too many in my trade , I ’ ve always used it to self-regulate ) and stopped eating meat entirely .
I tried to spend more time reading books , exercising and sleeping , and less on Twitter .
I sought to avoid stress where I could .
At work , I was lucky to have a generous editor who gave me time to get back on my feet .
My new goal every morning was to go into the office and focus solidly on one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I could do that , I ’ d try another 20 minutes , and so on .
We took it from there .
By the start of this month , I was feeling much stronger than I had six months earlier .
I hadn ’ t recovered , exactly — there were still bad days — but I felt like I was slowly easing back into the life I want to be living .
Winter would soon be over ; I had some promising stories in the pipeline ; we were planning a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

There’s a long pause while the network connects, and then finally my psychologist appears in a pop-up window on my laptop screen. It’s time for our first remote therapy session of the coronavirus era.
For nine months or so, the hour I’ve spent every Thursday afternoon in this therapist’s central London office has been the most important moment of my week. Now, both of us are in isolation at home — in my case, because a couple of colleagues are suspected of contracting the virus, although I’ve as yet had no symptoms — and there’s no alternative but to speak by video conference.
It’s a strange experience. I waste eight precious minutes waiting for the application to load and fiddling with microphone settings. The sound of drilling from building works next door provides a distracting backdrop.
There’s been a lot written in recent days about the importance of looking after your mental health in this chaotic situation. For even the most resilient of us, the spread of a deadly pandemic, the unprecedented disruption to daily life, and the extreme uncertainty about the future — all the things it feels like we’ve now lost — are deeply unsettling and stressful.
But it’s even more terrifying if you were already grappling with a mental health condition. Take it from me.
In the late 1990s, I was a 20-year-old in Auckland, New Zealand when I suffered a catastrophic, life-threatening episode of major depression. After a stint in hospital, I gradually recovered, started a career as a magazine journalist, and then moved to the other side of the world. Two decades after arriving in London, I’d made a good life: I had a happy marriage, a wonderful young daughter, a terrific job.
But then, at some point last year, I relapsed. There was no specific trigger, rather a series of stressful life events over a few years that, I eventually realised, collectively became overwhelming. This wasn’t the all-systems meltdown that I’d experienced as a young adult: I could muddle through every day well enough that most people around me didn’t notice. I never stopped being an attentive dad. I could still imagine a future. I wasn’t suicidal.
Even so, it was a miserable grind. I was constantly tired and despondent. My mind was totally scrambled. Confidence vanished. Small things began to seem like crushing obstacles. It was nearly impossible to concentrate. Some days I could barely complete an email. My work suffered.
As a political journalist, I should’ve been energised by the astonishing history-making events in Westminster, but instead I just felt drained and useless. I was guilty and anxious about leaving the battlefield, letting down colleagues, readers, and sources, but I kept that mainly to myself; it’s hard when you’re depressed to find the language to talk about it, even with the people closest to you.
Over several months, I got better. Put that down to a lot of painful work in therapy and some incremental lifestyle changes. I learned to meditate. I cut back on drinking (not easy given that, like too many in my trade, I’ve always used it to self-regulate) and stopped eating meat entirely. I tried to spend more time reading books, exercising and sleeping, and less on Twitter. I sought to avoid stress where I could.
At work, I was lucky to have a generous editor who gave me time to get back on my feet. My new goal every morning was to go into the office and focus solidly on one productive task for 20 minutes. If I could do that, I’d try another 20 minutes, and so on. We took it from there.
By the start of this month, I was feeling much stronger than I had six months earlier. I hadn’t recovered, exactly — there were still bad days — but I felt like I was slowly easing back into the life I want to be living. Winter would soon be over; I had some promising stories in the pipeline; we were planning a much-needed holiday.
Then came the outbreak.


buzzfeed--2020-04-03--New Parents Raising Their Babies In Isolation Are Grieving For The Experience They Imagined

There has been a 20 % surge in callers to national Australian support group Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia ( PANDA ) as families grapple with social isolation in the new coronavirus pandemic .
The helpline , which is now sourcing retired volunteers to meet current demand , is a “ live thermometer ” for how parents across Australia are coping , according to its chief executive Julie Borninkhof .
`` We have seen a significant increase in the number of new and expecting mums and dads across Australia who are accessing those services , '' Borninkhof told BuzzFeed News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of callers we 've had historically , those with a diagnosable mental illness , but those who probably would have been going okay historically but who are more stressed ... there are so many triggers out there for people at the moment .
`` We could see it with each stage of shutdown and the minute the mum 's groups were closed , that increased the number of calls significantly .
It was n't just people who were reacting to not being able to attend a mother 's group , but those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about to give birth and I 'd expected that support would be there and now it is n't going to be , so what do I do ? '
'' There has also been a spike in visitors to the PANDA website from Australia and abroad .
March 's traffic was equal to the previous three months combined .
`` As a society we do still see this as a time when family wraps around and embraces the couple as they welcome a new bub into their world , and when parents ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents or siblings it really places a massive role in displacing people so they feel more vulnerable , '' Borninkhof said .
`` It is community support that really anchors people in moments of distress and if those anchors are n't there it is really easy to feel like you 're floating untethered in this sea of unknowns that COVID-19 is creating . ''

There has been a 20% surge in callers to national Australian support group Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) as families grapple with social isolation in the new coronavirus pandemic.
The helpline, which is now sourcing retired volunteers to meet current demand, is a “live thermometer” for how parents across Australia are coping, according to its chief executive Julie Borninkhof.
"We have seen a significant increase in the number of new and expecting mums and dads across Australia who are accessing those services," Borninkhof told BuzzFeed News.
"They're not just the kind of callers we've had historically, those with a diagnosable mental illness, but those who probably would have been going okay historically but who are more stressed... there are so many triggers out there for people at the moment.
"We could see it with each stage of shutdown and the minute the mum's groups were closed, that increased the number of calls significantly. It wasn't just people who were reacting to not being able to attend a mother's group, but those who were pregnant saying 'I'm about to give birth and I'd expected that support would be there and now it isn't going to be, so what do I do?'"
There has also been a spike in visitors to the PANDA website from Australia and abroad. March's traffic was equal to the previous three months combined.
"As a society we do still see this as a time when family wraps around and embraces the couple as they welcome a new bub into their world, and when parents can't be sharing that with their own parents or siblings it really places a massive role in displacing people so they feel more vulnerable," Borninkhof said. "It is community support that really anchors people in moments of distress and if those anchors aren't there it is really easy to feel like you're floating untethered in this sea of unknowns that COVID-19 is creating."


buzzfeed--2020-02-27--Here's What To Put In A Coronavirus Preparedness Kit

The CDC anticipates that with the potential for more community spread , there may be cancellation of large events , @ @ @ @ @ and a shift toward telecommuting to minimize the risk of exposure .
It also anticipates @ @ @ @ @ who might have been exposed to the virus or anticipates potential exposure .
( As @ @ @ @ @ believes that symptoms may appear in as little as two days or in as many @ @ @ @ @ , in the case of community spread , the CDC is anticipating disruption to daily @ @ @ @ @ planning in the event your area is affected .
In some cases , it may @ @ @ @ @ leave your home to gather supplies .

That said, there are a few things you *don't* necessarily need to be adding to your preparedness kit right away.
Masks: The CDC recommends that only people who are sick themselves or people who are in close proximity to people who are sick use masks, but does not recommend that people who are well wear them.
BuzzFeed News has more answers to questions you may have about masks and how to use them here.
More supplies than you need: While the warnings about coronavirus should be taken seriously, it's important to remain calm. At this time, the public has not been given any reason to prepare for more than two weeks of supplies. Odds are that you already have the baseline of the things you need at home — preparedness, in this case, is just getting a few little extra things to round it out.


buzzfeed--2020-05-28--News O'Clock: George Floyd Didn’t Have To Die

On Monday , Minneapolis police killed a black man named George Floyd during an arrest .
Now , the city @ @ @ @ @ .
The US has officially hit 100,000 COVID-19 related deaths , but some people think @ @ @ @ @ low ... Plus , we still have to vote this fall , but how do @ @ @ @ @ Amber McReynolds , CEO of Vote at Home , helps us make sense of the @ @ @ @ @ And finally , to decompress from all the terrible , we list some of our @ @ @ @ @ celebrity guests .
( hint : one of them is the Destiny 's Child bop @ @

On Monday, Minneapolis police killed a black man named George Floyd during an arrest. Now, the city is dealing with the aftermath.
The US has officially hit 100,000 COVID-19 related deaths, but some people think that count is actually too low...
Plus, we still have to vote this fall, but how do we do that safely? Amber McReynolds, CEO of Vote at Home, helps us make sense of the debate surrounding mail-in voting.
And finally, to decompress from all the terrible, we list some of our favorite Sesame Street songs featuring celebrity guests.
(hint: one of them is the Destiny's Child bop below)


buzzfeed--2020-05-06--This Couple Are Urging Fellow Anti-Vaxxers To Pay To Have Their Name And Address Added To Form Lette

This Couple Are Urging Fellow Anti-Vaxxers To Pay To Have Their Name And Address Added To Form Letters

An anti-vaxxer husband and wife leading the campaign against Australia ’ s new rule mandating flu jabs for people entering aged care homes are spruiking an online service that charges people to add their name to a form letter so they can lobby politicians against vaccinations .
The man behind the online service , Mark Pytellek , is a sovereign citizen — part of an extreme anti-government movement that doesn ’ t recognise Australian law — who has spent more than a decade running workshops that promise to get participants out of debt .
Longtime anti-vaxxer and chiropractor Anthony Golle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run a 15,000-strong Facebook group that was launched just two weeks ago .
Against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic , it has quickly become one of the most active online hubs of anti-vaccine organising in Australia .
In a video posted to the group on May 2 , the Golles lay out a three-stage plan for the group ’ s campaign against the new rules about flu vaccines and aged care facilities , claiming fellow anti-vaxxers will be able to `` empower '' themselves by participating .
The post has hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share the message .

An anti-vaxxer husband and wife leading the campaign against Australia’s new rule mandating flu jabs for people entering aged care homes are spruiking an online service that charges people to add their name to a form letter so they can lobby politicians against vaccinations.
The man behind the online service, Mark Pytellek, is a sovereign citizen — part of an extreme anti-government movement that doesn’t recognise Australian law — who has spent more than a decade running workshops that promise to get participants out of debt.
Longtime anti-vaxxer and chiropractor Anthony Golle, and his wife Kate Golle, run a 15,000-strong Facebook group that was launched just two weeks ago. Against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, it has quickly become one of the most active online hubs of anti-vaccine organising in Australia.
In a video posted to the group on May 2, the Golles lay out a three-stage plan for the group’s campaign against the new rules about flu vaccines and aged care facilities, claiming fellow anti-vaxxers will be able to "empower" themselves by participating. The post has hundreds of comments from people tagging other users to share the message.


buzzfeed--2020-05-27--41 Products Reviewers Say Are Helping Them Through Quarantine

I own these , which is why I can very confidently vouch for the `` wedgie-proof '' -ness of them .
They are snug and comfy and truly do n't budge , even though I am a very sqiurm-y and change positions on the couch every eight minutes .
These are also phenomenal for running and at-home workouts , if you 're looking for undies that will stay in place for those , too !
The lining is thin enough that you can barely see them under leggings .
Promising review : `` They look so huge and unattractive but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I got over the fact I ’ m at the age now where I feel comfortable buying huge granny panties I put them on and all that changed sis .
These are the most comfortable underwear my big booty has ever been in .
They come up to the belly button and do not feel tight around the band or in between my legs .
These are perfect for period panties or if you ’ re just wanting comfort while sitting at home during COVID-19 .
Once you stop feeling bad about being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be freed .
Just put them on and relax .
😂 They are really comfortable and freeing .
The material is incredible . ''
—breeze Get a set of five from Amazon for $ 21.99+ ( available in seven color combos and sizes S-5XL ) .

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.


buzzfeed--2020-04-13--This Is What It’s Like To Be Furloughed Because Of The Coronavirus When You’ve Got Three Kids To Sup

This Is What It’s Like To Be Furloughed Because Of The Coronavirus When You’ve Got Three Kids To Support And £39 In The Bank

It had been a week since her husband was furloughed from his job at an automotive parts warehouse in Dorset , and now Alison Russ , 27 , was contemplating how their family of five would survive the second major economic crisis of their young working lives .
“ What else could we take off it ?
” Ali said , studying a list of the family ’ s outgoings at the kitchen table of their rented home in Poole , but the questions that were troubling her were bigger than how to squeeze more savings out of an already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 29 , had been asked by his employer — a small private company with about 30 staff — to move onto the government ’ s emergency coronavirus job retention scheme for at least a month while it scaled back because of COVID-19 .
The family ’ s sole salary-earner , Terry was now among the estimated 9 million nonessential British workers at home on furlough wondering how long it would be before they got back to work again .
This month , because of chancellor Rishi Sunak ’ s extraordinary move to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Terry ’ s usual £1,450 take-home salary would be paid by the British state .
The Russes were hoping the other 20 % would be made up by an increase in the monthly universal credit payment they claimed because Ali is too unwell to work , and which accounted for roughly half their income .
Beyond this month , the Russes said , Terry ’ s income was up in the air .
They weren ’ t sure that his employer could continue trading if the lockdown continued for much longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retain him if it did .
And that was a deeply unnerving feeling when they were already struggling to make ends meet .
“ I still feel a bit scared , to be honest , ” Ali told BuzzFeed News , in one of several lengthy conversations with the couple over the past month .
How would they afford to live if Terry couldn ’ t work ?
Would they become homeless ?
Would their kids end up in foster care if they couldn ’ t afford to look after them ?
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she sat in the kitchen of the three-bedroom private rental they moved into last month , just before the lockdown .
Surrounding her in the downstairs rooms were toys and clothes belonging to their three children — they have two daughters , aged 6 and 4 , and a 3-year-old son — but Ali hardly needed reminding of what was now at stake for her young family .
She and Terry had been through their share of adversity .
The Russes grew up near Bournemouth , left school after getting mostly Ds in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in low-paid jobs in the aftermath of the last serious economic downturn : Ali in social care , Terry fitting roller shutter doors .
They met at a New Year ’ s Eve party in 2011 , got married four years later — and in the years they ’ d been together there were nights they went hungry because they couldn ’ t afford food .
There were times they had to borrow money from payday lenders or relatives just to cover their bills .
In the months before the outbreak , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finances than they had for a long time .
With outside help , they ’ d been learning to manage their money .
Ali had entered an individual voluntary arrangement ( IVA ) , a formal alternative to bankruptcy that allowed her to repay her creditors more slowly , and they ’ d become more watchful of their spending .
But it was still tight from month to month , and they were sorely unprepared for a sudden financial shock .
They were £16,000 in debt , and , like a quarter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have enough savings to last more than a month if they lost their main source of income .
They had £39 in the bank .
The challenges that the Russes are confronting are representative of what millions of British families will experience in the coming months as a public health emergency mushrooms into an economic crisis .
Experts say it ’ s too soon to know the economic cost of the coronavirus outbreak , but it could lead to millions of job losses and add tens of billions of pounds to government borrowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in lost earnings and reduced living standards .
And while politicians talk about COVID-19 not being discriminating , it ’ s clear that the economic suffering it inflicts will not be evenly distributed .
The Russes , while a lower risk medically because of their age , fit into several categories that are most exposed to the virus financially : The young and workers on low incomes are disproportionately likely to be furloughed or laid off because of the pandemic , economists say , and are in a worse position than other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite years of employment growth under the Conservatives , many people entered the crisis in precarious circumstances — stranded in poorly paid , insecure jobs with little safety net below them and a tenuous housing situation .
Around 14.5 million people in the UK were living in poverty before the pandemic , the highest number since the 1960s , according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation , an anti-poverty think tank , and they will face severe hardship in the months ahead even with the government ’ s emergency measures .
The Russes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only on the borderline of the foundation ’ s definition of poverty — which means their story is far from exceptional .
“ There are people worse off than us , ” Ali said , her voice rising now .
“ How are they going to pay their council tax ?
How are they going to pay their rent ?
” She crossed her arms , sinking her fingers into her armpits .
It upset her to think about it .
“ It ’ s not fair for people who ’ ve always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , ” she said .

It had been a week since her husband was furloughed from his job at an automotive parts warehouse in Dorset, and now Alison Russ, 27, was contemplating how their family of five would survive the second major economic crisis of their young working lives.
“What else could we take off it?” Ali said, studying a list of the family’s outgoings at the kitchen table of their rented home in Poole, but the questions that were troubling her were bigger than how to squeeze more savings out of an already strained monthly budget.
Her husband Terry, 29, had been asked by his employer — a small private company with about 30 staff — to move onto the government’s emergency coronavirus job retention scheme for at least a month while it scaled back because of COVID-19. The family’s sole salary-earner, Terry was now among the estimated 9 million nonessential British workers at home on furlough wondering how long it would be before they got back to work again.
This month, because of chancellor Rishi Sunak’s extraordinary move to forestall an all-out economic collapse, 80% of Terry’s usual £1,450 take-home salary would be paid by the British state. The Russes were hoping the other 20% would be made up by an increase in the monthly universal credit payment they claimed because Ali is too unwell to work, and which accounted for roughly half their income.
Beyond this month, the Russes said, Terry’s income was up in the air. They weren’t sure that his employer could continue trading if the lockdown continued for much longer, or if it could afford to retain him if it did. And that was a deeply unnerving feeling when they were already struggling to make ends meet.
“I still feel a bit scared, to be honest,” Ali told BuzzFeed News, in one of several lengthy conversations with the couple over the past month.
How would they afford to live if Terry couldn’t work? Would they become homeless? Would their kids end up in foster care if they couldn’t afford to look after them? These were the questions that occupied Ali as she sat in the kitchen of the three-bedroom private rental they moved into last month, just before the lockdown.
Surrounding her in the downstairs rooms were toys and clothes belonging to their three children — they have two daughters, aged 6 and 4, and a 3-year-old son — but Ali hardly needed reminding of what was now at stake for her young family. She and Terry had been through their share of adversity.
The Russes grew up near Bournemouth, left school after getting mostly Ds in their GCSEs, and joined the workforce in low-paid jobs in the aftermath of the last serious economic downturn: Ali in social care, Terry fitting roller shutter doors. They met at a New Year’s Eve party in 2011, got married four years later — and in the years they’d been together there were nights they went hungry because they couldn’t afford food. There were times they had to borrow money from payday lenders or relatives just to cover their bills.
In the months before the outbreak, the Russes had been feeling better about their finances than they had for a long time. With outside help, they’d been learning to manage their money. Ali had entered an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA), a formal alternative to bankruptcy that allowed her to repay her creditors more slowly, and they’d become more watchful of their spending.
But it was still tight from month to month, and they were sorely unprepared for a sudden financial shock. They were £16,000 in debt, and, like a quarter of British adults, they didn’t have enough savings to last more than a month if they lost their main source of income. They had £39 in the bank.
The challenges that the Russes are confronting are representative of what millions of British families will experience in the coming months as a public health emergency mushrooms into an economic crisis.
Experts say it’s too soon to know the economic cost of the coronavirus outbreak, but it could lead to millions of job losses and add tens of billions of pounds to government borrowing. Its impact will be felt for years in lost earnings and reduced living standards. And while politicians talk about COVID-19 not being discriminating, it’s clear that the economic suffering it inflicts will not be evenly distributed.
The Russes, while a lower risk medically because of their age, fit into several categories that are most exposed to the virus financially: The young and workers on low incomes are disproportionately likely to be furloughed or laid off because of the pandemic, economists say, and are in a worse position than other groups to weather the coming storm.
Despite years of employment growth under the Conservatives, many people entered the crisis in precarious circumstances — stranded in poorly paid, insecure jobs with little safety net below them and a tenuous housing situation. Around 14.5 million people in the UK were living in poverty before the pandemic, the highest number since the 1960s, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, an anti-poverty think tank, and they will face severe hardship in the months ahead even with the government’s emergency measures.
The Russes, for all their financial struggles, are only on the borderline of the foundation’s definition of poverty — which means their story is far from exceptional.
“There are people worse off than us,” Ali said, her voice rising now. “How are they going to pay their council tax? How are they going to pay their rent?” She crossed her arms, sinking her fingers into her armpits. It upset her to think about it.
“It’s not fair for people who’ve always worked so hard every day in their life,” she said.


buzzfeed--2020-04-23--Seth MacFarlane Called Out Oprah For "Getting Caught Up In This Web Of Junk Science" With Dr. Phil A

Seth MacFarlane Called Out Oprah For "Getting Caught Up In This Web Of Junk Science" With Dr. Phil And Dr. Oz

Well , in case you did n't know , both Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz started their careers on Oprah @ @ @ @ @ she currently produces their spinoff shows .
And although Oprah has done a lot of @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , she 's been noticeably silent on the controversial remarks Dr. Phil and Dr. @ @ @ @ @ .

Well, in case you didn't know, both Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz started their careers on Oprah's talk show, and she currently produces their spinoff shows. And although Oprah has done a lot of good in response to this pandemic, she's been noticeably silent on the controversial remarks Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz have made about it.


buzzfeed--2020-04-23--Lady Gaga's New Album "Chromatica" Will Feature Collaborations With Ariana Grande, BLACKPINK, And El

Lady Gaga's New Album "Chromatica" Will Feature Collaborations With Ariana Grande, BLACKPINK, And Elton John

Though Gaga has n't given a new release date yet after pushing back the album amid the COVID-19 pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ tracklist on Wednesday and turns out we 're getting some incredible collaborations .
Literally everyone @ @ @ @ @ I ca n't deal .

Though Gaga hasn't given a new release date yet after pushing back the album amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she gifted fans with the tracklist on Wednesday and turns out we're getting some incredible collaborations. Literally everyone featured inis so iconic, I can't deal.


buzzfeed--2020-04-23--A Critical Care Nurse Who Cared For Boris Johnson Has Described How He Stood By His Bedside For Thre

A Critical Care Nurse Who Cared For Boris Johnson Has Described How He Stood By His Bedside For Three Nights

A nurse who looked after Boris Johnson while he was in intensive care with the coronavirus has told how he stayed by the prime minister 's bedside for three nights .
Luis Pitarma , a 29-year-old from west London , said he was nervous at first when he was chosen to look after Johnson , and the responsibility felt `` quite overwhelming '' .
He said : `` Knowing that I was watching over the prime minister felt quite strange because I ’ ve never looked after someone high profile before .
But he was also a patient like any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other life .
It was a big responsibility and I gave it the same respect as I would with any other patient . ''
He spoke out for the first time in a press release issued by Guy 's and St Thomas ' NHS trust , where Johnson was treated earlier this month .
The PM was discharged on Easter Sunday after spending a week at St Thomas ' hospital sick with COVID-19 , including three nights in intensive care .
Pitarma , originally from Aveiro in Portugal , is a critical care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' for nearly four years .
He was publicly thanked by Johnson , along with nurse Jenny McGee , in an emotional video statement after he left hospital .
Pitarma said : `` I was changing into scrubs before my night shift when the matron called me over and told me the prime minister was about to come to ICU [ intensive care unit ] .
I had been chosen to look after him because they were confident I would cope with the situation well .
`` I felt nervous at first — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility I was going to hold in my hands was quite overwhelming .
I didn ’ t really know how to address him — should I call him Boris , Mr Johnson , or prime minister ?
My matron reassured me and said to be myself like I am with any other patient.
” After meeting the PM , Pitarma asked how he would like to be addressed .
`` He said to call him Boris , '' he said .
`` That made me feel less nervous because he took away any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked after like anyone else .
”

A nurse who looked after Boris Johnson while he was in intensive care with the coronavirus has told how he stayed by the prime minister's bedside for three nights.
Luis Pitarma, a 29-year-old from west London, said he was nervous at first when he was chosen to look after Johnson, and the responsibility felt "quite overwhelming".
He said: "Knowing that I was watching over the prime minister felt quite strange because I’ve never looked after someone high profile before. But he was also a patient like any other patient, a life like any other life. It was a big responsibility and I gave it the same respect as I would with any other patient."
He spoke out for the first time in a press release issued by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS trust, where Johnson was treated earlier this month. The PM was discharged on Easter Sunday after spending a week at St Thomas' hospital sick with COVID-19, including three nights in intensive care.
Pitarma, originally from Aveiro in Portugal, is a critical care nurse who has worked at St Thomas' for nearly four years. He was publicly thanked by Johnson, along with nurse Jenny McGee, in an emotional video statement after he left hospital.
Pitarma said: "I was changing into scrubs before my night shift when the matron called me over and told me the prime minister was about to come to ICU [intensive care unit]. I had been chosen to look after him because they were confident I would cope with the situation well.
"I felt nervous at first — he was the prime minister. The responsibility I was going to hold in my hands was quite overwhelming. I didn’t really know how to address him — should I call him Boris, Mr Johnson, or prime minister? My matron reassured me and said to be myself like I am with any other patient.”
After meeting the PM, Pitarma asked how he would like to be addressed. "He said to call him Boris," he said. "That made me feel less nervous because he took away any formality. He just wanted to be looked after like anyone else.”


buzzfeed--2020-04-23--Britain’s Coronavirus Toilet Roll Panic Has Created A Bidet Sales Boom

The coronavirus has changed people ’ s habits in peculiar ways .
Germans are sleeping longer .
Italians are eating more rabbit and apricots , even though the fruit is not in season .
Britons , meanwhile , are buying bidets .
Online searches for the term “ bidet ” spiked in March , according to Google Trends data .
The queries `` what is a bidet used for '' and “ how to use a bidet ” had , in Google parlance , a “ tremendous increase ” , with triple-digit percent rises .
And retailers say that interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper running out again , has translated into a sales boom .
Ahmad Abuleil , the founder of Boss Bidet , which sells bidet toilet seat attachments told BuzzFeed News that his company ’ s sales had increased tenfold since panic buying emptied shelves of roll at the start of the UK ’ s outbreak in March .
He ’ s not alone .
The Big Bathroom Shop said there had been a `` notable upturn '' in people buying bidets , Tooaleta said it was selling four times as many of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tushy 's UK sales have tripled in the last month .
The bidet was invented in the 1700s in France .
Its first known user , according to the book Bum Fodder : An Absorbing History of Toilet Paper at least , was Jeanne Agnès Berthelot de Pléneuf , the marquise de Prie .
The same story is recounted in other histories of the basin-shaped toilet ware .

The coronavirus has changed people’s habits in peculiar ways. Germans are sleeping longer. Italians are eating more rabbit and apricots, even though the fruit is not in season. Britons, meanwhile, are buying bidets.
Online searches for the term “bidet” spiked in March, according to Google Trends data. The queries "what is a bidet used for" and “how to use a bidet” had, in Google parlance, a “tremendous increase”, with triple-digit percent rises.
And retailers say that interest, coupled with ongoing fears of toilet paper running out again, has translated into a sales boom.
Ahmad Abuleil, the founder of Boss Bidet, which sells bidet toilet seat attachments told BuzzFeed News that his company’s sales had increased tenfold since panic buying emptied shelves of roll at the start of the UK’s outbreak in March.
He’s not alone. The Big Bathroom Shop said there had been a "notable upturn" in people buying bidets, Tooaleta said it was selling four times as many of its nonelectric bidet seats as usual, and Tushy's UK sales have tripled in the last month.
The bidet was invented in the 1700s in France. Its first known user, according to the book Bum Fodder: An Absorbing History of Toilet Paper at least, was Jeanne Agnès Berthelot de Pléneuf, the marquise de Prie. The same story is recounted in other histories of the basin-shaped toilet ware.


buzzfeed--2020-04-02--19 People Who Live Alone Tell Us Their Lockdown Advice

`` I ’ m sure a lot of people will say FaceTiming with friends and family , which is awesome @ @ @ @ @ found it to be really helpful setting boundaries with it .
I noticed that everyone @ @ @ @ @ at their convenience because I was alone all day with “ nothing to do.
” @ @ @ @ @ everyones ' problems about being quarantined with their partner or kids .
I felt lonelier @ @ @ @ @ .
So I told everyone that I have set times for when I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ I also try to make it something other than just talking .
Last night I @ @ @ @ @ played a drinking game with my best friend and it was honestly one of the @ @ @ @ @ had in awhile !
It felt really normal . ''

5. Set boundaries.
"I’m sure a lot of people will say FaceTiming with friends and family, which is awesome but I’ve also found it to be really helpful setting boundaries with it.
I noticed that everyone thought they could call me at their convenience because I was alone all day with “nothing to do.” It got really draining hearing everyones' problems about being quarantined with their partner or kids. I felt lonelier than ever after those conversations. So I told everyone that I have set times for when I’m down to FaceTime, and I also try to make it something other than just talking. Last night I watched a Disney movie and played a drinking game with my best friend and it was honestly one of the best nights I’ve had in awhile! It felt really normal."
–lizm4afe0a7a0


buzzfeed--2020-04-02--Climate Deniers Are Making Memes About The Coronavirus To Argue Against Urgent Climate Action

Of course , Thunberg did n't actually say that .
In late March she said the world needs to take on both the pandemic and climate change simultaneously .
But the post is one of many examples of an emerging argument from right-wing groups : that the all-encompassing focus on COVID-19 right now proves that the argument for urgent climate action was , in fact , a sham .
And even though emissions have fallen around the world during the pandemic , the fact remains that the world 's climate is being drastically altered by our actions , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to stop while the coronavirus plays out .
It is of course true that people are paying significantly less attention to climate change now than they were in December and January , before the coronavirus became a global pandemic and when out-of-control bushfires were tearing through large parts of Australia .
Mentions of climate change in the top homepage positions of Australian news websites peaked during the bushfires — which were exacerbated by climate change — and have precipitously dropped since then , according to media monitoring company Streem .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change .

Of course, Thunberg didn't actually say that. In late March she said the world needs to take on both the pandemic and climate change simultaneously.
But the post is one of many examples of an emerging argument from right-wing groups: that the all-encompassing focus on COVID-19 right now proves that the argument for urgent climate action was, in fact, a sham.
And even though emissions have fallen around the world during the pandemic, the fact remains that the world's climate is being drastically altered by our actions, and the devastating effects of climate change aren't going to stop while the coronavirus plays out.
It is of course true that people are paying significantly less attention to climate change now than they were in December and January, before the coronavirus became a global pandemic and when out-of-control bushfires were tearing through large parts of Australia.
Mentions of climate change in the top homepage positions of Australian news websites peaked during the bushfires — which were exacerbated by climate change — and have precipitously dropped since then, according to media monitoring company Streem. Meanwhile, stories about the coronavirus have far outgrown climate change.


buzzfeed--2020-04-24--Please Don't Drink Disinfectant, Lysol And Dettol Maker Says After Trump Claimed People Could Inject

Please Don't Drink Disinfectant, Lysol And Dettol Maker Says After Trump Claimed People Could Inject It To Kill The Coronavirus

The makers of Dettol have been forced to issue a press release telling people not to inject themselves with disinfectant — after US president Donald Trump suggested it could help kill the coronavirus .
British firm Reckitt Benckiser ( RB ) , which makes disinfectants Dettol and Lysol among other household products , said `` under no circumstance '' should disinfectant be injected or ingested .
At his press conference on Thursday , Trump suggested scientists should investigate if they could inject the human body with disinfectants to kill the virus .
`` I see the disinfectant where it knocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minute , '' he said .
`` Is there a way we can do something like that , by injection inside or almost a cleaning ?
Because you see it gets in the lungs , and it does a tremendous number on the lungs , so it ’ d be interesting to check that . ''
In a statement , RB said : `` Due to recent speculation and social media activity , RB ( the makers of Lysol and Dettol ) has been asked whether internal administration of disinfectants may be appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for coronavirus ( SARS-CoV-2 ) .
`` As a global leader in health and hygiene products , we must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body ( through injection , ingestion or any other route ) .
As with all products , our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines .
Please read the label and safety information . ''
Trump also suggested that scientists should look at how they could `` hit the body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for coronavirus .
His comments at the White House briefing have sparked an outcry from the medical profession .

The makers of Dettol have been forced to issue a press release telling people not to inject themselves with disinfectant — after US president Donald Trump suggested it could help kill the coronavirus.
British firm Reckitt Benckiser (RB), which makes disinfectants Dettol and Lysol among other household products, said "under no circumstance" should disinfectant be injected or ingested.
At his press conference on Thursday, Trump suggested scientists should investigate if they could inject the human body with disinfectants to kill the virus.
"I see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in a minute, one minute," he said. "Is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning? Because you see it gets in the lungs, and it does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it’d be interesting to check that."
In a statement, RB said: "Due to recent speculation and social media activity, RB (the makers of Lysol and Dettol) has been asked whether internal administration of disinfectants may be appropriate for investigation or use as a treatment for coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
"As a global leader in health and hygiene products, we must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or any other route). As with all products, our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines. Please read the label and safety information."
Trump also suggested that scientists should look at how they could "hit the body" with ultraviolet light to treat patients for coronavirus.
His comments at the White House briefing have sparked an outcry from the medical profession.


buzzfeed--2020-04-24--This Veteran Will Stand In His Driveway At Dawn On Saturday. Thousands Of Australians Will Do The Sa

This Veteran Will Stand In His Driveway At Dawn On Saturday. Thousands Of Australians Will Do The Same.

`` This year , Anzac Day will be delivered at home , '' Morrison said , standing in front of @ @ @ @ @ of an Australian WW2 soldier carrying a wounded US soldier .
`` And I want @ @ @ @ @ ideas about how you and your friends and family can participate . ''
Instead of @ @ @ @ @ marches to commemorate those who served in wars and peacekeeping missions , the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ could tune into an early morning broadcast of a dawn service before heading to their @ @ @ @ @ minute of silence at 6am on Saturday .
The Driveway at Dawn plan — now @ @ @ @ @ the nation 's top leaders — can be traced to a Facebook post made just @ @ @ @ @ Terry James , 46 , lives in Townsville in Australia 's northeast and was discharged @ @ @ @ @ 27 years of service earlier this year .

"This year, Anzac Day will be delivered at home," Morrison said, standing in front of a flag and a statue of an Australian WW2 soldier carrying a wounded US soldier. "And I want to give you a few ideas about how you and your friends and family can participate."
Instead of the usual dawn services and marches to commemorate those who served in wars and peacekeeping missions, the prime minister suggested an alternative: Australians could tune into an early morning broadcast of a dawn service before heading to their driveways to stand for a minute of silence at 6am on Saturday.
The Driveway at Dawn plan — now a national movement endorsed by the nation's top leaders — can be traced to a Facebook post made just over a month ago.
Terry James, 46, lives in Townsville in Australia's northeast and was discharged from the Australian Army after 27 years of service earlier this year.


buzzfeed--2020-04-24--Meghan Markle Has Accused The Mail On Sunday Of "Exploiting" Her Father

Lawyers for Meghan Markle have accused the Mail on Sunday newspaper of `` harassing '' and `` exploiting '' her father , according to new legal documents reported by multiple media outlets .
The Duchess of Sussex is suing Associated Newspapers , which publishes the Mail on Sunday , over a 2018 front-page story which reproduced parts of a handwritten letter she sent to her father .
The first hearing , conducted remotely because of the coronavirus , is taking place today .
Meghan and her husband , Prince Harry , were expected to listen to the proceedings from Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newspapers — which also publishes MailOnline — of `` harassing , humiliating , manipulating and exploiting '' her father , Thomas , whom they describe as `` vulnerable ” , Sky News and the Guardian are reporting .
The Mail on Sunday story , published in August 2018 , featured a headline which said : “ Revealed : The Letter Showing True Tragedy of Meghan ’ s Rift With a Father She Says Has ‘ Broken Her Heart Into a Million Pieces.
’ ” Antony White QC , representing Associated Newspapers , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have been put onto the record without the claimant ( Meghan ) having contacted her father to see if he agrees with them '' .
Meghan ’ s lawyers accused the Mail on Sunday of improperly editing the letter , which White strongly denied .
“ It is open to the claimant to say , as she does , that the presentation of the letter was misleading — which is firmly denied — but there is no basis for her to allege that anyone working for the defendant was dishonest in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the letter were published last February .
The legal action was announced in October last year via a statement in which the Duke of Sussex accused newspapers of a “ ruthless campaign ” against his wife .
“ There is a human cost to this relentless propaganda , specifically when it is knowingly false and malicious , and though we have continued to put on a brave face — as so many of you can relate to — I can not begin to describe how painful it has been , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident as one “ in a long and disturbing pattern of behaviour by British tabloid media ” .
Meghan is seeking damages for alleged misuse of private information , copyright infringement , and breach of the Data Protection Act .
Meghan and Harry recently announced they were cutting off the Mail and three other tabloids , giving them `` no corroboration and zero engagement '' , saying that their coverage has been unfair .

Lawyers for Meghan Markle have accused the Mail on Sunday newspaper of "harassing" and "exploiting" her father, according to new legal documents reported by multiple media outlets.
The Duchess of Sussex is suing Associated Newspapers, which publishes the Mail on Sunday, over a 2018 front-page story which reproduced parts of a handwritten letter she sent to her father. The first hearing, conducted remotely because of the coronavirus, is taking place today. Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, were expected to listen to the proceedings from Los Angeles.
Meghan's lawyers accuse Associated Newspapers — which also publishes MailOnline — of "harassing, humiliating, manipulating and exploiting" her father, Thomas, whom they describe as "vulnerable”, Sky News and the Guardian are reporting.
The Mail on Sunday story, published in August 2018, featured a headline which said: “Revealed: The Letter Showing True Tragedy of Meghan’s Rift With a Father She Says Has ‘Broken Her Heart Into a Million Pieces.’”
Antony White QC, representing Associated Newspapers, said the allegations about Thomas Markle "appear to have been put onto the record without the claimant (Meghan) having contacted her father to see if he agrees with them".
Meghan’s lawyers accused the Mail on Sunday of improperly editing the letter, which White strongly denied.
“It is open to the claimant to say, as she does, that the presentation of the letter was misleading — which is firmly denied — but there is no basis for her to allege that anyone working for the defendant was dishonest in the drafting and editing process."
Parts of the letter were published last February.
The legal action was announced in October last year via a statement in which the Duke of Sussex accused newspapers of a “ruthless campaign” against his wife.
“There is a human cost to this relentless propaganda, specifically when it is knowingly false and malicious, and though we have continued to put on a brave face — as so many of you can relate to — I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been,” the statement said.
The letter described the incident as one “in a long and disturbing pattern of behaviour by British tabloid media”.
Meghan is seeking damages for alleged misuse of private information, copyright infringement, and breach of the Data Protection Act.
Meghan and Harry recently announced they were cutting off the Mail and three other tabloids, giving them "no corroboration and zero engagement", saying that their coverage has been unfair.


buzzfeed--2020-03-23--A "Virtual Concert" For People To Perform During The Coronavirus Outbreak Became A Flood Of Positive

A "Virtual Concert" For People To Perform During The Coronavirus Outbreak Became A Flood Of Positive Lockdown Vibes

A Facebook group set up last week for some musicians to perform remotely under lockdown has exploded in size and is now inundated by daily selfies , animal pictures and positive comments from people around the world staying indoors because of the coronavirus .
Lucy Pardoe and Ollie Hughes wanted to do something when their regular live music show on the Costa Del Sol in Spain , called 'Rock The Ages ' , was cancelled because of the country 's lockdown .
They organised a virtual concert by setting up a Facebook group which is `` public '' , meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' unexpectedly exploded in size , gaining 10,000 members in the first 24 hours .
It now has 340,000 .
Expecting `` four or five local artists '' to join the virtual concert , the group was inundated with around 600 requests from around the world , event organiser Stephen Richards told BuzzFeed News .
They managed to find space for 60 performers who had 15 minutes each , including Alex Kinsey , the former winner of X Factor US .
Richards says it went “ incredibly well ” and the group has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in future , including from some well-known artists .
But not everyone is there just for the music .
Since numbers got so massive , people are increasingly using the group as a place to chat with people on the other side of the world and share their experiences of what it feels like to stay at home all day .
Ursula from Georgia in the USA received hundreds of replies within an hour when she posted about the “ great vibes ” in the group .

A Facebook group set up last week for some musicians to perform remotely under lockdown has exploded in size and is now inundated by daily selfies, animal pictures and positive comments from people around the world staying indoors because of the coronavirus.
Lucy Pardoe and Ollie Hughes wanted to do something when their regular live music show on the Costa Del Sol in Spain, called 'Rock The Ages', was cancelled because of the country's lockdown.
They organised a virtual concert by setting up a Facebook group which is "public", meaning anyone can join.
'Rock The Lockdown' unexpectedly exploded in size, gaining 10,000 members in the first 24 hours. It now has 340,000.
Expecting "four or five local artists" to join the virtual concert, the group was inundated with around 600 requests from around the world, event organiser Stephen Richards told BuzzFeed News.
They managed to find space for 60 performers who had 15 minutes each, including Alex Kinsey, the former winner of X Factor US.
Richards says it went “incredibly well” and the group has had many more requests to be involved in future, including from some well-known artists.
But not everyone is there just for the music.
Since numbers got so massive, people are increasingly using the group as a place to chat with people on the other side of the world and share their experiences of what it feels like to stay at home all day.
Ursula from Georgia in the USA received hundreds of replies within an hour when she posted about the “great vibes” in the group.


buzzfeed--2020-03-23--These Royal Navy Submariners Know A Thing Or Two About Isolation. Here’s Their Advice.

They spend months away from close friends and relatives , sharing tight spaces and preplanned meals with others cut off from the wider world .
They still have electricity — even air conditioning — but there isn ’ t a local pub or café in sight .
And above all , they really , really can ’ t go outside .
They are Royal Navy submariners .
They spend their days hundreds of metres under the sea .
And they have some ideas for how the rest of us can cope with rapid , disorienting changes to our environment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ life under coronavirus quarantine may not be as stark as you think — at least when the boat is deep underwater .
“ In a modern sub , it ’ s like working in a rather pleasant office , ” said Tom Herman , who commanded two submarines and was awarded an OBE for his 40-year naval career .
Close to the surface , however , the experience has fewer parallels to what we ’ re all going through — physically , at least .
That ’ s where the waves kick in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And sometimes , when they ’ re on training or patrols , the crew have to turn off the lights and the air conditioning to maintain secrecy .
“ So it can quickly go from a pleasant office to a pitch black , cold , silent environment that is moving around in all directions , ” Herman said .
Royal Navy submariners train extensively , and each member of a crew learns every detail of how a submarine operates , so that everyone is ready to act when there is a crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are equally responsible , ” Herman said .
“ Everyone from the most junior chef knows what to do in an emergency , such as a fire or a burst pipe.
” BuzzFeed News spoke with five former submariners .
They offered this advice for how to keep sharp during the pandemic .

They spend months away from close friends and relatives, sharing tight spaces and preplanned meals with others cut off from the wider world. They still have electricity — even air conditioning — but there isn’t a local pub or café in sight. And above all, they really, really can’t go outside.
They are Royal Navy submariners. They spend their days hundreds of metres under the sea. And they have some ideas for how the rest of us can cope with rapid, disorienting changes to our environment.
The sensory differences between life underwater and life under coronavirus quarantine may not be as stark as you think — at least when the boat is deep underwater. “In a modern sub, it’s like working in a rather pleasant office,” said Tom Herman, who commanded two submarines and was awarded an OBE for his 40-year naval career.
Close to the surface, however, the experience has fewer parallels to what we’re all going through — physically, at least. That’s where the waves kick in, roiling the boat to and fro. And sometimes, when they’re on training or patrols, the crew have to turn off the lights and the air conditioning to maintain secrecy. “So it can quickly go from a pleasant office to a pitch black, cold, silent environment that is moving around in all directions,” Herman said.
Royal Navy submariners train extensively, and each member of a crew learns every detail of how a submarine operates, so that everyone is ready to act when there is a crisis. “No matter your rank, you are equally responsible,” Herman said. “Everyone from the most junior chef knows what to do in an emergency, such as a fire or a burst pipe.”
BuzzFeed News spoke with five former submariners. They offered this advice for how to keep sharp during the pandemic.


buzzfeed--2020-04-27--Thousands Of People Volunteered To Help During The Coronavirus Pandemic. Many Have Not Been Able To

Thousands Of People Volunteered To Help During The Coronavirus Pandemic. Many Have Not Been Able To Do So.

When the government launched its call for a “ volunteer army ” to help support the most vulnerable people in England during the coronavirus crisis , it didn ’ t expect such a tidal wave of applications .
Just 24 hours after making the call on March 24 , more than 400,000 people had signed up — well beyond the original target of 250,000 .
In the end , 750,000 people stepped forward to become an “ NHS volunteer responder ” and help those who are forced to stay at home for at least 12 weeks because they 're extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600,000 people have been accepted for the scheme after providing proof of identity , and recruitment is now paused .
But more than two weeks after the scheme was launched , there is deep frustration among many volunteers that , despite almost always marking themselves as “ on duty ” on the dedicated GoodSAM app , they have never been called upon to help .
In fact , just 50,000 tasks have been carried out so far among an estimated 2.5 million people who are eligible for help — which organisers told BuzzFeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those still waiting for an alert on the app have raised concerns that the system is n't working properly .
“ I have been on duty for 462 hours — still no calls !
” one posted in the official Facebook group .
Another wrote : “ 245 duty hours still waiting for my first call .
Will just get waiting I guess.
” Others have spoken about glitches with the app , such as being prompted to help someone in need — only to find that another volunteer has gotten there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the lack of referrals from NHS staffers , pharmacists , carers , and council workers .
Amid fears that people are n't being helped quickly enough , they have now launched a new helpline allowing anyone who is shielding to ask for help themselves .
( They can call 0808-196-3646 from 8am to 8pm . )
They hope this will lead to an exponential number of requests for support across the country , allowing the army of volunteers to finally be put to work .

When the government launched its call for a “volunteer army” to help support the most vulnerable people in England during the coronavirus crisis, it didn’t expect such a tidal wave of applications. Just 24 hours after making the call on March 24, more than 400,000 people had signed up — well beyond the original target of 250,000.
In the end, 750,000 people stepped forward to become an “NHS volunteer responder” and help those who are forced to stay at home for at least 12 weeks because they're extremely vulnerable to the virus. Just over 600,000 people have been accepted for the scheme after providing proof of identity, and recruitment is now paused.
But more than two weeks after the scheme was launched, there is deep frustration among many volunteers that, despite almost always marking themselves as “on duty” on the dedicated GoodSAM app, they have never been called upon to help. In fact, just 50,000 tasks have been carried out so far among an estimated 2.5 million people who are eligible for help — which organisers told BuzzFeed News was “nowhere near enough”.
Those still waiting for an alert on the app have raised concerns that the system isn't working properly. “I have been on duty for 462 hours — still no calls!” one posted in the official Facebook group. Another wrote: “245 duty hours still waiting for my first call. Will just get waiting I guess.” Others have spoken about glitches with the app, such as being prompted to help someone in need — only to find that another volunteer has gotten there first.
Officials blame the slow progress on the lack of referrals from NHS staffers, pharmacists, carers, and council workers. Amid fears that people aren't being helped quickly enough, they have now launched a new helpline allowing anyone who is shielding to ask for help themselves. (They can call 0808-196-3646 from 8am to 8pm.)
They hope this will lead to an exponential number of requests for support across the country, allowing the army of volunteers to finally be put to work.


buzzfeed--2020-04-27--NSW Teachers Return To School Today And Twitter Is Sending A Whole Lot Of Love And Support Their Way

Term 2 starts in NSW tomorrow .
I think we should all take a moment to say thank you to @ @ @ @ @ .
You are all going above and beyond to make sure our kids continue their @ @ @ @ @ You guys are the rockstars right now # teachersrock

Term 2 starts in NSW tomorrow. I think we should all take a moment to say thank you to all the teachers and carers. You are all going above and beyond to make sure our kids continue their learning no matter what. You guys are the rockstars right now #teachersrock


buzzfeed--2020-05-29--15 Heartwarming Stories Of How LGBTQ Couples Met

This couple who found each other on Twitter : '' My wife and I actually met on Twitter when I @ @ @ @ @ over our love of drag queens and became fast friends .
She lived in Ohio @ @ @ @ @ .
I was also getting ready to move to New York City for school .
@ @ @ @ @ , she ended up visiting me , which is when we became official .
Eventually @ @ @ @ @ be with her .
I just could n't imagine my life without her .
We @ @ @ @ @ but it was so right .
We 've been together for six and a half @ @ @ @ @ ago we got married ! ''

9. This couple who found each other on Twitter:
"My wife and I actually met on Twitter when I was 18! We bonded over our love of drag queens and became fast friends. She lived in Ohio and I lived in California. I was also getting ready to move to New York City for school. Once I moved out there, she ended up visiting me, which is when we became official. Eventually I moved to Ohio to be with her. I just couldn't imagine my life without her. We both were so young, but it was so right. We've been together for six and a half years, and two years ago we got married!"
—daniellep40a6de89f


buzzfeed--2020-04-15--BTW, It's Totally OK To Just Veg Out Right Now (And Here Are 7 Ways To Do It)

If you 're like me and did n't stockpile your kitchen or make up with the Duolingo Owl , you @ @ @ @ @ you 're doing this whole quarantine thing right .
And while it 's one thing @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , it 's another to feel bad about not optimizing your time .
It @ @ @ @ @ all just home — we 're literally in the middle of a crisis .
Real @ @ @ @ @ enough to always be productive on a good day .
So why are we all @ @ @ @ @ during a global pandemic ?
It 's totally normal to feel stressed and exhausted right @ @ @ @ @ always , it 's important to do what 's best for your mental health ( @ @ @ @ @ therapist for mentally coping with the coronavirus ) .

Look, everyone copes in their own way. And vegging out is a more than acceptable way to do that. So say no to that Zoom happy hour that you're forcing yourself to change shirts for, and be compassionate to yourself.