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We've seen another significant moment this week with the launch today of the NHS Test and Trace service. This, fast on the heels of the announcement last Friday that local councils will be at the forefront in responding to local outbreaks, in order to control infection and ensure that the public can be protected from further spread.
The two are complementary, and are vital steps in our recovery and return to more normal lives.
This week we’ve heard that non-essential shops will be opening soon; some school year groups will be returning to classrooms next week and we’re seeing more people out and about and traffic on our roads indicates more people are travelling. All this, but with restrictions. All this, but requiring all of us to remain vigilant, especially with regards to vulnerable and shielded friends and family members.
Many of us, perhaps parents of children returning to school next week, will be feeling mixed emotions. That’s understandable. Our schools are doing all they can to maintain normality, while keeping pupils and staff safe.
So this week, let’s remember how far we’ve come. Let’s clap for our NHS and care workers one last time. But let’s continue to look out for and support each other, at home, at work, and in our daily lives.
In this update:
The NHS Test and Trace service has been launched today.
The government is introducing the service to help return life more to normal, in a way that is safe and protects our NHS and social care.
Anyone who tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to find out about who they've been in close contact with recently. Then, if necessary, those they've interacted with will be notified and told they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus.
There's more information about how the system works on the government's website, along with guidance for people who have been notified by NHS Test and Trace that they've been in contact with someone who has had a positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Last Friday the government announced that Councils will receive a share of an extra £300m to help establish local outbreak plans which will include local coordination and management of infection control and of local testing and tracing arrangements.
We welcomed that announcement because it’s something we were calling for.
We’ve been asked how those plans sit alongside the government’s announcement today about national testing and tracing.
A locally managed outbreak response which can quickly spot and then mobilise all our local resources to contain any new clusters of infection or hotspots is seen as a good way to ensure that the release of lockdown can be managed more effectively and safely.
Demonstrations sparked by the death of George Floyd take place in towns and cities across the UK.
Hospital bosses in England felt "in the dark" over changes to policies on face masks and visitors.
There are concerns coronavirus might be starting to spread in parts of England again.
Coronavirus disrupted Harry Billinge's D-Day plans. But he got to meet a face from his past instead.
The former Commons speaker tells the BBC he "made a lot of enemies" but denies bullying allegations.
Protesters march in support of George Floyd and indigenous Australians despite coronavirus warnings.
The National Football League previously banned its players from dropping to one knee before games.
The second in line to the throne has been secretly answering text messages from people needing help.
The BBC's Ed Thomas visits one street in north-west England that's reeling from three Covid-19 deaths.
Scientists are gathering data on how new diseases emerge in the hope of identifying future pandemics.
Fee rises of more than £100 a week add "insult to injury" after the wave of infections, says Age UK.
Kameko inflicts a first defeat on Pinatubo to win the 2,000 Guineas, the first British Classic of the season.
Four years after Colin Kaepernick first kneeled during the US national anthem, the NFL says it was "wrong" for not allowing players to protest.
People of all ages are demonstrating, including kids who say "you can't judge a book by its colour".
Ten of the Chelsea Pensioners have died in the coronavirus pandemic but their comrades soldier on.
The people can't go to the animals, but some companies are finding ways to bring them into homes.
As the rest of the world reels from the pandemic, China is pushing ahead with the pursuit of its national interest.
The ex-Microsoft head is currently the target of all kinds of outlandish theories and false claims.
The UK's coronavirus death toll has passed more than 40,000, according to the latest figures.
TV presenter Kate Garraway's partner has been in a coma for nearly 10 weeks, after catching Covid-19.
When 11-year-old Carl returned to primary school this week almost everything had changed.
Fed up with eco-oblivious influencers, some people have started naming and shaming.
Named as Christian B, 43, the man currently in jail has many previous convictions.
Debunking some of the most widely shared misleading posts and videos about the George Floyd protests.
Protests following the death of George Floyd have brought some important phrases into the spotlight.
Alex Wright from Leicester takes us through his weekly spending during the coronavirus pandemic.
The hills come alive again with the noise of mountain railways and cable cars.
The NFL's U-turn in allowing players to protest against racial injustice shows the league now realises it "hasn't listened", says BBC pundit Jason Bell.
The death of George Floyd in America has touched many people, including snooker player Hammad Miah, who was subjected to racism while growing up.
Ironical rice dad? Name every F1 polesitter from 2000-2019 from a list of tricky anagrams.
He is one of the most famous players ever to pull on an England shirt, but how well do you know Paul Gascoigne?
Black Lives Matter protests continue in the UK - but are they illegal under restrictions on gatherings?
Our guide to different types of face coverings and step-by-step instructions on how to make them.
Key graphics explaining how coronavirus has spread in the UK and the government's response.
Identifying superspreading events could be crucial in the fight against the virus, scientists say.
A collection of your tributes to some of the thousands of people in the UK who have died with coronavirus.
Face coverings are to become compulsory for people using public transport in England.
You can now meet more people and play certain non-contact sports in the UK - but what are they?
Across the world, people are being asked to wear face coverings to help stop coronavirus from spreading.
Starting a new relationship is difficult during the current crisis, but not impossible.
People who have been in close contact with someone found to have Covid-19 are now being traced.
Which children are the first to go back to school, and what about the rest?
The government is under pressure to relax the 2m social distancing rule - but is it safe to do so?
Loss of taste and smell have been added to the UK's list of coronavirus symptoms.
What are the tests for coronavirus, who are they for and how do they work?
What do you need to know if you're planning to fly during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Wales is the latest part of the UK to launch a tracing system, but how do they work?
Why is lifting restrictions being described as a "dangerous moment"?
The UK Statistics Authority has criticised the government's handling of Covid-19 testing data.
The Royal College of General Practitioners is warning people not to mix up the symptoms.
Non-essential shops can reopen in England in June, but will I be able to buy a book or have a haircut?
Meeting friends? Here's how to handle the awkward new rules - from sharing food to avoiding hugs.
The BBC's Education Editor Branwen Jeffreys answers kids' questions about going back to school.
A head teacher explains how she is piecing school life back together before children return.
Children seem to be at low risk from the disease, but can they still spread it?
People most at risk of needing hospital treatment if they get coronavirus are being asked to stay home.
Ministers have set targets for testing, medical equipment and hospital beds. Have they delivered?
There is a lot of uncertainty around when and how weddings are allowed to take place. What are your rights?
How will social and work life be different after the easing of some restrictions around the UK?
Millions unable to do their job due to coronavirus will have their wages paid by a new scheme.
What is being done for the five million self-employed people in the UK facing a sudden loss of income?
While waiting for flights to resume, 20 players shared a single room in Auckland for three months.
Our homes, transport and city-centre spaces would change if we worked from home for good.
Rail workers spotted a pair of feet "but no signs of life" within the railway boundary in Essex.
Many airlines are planning to resume flying, but they first need to reduce the risks of Covid-19.
Cartoonist Priya Kuriyan documents how masks became prevalent in India - even before its lockdown.
Members of the Association of Photographers select a picture that kick-started their career.
Thousands sign a petition and use the hashtag #WeAreTired to protest against recent rapes and killings.
The Swedish singer discusses her pop classic, and how she once became 'tired of the broken heart'.
Stephen Wamukota came up with a hand-washing machine that helps prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Four years before George Floyd's death made global headlines, another man was shot dead in the same part of the US.
Roger Waluube, who runs the Pelham House care home, said the sector had been abandoned.
Live ammunition and a Glock self-loading pistol were found in a rucksack, a court hears.
Councils in Kent and Medway say the effects of coronavirus have left their budgets £245m short.
James Large was the only male British dancer to be offered a contract at the Royal Ballet this year.
The SMS Grosser Kurfürst sank off the Kent coast when it was rammed by a fellow German ship.
Showcasing the best images sent to us from around England.
Face coverings are to become compulsory for people using public transport in England.
People who have been in close contact with someone found to have Covid-19 are now being traced.
Meeting friends? Here's how to handle the awkward new rules - from sharing food to avoiding hugs.
Across the world, people are being asked to wear face coverings to help stop coronavirus from spreading.
Key graphics explaining how coronavirus has spread in the UK and the government's response.
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1. How to become a good mentor. Leaders must be good at judging others’ potential and finding and developing more leaders - good at discerning where a person is, knowing where he or she is supposed to go and providing what they will need when they get there. The bottom line in any successful organisation is that no one person can do it alone. If you really want to be an effective leader you must establish an effective team. Here are some guidelines for selecting the right people to mentor and develop. MORE>> 2. How work can change, post-pandemic. The global pandemic has upended working life for vast portions of the professional world, forcing millions of people to quickly adapt to remote work and fresh challenges of all kinds. But despite the dire circumstances, this crisis may help us see how work can change for the better. Employers may embrace the benefits of flexible, remote work. Business leaders may become more adept at quickly shifting strategic gears to adapt to new circumstances. And now that our colleagues have gained a glimpse into our personal lives via video meetings, we may grow more comfortable showing more of our self at work. Editor 3. Britons in lockdown exhibit one of three mental states. The response of Britons in lockdown can be divided into three categories - accepting, suffering or resisting, according to new research by a team at King’s College London. The experts say that 48% of people accept their confinement, 44% suffer because of it, and 9% resist the lockdown. Young people were the most likely be in the resisting group, which was 64% male, while people aged between 55 and 75 were most likely to accept the restrictions. Daily Mail 4. Personal standards slip during lockdown. Suspicion that people are letting some standards slip in lockdown has been confirmed by Unilever: it says worldwide sales of personal grooming products such as shampoo have fallen significantly in the past few weeks, and that it suspects sales of deodorant are going to be lower than normal too. On the other hand, its cleaning products such as Cif and Domestos are flying off the shelves. Financial Times 5. Captain Tom Moore turns 100. The appeal by NHS fundraiser Captain Tom Moore topped £32m as he celebrated his 100th birthday. The war veteran was treated to an RAF fly-past, a letter from the Queen, a recorded message from Boris Johnson, a promotion to honorary colonel, more than 150,000 birthday cards from the public, and a post-mark from the Royal Mail, in honour of his efforts to raise funds for the health service by walking laps of the garden at his Bedfordshire home. The Telegraph |
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5. The link between COVID-19 and obesity. Government scientists are investigating whether Britain’s high death toll is the result of the obesity crisis after it emerged that the proportion of severely obese patients in intensive care with CV-19 is twice the proportion of servery obese people in the general population. With that in mind, here’s how to work out your BMI. Divide your weight in kilograms by your height (in metres) squared. So if you are 180cm tall and weigh 80kiliograms (like me), your body mass index (BMI) is 80/(1.80²)=24.7. A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9; between 25 and 29.9 means you are overweight; 30-39.9 is obese; 40+ is morbidly obese. Editor 6. Podcasts to inform and entertain. If you are using podcasts to keep up with the corona-crisis, rather than get away from it, you’re spoiled for choice. The World Service’s Coronavirus Global Update provides an excellent, snappy overview” courtesy of international correspondents. The Coronavirus Newscast is Brexitcast, but coronafied; upbeat and insider-y. LBC’s daily pod, Coronavirus UK, has Nick Ferrari grilling guests. But the pick of the corona pods is The Coronavirus Diaries, weekly from BBC Sounds and 5 Live, in which healthcare workers report from the front line. The Observer 7. Is lower air pollution under lockdown saving lives? Improvements in air quality during coronavirus lockdowns have resulted in 11,000 fewer deaths across Europe over the past month, according to a new study. Researchers at the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) say the effects of the significant reduction in air travel and road traffic are comparable to “everyone in Europe stopping smoking for a month”. The Sun 9. All change at number 10. Boris Johnson, 55, is only the third divorced prime minister since 1721, but the first to be divorced twice. Meanwhile Ms Symonds, 32, is the youngest partner of a PM in 173 years. Whilst they are the first unmarried couple to live in Downing Street, it is not an unusual arrangement elsewhere in the UK with co-habiting unmarried couples now the fastest-growing family type in the UK, according to the ONS. BBC 10. The bottom line. As men are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than women, has anyone considered letting women and children out of lockdown first? We could run the country for a few weeks and see how things go while the men could stay at home baking banana bread and clapping for carers. This was a suggestion received from a female subscriber to this newsletter. Editor |
Demonstrators in London's Parliament Square explain why they came out despite advice to stay home.
Coronavirus disrupted Harry Billinge's D-Day plans. But he got to meet a face from his past instead.
Prince William reveals he has been anonymously counselling people during lockdown
Sally Boocock’s children moved out to shield them from the coronavirus.
The BBC's Ed Thomas visits one street in north-west England that's reeling from three Covid-19 deaths.
The UK's coronavirus death toll has passed more than 40,000, according to the latest figures.
At the daily briefing Health Secretary Matt Hancock was also asked about regional differences in the R rate.
Ten of the Chelsea Pensioners have died in the coronavirus pandemic but their comrades soldier on.
Some children across England have just finished their first week back, so what’s it been like for them?
Emotional Kate Garraway explains how her husband was put into a coma while battling coronavirus.
The cousin of a man who died in police custody says George Floyd's death prompts painful memories.
His wife says she thought he was going to die after he was put into a coma with coronavirus.
Abbey Road Studios, the recording venue made famous by The Beatles, has re-opened after being forced to close during lockdown.
The Covid crisis is putting the survival of one of the UK's largest zoos at risk.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announces face coverings will be mandatory on public transport in England from 15 June.
Dan Ridlington is relearning simple tasks after spending 54 days in critical care.
Hair and beauty salons are making changes, ready for a possible reopening from 4 July.
Demonstrators condemning the death of George Floyd gathered in Hyde Park then marched to Downing Street.
The prime minister says people have a right to protest, but should observe social distancing.
Actor John Boyega gave an emotional speech at a London protest in response to the death of George Floyd.
The Seacole Centre in Surrey opened to cater for Covid patients and others who need help with their recovery.
