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April 2020 Coronavirus Update - Government Response
7th April 2020
First of all, I hope you will join me in hoping for the speedy recovery of our Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Like so many others, he is now in the outstanding hands of our very own NHS. We wish him, and everyone else affected by this disease a speedy recovery.
As is the theme of all my posts, we must get through this crisis together. When this passes we have many domestic and global issues that will require our attention and our unity as we heal the wounds of the past and restore the Great Britain that we are.
Despite the difficulties of lockdown and quarantine, this is a time for innovation. We must see this period as an opportunity. An opportunity to adopt new ways of thinking, to make scientific advances, to connect more and to seriously examine the ways in which we live our daily lives. I truly believe we, as a nation, will surmount this challenge with a renewed sense of purpose and national identity. We must all pull together and do our bit.
Why is the Government taking such extreme measures?
COVID-19 is the illness seen in people infected with a new strain of coronavirus not previously seen in humans. The evidence shows us that the vast majority of people who get this virus have relatively mild symptoms and make a full recovery. But in several cases, the virus can cause more severe symptoms. This is particularly true for people with a weakened immune system, for older people and for those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
The Virus is highly contagious and potentially deadly. The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives. When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection.
Every person in the UK must comply with the new lockdown measures, which came into effect on Monday 23 March. The relevant authorities, including the police, have been given the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings. If you display any symptoms you must self-isolate for 7 days if you live alone and for 14 days if you live with others.
The Government has introduced these necessary measures for the safety and protection of all members of society. It is through religiously sticking to these measures, that we will eventually defeat the virus and return to normality.
What is the Government Doing to Help?
What Financial Support has the Government Introduced to Support Businesses, Employees and Individuals?
Promised to pay 80% of the wages of furloughed workers for three months
The Conservatives have deferred more than £330 billion of loans and guarantees - that's equivalent to 15% of our GDP
Pay self-employed people across the whole UK who have been adversely affected by Coronavirus a taxable grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits over the last three years, up to £2,500 a month, for three months.
Pledged £6.5 billion of additional support through the welfare system for people affected by COVID-19.
Useful Links:
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce: https://www.hampshirechamber.co.uk/business-support/t/
Business Support: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/
Solent LEP: https://solentlep.org.uk/business-support-and-funding/
What is the Government doing to Support the NHS?
We are expanding testing to critical NHS staff and their families. The Government is rapidly increasing the number of tests that are carried out throughout the country. With the goal of carrying out 100,000 tests a day by the end of April, including 25,000 tests a day for both patients and staff in the NHS.
We are providing any extra resources the NHS needs to tackle the virus. We have created a new £5 billion Initial COVID-19 Response Fund so the NHS can treat coronavirus patients, councils can support vulnerable people and to ensure funding is available for other public services.
We have been working with British manufacturers to support the production of essential medical equipment for the NHS, such as ventilators. To date, there are more than 8,000 ventilators available to NHS patients, more than when the outbreak began and there are another 8,000 expected from existing international manufacturers in the coming weeks. The first thousands of new ventilators will roll off the production line and be delivered to the NHS week.
Including a wealth of other measures, we are ensuring the NHS has the support and the people it needs to fight the virus. So far, 20,000 retired NHS professionals have signed up to re-join the NHS in its fight against the coronavirus. 5,500 final year medics and 18,700 final-year student nurses will also move to the frontline to help our efforts.
What Support is there for the Vulnerable and how can I Help?
Support:
The Hampshire Helpline – Hantshelp4vulnerable – is now fully operational, coordinating support to Hampshire’s most vulnerable residents who do not have others they can call upon. (07903 045 582)
Fareham Borough Council are working closely with Acts of Kindness, a local charity that is offering food and medication distribution to vulnerable residents in the Borough. Their service is entirely free. You can find them on Facebook or contact them by email at ActsofKindnessTeam@outlook.com
The Government has released an online form that you can fill in which you can find at: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable where if you are eligible, you’ll be able to ask for help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food.
Volunteering:
Community First is working on behalf of local charities and community organisations to help recruit volunteers in this time of crisis. This is in response to the need to help support older and vulnerable people who are self-isolating. If you would like to volunteer your time please follow this link: https://www.cfirst.org.uk/
To volunteer to support the NHS please follow this link: https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS
Over the coming days and weeks, I will continue to post useful content here for the benefit of Fareham. Let's keep our spirits up and continue to work together.
As is the theme of all my posts, we must get through this crisis together. When this passes we have many domestic and global issues that will require our attention and our unity as we heal the wounds of the past and restore the Great Britain that we are.
Despite the difficulties of lockdown and quarantine, this is a time for innovation. We must see this period as an opportunity. An opportunity to adopt new ways of thinking, to make scientific advances, to connect more and to seriously examine the ways in which we live our daily lives. I truly believe we, as a nation, will surmount this challenge with a renewed sense of purpose and national identity. We must all pull together and do our bit.
Why is the Government taking such extreme measures?
COVID-19 is the illness seen in people infected with a new strain of coronavirus not previously seen in humans. The evidence shows us that the vast majority of people who get this virus have relatively mild symptoms and make a full recovery. But in several cases, the virus can cause more severe symptoms. This is particularly true for people with a weakened immune system, for older people and for those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
The Virus is highly contagious and potentially deadly. The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives. When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection.
Every person in the UK must comply with the new lockdown measures, which came into effect on Monday 23 March. The relevant authorities, including the police, have been given the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings. If you display any symptoms you must self-isolate for 7 days if you live alone and for 14 days if you live with others.
The Government has introduced these necessary measures for the safety and protection of all members of society. It is through religiously sticking to these measures, that we will eventually defeat the virus and return to normality.
What is the Government Doing to Help?
What Financial Support has the Government Introduced to Support Businesses, Employees and Individuals?
Promised to pay 80% of the wages of furloughed workers for three months
The Conservatives have deferred more than £330 billion of loans and guarantees - that's equivalent to 15% of our GDP
Pay self-employed people across the whole UK who have been adversely affected by Coronavirus a taxable grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits over the last three years, up to £2,500 a month, for three months.
Pledged £6.5 billion of additional support through the welfare system for people affected by COVID-19.
Useful Links:
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce: https://www.hampshirechamber.co.uk/business-support/t/
Business Support: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/
Solent LEP: https://solentlep.org.uk/business-support-and-funding/
What is the Government doing to Support the NHS?
We are expanding testing to critical NHS staff and their families. The Government is rapidly increasing the number of tests that are carried out throughout the country. With the goal of carrying out 100,000 tests a day by the end of April, including 25,000 tests a day for both patients and staff in the NHS.
We are providing any extra resources the NHS needs to tackle the virus. We have created a new £5 billion Initial COVID-19 Response Fund so the NHS can treat coronavirus patients, councils can support vulnerable people and to ensure funding is available for other public services.
We have been working with British manufacturers to support the production of essential medical equipment for the NHS, such as ventilators. To date, there are more than 8,000 ventilators available to NHS patients, more than when the outbreak began and there are another 8,000 expected from existing international manufacturers in the coming weeks. The first thousands of new ventilators will roll off the production line and be delivered to the NHS week.
Including a wealth of other measures, we are ensuring the NHS has the support and the people it needs to fight the virus. So far, 20,000 retired NHS professionals have signed up to re-join the NHS in its fight against the coronavirus. 5,500 final year medics and 18,700 final-year student nurses will also move to the frontline to help our efforts.
What Support is there for the Vulnerable and how can I Help?
Support:
The Hampshire Helpline – Hantshelp4vulnerable – is now fully operational, coordinating support to Hampshire’s most vulnerable residents who do not have others they can call upon. (07903 045 582)
Fareham Borough Council are working closely with Acts of Kindness, a local charity that is offering food and medication distribution to vulnerable residents in the Borough. Their service is entirely free. You can find them on Facebook or contact them by email at ActsofKindnessTeam@outlook.com
The Government has released an online form that you can fill in which you can find at: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable where if you are eligible, you’ll be able to ask for help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food.
Volunteering:
Community First is working on behalf of local charities and community organisations to help recruit volunteers in this time of crisis. This is in response to the need to help support older and vulnerable people who are self-isolating. If you would like to volunteer your time please follow this link: https://www.cfirst.org.uk/
To volunteer to support the NHS please follow this link: https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS
Over the coming days and weeks, I will continue to post useful content here for the benefit of Fareham. Let's keep our spirits up and continue to work together.