Christmas Update :- some reminders from County and a request
As the old (probably apocryphal) Chinese curse states, we are living in interesting times. While we can see the light at the end of the tunnel with multiple vaccines on the way, we are by no means out of the woods yet. We have the Christmas and New Year break to negotiate first and we have set out below wise advice from the County Council and our team to help you and all your residents stay safe and well at this crucial point in our battle against Covid 19.
______________
Norfolk County Council’s Christmas Campaign December 2020
The team at County Hall have asked us to pass ln this message, with which we whole-heartedly agree, to all our parishes
There is a much higher likelihood of people engaging in any required behaviour if they understand why they are being asked to do it and can see the benefit of it. This briefing is designed to give more detail and context to the desired behaviours that are being promoted by the current campaign. This information will help those who are prominent in giving messages (e.g., via media interviews) or are influential within communities (e.g., group leaders, councillors, faith leaders) to talk around the messages to enhance the public’s understanding.
People’s behaviour is central to the spread of coronavirus. The Christmas period is a time when many people usually engage in activities which are currently considered a high risk for transmission of coronavirus, and in some cases are against current legislation.
Reducing the amount of contact by meeting others less often, for shorter amounts of time or in smaller groups will help to keep the risk of transmission lower. What this means for us in the coming weeks is changing how we do things.
1. Christmas shopping – this is an activity which generally means moving around in crowds, which isn’t a good idea now. We can reduce the risks from shopping by taking easy steps:
a. Shop in different ways, for example use home delivery / click & collect. Many local businesses offer these services, so support them when you can.
b. Be prepared –making a list before heading to the shops makes your visit easier.
2. And remember when you are around the shops, wear a face covering if you can and keep your distance from others.
3. Socialising – this time of year typically sees an increase of people socialising, and often in larger groups. Large gatherings, especially indoors, are a high risk for spreading coronavirus. This year, the safest way to socialise is virtually. Having office quizzes or family get-togethers online can be a good substitute (or may even be preferable) to a crowded venue. If people from different households are meeting up, then:
a. Do it outdoors – whilst we’re in Tier 2 this is the only option anyway, but even if the restrictions lift, being outdoors will still be a much lower risk for transmission.
b. Keep groups small – we’re currently working to the Rule of 6 for meeting up outdoors. Smaller groups = smaller risk.
4. Celebrating – The immediate Christmas period is traditionally a time for families to gather. Again, having larger mixed household groups indoors is a high-risk activity. The government is planning to ease restrictions between 23 – 27th December to allow for Christmas Bubbles. If you are planning to meet up with family and friends during this time, then the risk will increase for everyone meeting up. Some easy steps to try and minimise this are:
a. Do as much outside as possible, weather permitting. Being outside is a much lower risk.
b. If indoors, keep windows and doors open – having fresh air flowing through will help.
c. Be especially careful if you have any vulnerable people at your gathering. Social distancing should still be followed.
d. Ask everyone in the Christmas bubble to keep household mixing to a minimum before your gathering, so that there is less chance of you bringing the virus in with you.
e. Keep mixing to a minimum after the event too in case the virus was anywhere in your gathering.
f. Try not to travel at peak times (23rd and 27th likely to be busy days) which can help avoid crowds at any stops you need to make – and avoid potential traffic jams.
Using common sense is going to be so important over the coming weeks. Just because we can do an activity doesn’t mean that we should. Something being allowed by law doesn’t make it low risk, so we need to be sensible to protect ourselves, our friends and family.
Think of Others
• Christmas can be a lonely time particularly for those on their own, or those caring for a family member they live with. Perhaps a knock on their door and a Happy Christmas wish will help their feelings of loneliness and/or isolation.
• If someone you know is on their own for Christmas, an invitation to share time with your family at Christmas is a lovely thought. Don’t be offended if it is turned down. Everyone must do what they feel is right for them.
• This has been a difficult year for young people too. Try to encourage them not to remain in their rooms on the computer for too long on Christmas Day by having activities they will enjoy and have fun with.
• Young people can meet with their friends over Christmas outside getting some fresh air. Perhaps they can use your garden to do this.
• People experiencing isolation and loneliness can come across as irritable and unfriendly. Be patient. It doesn’t mean they are, just that they may not know how to accept kindness.
• If you live alone and have no-one to spend Christmas with, perhaps there is a neighbour who is in the same position. Why not ask if they would like to spend some time together with you – taking care and socially distancing
• If you live alone, think of the things you enjoy - eating, drinking, activities you like doing or programmes you like watching on TV - and make a plan for your Christmas Day, doing the things that make you smile. 😊
• Most importantly, stay safe this Christmas and remember it is OK for you to do what feels right for you.
Advice to give to make Christmas Safer.
• Suicidal thoughts? please phone a helpline. See here for a list
• Don’t make Covid-19 your gift to parents and grandparents
• Consider seating arrangements – leave a space if possible
• Wearing a visor gives you protection and you can share your smile
• Drink sensibly – don’t lose your inhibitions
• Invite friends and family to join you for Christmas lunch via Zoom, FaceTime etc
• Go for a walk, it lifts your spirits
• Knock on the door of someone on their own and wish them a Merry Christmas
• Phone someone on their own and wish them Merry Christmas
ABOVE ALL STAY SAFE
New scheme to provide support for people facing hardship this winter
Even in ‘normal’ years we know that winter can be tough, and the impact of Covid 19 on individuals and families may only make that worse this year. Ill health, job losses, additional caring responsibilities and an increase in food and energy costs could all lead to some people facing real hardship. But help is at hand, thanks to a new scheme run by NCC and their partners.
They’ll be supporting Norfolk residents who are worried about paying for food, utility bills or essentials - helping with access to financial and other support. Help is also available for daily essentials such as toiletries, sanitary products and nappies.
The scheme is open to any Norfolk resident. So if you work with, or know residents, particularly families, who could benefit from the scheme, please talk to them about the support available and how they can apply.
Applications to the new support scheme can be made online, via the existing Norfolk Assistance Scheme pages at www.norfolk.gov.uk/covidwintersupport or applicants can call 0344 800 8020
They have also partnered up with food voucher company Edenred, to provide support for all those eligible for free school meals, children in the early years who receive pupil premium and all of the council’s care leavers during the Christmas holidays. We are encouraging eligible families to register and apply for free school meals through their school, so that they begin to receive support in time for the school holidays.
Help needed to take the “over 80’s” for vaccination
The County Council are supporting the Clinical Commissioning Groups with how they transport people to the N&N and James Paget for Covid vaccines (there will be 6 more sites coming online next week across Norfolk TBC).
It notes that many people will be well used to getting to and from the hospital, many will use public transport and be linked in with volunteer transport already, which is great. However, many will not and will need help getting there.
They have asked us to get a message out to all members asking you to contact local driver schemes and volunteer groups you are aware of and ask them to upload details to the community directory so they can help connect people to local services.
They should go to https://communitydirectory.norfolk.gov.uk/ to upload this information.
Whilst the volunteer driver scheme that NCC manages will be able to help a lot of people, they are a limited resource centrally and affected by the fact that many of their drivers are older people, so we are trying to make it as easy as possible for people to get transport
We will give more information as it becomes available.
