In this special edition of Exposure, we are bringing you all the latest advice and information from the Government, National Health Service and World Health Organisation. Much of the information is only available online but we decided it needed to be shared amongst our beneficiaries.
As the situation evolves the advice may change and we urge you all to watch the news for any major developments.
Beware of fake news
You should be aware that lots of inaccurate and misleading information has been circulated on Social Media by both the well-meaning and the irresponsible. Do not take anything you may hear from Social Media as fact. All the information you need can be found on the official news programs, their websites and the UK Government website at https://www.gov.uk/
The measures introduced by the Government will slow the spread of the virus hopefully preventing a log jam in accessing the NHS for treatment. If you, like many of our beneficiaries, are in a vulnerable at-risk group we urge you to follow all the guidance to minimise the chance of you contracting the virus.
Taking deliveries of mail and goods
The Post Office has published guidance on its procedures for making deliveries to your home along with most other delivery companies.
Extract from Post Office Website:
“In order to protect both our people and customers as much as possible, we will not be handing over our hand-held devices to customers to capture signatures. Postmen and women will instead log the name of the person accepting the item. This will apply to all deliveries that require a signature. For all customers (including those who are self-isolating) where we need to deliver any parcel that won’t fit through your letterbox, we will place your item at your door. Having knocked on your door, we will then step aside to a safe distance while you retrieve your item. This will ensure your item is delivered securely rather than being left outside. If you are unable to come to the door at all we will issue a ‘Something for You’ card, advising of other ways you can arrange to get your item. For example, by getting a friend or family member to collect the parcel from our local Customer Service Point on your behalf. In this situation, and to keep your mail as secure as possible, they will need to bring along the card we left you and relevant ID.”
Getting your medication
If you are Self Isolating and have regular medication contact your local pharmacy, many of them will provide a delivery service using trained staff who can get your medication to you in a safe manner.
If they do not offer the service contact your GP and the receptionist may be able to advise you of alternative arrangements.
You can also sign up for the national delivery of prescriptions from Chemist4U which is an online pharmacy. You can find more information and sign up for their services https://www.chemist-4-u.com/prescription/
Beware of fraudsters exploiting the situation
It is a sad fact that criminals are preying on vulnerable people during this time of crisis. Senior Police Officers have revealed reports of fraudsters knocking on the doors of the elderly and vulnerable, offering to buy their food for them and claiming they are licensed by the Government before running off with money and credit cards.
In Wakefield, a local councillor posted a warning to her constituents after cases of gangs turning up on the doorsteps of the elderly or at care homes offering to do their shopping to protect them from the Coronavirus before stealing their money.
Be on your guard for this type of crime. Never give anyone who turns up at your door your debit card, credit card or any cash. There are rare occasions when officials from some businesses may request cash on the doorstep but you should always validate the identity of the employee by contacting the company. Whilst you do this make them wait outside your home, close and lock the door, any genuine delivery worker will understand this.
Using gloves
There is often confusion regarding the protection from wearing rubber or latex gloves. Many people believe that just by wearing these gloves they are protected. This is not the case.
Gloves create a barrier between what you are touching and the skin of your hands. Good for preventing anything getting on your hands and entering your body through any cuts on your hands. The biggest danger of using gloves is that anything you touch contaminantes the outside of the glove. If you then touch your face, hair or wipe your gloves on your clothes, in doing this you are at risk of transferring the contamination.
We all touch our faces and hair subconsciously. When wearing gloves please make a conscious effort to avoid this behaviour.
Putting on and removing disposable gloves
• Do not wear any jewellery or anything that can puncture the gloves
• Wash hands before and after wearing gloves• Try to only touch the inside of the gloves
• Dispose of gloves immediately after use
Do not wash disposable gloves and reuse them again later. Use a new set of gloves for each different task you carry out to minimise the risk of cross-contamination. Don’t touch your face or clothes with contaminated gloves or until you have washed your hands after removing your gloves.
There are videos on YouTube showing how to use protective gloves. If you have access to the internet just search for ‘using latex gloves’.
Getting help or offering help
If you have a mental health issue check out the Government recommended organisation hot-lines detailed in this magazine. One of the positive things to come from the current situation is that it is bringing out the very best in many people. Across most of the country, volunteer groups are being organised to help people who are having to self isolate. You should have already been contacted by your local group, keep their details handy even if you don’t need them at this time. Most areas are covered by a ‘Volunteer Bureau’, these organisations link to local and parish councils and other volunteer groups within the area.
They usually coordinate services like community buses and other support to the vulnerable. We have been advised that in many areas they have already published plans for a support network of Street Wardens and Coordinators and that leaflets have been posted out. If you have not yet received any information on local volunteer and council help you should be able to contact your local bureau by searching for them on the internet or contacting your local council helpline. If you are in a position to help out in your local community please contact your local bureau and council.
You may be able to trace your local volunteer organisation through the National Council of Volunteer Organisations (NCVO) at https://www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering/find-a-volunteer-centre
If you have access to Facebook a lot of local support groups are also being established.
Help from the NCCF
We have filled this edition with as much information as we can to try and help you through this crisis. Please look at our article on using technology to video call and keep in touch with friends and family. For those without a machine to make video calls and get information from the internet we have launched Project Conversa where, for the duration of the crisis, beneficiaries will be loaned a specially adapted android pad which can either work on their internet or connect through mobile data.
If you are self-isolating please use our special poster by cutting out the back page of this magazine and placing it where it can be seen by people approaching your front door.
For those with problems the Care Wellbeing and Inclusion Fund is still there for you. We will not be conducting Independent Living Assessments in the home until it is safe to do so but we will continue to look at whatever methods we can to reduce suffering and promote wellbeing within the constraints of the virus reduction measures.
For Care Wellbeing and Inclusion support please contact:
office@thenccf.org
Write a short note asking for a claim form and post it to us at:
NCCF
PO Box 8244
Castle Donington
DE74 2BY
or visit: www.thenccf.org/make-application
to get a form.
All information correct at time of going to print.
