UNITED KINGDOM.
“Thousands of people across the UK have opened their doors and windows to applaud NHS workers dealing with the coronavirus crisis. Starting at 8pm, members of the public showed their gratitude for those working tirelessly on the frontlines of the pandemic. Among them, were Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who stepped outside 10 Downing Street to give their round of applause.”
“Seven Formula One teams have come together to launch ‘Project Pitlane’ to assist with ventilator production amid the coronavirus pandemic. All of the UK-based teams in the paddock - Mercedes, McLaren, Racing Point, Red Bull, Haas, Renault and Williams - have agreed to help the government in the manufacturing of ventilators to help treat patients diagnosed with Covid-19…”
WALES - “A new ventilator, a virus-killing snood and a hands-free door pull are just some of the innovations coming out of Wales to tackle coronavirus. Since the outbreak, doctors, scientists and designers have been working on ideas to stop the virus spreading. The ventilator has already successfully treated a Covid-19 patient and has been backed by the Welsh Government. Mass production of the snood-type mask is under way…”
“Dyson has announced it will develop a new type of medical ventilator for the NHS, to help with coronavirus. The firm, headed by British inventor Sir James Dyson, said it had responded to the government's request for help…”
“Long before he played the captain of the Enterprise-D or the sage leader of the X-Men, Sir Patrick Stewart was a longtime and Olivier Award-winning member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Now Stewart is turning his love of the Bard's work into a series of social media posts to soothe away worries during these difficult times.”
OXFORD - “Twenty-four final year medical students at Oxford University have volunteered to join the NHS effort to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. The group started their roles supporting patients in the Emergency Department (ED) at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford on Friday 20 March…Following training they will be working in the department’s reception area, directing patients, and working alongside nursing teams to perform blood tests, and other diagnostic investigations, such as ECGs.”
OXFORD - “Three Oxford-based COVID-19 projects are among the first to benefit from a share of £20 million in government investment….The three projects include work on an effective vaccine, enabling pre-clinical and clinical vaccine trials, as well as supporting researchers to develop manufacturing processes to produce a vaccine at a million-dose scale.”
SCOTLAND - “Instead of a big celebration, surrounded by family and friends, they had a quiet church service with just two witnesses because of a ban on social gatherings due to the spread of coronavirus. With the food for their big day already ordered by catering company Galloping Gourmet, they decided to donate it to NHS staff at two hospitals and they were able to feed 400 people.”
OXFORD - “Oxford City Council and Oxford Hub are working together to create new Locality Response Centres in Oxford to meet the needs of communities and vulnerable people as we tackle the coronavirus outbreak…the outline aim is to provide a response for common issues for the vulnerable such as isolation, routine pharmacy services and food services, and to co-ordinate council and voluntary sector services in each locality.”
OXFORD - “Scientists from the University of Oxford’s Engineering Science Department and the Oxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research (OSCAR) have developed a rapid testing technology for the novel corona virus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)…The new test is much faster and does not need a complicated instrument. Previous viral RNA tests took 1.5 to 2 hours to give a result. The research team has developed a new test, based on a technique which is capable of giving results in just half an hour – over three times faster than the current method.”
SCOTLAND - “Local businesses around Scotland have been offering a helping hand to residents affected by coronavirus. Langside Cafe in Glasgow's Southside will deliver soup to the elderly and people with underlying health issues who cannot leave their homes. The cafe said it felt a "massive responsibility" to help the local community during the pandemic.”
SCOTLAND - “Day Today Express in Stenhousemuir, Falkirk, are giving away facemasks, hand gel and cleaning wipes to pensioners free-of-charge. Elderly locals can pick up the goody bags from the store directly - and infirm pensioners are having the items delivered to their door. The generous move is costing the business nearly £2,000, with 300 ready to be collected from the premise.”
CORNWALL - “A grocers is offering early-morning shopping sessions only for people born in 1950 or before. The Constantine Bay Stores near Padstow in Cornwall wants older people to be able to shop "exclusively and with confidence". Each day between 08:00 and 08:30, the shop will open its doors only to those in this age bracket. The owner said he hoped it would "give them a little bit of peace of mind" in the fight against coronavirus.”
SHEFFIELD - “Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care has mobilised its volunteers to support their communities beyond their normal roles. The SCCCC’s good neighbour friendly visiting scheme, where older people are visited by volunteers on a regular basis, has been suspended until further notice to keep our older generation safe.”
HORSHAM - “A British man has taken on the role of the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man and is delivering food to those who are self-isolating. Steve Goodwin, 39, usually dresses in his lycra Spider-Man costume for his Superhero Parties business, which caters to kids’ birthdays and after school clubs…The father-of-two has been doing shopping runs in his costume to help gather essentials for those who are staying indoors.”
OXFORD - “British experts are developing a prototype ventilator made from off-the-shelf parts that can be quickly assembled in small labs or workshops. The team from the University of Oxford and King's College London aim is to increase the UK's capacity to produce ventilators to meet the shortage caused by COVID-19.”