Sharing these newsletters
To share this newsletter on social media sites such as Facebook, please visit our COVID-19 Community Champions website www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/covid-champions where you will find links to this update and previous ones at the bottom of the page. Just copy and paste the link.
Read the MK COVID-19 Champions code of conduct here.
COVID-19 snapshot
 Click here to see and print the full COVID-19 snapshot as of as of 20th January 2021 (data reported up to 17th January 2021).
Reporting concerns
One of the ways you can help is by reporting serious concerns about workplaces and other facilities where social distancing and other measures aren’t being followed. Intelligence like this can help us to track and control virus transmission.
Please tell us when the breach of restrictions took place, and a full address of the site if known. Your details will not be shared with the person or place you are telling us about.
You can write to us at covidconcern@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
We may not reply to all messages but we will read them all, and they’ll be used to gather intelligence so we can take action where needed.
Vaccination update
 East of England on 22 January.
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England
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1st dose
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2nd dose
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Cumulative Total Doses to Date
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Total
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4,303,730
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436,848
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4,740,578
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East of England
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494,557
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53,396
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547,953
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The vaccination programme is now being extended to priority groups 3 and 4, so people aged 70 or over, and clinically extremely vulnerable adults should soon receive a letter asking them to book a vaccination appointment. Vaccinations are still being given to the highest priority groups, that’s people 80 and over, care home residents and staff, and frontline health and care staff. However, sites with enough capacity are now allowed to extend this offer to 70 year olds and above.
Keep to the rules even after vaccination
 People must keep social distancing, wearing masks and following other rules AFTER getting a COVID-19 vaccine to stop infections surging again before mass coverage is achieved advises the Government’s scientific advisors, SAGE.
SAGE warns that people who have had the jab may bend or ignore the rules out of a false sense of confidence.
Although people who receive the vaccine should be protected from severe disease from two to three weeks after getting the jab, they could still spread the illness.
The scientists predict that 'some of those who have been vaccinated will show a reduction in personal protective behaviours. These behaviours are those relating to hand and surface hygiene, use of tissues and face coverings, physical distancing and ventilating rooms.'
Surges in infections could follow, they warn, which would be dangerous for others who hadn't yet been vaccinated. Although vaccines are being given to the most vulnerable and elderly people first, it could be months before people in their 60s, 50s, 40s and younger get access to jabs, and the virus can kill them or make them seriously ill, too.
A SAGE survey done in early December that found up to 40% of people said they wouldn't be as strict about following rules after getting a vaccine. The remaining participants said they were not sure.
Until there is a high degree of coverage which protects most of those at risk of death, social distancing must carry on as normal, the scientists said.
So even after being vaccinated we must all continue to wash our hands, maintain social distancing and wear a mask in public.
Stay at home
 Some new videos explain why it is essential that we all Stay at Home have been released by the NHS in several languages. If you know someone who primarily speaks one of these languages and who may need to see this video, please share it with them.
English: https://youtu.be/dR6P4qIg5xM
Urdu: https://youtu.be/noaNIirEHDw
Hindi: https://youtu.be/FRQtVl_RkHM
Somali: https://youtu.be/SebN9Ls2uM4
Punjabi: https://youtu.be/p093ktrLdw0
Chinese: https://youtu.be/ngD3UseIKS4
Polish: https://youtu.be/Ntms-rIuchc
Bengali: https://youtu.be/dRNrZ_UgvWg
A video with British Sign Language accompaniment: https://youtu.be/m20la96YDQw
Testing pilot update
 We administered more than 1,000 rapid tests to frontline key workers during the first full week of our testing pilot and helped a number of people who had covid-19 yet no symptoms to isolate. They would otherwise be passing the virus on without knowing it to colleagues and the public.
Thank you to the key workers from the council and our partners at Serco, Thames Valley Police and Bucks Fire and Rescue who have been tested. We will be looking at rolling out tests to other key workers soon.
Free advice for entrepreneurs
Last year, MK Council announced a £2.25 million COVID-19 economic recovery package for Milton Keynes, and some of this money is funding practical projects to get people into work, or even to start their own businesses.
From 1 - 12 February, we’ve funded an online business school where experts share advice on setting up a business, from how to attract customers or set a website right through to how to do your taxes properly.
It’s all free, and you can register at www.popupbusinessschool.co.uk/milton-keynes. Please pass the details on to anyone you think could benefit.
Supporting your child’s mental health during lockdown
 Young people and children are experiencing change, uncertainty and worry due to the pandemic. Here are some tips from experts:
- It’s useful to let them know that it’s okay to feel however they feel – whether that’s scared, worried, angry, sad or something else.
- It’s normal for young people to want to be around friends and family. It can feel frustrating and upsetting not be able to visit, hug or be physically close to loved ones.
- Listen to your child's questions - you don’t need to know all the answers but talking things through can help them feel calmer.
- Encourage your child to do the things that help them when they’re finding things difficult. This will be different for everyone – it could include things like doing exercise or going for a walk, watching a favourite film, reading a favourite book, cooking or baking, talking to friends, or drawing or writing.
- Reassure them this will pass, you’re there for them, and you will get through this together. The pandemic will not last forever.
- Spend time doing a positive activity together to give them a short break from everything that’s going on and create a space for them to talk about concerns, without having a ‘big chat’.
- Routines make children and young people feel safer so keep as many regular routines going as possible. This can include things like having regular times for going to bed, waking up, eating meals and doing hobbies. If things do need to change, then perhaps make a plan for the day or week that includes time for learning, playing and relaxing, so your child knows what’s changing.
More advice is available online from a variety of useful sources:
Complying with restrictions – children
You may be finding it difficult to support your child to comply with the restrictions. Experts recommend:
- Give your child clear and strong messages about why it is still important to abide by the rules. Remind them that these rules are for their safety, as well as yours and the people around them.
- Keep boundaries around their behaviour in place,as you would during normal times. In the midst of so much uncertainty, this will help your child to feel safer and more secure by giving them clear expectations to follow. Empathise with your child’s feelings, alongside holding boundaries around their behaviour.
- Reassure your child that the restrictions are not a punishment. Remind them that while the situation may feel very difficult right now, these measurements are temporary and things will go back to normal.
It’s worth remembering, “Be kind to yourself. Keep reminding yourself that you are doing your best, even if you wish you might have handled something differently that day.” - Rox, parent.
Useful links
See the latest Government guidance here gov.uk/coronavirus.
Find COVID-19 Information from the NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
To print and share this, please click "view it as a web page" at the top of this bulletin. This will take you to a web page with the option to print this off at the top.
To share this newsletter on social media sites such as Facebook, please visit our COVID-19 Community Champions website www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/covid-champions where you will find links to this update and previous ones at the bottom of the page. Just copy and paste the link.
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