A list of Emergency Contact Numbers is here.
Coronavirus-Related Scams – How to Protect Yourself
Domestic Abuse during Covid-19
CORONAVIRUS PRECAUTIONS
Sent to his staff by a someone who works in hospitals and labs, Professor of Microbiology/Virology at Warwick. Feel free to pass on.
It is clear that we are all going to be exposed to the new Coronavirus called SARS-Cov-19. What we can do is slow the rate of infection so that no organisation is overwhelmed by staff being sick and diminishing the chances of adequate treatment for those seriously affected. The following precautions are generally seen to be a way of reducing virus spread and contagion:
1) Avoid handshaking, kissing as greeting! Use a fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump, etc.
2) Use ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches, lift buttons, etc. If you go for petrol lift the fuel nozzle with a paper towel or use a disposable glove.
3) Open public doors with your closed fist, clothed arm or hip. Do not grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. Especially important on lavatory and post office/commercial doors.
4) Use disinfectant wipes or gloves in supermarkets to wipe handles on trolleys or baskets, including the handle and child seat in supermarket trolleys.
5) Wash your hands with soap for 10-20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer whenever you return home from ANY activity that involves locations where other people have been.
6) Keep a bottle of 60% alcohol hand gel available at each entrance to your home AND in your car for use after getting petrol or touching other contaminated objects when you can’t immediately wash your hands.
7) If you cough or sneeze use a disposable tissue and discard carefully. Use your elbow to catch sneezing or coughing as a last resort. The clothing on your elbow will contain infectious virus that can be passed on for a number of days (presently unknown).
Stock that may be useful to you: Latex or thin polythene gloves for use when going shopping, using a garage forecourt pump, and all other outside activity when you come in contact with contaminated areas. Stock up with at least 60% alcohol-based gels. Remember that your credit/debit card will be handled by others unless you have a touch card for payments.
This virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. This means that the air will not infect you but the virus will remain viable on surfaces for up to a week — everything that is associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious. The virus is on surfaces and you will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon. This virus only has cell receptors for the lungs. The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth. Remember to avoid putting your unwashed hands near your face. Masks do little if anything to stop cross-infection but they stop you putting your hands onto your nose or mouth. There is some limited evidence that zinc lozenges will stop virus replication in the mouth and nose.
Volunteer support groups – Bicester and district
Volunteer support groups are being set up all over the country in response to the COVID-19 situation, ensuring that vulnerable people who can’t leave their homes still receive deliveries of essential food and medical supplies.
If you run a similar group in your part of Cherwell district, your local Neighbourhood Policing team would like to be updated:
– For Bicester town, please contact bicestertownnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
– For any of the villages around Bicester, please contact bicesterruralnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
If you’d like to offer your services as a volunteer, you can find details of the nearest existing support group to you at this link: https://www.oxfordshireallin.org/local-support-groups . If you run a support group, please register it at the same website (Oxfordshire All In) to keep information up to date.
Thank you to all the volunteers and businesses who are already working hard to support local communities during these challenging times.
The following document contains many other useful links to obtain help at this challenging time.
Also a new Facebook page “Community Spirit of the Hethens!” specifically for villagers who need and can offer help. Please register with this page.
“Next Door” also provides another option for communicating with some local people who may not be on Facebook.
