COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 28th February / 1st March 2022

UK Statistics:
Cases over the last 7 days: 231,973
Cases total: 18,985,568
In hospital Sunday 27th Feb: 10,551
Using a ventilator Monday 28th Feb: 290
Losses of life over the last 7 days: 741
Losses of life total: 161,630
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 52,634,448 (91.5% of UK aged 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 49,014,524 (85.2%)
Boosted / 3rd doses: 38,235,339 (66.5%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,303,720 (+3,298) cases and 6,508 (+11) losses of life.

World: 437,846,432 reported cases and 5,978,646 losses of life.

Happy St David's Day Welsh people! You no longer have to wear a face covering in most indoor places, including cinemas, theatres, community centres, museums and gyms.
Face coverings are still a legal requirement for adults and children aged 11+  in all retail settings, on public transport and in health and care settings.

From 1 March 2022, multiple infection episodes are included in cases for Scotland:
- cases include both new infections and possible reinfections
- deaths following possible reinfection are reported
- cases by specimen date and deaths by date of death have been revised back to the beginning of the pandemic
- historical cases and deaths by report date have not been revised, so there has been a step increase in the cumulative number of cases of around 60,000 and in the number of deaths of 75

 **Trigger Warning: This article by health writer Maria Miguel discusses trauma and mentions common causes of trauma such as violence or death of a loved one. For us here at The Brick Castle PTSD is something we all understand very well - adults and children.**

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex anxiety disorder that is most commonly associated with adults. After all, adults may be more likely to experience a traumatic event due to the fact that they are no longer protected or sheltered by their parents. 

Unfortunately, we cannot always protect our children from everything, so they may experience a traumatic event before reaching adulthood. Though some children may bounce back with love, support, and counselling or treatment, some children struggle to go back to normal after the traumatic event has passed.

PTSD occurs when a child is involved in a major, traumatic life event. They can either directly experience the event, be a witness, or just learn about the event from someone else.

If you believe your child may have PTSD, then read on to learn about the causes and symptoms of PTSD in children and how you can help and support your child.

Like many parents, you probably want to know and learn as much about your child as possible so you know how to support them. The field of psychology offers many ways to do this, primarily through studying personality and temperament. Here is a guest post from health writer Marie Miguel, who is part of a research team compiling a vast database of FREE health support at BetterHelp.

Temperament is an essential part of child psychology as it determines their behavioral style. Though many traits make up temperament, most children fit into three categories. Read on to learn more about temperament, why it is important, and what the three common types of temperament are in children. 

What is Temperament? 

Temperament refers to a child’s behavioral style. It is the inclination that a child will experience the world and react to it in specific ways.

Each temperament type determines how a child will react to their environment or situations. Temperament types also predict how a child will express or regulate their emotions.

However, do not mix temperament with personality. Personality refers to who a person is and why they act in certain ways. Temperament refers to a person’s behavioral style or ‘how’ they act or react to certain situations.

There are nine characteristics that make up temperament. These are all spectra, with most children falling somewhere in the middle. The nine traits of temperament are:

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 26th / 27th February 2022

There are no UK Daily Statistics today.
World: 435,315,212 reported cases and 5,965,853 losses of life.

There's very little COVID news that has made it's way through, and none of it is particularly urgent, exciting or important (although New Zealand really have cracked now - see the chart at the bottom). The entire world has it's focus on Ukraine, and Russia, including all Western governments and journalists.

Around 1.30pm GMT today Putin announced on Russian TV that because of aggressive statements made by NATO leaders, he was implementing "special mode of combat duty of the deterrence forces".
This refers to his nuclear capability, and is another threat to the West to back off, but according to Tass (Russian news agency) and anonymous online accounts, it hopefully doesn't mean anything else.
"Hard to tell with certainty, but most likely it means that the nuclear command and control system received what is known as a preliminary command"
Within minutes Ukraine's officials agreed to talks just over the border in Belarus. The Kyiv Independent:
"The Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko assured Zelensky that all planes, helicopters and missiles stationed on Belarusian territory will remain on the ground during the Ukrainian delegation’s travel, talks and return."
Tragically just after 5pm the Zhytomyr airport was bombed - and the bombs were launched from inside Belarus. That seems very likely to have broken the agreement as well as being the actual bombing of an airport, so sadly it doesn't bode well.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 23rd - 25th February 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 18,804,765 (+31,933)
In Hospital Yesterday 24th Feb: 10,767
Using A Ventilator Yesterday: 289
Losses of Life: 161,224 (+120)
Tests: 685,308
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 52,606,239 (91.5%)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 48,953,594 (85.1%)
Boosted / 3rd Dose: 38,138,518 (66.3%)

Area: Cases (Positive Tests) Last 7 Days / Rate per 100,000 population
Wales: 6,618 / 208.8
Scotland: 43,161 / 789.6
Northern Ireland: 17,598 / 928.4
England: 234,902 / 415.4

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,287,908 cases and 6,471 losses of life.

World: 432,741,524 reported cases and 5,950,972 losses of life.

"President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia."
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

"Ukraine is a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy and the right to choose its own destiny.
We – and the world – cannot allow that freedom just to be snuffed out. We cannot and will not just look away."
Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, announcing to the UK that we will not be watching this one from the stands. We're in the players dugout at the moment, but prepared to warm up and appreciate we may need to step onto the pitch. Still hoping to avoid any serious gameplay. Not actually COVID, but for a lot of nations it will undoubtedly have a massive effect on case numbers, testing, travel etc...
Any Ukrainian nationals living, working and/or studying in the UK will be able to extend their stay (although if that hadn't been the case, you'd have been able to legitimately apply for sanctuary as a refugee anyway). There is currently no announcement of a resettlement scheme or other measures to provide an easy, legal and safe route for any Ukrainian refugees to enter the UK.

As a child in the early 80's I was allowed to go 'into town' on my own from around age 9. Obviously I had no money and nothing to buy, so I spent my Saturday mornings exchanging my books in the library, and wandering around Derby Museum and Art Gallery. 

I revisited the museum and art gallery during my review trip with Visit Derby, taking a look at the cultural attractions my old home town has to offer, and I'm pleased to say all of my museum favourites were still around, as well as some new exhibits - including a lot of 'hands on' activities to really bring our history to life. 

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to work with Derby Tourist Board and Visit Derby, reviewing some of Derby's excellent cultural attractions. Included in the trip was a pre-booked tour of Derby Cathedral, which is obviously usually free to visit for anyone, although tours and Tower Climbs usually incur a fee. 

I'm originally from Derby, and this visit was particularly nostalgic for me. I actually sang in Derby Cathedral as a child several times, including Silent Night in German when I was a 7 year old Brownie, and at countless Christingle services. It is  beautiful Cathedral full of light, which is evident as soon as you step inside. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 21st /22nd February 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 18,695,448 (+41,130)
In Hospital Yesterday 21st Feb: 11,357
Using A Ventilator Yesterday: 324
Losses of Life: 160,815 (+205)
Tests: 816,387 (PCR testing capacity is 835,117)
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 52,581,000 (91.4% of UK aged 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 48,901,901 (85%)
Boosted: 38,051,955 (66.2%)

Area: Cases Last 7 Days / Rate per 100,000 population
Wales: 7,654 / 241.5
Scotland: 43,125 / 789
Northern Ireland: 18,489 / 975.4
England: 251,073 / 444

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,280,058 (+3,280) cases and 6,452 (+9) losses of life

World: 427,237,595 reported cases and 5,913,601 losses of life

"Covid will not suddenly disappear. So those who would wait for a total end to this war before lifting the remaining regulations, would be restricting the liberties of the British people for a long time to come.
This government does not believe that is right or necessary.
Restrictions pose a heavy toll on our economy, our society, our mental wellbeing, and the life chances of our children.
And we do not need to pay that cost any longer."
Boris Johnson, addressing Parliament yesterday. 

Over the next couple of weeks I'll be sharing some posts from Marie Miguel at Better Help, which has a huge FREE resource library of health advice. Marie has been writing and researching health-related topics for nearly a decade, and she has a focus on subjects related to anxiety and depression.

How to Support Teenagers With A Mental Health Condition

Life as a teenager can be quite difficult. This is the period of time where both their minds and bodies are changing rapidly. They are starting to figure out who they are and have to navigate a complex web of school, social lives, and extracurricular activities, all while planning for their future.

However, life can become even more challenging if your teenager lives with a mental health condition. Until recently, the mental wellness of teenagers was a subject that wasn’t dealt with seriously. Even though times are changing, many adults still dismiss mental health conditions in teenagers as hormones or moodiness. However, about 49.5% of adolescents experience some sort of mental health condition, so this stigma needs to be challenged.

COVID 21st February 2022 Boris' Living With COVID Masterplan UK Briefing 

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: +38,409
Losses of Life: +15
In Hospital (Friday 18th): 11,223

A special message for anyone who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, for anyone under the age of 12, and anyone who is especially vulnerable to COVID - particularly people who will never develop good immunity, however many jabs you get, or however many times you catch COVID. YOU ARE IMPORTANT. YOU MATTER.
If anyone in my family tests positive, they'll be isolating, and avoiding you...

"Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance have been notably silent of late.
I've signed this open letter asking them what the science advice to govt was & to publish any evidence supporting that this is a good time to end self isolation & scale back testing... "
Professor Christina Pagel, indieSAGE member and Professor of Operational Research at University College London

Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Head of the Oxford Vaccine Group, has sidled his way out of giving an opinion about Boris removing legal requirement to isolate. His answer on BBC Radio 4 this morning was:
"There isn’t a right or wrong answer. If restrictions change this week or the week after, in six months’ time the number of transmission events will likely be very similar.
If we’re talking about very short-term delays when we make a decision, it really doesn’t make a huge amount of difference which week it is. So people are getting very hung up on that, it doesn’t have a huge impact.”
Erm... yeah. Clear as mud. I think basically he's saying "it's going to happen, this week isn't dramatically different from next, not going to tell you if I agree with it or not".