Day 52 and Bruce Forsyth

On day 52 we have a timely intervention from the legend that was Bruce Forsyth. Having grown up in feet & inches I (webmaster) despair at the number of people (of all ages), who really have no grasp of what 2 metres is. I’ve gathered my pet gripes together, I wonder how many you share:

on a narrow pavement, it is NOT OK to walk side-by-side when somebody is coming the other way.
it is also NOT OK for runners & cyclists to whizz past at speed barely 1-metre away.
if you and your household come across another household it is OK to socially distance on the same side of the path; that is much better than straddling both sides forcing others to run the 1-metre gauntlet.

Anyway, down to today’s news items:

ECC Care technology for the vulnerable,
CBC Service Status,
Department of Health and Social Care Video about Staying Alert,
Advice from Sir Bernard Jenkin MP, and wrapping up with
Another parody song, this time of The Kinks’ Lola!

Care technology helping the vulnerable during Covid-19

In partnership with RETHINK Partners and Alcove ECC are rolling-out a new and innovative response to the COVID-19 crisis. They will be providing virtual care and health and wellbeing support to vulnerable or shielded people.

They are delivering 2,000 Video Carephones to vulnerable people in Essex with the aim to supplement face-to-face contact, aid social distancing and support emerging needs related to COVID-19. It also ensures that staff and their families will be protected from infection and can continue to work during this time.

Easy-to-use

The Alcove Video Carephone is an integrated, easy-to-use device. It enables users to make video calls to pre-identified services via a locked-down tablet and a web portal. Responders can use the Alcove app/web site to make calls, issue reminders and prompts which will allow the continuity of care and ensure general health and wellbeing.

Users are being supported to set up the devices remotely; their friends and family members can also be added during set-up. One user said that she’s ‘thrilled’ to have the device and it has allowed her to see a long-lost school friend who she hasn’t met face-to-face for years. She has also managed to get shopping and basic essentials through the Help@home service provided with the device.

Delighted

Essex County Councillor John Spence, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said:

We are delighted to be leading this exciting project. This is a limited offer that we are providing for 2,000 of our most vulnerable service users and those who can get the most benefit. It not only will provide people with care and support calls, but help them with loneliness and to connect more easily with the support networks in their community.

CBC Service Status

You can check on what is happening with CBC services at www.colchester.gov.uk/coronavirus/service-updates; their weekly snapshot view is:

Department of Health and Social Care Video

Latest advice for how England should Stay Alert:

Stay Alert / Control the Virus / Save Lives.

Advice from Sir Bernard

Sir Bernard Jenkin has shared some advice he recently provided in response to question from a constituent. As he said:

I appreciate that there has been some confusion about the rules for the relaxation of the lockdown. Below is some advice we researched for one constituent – which is I think quite informative about how the government is thinking. I hope you find it useful.

I appreciate you wish to shield your sister, however, the current guidance for protecting the most vulnerable states that “The rest of your household do not need to start shielding themselves, but they should do what they can to support you in shielding and to follow social distancing”. As you will see from the online guidance which states that for those who are vulnerable it is

strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact if you’re clinically extremely vulnerable to protect yourself.

This guidance is for those who are vulnerable, not those who live with them as they do not need to shield.

Guidance for the Vulnerable

The guidance for those who are categorised as vulnerable is as follows:

Minimise the time other people living with you spend in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas, and keep shared spaces well ventilated.

Keep 2 metres (3 steps) away from people you live with and encourage them to sleep in a different bed where possible. If you can, use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household. Use separate towels from the other people in your house, both for drying themselves after bathing or showering and for hand-hygiene purposes.

If you share a toilet and bathroom with others, it’s important that they are cleaned every time after use (for example, wiping surfaces you have come into contact with). Consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with you using the facilities first.

If you share a kitchen with others, avoid using it while they’re present. Take your meals back to your room to eat if you can. If you have one, use a dishwasher to clean and dry the family’s used crockery and cutlery. Where this is not possible, wash them using your usual washing-up liquid and warm water and dry them thoroughly. If you are using your own utensils, remember to use a separate tea towel for drying these.

Everyone in your household should regularly wash their hands, avoid touching their face and clean frequently touched surfaces.

If the rest of your household follows this guidance, there is no need for them to take the full protective measures to keep you safe.

Able to Return

As such, you are able to return to work in line with the Government’s guidance that “if your workplace is open and you cannot work from home, you can travel to work”.

As such, there is no reason in line with this guidance why you cannot return to work. It is, therefore, your employer’s decision on whether they are willing to furlough you. It may be the case that they allow you to have the time off but you won’t be entitled to pay should you decide not to return to work.

I appreciate this will be disappointing as you wish to shield your sister, however, as the guidelines state that those living with vulnerable individuals do not need to shield and those who cannot work from home can return to work, the company is acting within the Government’s guidelines to ask that you return to work and it is ultimately their decision now on how to proceed. Given this, while I sympathise, there is unfortunately, no advice or information I can offer to support your case for paid time off as the guidance is clear…