Friday 4 March 2022
Time for a change...
We started producing this weekly 'round-up' style e-newsletter as a way of keeping you updated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During that time we've received lots of positive feedback from you about how useful it is. Thank you! 🤩
So now, as we move to 'living with COVID', we are evolving it to include some of our other news so residents and local communities can stay well informed about what's happening across Devon.
Don't forget, you can manage your subscription preferences at any time via the link at the bottom of this email.
Have the last two years changed our attitude?
As we approach the second year anniversary since the coronavirus pandemic began, and we are now learning to live alongside the virus, we want to take stock. We want to know whether our experiences over the last two years have made us think differently about infectious illnesses.
Pre-COVID, you might have worried about what your colleagues thought if you took time off work, or you'd send your child to school knowing they've got a cough or are sneezing. But now we’re all more aware of how easily viruses spread, are we now likely to behave differently in future when we develop symptoms such as a cough or high temperature?
We’d like to know what you think. Over the next week or so, we will be posting questions on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to find out a bit more about people’s attitude to risk, and about how they think they’ll behave in future if and when they develop virus-like symptoms. Call it a social experiment!
Join us on social media to tell us honestly what you think, and we’ll publish what we discover.
Devon authorities pledge support to Ukrainians fleeing conflict
Local authority leaders across Devon have spoken out in concern for the people of Ukraine and their families, following the Russian invasion.
Team Devon, which includes Devon County Council, district councils and the Devon Association of Local Councils, have pledged to work together to support Ukrainian refugees seeking sanctuary in the UK, and have each strongly condemned Russia’s actions. They have agreed to give particular support to families in Devon whose relatives in Ukraine are fleeing the conflict.
We’ve also made sure that our gas contracts have no direct links with Russia, and that any few remaining investments within the Devon Pension Fund, linked to Russian assets, are being sold off quickly.
Together, Team Devon councils have worked with partners to provide safe sanctuary and resettlement for refugees, most recently Syrian families and those fleeing conflict in Afghanistan. And already, people in Devon are making offers of accommodation to district councils for Ukrainian families.
 COVID-19 in Devon
The COVID-19 pandemic is no longer top of the news agenda, but in health and care settings in Devon it is still a priority and we are very aware that the virus has not gone away.
COVID-19 case rates in Devon continue to fall but do still remain relatively high (401 per 100,000 population), and are higher than the national average (306 per 100,000 population). Case rates are currently highest in those aged between 30 and 44 years old.
The government's 'Living with COVID' plan does not mean a return to pre-pandemic life just yet.
Case rates nationally are still high, and it's important, especially for vulnerable people who are most at risk, that we continue to look after ourselves and each other to help stop the virus spreading.
That means everyone eligible for the vaccine taking it up; staying home and away from others if you can when you’re ill or if you've tested positive; wearing a face covering when indoors in crowded spaces with people you don’t normally mix with; keeping rooms ventilated and washing our hands properly.
There is still free access to lateral flow tests until the 31 March, and we encourage people to continue to use them.
In the coming months teams will be busy giving a second booster dose to people aged over 75 years old or within care settings for older adults, six months after their previous booster and all five to 11 year olds will become eligible for a smaller, paediatric, dose.
If you're over 12 years old, you can book your COVID-19 vaccination or find your nearest walk-in clinic via the NHS website.
 Ability not disability provides support for businesses
We're supporting businesses in Devon so that they can employ people with disabilities.
A new project called “Ability not disability”, which has been co-designed by our Learn Devon, Adult Social Care, and Employment, Economy and Skills teams, is providing a number of ways for people with disabilities to find employment.
It's one of 13 projects in Devon benefiting from UK Community Renewal Funding.
People can be employed through a Job Guarantee Scheme. That's where businesses that can employ people with disabilities, have the training and salary costs covered for those employees, for three months. The businesses are trained to become Disability Confident employers.
Or people can choose to join Community Work Groups, that work with local businesses to help them with their marketing flyers.
Businesses and individuals wishing to participate in the Ability not disability project are encouraged to get in touch by emailing abilitynotdisability@learndevon.co.uk
 Change to opening times at Greendale Vaccination Centre, Exeter
The Greendale Vaccination Centre near Exeter is changing its opening hours.
It's now open from 8.30am to 7.00pm Tuesday to Friday and the same times on Sunday for walk-ins or booked appointments.
The team is continuing to run pop-up vaccinations clinics in the local community. Follow the NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group on Twitter or Facebook for the latest information on their pop-up vaccination clinics.
 Thousands of 12-15 year olds have their COVID-19 vaccination
NHS teams are visiting schools across Devon this week to deliver second COVID-19 vaccine doses, as young people return to school after the half-term break.
More visits are planned before Easter as pupils become eligible, making it convenient for pupils aged 12 to 15 years old to get their second COVID-19 vaccination in school.
School children have faced significant disruption to their education due to the pandemic, and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised young people have a second COVID-19 vaccine dose three months after their first so they have the best protection against the virus, helping to keep them in school.
Visit the government website to find out more about the COVID-19 vaccination programme for children and young people.
 When you must still wear a face covering
It may not be compulsory any more, but the wearing of face coverings is still recommended in England, and they are still required in some settings.
NHS services, including GP practices, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, all still require you to wear face coverings before entering, unless you are exempt.
Wearing a face covering helps protect people from exposure to the coronavirus. Without a face covering, you might be asked to return later with one.
The Department for Transport has updated its guidance on safer travel for passengers.
The Department for Education has updated its guidance on the use of face coverings for schools, early years settings, out of school settings, and further and higher education settings.
Read more about when to where a face covering.
 Want more?
As well as this weekly round-up, we also have topic based e-newsletters available. They include all our latest news on:
- business, economy and skills
- care and health
- children, families and education
- community
- environment and climate change
- roads and transport
- waste and recycling
You can sign up via our website or manage your subscription preferences at any time via the link at the bottom of this email.
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