By the time this is published, England will have been in lockdown from 00:01 hours on Thursday, November 5. This will last for four weeks until Wednesday, December 2. Lockdown has been triggered by rising infection rates and Covid hospitalisations and nationally, there are real fears that without strict measures the NHS could be overwhelmed by Covid related patients The number of infections has risen from a few hundred in September to tens of thousands this week.
However, here in Rother district we see one of the lowest infection rates in the country – a fact that has yet to be fully explained. The ultimate concern is that the number of Covid related deaths will also rise sharply and add to a UK total of almost 50,000 Covid related deaths.
This lockdown differs from the first lockdown in many key ways. Schools and universities remain open. There will no shielding, but all those over 60 are cautioned about the risks and advised to take care of hand sanitisation, wear face coverings and keep social distancing. There are strict rules governing socialising, with several exceptions to the overall rule ”You must not meet people socially”.
Various food choice options on offer
Travel will be restricted and all non essential businesses will close, but there are now numerous food outlets which offer “click and collect”, take away, or home delivery – and Rye Mutual Aid will publicise some of these contacts in the coming days.
There are clear messages that routine NHS medical support continues. It remains possible to contact a doctor and attend for treatment and public transport to centres and the Conquest Hospital continues. Full details of the new restrictions are found on the Gov.UK website.
As if there was not enough to be of concern in the run up to Christmas, the government’s terror threat level has also risen because of the recent attacks in Europe, and there are increasing reports of people exploiting the situation with attempted scams and unscrupulous activity.
On Tuesday, Rye Mutual Aid reviewed the situation during a Zoom meeting with a view to taking stock and preparing for the next phase. Contacts across the area aired their views of how the situation may develop and, in addition to Covid, winter flu will complicate the situation.
Planning ahead for Christmas
Team Central outlined the ongoing work to keep in touch with other authorities and organisations such as Rother Voluntary Action and the Rye Food Bank; update its communications (by letter, website and Facebook page), and propose new initiatives.
The mayor of Rye, Councillor Rebekah Gilbert, joined to talk about her ideas for Christmas, which included the possibility of organising some food in one or two places in Rye. All these will be investigated in the coming days. She reminded RMA that local businesses were under intense pressure and deserved support to enable survival, particularly in the run up to Christmas. Her cry was “support local business where you can”.
After some positive and wide ranging discussion it was agreed that Rye Mutual Aid would continue to focus on its now developed role of community support to the vulnerable through helping with food and medication delivery, friendly calls, and even help with dog walking.
Volunteers still needed
The number of volunteers has dwindled since March as many have returned to work, but the essential capability remains across an area in the east of Rother district, from Westfield to Camber, and Rye Harbour to the Kent border. But, if you can help in any way, then do please contact us.
Rye Mutual Aid will continue to “signpost” contacts to professional bodies who can help with more serious concerns. It is also available to help with lobbying others about matters of concern, and providing modest financial help to particular causes such as the food bank or an alternative to free school meals, as was done during the recent half term. With more people losing employment or feeling isolated, for this new lockdown, the message remains:
Errands? Shopping? Post mail? Or pick up a prescription?
Or just someone to talk to if you’re feeling isolated?
If you have no one else to turn to then:
Rye Mutual Aid can help!
Image Credits: Pete Linforth / Pixabay https://pixabay.com/illustrations/covid-19-virus-coronavirus-pandemic-4922384/ Pixabay License https://pixabay.com/service/license/.