This is not even hitting the news in the UK. It is a serious incident and has serious public health implications. Looking at the safety sheet for Vinyl Chloride it is pretty nasty stuff, this being the monomer of Poly Vinyl Chloride of course
Something else found on the Fediverse. This was posted by Science Alert. The links should work from here too, if not you will need an account on a Mastodon instance. So lots of interesting things happening
Remain vigilant and comply with restrictions. Meet outdoors, let fresh air in, get tested when needed and get vaccinated when offered.
You should follow this guidance immediately. The law will be updated to reflect these new rules.
Cases
Last week : 21
Total : 4316
Deaths
Last week : 0
Total : 153
Creative Education: Spot the Warning Signs of Poor Mental Health
Spot the Warning Signs of Poor Mental Health
Completed another Creative Education course today. This is an excellent course, mostly a summary of some of the key points / advice covered in previous courses. So what to look out for to spot signs a child may be having issues with mental heath, changes in their behaviour, physical appearance, interests and hobbies or perhaps their academic performance is going higher, due to them trying very hard not to fail, (so opposite extreme to their academic performance falling) trying to please self and others too much.
So some really good advice here.
I just wish I could WORK somewhere and make use of this.
An update from Torbay’s director of public health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant
Lincoln Sargeant
Our cases are falling steadily in the Bay which is great news and we need to keep them coming down, but the virus is still spreading between families living in different households.
Schools and colleges start to open with regular testing for staff and pupils
Wrap around provision able to operate for all children as normal. Parents and carers will need to check with individual schools and providers for specific offers
Care home visits allowed with one nominated and tested visitor
Outdoor recreation as well as exercise is allowed as a household and with one person outside the household/bubble.
Please remember that despite the easing of some restrictions;
* We are still in lockdown
* We need everyone to keep to their own households/bubble when indoors
* Keep making space
* Keep your contacts to a minimum
In his video this week, our director of public health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant reflects on the year since our first case of COVID-19 in the Bay, the difficulty for all those grieving the 148 lives lost to COVID-19 in Torbay, and he looks to the future as we ease out of lockdown. Watch the video.
Thank you,
Dr Lincoln Sargeant
Keeping people safe and well
Vaccine latest
Anyone who has received a letter from the National Booking System inviting them to book an appointment should use the website or 119 to book an appointment. The NHS is urging people who have received a letter not to contact their GP practice about a vaccination.
The programme of second doses in care homes is being rolled out during March.
During lockdown, it is necessary to reduce the number of social contacts we have. We can still leave our homes for communal worship and life events.
Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and funerals can take place. There are, however, limits on the number of people who can attend and venues must be COVID-19 secure.
Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people. This limit does not include the people working at the event. The important piece of information to share in your networks is that social distancing must be maintained between anyone who is not in a household or support bubble. Unfortunately, any gatherings after a service are not permitted as these events must be held in COVID-19 secure premises.
We know that lockdown is extremely challenging, and can be very difficult for people’s mental health. Mental wellbeing is so important and we are asking our champions to support your networks to protect their health and wellbeing as much as possible.
Please can you share the following resources with your networks so that they can access mental health and wellbeing support if and when they need it.
The website healthwatchtorbay.org.uk has information about local mental health services for issues such as anxiety and depression, and details of helplines, phone apps and self-care tools.
Local GPs are an extremely useful source of support and can advise on treatments and how to access mental health services.
The Mental Health Matters Devon Helpline provides 24/7 mental health help on 0800 4700317.
MIND provides emotional and listening support to anyone experiencing mental distress, their carers, relatives and friends 0300 123 3393 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm) or visit mind.org.uk
It is also important to stay physically active during lockdown. You are allowed to leave your house to exercise once a day. Please emphasise the importance of regular physical activity to your networks, and remind them that they can exercise with their household or support bubble or, if alone, one other person from another household.