Continuing to Wrestle with the Covid 19 Mugger
Whilst we all want to start seeing some easement of the Lockdown restrictions, in reality we know they are going to continue for some weeks. We have been asked to remind everyone to adhere strictly to the government’s guidance, so please:
- Continue to stay at home – only go out for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
- If you do go out, stay two metres away from other people at all times
- Wash your hands before you go out and especially as soon as you get home
- Wearing gloves and a face mask is optional
Please remember– you can spread the virus even if you do not have any symptoms.
To find the latest Government advice and information about Covid 19, go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
The NHS has information on how to prevent the virus spreading at: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
We have been asked to share the following information about the availability of health services in the County.
A&E: The Emergency Departments at the John Radcliffe and Horton General Hospitals are still open 24/7 to anyone who becomes ill with serious health conditions including stroke, heart conditions, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, or heavy bleeding. People should be reassured that systems are in place to treat patients with suspected COVID-19 in a different area, so everyone who comes to one of the hospitals with other conditions will be treated in a separate and safe manner.
For other worrying health concerns that are not an emergency please contact your GP practice; they are open or partially open and will be able to give advice and support over the phone in the first instance. The national advice for people who think they may have COVID-19 is to visit NHS 111 online and self-isolate for seven days. OCC urge people to seek help if you need it. Avoiding medical care can lead to reduced recovery rates, and even prove fatal.
Stratton Audley Volunteers still standing by and ready to help
A reminder that if you need help, most likely with shopping, there are many people in the parish who are willing and available to help. Please do not feel you cannot pick up the phone to anyone on the Volunteer list
Delivery of Medication
As most people know, we joined a Cherwell Council initiative to pick up medication every Thursday from Montgomery House Surgery, Bicester Health Centre and/or Alchester Surgery and deliver them to residents in Stratton Audley, Godington and several other local villages. 12 volunteered from Stratton Audley and for the time being the task has been taken on by two people who are coordinating their efforts. So this is just to acknowledge and thank them – Clare Hedgecox for Stratton Audley and Alice Broome from Godington.
VE Day Celebrations
As you know, Friday 8th May (only 8 days’ time) is a bank holiday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day and although most of the public celebrations have been cancelled because of the emergency, Cherwell Council have suggested we show our support by decorating our houses with Union flags and bunting.
The link below includes a template so that children can help make bunting, which strikes me as a brilliant prop for an impromptu history lesson while they are all being home educated.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4TrqYDyf4PMdLypxzyTwGDg/great-british-bunting
Furthermore, everyone is being encouraged to undertake the ‘Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2’ at 3pm on the day, from the safety of their own home or door step, by standing up and raising a glass with a toast – “To those who gave so much to ensure we all enjoy and share the freedom we have today, we thank you”.
Why not also invoke the spirit of Vera Lynn with some impromptu sing-a-longs of her famous song….”We’ll meet again”
Additionally, BBC Radio Oxford is backing the call to make your own bunting which can be decorated with pictures of people who fought on the frontline or those who worked on the Homefront. Or they are suggesting it could be poppies to commemorate the fallen, doves to celebrate lasting peace or rainbows to symbolise hope. For more ideas see their website bbc.co.uk/makeadifference.
They are also asking people to send their pictures and to tag @BBCOxford in their social media as well as using the hashtags #GreatBritishBunting and #VEDay75 so that all the effort people put in can be shared far and wide.
All the Best
John
P.S. There will be more news at the weekend specifically on local services that may be on interest, including the return on Monday of the Nepalese food wagon.