Friday 11 March 2022
 Most people in Devon say they will continue to act cautiously even without COVID-19 restrictions
We're running a straw poll at the moment to find out whether people will continue to take steps to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
We've had more than 3,000 responses so far to our online form and on social media, thank you! And we will continue to run the poll for a second week, so if you haven't already done so, there's still time to tell us what you think!
A fuller description of the results so far are on our website, but here's the gist...
So far, the vast majority of you are telling us that you will stay at home if you develop symptoms of coronavirus or other viruses.
Similarly, a large majority of you say that you'll continue wearing face coverings when in crowded indoor spaces.
And an overwhelming number of you tell us that you feel safer meeting up with people outside in the fresh air.
But you're divided about whether you will continue to take COVID-19 tests even after they stop being available for free.
So far, we're seeing a pretty equal three-way split between those who will carry on taking tests, those who won't, and those who are as yet unsure.
"It's very reassuring to see that the majority of people who have responded to our survey are indicating cautious behaviours that will help protect themselves and others from the spread of the COVID-19, and other viruses" says Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon.
"The responses say to me that there's still a lot of concern among people about coronavirus in our communities.
"The result on people’s attitude to testing is perhaps unsurprising. While they’re freely available for the rest of this month, many people may not have looked that far ahead yet to decide whether or not they’ll continue to use them.
"The public health advice, of course, is that continued use of lateral flow tests, especially if you’re visiting older or vulnerable friends or relatives, is important.”
Cases of coronavirus have begun to increase again in Devon, across all age groups, with case rates currently highest and growing fastest among the working age population.
Devon's case rate, at 491 cases per 100,000 of population, is currently above the England average of 369 cases per 100,000.
Asked on BBC Radio Devon's breakfast programme this morning whether the increase in cases is down to the lifting of restrictions, Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon said it was somewhat inevitable. He also reflected on the pattern we've seen throughout the pandemic, that following a return to school after holidays, there has tended to be a rise in cases, and therefore he said that he is not surprised.
 Trading Standards urges safe giving to support Ukraine
We all feel the same concern for the people of Ukraine, and many will want to help in some way.
The Heart of the South West Trading Standards service warned this week that 'times of crisis can bring out the best in people, but unfortunately, from experience, we know that they also attract scams.'
Fraudsters will be working out how they can encourage people to part with their cash and personal information.
We published some advice on the news page of our website this week about what you should do if you intend to donate, with links to Citizen's Advice and the Charity Commission.
If you are looking to help people in Ukraine, please donate wisely. Do your research first, so that you give, without being scammed.
 Dedicate a Devon primrose to a social care worker for the Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection
The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for everyone, and particularly those working to protect Devon’s most vulnerable residents.
Now, as the second anniversary of the first lockdown approaches, the Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection (Thursday 17 March) gives us the opportunity to honour the vital work the social care sector has done to keep people safe and well, and to remember the people working in social care who we have sadly lost during pandemic.
People in Devon are encouraged to take part in the day by displaying the county’s flower, the primrose, as either a tribute to a lost loved one, a thank you to a care worker who has provided vital support to you or someone you know, or a well done to a colleague who worked hard to help keep the people they support safe during the pandemic.
A new report has recommended that public sector organisations should be set targets and should annually report where food, served in their canteens for example, comes from.
These are two of a range of recommendations designed to help strengthen local food supply chains, and help local food producers to access those supply chains.
Extra training on preparing food using seasonal produce, for catering staff, managers and chefs, is also recommended, as well as them being shown the benefits of using local food and supply chains.
And public sector organisations should adopt a regional mission statement committing to local food procurement.
Professor Matt Lobley of the University of Exeter, headed the research that led to the recommendations.
Greater knowledge of food supply chains, they concluded, coupled with targeted measures would support improved opportunities for farmers and food producers, deliver social and environmental benefits and boost the local economy.
This week it is was national No Smoking Day.
Sixty year old Marc shared with us his experience, having been a smoker since the age of 12 years old, and smoking up to 80 cigarettes a day.
He'd tried stopping, but had always ended up smoking again, despite the impact it was having on his health, and his finances.
But Marc was referred to our One Small Step service, which has helped him kick the habit.
"The best things about the programme for me were the weekly appointments. Denise was really encouraging and knowing that I’d be able to ask questions and she wouldn’t judge me or tell me off if I slipped up really helped.
“I am so chuffed with the service I got from OneSmallStep. I couldn’t have done it without them.
“The benefits of quitting have been endless. Food tastes better. I can breathe more easily. I can do more exercise to help my weight.The list goes on.
“Denise, being on the end of the phone, really helped me. She has helped turn around any negative thoughts I had about quitting smoking and helped turn them into positive ones.
“I’ve been quit for eight weeks now and there’s no going back. The more weeks that go by the easier it gets.”
Smoking kills nearly a thousand people in Devon a year, and although rates have fallen, around 14 per cent of adults in Devon currently smoke. That's around 88,000 people
Read more about Marc's story, and visit our One Small Step website to find out how the service can help you enjoy a healthier life.
Stover Country Park is 114 acres of beautiful woodland, lake and marsh, heathland and grassland near Newton Abbot that supports a wide variety of wildlife.
It's a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve, just off the A382.
We own it, and we love it.
It's undergoing a huge multi-million pound programme of work to keep it beautiful, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
And now we're preparing a £1.9 million bid for the programme, to provide further environmental benefits, preserve local heritage, support measures to reduce carbon, and improve our health and wellbeing.
There's a lot we want to do with the money, including:
De-silting the lake to improve water quality; conservation work to safeguard the granite lodge and restore part of the historic serpentine lake; upgrade and extend the visitors centre; improve the car park, and connectivity by public transport and walking and cycling; and develop an extensive programme of community engagement for existing visitors and under-represented audiences.
"It's an ambitious project which will deliver many substantial benefits for Stover and the wider community," says Andrea Davis, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport.
Read more about the latest plans on the news page of our website, and visit our Stover Country Park website.
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