Manchester City Council have detailed a list of noteworthy points in relation to the prevention of a second outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Manchester.
Health officials from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have recently released a list of ‘seven things you need to know’ about Manchester’s COVID-19 outbreak prevention plans going forward.
In a question and answer-style statement via council website last week, David Regan – Manchester’s Director of Public Health – explains the role of COVID testing data and postcode analysis, early warning systems, and the approach to preventing any future outbreaks of the virus.
He addressed a number of frequently-raised questions/points by members of the public and offered some clarity for those who may be feeling somewhat in the dark.
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What is Manchester’s current position on COVID-19 cases and what if that number starts to rise?
Mr Regan stated that in the Manchester city region, “we are still seeing a small number of positive cases” arising each day, but “the number remains relatively stable at the moment”.
He confirmed that Manchester is currently eighth lowest of the 10 Greater Manchester boroughs – based on the total number of positive cases for population size – but this does not however mean that “we can be complacent because we are still dealing with a pandemic where the situation can change quickly if people don’t follow advice”.
He also stated that the “tried and tested” method of weekly postcode data would be looked at “to assess where the numbers relate to and what it means” should the number of confirmed cases rise, which would allow health professionals the ability to see from that local detail if the numbers related to a business, school or care home – or if they are separate cases on a particular street.
If transmissions rates change significantly in the future, Mr Regan confirmed that Manchester City Council “would work with the rest of Greater Manchester and central government before taking any major decisions”.
Is the NHS Test and Trace service helping in Manchester?
Mr Regan stated that NHS Test and Trace is “for the greater good to protect us all” and is “without a doubt how we will beat the disease and keep it under control”.
He also reiterated that the importance of getting tested if you display symptoms cannot be underestimated.
He clarified that NHS Test and Trace “will not pass individual personal details between contacts. It will operate on a trust basis and the Test and Trace team will help each individual to understand what it means to them and whether or not they need to self-isolate”.
We spoke with Manchester's Director of Public Health, David Regan, to ask him some questions about coronavirus.
— Manchester City Council #StaySafe❤ (@ManCityCouncil) July 10, 2020
He also addressed the measures currently being taken in public places.
“We are also asking places like libraries, pubs and restaurants to record people’s details – which would then be destroyed after 21 days – to help with this process” he said.
“So, if I was in a restaurant where it found that someone then tested positive, the restaurant would be able to help the tracing service by saying who could have been in close contact. That doesn’t mean that everyone who was there that night would have to self-isolate – but it does mean that there would be a proportionate, safety-first approach.”
How likely is a second wave and will flu season make dealing with the pandemic harder?
With regards to the likelihood of a second wave, Mr Regan indicated that authorities would need to look back at other pandemics with second waves, like the Spanish Influenza and Swine Flu, in order to answer that.
He said: “it’s the size of the wave – or waves – that’s important” and that “we have to keep them as small as possible to protect lives and also to make sure our health and social care services don’t become overwhelmed.”
“If we all follow the rules, we can keep our economy and schools open while functioning effectively – and avoiding another 12-week lockdown situation.”
Addressing the concerns surrounding the management of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in relation to the pending flu season, Mr Regan added that “autumn and winter are when we always see a rise in illness like flu and norovirus and we have to be prepared for that too”
He continued: “COVID-19 is a new virus and it’s going to be difficult to predict, however we do absolutely know that testing and tracing works very effectively.”
“And that is how we will contain the disease.”
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Closing out his statement by issuing a message to the people of Manchetser, Mr Regan went on to thank “everyone who lives and works in our great city for all you have done to date to help during the pandemic”.
He also reiterated the need to “keep following the guidance” so that we can “all tackle this together.”
For more information, visit the Manchester City Council website here.
#StaySafeSaveLives
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Marcus Rashford officially unveiled as a Barcelona player after sealing blockbuster loan move
Danny Jones
Manchester United star and England international Marcus Rashford has officially been unveiled as an FC Barcelona player after signing a new loan deal with the iconic Catalan club.
While Rashford remains a favourite among millions of Man United fans, his time at The Theatre of Dreams has been somewhat turbulent of late, to say the least, and the relationship between him and manager Ruben Amorim was such that it was made clear the lifelong Red was no longer part of his plans.
Having spent the second half of last season on loan at fellow Premier League side Aston Villa, following a fairly uncertain January transfer window, when a move to Barcelona first emerged as a possibility.
The Wythenshawe winger went on to register a combined seven goals and assists in his first half a dozen starts over in Birmingham and quickly became popular among many supporters, but it looks as though his eyes were always set on a switch to Barca.
Leaks of the Mancunian-born and bred footballer and MBE were shared online on Tuesday, 22 July, with Rashford’s arrival at the airport and snaps of him carrying out his first media photoshoot ahead of being unveiled in the famous red and blue stripes appearing on social media.
Joining the Blaugrana on loan under an initial 12-month contract, the deal is reported €14 million (approximately £12m) gross in salary plus bonuses linked to appearance clauses. It was Rashford’s significant wages that made Villa and other clubs’ pursuits challenging.
Most notably, however, the agreement is said to include an option to buy, which would see Barcelona secure Rashford on a permanent basis for an estimated fee of £26 million including add-ons.
At 27 years old and with more goals than United legends like Andy Cole, Tommy Taylor and his ex-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær – more than 30 of those coming against the ‘big six’ – plenty has been made of whether this price is a fitting representation of his value and talent when at his blistering best.
Nevertheless, it appears that his new home fans have no shortage of excitement, as it didn’t take long for street art to hit the streets of Barca; in fact, this particular mural was painted before Rashford had even officially joined, and people lined up outside the Nou Camp to watch him arrive at the hallowed stadium.
Marcus Rashford artwork is already on the streets of Barcelona 🔥🎨
Echoing shades of Scott McTominay’s somewhat reluctant move to reigning Italian champions, Napoli, not only does Rashford’s second spell away from his boyhood club seem it could be very well be a long goodbye, but we’ve already seen a few first-team Red Devils excel after leaving Old Trafford.
For instance, Brazilian forward Antony hit the ground running after joining Real Betis on loan (with the club joking that they needed to start a “crowdfunded to keep him“), and now former fellow academy graduate Elanga has moved to his second team post-United, joining Newcastle for a hefty £55m.
Between them, they contributed to 32 goal involvements since donning a different shirt – the latter doing so in just a matter of months.
Even Jadon Sancho managed to regain some semblance of form after rejoining Chelsea on a short-term deal, scoring the penultimate goal in the Conference League final against the aforementioned Betis, though the west London outfit ultimately opted to pay a penalty to avoid their obligation to buy.
Put it this way: if this is set to be the final farewell from the now-ex-number 10 after more than two decades in Man United colours, it isn’t as simple as a fallout with the gaffer or the player just ‘wanting away’. It’s part of a larger and longer-running pattern.
His old teammate, Paul Pogba, also believes his old club are ‘losing a great player‘.
As Gary Lineker hinted at in his recent interview regarding Rashford and Barca, who was the last Englishman to join the La Liga giants nearly 40 years ago, there seems to be a running theme and “problem” over in the red half of Manchester.
Rashford will wear the number 14: the same number that retired Arsenal and legendary French footballer Thierry Henry wore when he arrived at Barcelona – a player who Marcus had made no secret of idolising growing up and mirrors much of his game on.
Do you think it’s the right decision by Rashford and/or Manchester United?
🗞️ Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on a season-long loan.
Government reportedly considering introducing two-hour screen time limit for children
Emily Sergeant
Reports are suggesting that the UK Government is considering introducing two-hour screen time limits for children.
With an announcement on the matter expected later this autumn, Sky News is reporting that social media limits for children are being planned by the Government in a bid to tackle what is being referred to as ‘compulsive’ screen time usage – with Technology Secretary Peter Kyle admitting he is concerned about ‘the overall amount of time kids spend on apps’ these days, as well as the content they see.
Following meetings with current and former employees of some of the country’s major tech companies, a two-hour cap per social media platform is being ‘seriously considered’.
It is understood that, according to reports, instead of simply just being reminded of how long they have been scrolling for, children would actually be blocked from accessing apps, such as TikTok or Snapchat, once they have hit the limit.
The Government is considering introducing a two-hour screen time limit for children / Credit: RawPixel / Flickr
“I’ll be making an announcement on these things in the near future,” Mr Kyle told Sky News in an interview this week, “but I am looking very carefully about the overall time kids spend on these apps.”
He continued: “I think some parents feel a bit disempowered about how to actually make their kids healthier online.
“I think some kids feel that sometimes there is so much compulsive behaviour with interaction with the apps, they need some help just to take control of their online lives, and those are things I’m looking at really carefully.
“We talk a lot about a healthy childhood offline. We need to do the same online. I think sleep is very important, to be able to focus on studying is very important.”
The proposed limit is to help prevent ‘compulsive’ scrolling / Credit: William Hook (via Unsplash)
Mr Kyle admitted that, while children spending hours viewing content on social media isn’t ‘criminal’, but the overuse of some of these apps in particular is ‘unhealthy’.
“I think we can incentivise the companies,” he continued.
“We can set a slightly different threshold that will just tip the balance in favour of parents, [so that they’re] not always being the ones having to rip phones out of the kids’ hands and having a really awkward and difficult conversation around it.”
The upcoming proposed screen time limit comes after 1,000 pupils – mostly aged 14 and 15 – at schools in the North East town of Darlington spent a year participating in regular focus groups about smartphones and social media.
The survey found that 40% of them spent at least six hours a day online, and one in five even spent as long as eight hours scrolling.
The Manc -
20th July 2020 
