The new 1m plus rule, rounders, dexamethasone and more!
Dr William Bird
Forbury Gardens
The team at Intelligent Health would like to extend their sincere
condolences to the families of the three friends who lost their
lives in Forbury Gardens at the weekend. We are based in Reading
and many of us live in the town centre so we know Forbury Gardens
as a central meeting point and a happy place. Our thoughts are
very much with everyone involved.
One metre plus
Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week announced a new ‘one metre
plus’ social distancing rule to enable certain businesses to start
to reopen in England.
This means people are advised to stay at least 1m apart, but to
also think about other precautions such as wearing a mask and not
facing each other.
However, scientists say that the difference between staying 2m and
1m apart has a massive impact on the risk of transmitting Covid –
you could be up to 10 times more likely to catch virus droplets at
1m than 2m.
For now, Scotland has retained the 2m rule.
Our advice is to minimise the length of time you spend with
someone, stick to the 2m rule if you can, wear a mask in public
places. If 2m is impossible, then face just to the side of the
person you’re talking to so their breath is not directly in line
with you when talking. Remember to keep washing your hands and
avoid touching your face.
Dexamethasone
There’s been some welcome news this week as the steroid drug
Dexamethasone has been approved for use across the NHS to treat
Covid patients. The drug has been shown to save the lives of
hospitalised patients who require oxygen.
This is great news, however, this is not a new drug. Dexamethasone
has been used since the 1950s to treat a range of conditions
related to inflammation, such as asthma, severe allergies and
breathing difficulties.
It works by dampening down the immune system when the body
overreacts to Coronavirus causing damage to the lung.
Also, it’s important to note that, like bleach, it should not be
used as a preventative measure to stop you getting Coronavirus!
Beat the Bug activity of the week - Rounders!
Gather your family and get active outdoors, with this transformed
version of Rounders.
Rounders England have written a simple set of guidelines, with
jumpers as posts and a triangle formation, to encourage families
and small groups of people to play together safely.
Designed to get the nation out into the sun and enjoying some
gentle exercise in a fun environment, it can be played with a
minimum of two players with each person taking it in turn to be
the batter, while others are bowler/fielder.
The game suggests a rotation format that encourages quick play and
a chance for everyone to bat and bowl/field in a short timeframe.
No sport specific equipment is necessary. Alternative suggestions
are jumpers as posts, socks as balls, rolling pin as a bat.
Chair of Rounders England Katherine Knight said: “Rounders England
have created a safe way to play and get active together during
Covid-19. Called ‘Small Rounders’, two people can play from
families and small groups within a household. See our video for
simple instructions and follow the latest government guidance.
It’s simple, fun and gets you moving!”
In Wales and Scotland, the new version of the game can be played
safely by families for the moment, but not with other households.
