Issue 1154 - Monday 27 April by Cardiff Student Media

rhifyn 1154 issue 1154

gair rhydd

27 ebrill 2020 27 april 2020

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Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972

Stay safe, stay well! Cadwch yn ddiogel, cadwch yn iach!

For the latest news, head to gairrhydd.com!

Students express discontent with Cardiff University’s safety net policy

Charlotte King Head of News

n April 17, Cardiff University announced its safety net policy for 2019/20. It intends to ensure that students’ academic achievements are not affected by the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic since March 16, 2020. It also seeks to address any disruption caused by the two bouts of University College Union (UCU) strike action which occurred in both the Autumn and Spring semesters. In a statement sent to students, the University said that the safety net policy will ensure that module marks accurately reflect the academic standards students have achieved, that degrees awarded by the University are “valid”, and meet the requirements of national qualifications frameworks and Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies.

What is the general policy?

The policy has a lot of different elements. Firstly, it enables Heads of School to alter how teaching and assessments are delivered. Additionally, if students complete assessments but fail a module, the policy ensures that resit marks will not be capped on the first resit attempt. Instead, students can retry a failed double-semester or Spring semester module with no grade cap, and only their third attempt will be capped at the minimum pass mark. The safety net also allows students to resit an unlimited number of credits during the resit period, and Examining Boards are able to scale module marks when the marks obtained do not meet the expected standards when compared to previous years. Speaking to Gair Rhydd about the policy, James Wallice, a second-year student, welcomed the principle of the policy but said that the initial announcement was “convoluted”, “unclear” and “[left] students in the lurch.” Nina White, a second-year English Literature student, also felt that the way

the policy was presented “confused students and exacerbated anxieties” about assessments, and said students were left “high and dry” by the University announcing the policy late on a Friday afternoon.

How does it apply to final year students?

For students in their final year, alterations to teaching and assessments have left many concerned about how their final grade will be calculated. The safety net policy states that for final year students, the University will calculate both a ‘final mark’ and an ‘average mark’ when awarding degree classifications. The ‘final mark’ will be a student’s overall grade average of all assessments contributing to their degree, whilst the ‘average mark’ is their grade average of all assessments completed before March 16, 2020. A student will be awarded whichever is higher. Additionally, Examining Boards can raise a final year student’s degree to a higher classification, such as from a 2:1 to a 1:1, if half or more of a student’s credits which contribute to their degree have been awarded the higher classification. Speaking about the policy, one final year student told Gair Rhydd anonymously: “I understand that these are unprecedented times and the University is facing decisions that no one could have predicted. However, I feel they haven’t acted quickly enough in easing the pressure on final year students.” James Wallice also questioned how the University can address the disruption caused by the UCU strike action whilst using assessments submitted during the strike action to calculate ‘average grades’. He calls this “completely counterintuitive.”

How does it apply to non-final year students?

For those who are not in their final year but are undertaking assessments which contribute to their final degree mark...

Continues on page 4.

Marathon in the garden: Matthew Smith hopes to raise money for AgeUK. Source: Tom-Henry Jones

Cardiff University student to run equivalent of 33 marathons in his garden Tom-Henry Jones Politics Editor

s the Covid-19 pandemic continues, the British public have been finding innovative ways to keep busy and raise money

for charities. This week, Gair Rhydd spoke to Matthew Smith, a Cardiff University student who is running the 1,407km journey from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in his back garden. Running approximately 500 laps

of his garden every day for 50 days, Matthew is hoping to raise £1,407 for AgeUK. Turn to page 3 to find out more about why Matthew is taking on this daunting challenge and how he is getting on so far.

Coping with a Cyfraniad Aelwyd Cardiff University parent on the NHS y Waunddyfal at to assist with frontline gronfa PPE Covid-19 research Rhiannon James Advice Editor

t is wonderful to see frontline workers like my mother, who works in an intensive care ward, being appreciated by the wider public. Having a family member working on the frontline during a pandemic brings constant worry, you know they’re putting themselves at risk of catching the virus daily. Additionally, the news is dominated by stories of lack of PPE and NHS workers passing away. In order to not let worry and anxiety dominate, we have been actively taking our minds off of the current situation. To read more, turn to page 17. 17

Tomos Evans Prif Olygydd

ae Aelwyd y Waunddyfal wedi penderfynu rhoi eu henillion o gystadleuaeth y parti llefaru yn yr Ŵyl Gerdd Dant llynedd tuag at Tarian Cymru. Cronfa nid-er-elw sy’n darparu cyflenwad o offer amddiffynol i weithwyr y gwasanaeth iechyd a’r sector gofal yng Nghymru yw Tarian Cymru. Mae’r galw am offer amddiffynol wedi cynyddu tipyn yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf. I ddarllen mwy am gyfraniad Aelwyd y Waunddyfal ac am hanes Tarian Cymru, trowch i dudalen 6. .6

Christina Fowler Contributor

uring the COVID-19 outbreak, a number of Cardiff University scientists have been changing the aims of their research in order to investigate the effects and cures of the coronavirus. From researching how coronavirus affects pregnant women, to developing an effective vaccine, researchers have been learning how to tackle the coronavirus and it’s resultant disease, COVID-19. It is hoped that this research will contribute to understanding more about the virus and ultimately preventing it. Turn to page 18 to read more. 18

EDITORIAL

Gair Rhydd 2019/20 Coordinator Elaine Morgan

Editor-in-Chief Tomos Evans

Deputy Editors

Charlotte King Sam Tilley George Willoughby

News

Charlotte King Olly Davies Anna Dutton Zoe Kramer

Features

Mustakim Hasnath Sam Tilley

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com

A note from the Editor Nodyn gan y Golygydd Gair Rhydd goes virtual for first time

Gair Rhydd yn troi’n rhithwir am y tro cyntaf

Last issue of the year: Gair Rhydd’s stall at this year’s Freshers’ Fayre. Source: Sam Tilley

Rhifyn ola’r flwyddyn: Stondyn Gair Rhydd yn Ffair y Glas eleni. Tarddiad: Sam Tilley

Taf-od

Llion Carbis Aled Biston Rhodri Davies Deio Jones

Politics

Lowri Pitcher Hallum Cowell Tom-Henry Jones Maisie Marston

Comment

Adam Clarke Harry Clarke-Ezzidio Kat Smith Tehreem Sultan

Column Road Indigo Jones

Advice

Molly Govus Rhiannon James

Satwik Speaks Satwik Shivoham

Science

Liv Davies Holly Giles

@Caerdydd

Tirion Davies Natalie Graham

Sport

Reece Chambers Olly Allen Ella Fenwick Luke Wakeling Tom Walker George Willoughby

Head of Digital Media Aliraza Manji

Social Media Manager Lottie Draycott

Digital Media Editors Matt Hancock-Bruce Daniel O’Callaghan

Graphics Editor

Oli King

Copy Editors Boadicea Dowd Anurag Hegde

Write to the editor editor@gairrhydd.com editor @gairrhydd.com

At Gair Rhydd we take seriously our responsibility to maintain the highest possible standards. We may occasionally make mistakes, however if you believe we have fallen below the standards we seek to uphold, please email editor@gairrhydd.com. You can view our Ethical Policy Statement and Complaints Procedure at cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/complaints. Opinions expressed in editorials and opinion pieces are not reflective of Cardiff Student Media, who act as the publisher of Gair Rhydd in legal terms, and should not be considered official communications or the organisation’s stance. Gair Rhydd is a Post Office registered newspaper.

Tomos Evans Editor-in-Chief

ell, here it is. My final editorial as Editor of Gair Rhydd, and the first virtual issue of the paper. It has been a privilege to lead the publication this year as we increased our Welsh language content and introduced new section @Caerdydd to focus on life in Cardiff. It has been an unforgettable year! I am so proud of everyone who has contributed to Gair Rhydd in any way and would like to thank our readers for your continued support. At the start of the year, in my first editorial, I told you to grasp every opportunity that came your way. I would like to reiterate that advice, but in a slightly different way. Whilst this is a very challenging situation for us all, what we must now do is to form our own opportunities by thinking creatively and contemplating how we can make the best out of the situation. When the lockdown was announced by the Welsh and UK Governments, we thought that we had produced our final issue of Gair Rhydd for the year without even knowing it. However, thanks to the dedication and determination of my team (and the wonders of technology) we are able to bring you this online issue remotely. The Cardiff Student Media Awards

were also held virtually for the first time at the weekend and shows just what is achievable even in the most testing of circumstances. Over the past few weeks, we have seen several original and innovative ways of keeping people connected at a time of social distancing, including the 5K challenge on Instagram, Twitter watch-alongs of several popular TV series and even the BBC’s Big Night In (a combination of the Children in Need and Comic Relief telethons). This period has also changed the way our political system operates with the Welsh Assembly meeting remotely for the first time some weeks ago and the UK Parliament more recently following suit. It has also been a time of forming new traditions as, every Thursday, we’ve been taking to our doorsteps and windows right across the country to clap for our carers and the frontline NHS staff who are risking their lives to save ours every day. None of us could have predicted such an end to the year and what comes next may be uncertain. That is why it is more important than ever that you take care of yourselves and that you stay in touch with all of your friends and families through social media, video calling and other means. Even though we live in a time of social distancing, we don’t have to be alone.

Tomos Evans Prif Olygydd

el dyma ni. Fy ngholofn olaf fel Golygydd Gair Rhydd, a’r cyntaf mewn rhifyn rhithwir. Mae hi wedi bod yn fraint cael arwain y papur hwn eleni wrth iddo gynyddu’r cynnwys cyfrwngCymraeg a chyflwyno adran newydd @Caerdydd i ffocysu’n benodol ar fywyd yng Nghaerdydd. Mae wedi bod yn flwyddyn fythgofiadwy! Dw i mor falch o bawb sydd wedi cyfrannu i Gair Rhydd eleni mewn unrhyw ffordd a hoffem ddiolch i’n darllenwyr am eich cefnogaeth barhaus. Yn fy nodyn golygyddol cyntaf, dywedais wrthoch i gymryd pob cyfle sy’n dod. Hoffem ategu mewn ffordd ychydig yn wahanol. Tra bo hyn yn gyfnod heriol iawn i ni gyd, beth sydd yn rhaid i ni wneud nawr yw creu ein cyfleoedd ein hunain gan feddwl yn greadigol ac ystyried sut y medrwn wneud ein gorau yn ystod y sefyllfa bresennol. Pan gafodd y cyfyngiadau ar aros adref eu cyhoeddi gan Lywodraethau Cymru a’r DU, meddylion ni ein bod wedi cynhyrchu ein rhifyn olaf o Gair Rhydd am eleni. Ond, diolch i ymroddiad penderfyniad fy nhîm (a gwyrthiau technoleg) rydym yn medru cyflwyno’r rhifyn ar-lein hwn i chi. Cafodd Gwobrau Cyfryngau

Myfyrwyr Caerdydd eu cynnal ar-lein am y tro cyntaf dros y penwythnos, sy’n dangos yr hyn sy’n bosib hyd yn oed mewn sefyllfa mor annisgwyl. Dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, rydym wedi gweld sawl ffordd wreiddiol a diddorol o gadw pobl mewn cysylltiad â’i gilydd mewn cyfnod o ymbellhau cymdeithasol, megis yr her 5K ar Instagram, watch-alongs o gyfresi teledu poblogaidd ar Drydar a hyd yn oed Big Night In y BBC (cyfuniad o ddigwyddiadau Plant Mewn Angen a Comic Relief ). Mae’r cyfnod hwn wedi gweld ein system wleidyddol ni’n gweithio mewn ffordd wahanol gyda Senedd Cymru yn cyfarfod yn ddigidol am y tro cyntaf rai wythnosau yn ôl a Senedd y DU yn dilyn yn ddiweddarach. Mae hi hefyd wedi bod yn adeg am draddodiadau newydd wrth i ni glapio gweithwyr ein gwasanaeth iechyd a’n sector gofal bob nos Iau yn ddi-ffael. Byddai neb wedi rhagweld y diweddglo hwn i’r flwyddyn academaidd pan ddechreuodd hi ac mae’r hyn sy’n dilyn yn ansicr. Dyna pam mae hi’n bwysicach nag erioed eich bod yn gofalu am eich hunain ac yn cadw mewn cysylltiad gyda’ch teulu a’ch ffrindiau dros gyfryngau cymdeithasol, galwadau fideo neu drwy ddulliau eraill. Er ei bod hi’n gyfnod o ymbellhau’n gymdeithasol, dydyn ni ddim ar ben ein hunain.

Tom-Henry Jones Politics Editor

he UK wide Covid-19 lockdown has meant more people are finding new ways to keep themselves entertained, exercise indoors and fundraise for charities. From the man who climbed the height of Mount Everest on his staircase to the viral effort of 99-year-old Captain Tom Moore heroically doing laps of his garden for the NHS, there are more and more remarkable lockdown stories. However, third year Cardiff University student Matthew Smith is attempting to go one step further with an equally impressive, yet mad challenge of his own. Gair Rhydd spoke with Matthew to find out more.

Why are you trying to run such an insane distance in such a short amount of time?

“I am a keen runner, but it honestly started out as nothing more than a joke, but it got quite serious quite quickly.” When I asked if he was regretting taking on the challenge, Matthew instantly replied “Yes. I’ve never run more than 28km before, never mind every day for 50 days, but somehow I am still surprisingly confident.”

What has inspired you to do this challenge?

“It was a combination of both Captain Tom Moore’s unbelievable fundraising efforts and my growing boredom because of the lockdown. I felt I had to increase the difficulty from Captain Tom’s challenge considering he has had a hip replacement and is 100 years old this week. I was also inspired by Eddie Izards famous 2016 Comic Relief challenge of running 27 marathons in 27 days. I read that

Who are you trying to raise money for? “I am trying to raise money for AgeUK and their Solihull local branch. AgeUK have helped my family a lot in the past, but they have also recently put out a call for more help and support since they have been under increased pressure because of the Coronavirus outbreak. I originally set my target at £200 but I’ve already hit £500. I’ve now set a new target of £1407, the same number of kilometres I am aiming to run.”

How can people track your progress? “People can track my progress on my new Instagram page, ‘run_mattboy_run_2020’. I am very grateful for all the support I am getting.”

So, tell us more about the challenge.

Once you have finished this re-

markable challenge, how do you intend to celebrate?

Cardiff student charity nominated for national award Bare Necessities has been nominated for the Community Award at the 2020 National Societies and Volunteering Awards

Olly Davies News Editor

are Necessities, a student-led project, has been shortlisted for the Community Award at this year’s National Societies and Volunteering Awards. Bare Necessities is a Cardiff University-based charity which seeks to help spread toiletries and hygiene products amongst those in need, including the homeless, women escaping violence, and those below the poverty line. The charity was created by Lucy Wilkinson in her final year at Cardiff University. The idea came to her over the Christmas of 2018. Lucy was inspired by the Beauty Bank, a London based charity run by Sali Hughes and Jo Jones, which acts like a food bank but for beauty projects. Bare Necessities is the only Cardiff University society which has been nominated for an award at the 2020 National Societies and Volunteering Awards. Lucy said the aim of Bare Necessities is to help overcome stigma. It is not to alleviate poverty per se, but to re-imbue people who are struggling with confidence. The charity, set up through Cardiff Volunteering, is now in its second year. Lucy graduated in 2019, and whilst she is still involved with

Bare Necessities, she says the charity “is doing really well without me.” Launched in February 2019, Bare Necessities has gone from strength to strength. It works closely with Escentual, a cosmetic brand, and distributes donations from their warehouses. Lucy said the first collection filled two cars: ”It took three days to sort through all the stuff ” and amongst the initial donations were some luxury brands which were really nice to pass on to people. The summer of 2019 then saw the Homeless World Cup come to Cardiff and Bare Necessities worked closely with the Welsh FA, donating around 350 bags of goods to those in need. They were distributed throughout the playing squads, a personal highlight for Lucy. The operation has grown over the last 12 months with Bare Necessities now having their own storage units and vans to collect the donations from Escentual, but their aim remains the same. Speaking to this year’s lead volunteer, Sophie Irving, she said the only real change since the charity was founded is the scale of the operation. Sophie explained how Bare Necessities worked. “We receive donations from the public and generous companies of basic toiletries, makeup, sanitary and hygiene products

that we sort during our volunteering sessions.

I am ecstatic that [we have] been nominated. This project has truly been a labour of love. Sophie Irving Lead Volunteer at Bare Necessities

“Volunteers make sure that the products are unused, or like new, and are still usable and hygienic to donate. Out of these products, care packages are made that get donated to women’s shelters, homeless shelters and the [Salvation Army’s] Purple Bus project in order to empower those in need.” Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has halted the operation. However, Sophie expects “when this is all over, it’s back to all hands on deck.” “Escentual are in the somewhat fortunate position where people have been extremely generous and they’re inundated with donations and cannot accept any more.

“After this we’ll be pushing [care packages] out to the people who will appreciate them most: Women’s aid, alopecia support groups, and the Purple Bus project.” Both Lucy and Sophie are very grateful for the support they have received from Cardiff University Students’ Union throughout this project. The nomination for this award clearly means a lot to both. Sophie said, “I am ecstatic that Bare Necessities has been nominated. From the beginning when Lucy set it up, this project has truly been a labour of love on behalf of all the volunteers, the volunteering coordinators, and all the societies that have engaged with us. “It will also mean a lot to the charities that we work alongside. The recognition of the project is recognition for them in distributing [care packages]; we couldn’t ask for a better team to work with.” These sentiments were strongly echoed by Lucy, who said it was “just amazing!” She was proud of the impact Bare Necessities has had “because it has gone on beyond me. “It shows what Cardiff has to offer.” Whilst the awards ceremony has been cancelled, the voting is still going ahead. At the time of writing, an online awards ceremony is being planned.

To contact our news desk, drop us an email at news@gairrhydd.com

Round and round: Matthew is planning to run 1,407km, all in his back garden. Source: Tom-Henry Jones

‘“Just like Captain Tom, the day I am due to finish is just days before my 21st birthday, so I’ll have a few beers to celebrate. But ultimately I just plan to sleep for a week afterwards!”

NEWS

“From May 1 onwards, I am aiming to run the equivalent length of John o’ Groats to Land’s End in my back garden over 50 days straight. “It is a total of 1,407Km, meaning I’ll have to run 28km a day, approximately 500 laps of my garden. “The whole distance equates to around 35 marathons over 50 days.”

Eddie’s one bit of advice was “’it was tough, don’t try it at home’, but that is exactly what I am doing!”

NEWYDDION

Matthew Smith is aiming to run the 1,407km journey from John o’ Groats to Land’s End in his back garden for charity

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/news

Cardiff student aims to run 1,400km in isolation

Your news desk Charlotte King Olly Davies Anna Dutton Zoe Kramer

4 NEWS Students express their discontent with Cardiff Uni’s safety net policy

Charlotte King Head of News Continued from front page.

...the University states that the safety net policy will be updated for future academic years. Nina White, as a second year student, feels that the University provided “no clarification whatsoever.” It is unclear whether they will be assessing her grades this year and once again in her final year or calculating an ‘average’ now, she said. In response to these comments, a Cardiff University spokesperson said: “Coronavirus is an exceptional and rapidly changing circumstance. Since moving to remote teaching four weeks ago, the University has worked hard to review how student assessment takes place in the summer, and to develop the safety net policy in a manner which maintains our academic standards and is fair and transparent to all students. “We are sorry if the detail, complexity and timing of this has caused concern for some of our students. That was never the intention and is the reason the technical policy document was accompanied by more general information on the student intranet.”

How does it apply to postgraduate students?

For postgraduate taught students, the University states it cannot calculate an ‘average’ mark because not enough modules were completed before March 16, 2020. Continuing with their principle of no student will be disadvantaged, the University states that Examining Boards will again be able to raise students’ grades to a higher classification when applicable. A postgraduate taught student studying in the School of Journalism, Media and Communications said, “My dissertation is due in at the end of August. I’m worried that if the crisis is over by then, we won’t be able to have the same safety net if we’ve had a month or two in ‘normal conditions’.” A spokesperson for Cardiff University said, “When developing the safety net policy, the University was mindful that postgraduate taught students would not have sufficient marks which could be relied upon to classify the degrees. “The University can reassure postgraduate taught students that the other measures contained within the policy... should ensure they are not disadvantaged.” As for how the policy will affect postgraduate research students, a spokesperson commented: “The position for postgraduate research students is different as the format of the degree and its assessment is different from taught programmes. Consequently, the safety net policy does not apply to postgraduate research degrees.” Full details of the safety net policy can be found on the student intranet.

How has Covid-19 affected students in work?

Gair Rhydd has reached out to students studying around the UK to hear how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected their work life Charlotte King Head of News Maisie Marston Politics Editor

ince the UK went into lockdown towards the end of March, the British Government has been encouraging ‘non-essential’ businesses to close and for only ‘key workers’ to travel to work. This

Leila

Heather

What university do you go to and what course do you study?

Royal Holloway University, English Literature and Creative Writing.

University of Worcester, Sports Therapy.

What is your line of work?

Stables worker and holiday park employee; I am now unemployed.

How has the virus affected your work, and have you found yourself without work since the lockdown restrictions came in? I worked at a riding stables, freelancing teaching lessons and doing normal stable duties at university, then I also worked when home at a holiday park and at another riding stables. I’m not working as I have had to come home. I did one shift at Tesco which I enjoyed, but decided it wouldn’t be safe to work as I would be at a higher risk of catching Covid-19. I really enjoy working as it helps me feel more productive and helps with my mental health, and I find it hard having too much time on my hands. I have been trying to exercise to help!

Have you sought any government or university financial support? If so, what? If not, why not? The holiday park has furloughed me now, which has been a great help!

week, Gair Rhydd has spoken to students, some of whom are continuing to work as key workers, and others who have found themselves either working in unusual circumstances or without employment entirely, to

hear more about how Covid-19 has affected their work life. Read on to hear these students’ stories about life in work during the pandemic, the choices they have made, and struggles they now face.

Restaurants turning to take-out. Source: Queven (via Pixabay)

Supermarket employee.

How has the virus affected your work, and have you found yourself without work since the lockdown restrictions came in? With university cancelled for the rest of the year and seeing the news about panic buyers, I knew that my old store (Lidl) would be more than willing to take me back. Although it has been quite an unnerving experience thus far with many people still not taking on the recommended lockdown regulations and the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided to us, a lot of customers have been very grateful for the service we are still providing. As seen, there is now a restriction on the number of customers we allow in the store at any one time which makes the shopping environment much more pleasant and it also feels less chaotic. However since the pandemic outbreak, customers have been afraid to talk to us in case they happen catch Covid-19 from us (although whispering seems to be more safe from what I’ve gathered).

Katie

Molly

What university do you go to and what course do you study?

Cardiff University, Civil Engineering.

What is your line of work? Self-employed cycle courier.

What is your line of work? Healthcare worker.

How has the virus affected your work, and have you found yourself without work since the lockdown restrictions came in?

Whilst I am technically a ‘key worker’, most of the restaurants that we deliver have closed meaning there’s very little work around. Shifts are currently only being released one day at a time, often only allowing for one person to work at a time. Although I am technically self employed, the company has made some effort to help us, offering statutory sick pay if you get a sick note from NHS 111. However, there’s no replacement for loss of earnings because of the lack of work.

I study with the Open University, it’s cheaper than Redbrick universities and allows me to be closer to my family; this year I have studied BA History on a full-time basis and worked part-time. I work part-time as a healthcare worker for adults with learning disabilities. It’s super fun and rewarding but it was also proving hard to balance with full-time university. Unlike a lot of students, Covid-19 has actually made my work hours far longer, earlier, and more frequent. It’s turned my work from a parttime way to make money into the sole focus of my days; and as more and more staff begin to self-isolate my hours keep on going up. In many ways, the virus has made working in healthcare even more satisfying, as I know that now, more than ever, the people I support need us there. However, it’s made my education massively take a backseat, which is really hard to manage at times.

Have you sought any government or university financial support? If so, what? If not, why not?

Social distance queuing. Source: GoToVan (via Flickr)

The Open University, History.

I have only been doing the job for 6 months, and therefore didn’t complete a tax return from 2018/19, so I will not be eligible for this money. Even if I had been eligible, this grant doesn’t reflect the fluctuation in earnings from my job weeks. I am very fortunate in that my parents are happy to lend me money to tide me over until the next student loan.

NEWYDDION 5

What is the current Covid-19 situation in the UK? The UK has now been in lockdown since March 23 with the aim of stopping the spread of the virus, but how close are we?

George Willoughby Deputy Editor

topping the transmission of Covid-19 is imperative in order to bring down the number of new cases of coronavirus. This has been the aim of the UK Government and the respective leaders of other countries all across the globe. The United Kingdom is on course to be one of the worst-hit nations with cumulative death figures in hospitals eclipsing 20,000 over the weekend. Also worth noting is that figures from over the weekend usually come with a time lag so data for the upcoming weekdays will be a better reflection of the current trends. Furthermore, these figures do not include the lives lost outside of hospitals. Much has been said about trying to flatten the curve which seems to be occurring with lockdown measures starting to reduce the number of new daily cases. The UK Government has already extended the lockdown period a further three weeks with fears of a second peak if measures are relaxed prematurely. Germany is approaching this phase, with mass testing helping to control the outbreak more effectively. For Wales, stricter regulations were imposed over the weekend. This included clamping down on non-essential journeys and insisting that citizens cannot stay in a place that is away from their homes. With deaths in hospitals continuing to rise, these measures are necessary. Figures for Wales have been trending steadily upwards, as the cumulative death count surpassed 700 on Friday, March 24. The increase came with 110 deaths announced on this day, the largest daily

increase so far for the Welsh capital. The higher number came as reported figures were released later than usual. The total number of confirmed cases in Wales stood at 8,601 prior to the weekend. The UK Government relayed the experts’ analysis that deaths in England and Wales peaked on 8 April. After passing the peak, the general trend will be for deaths to gradually keep falling for at least

another two weeks. Lockdown measures are expected to be reviewed in early May which will reveal the true extent of the lockdown’s effectiveness. Economists have already expressed their concerns if lockdown measures are extended, with a potential 30% reduction in the country’s Gross Domestic Product. The societal and economic impact of coronavirus has been profound. An area

that received a lot of attention is the government’s furlough scheme. Last Monday alone saw more than 140,000 firms apply for coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom face a joint effort in combating the spread of the virus. Social distancing remains the best way to achieve this before a vaccine is distributed. Clinical trials for a potential vaccination have begun.

round Cardiff, wildflowers are being planted on top of bus stops to attract more bees and other insects to encourage insect population growth around the city. Cardiff Council has been working on a project to redesign the layout of the city, and as part of this new scheme, ten bus stops across the capital are being revamped. A spokesperson for the Council has said that “the Council is redesigning roads in the city centre, to significantly improve the public transport infrastructure, improve opportunities for active travel (cycling and walking), as well as improve the air quality that we all breathe.” Plants categorised as ‘wildflowers’ fall broadly into two categories: perennial wildflowers and annual wildflowers. Perennial wildflowers are different from annual wildflowers as they grow back each year and include species like the meadow buttercup and red campion. Annual wildflowers are generally more colourful than their perennial cousins but they only flower once and then don’t tend to flower again. These species include the field poppy as well as the corn marigold.

The Netherlands legalises euthanasia for dementia cases

s of last week, doctors in the Netherlands cannot be prosecuted for euthanising patients who have previously given their written consent. This landmark decision comes after the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalise euthanasia in 2002.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Source: alyssa BLACK. (via Flickr)

2019: Europe’s warmest year on record

Cardiff bus stops are soon to Principality Stadium becomes be buzzing with activity the ‘Dragon’s Heart’ hospital Anna Dutton News Editor

On an unrelated note...

These plants are effective for attracting bees and other insects. The bus stops that are being updated include: Castle Street, Kingsway, Dumfries Place, Station Terrace and Churchill Way, Cycleway 1 on Cathay’s Terrace and Whitchurch Road. New bus stops will be installed on two existing shelters, too: Wood Street, Lower St Mary St. and Park Street. The remaining bus stops will not be changed. Cardiff is following suit from other cities such as Utrecht in the Netherlands, which has installed wildflowers on more than 300 of their bus stops across the city. In Cardiff, the maintenance of these bus stops will be undertaken by Clear Channel who is working closely with the council on this new project. The scheme hopes to make Cardiff a greener space and encourage more bees and insects to thrive throughout the city, helping to maintain bee population numbers. However, for those who suffer from hay fever or for those who don’t like insects, the new scheme might be more frustrating than exciting. Regardless, this scheme highlights how Cardiff continues to strive to be a greener place by making the city a more wildlife-friendly space and bringing some colour to brighten the residents’ bus journeys.

Zoe Kramer News Editor

ardiff’s Principality Stadium has been converted to a hospital in order to treat increasing numbers of patients in the midst of the Coronavirus outbreak. Ysbyty Calon y Ddraig, or Dragon’s Heart Hospital, is expected to hold 2,000 beds, making it the second biggest hospital in the UK behind London’s Nightingale Hospital. So far, 650 people have been employed either for the hospital, or to replace those medical staff moving to the hospital. At full capacity, the hospital is expected to employ 2,500 members of staff. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board launched an online survey to allow members of the community to name the new hospital. One proposed name was Ysbyty Calon Lân, which would have linked the new hospital to the Welsh song Calon Lân, a traditional song now associated with the Welsh national rugby team. Other suggestions included Ysbyty Gobaith which translate into ‘Hope Hospital’, or Ysbyty Frances Hoggan in memory of Wales’ first registered female doctor. The name Ysbyty Calon y Ddraig was chosen to symbolise the legend of the red dragon, the symbol of Wales. Len Richards, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s chief executive, spoke to BBC Wales, saying “It’s really important for us to increase our bed base so that we have places where we can put patients, and care for them

properly, and this is a fantastic development in that regard.” “It is a very difficult challenge, and it’s been planned at breakneck speed, we started to plan this 12 days ago and we aim to open our first beds on Sunday,” Richards added. The hospital intends to care for Covid-19 patients who are expected to recover from the illness but are not yet ready to return home. The aim is to relieve stress on regular hospitals whose focus needs to be on patients in critical condition. Medical staff will range from doctors to senior consultants to physical therapists. The hospital was operational within two weeks, a process that would normally take up to two years. It opened on April 11, initially opening with 300 of the 2,000 beds available. Part of the preparations include the construction of large tents to control the temperature inside the stadium, as well as replacing the turf with flooring. The effort has involved 5000 hours of planning, and work by approximately 650 contractors as well as members of the armed forces. Every part of the stadium has been accounted for, including dressing rooms which will be converted to staff offices. Additionally, local businesses have joined the fight. The Hensol Castle Distillery has begun manufacturing hand sanitizer, and food for the patients will be provided by a nearby hotel. The hospital is expected to be open for around three months, but this timeline could change depending on how the Covid-19 pandemic develops.

n Earth Day’s 50th anniversary on April 22, 2020, new data was published which showed that 2019 was Europe’s warmest year on record. Europe is warming faster than the global average with temperatures being two degrees celsius higher than average temperatures at the end of the 19th century. This is twice as high as the global average of a one degree celcius increase.

Sun shining over Europe. Source: Joi Ito (via Flickr)

Australian bushfires released 830m tonnes of carbon dioxide

he recent bushfires in Australia released approximately 830 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. This is more pollution than the country produces in a year, according to a government estimate. When compared with international greenhouse emissions, only five countries produce more emissions annually than the bushfires did: China, the US, India, Russia and Japan.

Victoria bushfires, Australia. Source: Ninian Reid (via Flickr)

taf od

Barn y Bobol

NEWYDDION

Gyda’r sefyllfa bresennol yn golygu bod prifysgolion ar draws y byd yn gorfod mabywsiadu dulliau addysgu ar-lein, sut mae myfyrwr Caerdydd yn ymdopi â’r newid hyd yma?

Myfyrwraig blwyddyn gyntaf Cymraeg a’r Gweithle Proffesiynol Mae profi ‘Prifysgol ddigidol’ yn brofiad rhyfedd gan nad oes unrhyw un yno i helpu gydag unrhyw broblemau, ond yn y cyfnod caled yma dyma’r unig ddewis. Mae’r holl ddarlithwyr yn dweud wrthym am yrru cwestiynau ar e-bost neu ofyn am gymorth ond gall gymryd dyddiau iddynt ateb yn lle cael ateb syth wyneb yn wyneb. Nid wyf yn meddwl bod hyn yn syniad da yn yr hirdymor oherwydd gall effeithio ar iechyd meddwl a gwneud i bobl deimlo yn unig oherwydd i ambell un, ella mai mynd i ddarlith yw’r unig adeg maent yn cymdeithasu gydag eraill.

Heledd Ainsworth

Myfyrwraig ail flwyddyn Cymraeg a’r Gyfraith Ers bygythiad y coronafeirws bondigrybwyll, trôdd ein byd fel myfyrwyr ben i waered. Fe alltudiwyd y mwyafrif ohonom gartref i’n hardaloedd genedigol gan ein hamddifadu’n ddi-ymddiheuriad o dros tri mis o gymdeithasu ac ymgyfathrachu. Er i’n bywyd cymdeithasol ddiflannu, mawr yw ein braint i fyw yn yr oes ddigidol gan fod ein haddysg ar ffurf darlithoedd wedi’u ffrydio a chyfleoedd i gwrdd â’n tiwtoriaid ymroddedig yn golygu ein bod yn parhau i fewnoli gwybodaeth a sgiliau newydd. Digon diflas yw ceisio hunan-ysgogi ac hunan-ysbrydoli heb allu cwrdd wyneb yn wyneb â’n cyfoedion.

Llion Carbis Aled Biston Rhodri Davies Deio Jones tafod@gairrhydd.com

Aelwyd y Waunddyfal Tomos Evans Prif Olygydd

Myfyrwraig trydedd flwyddyn, Y Gyfraith a’r Gymraeg

Alaw Mair

Eich hadran taf-od

Cyfrannu eu henillion yn yr Ŵyl

Nest Jenkins

Gan ystyried yr amgylchiadau, roedd symud o ddysgu wyneb yn wyneb i weithio ar-lein yn anorfod. O’m profiad i, bu’n gam llwyddiannus. Mae’r gwrando ar ddarlithoedd ar adeg gyfleus o glydwch ein cartrefi yn gweithio’n hwylus. Credaf fod y brifysgol wedi bod yn deg gyda’i mesurau newydd, sy’n cynnwys cyflwyno rhwyd diogelwch i’r myfyrwyr a rhoi estyniad i ddyddiadau cyflwyno asesiadau. Wrth gwrs, mae lle i wella, er enghraifft trwy gyhoeddi’r amserlen arholiadau yn gynt efallai. Er hyn, ry’n ni’n profi amseroedd digynsail ac felly rhaid inni fod yn amyneddgar a chroesi bysedd am farciau dymunol ddiwedd y flwyddyn!

Yr unig gyhoeddiad myfyrwyr wythnosol trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Sefydlwyd: 2003 Am fwy o gynnwys, ewch i gairrhydd.com/tafod

Swyn y gân: Gwen ac Elin Angharad Williams yn perfformio deuawd i’w cynulleidfa yng ngrŵp Côr-ona. Tarddiad: Gwen Elin.

Côr-ona’n codi canu a chodi calon

Y grŵp cymdeithasol sydd wedi cael effaith fawr Deio Jones Golygydd Taf-od

ae’r cyfnod hunan-ynysu wedi profi’n anodd iawn i nifer fawr o boblogaeth y byd. Mae nifer fawr o bobl wedi troi tuag at ddiddordebau gwahanol er mwyn cadw’r ymennydd yn brysur. Un o brosiectau Cymraeg mwyaf llwyddiannus y cyfnod hwn yw ‘Côr-ona’, sef grŵp ar Facebook a ddechreuwyd gan Catrin Angharad Jones o Ynys Môn. Mae Côr-ona yn gyfle i bobl rannu fideos o ganu neu gyfeilio, boed yn ddeuawd ar-lein neu’n unigol. Mae gan y grŵp dros 46,000 o aelodau gyda fideos newydd yn cael eu postio bob awr. Mae’r grŵp erbyn hyn ar ganol prosiect gyda’r BBC a Rhys Meirion er mwyn creu trefniant côr o Calon Lan ar ffurf rhithwir. Côr-ona yw’r grŵp mwyaf un-iaith Gymraeg sydd erioed wedi ymddangos ar Facebook. Mae’r grŵp wedi ymddangos ar raglen Heno ar S4C a llawer o ddeilliannau cyfryngol eraill erbyn hyn. Un o gyfranwyr y grŵp yw Ennillydd Ysgoloriaeth Bryn Terfel 2015, Gwen Elin. Dywedodd Gwen, “Mae Côr-ona yn blatfform gwych ac yn lwyfan i unrhyw un. Mae o’n gyfle i fagu hyder ac yn braf gweld pobl yn cynnal cyngherddau o’u hystafelloedd byw. Mae’n wych gweld pobl na fyddai gyda’r hyder i ganu’n gyhoeddus yn cael llwyfan. Mae o’n symbol o’r genedl yn dod at ei gilydd ac yn creu rhywbeth positif drwy gân mewn cyfnod bregus.”

Mae’r grŵp erbyn hyn yn rhoi thema wahanol bob dydd er mwyn cael amrywiaeth gwahanol o fideos. Mae themâu fel ‘Deuawd dy hun’ a’r ‘Hen Ganiadau’ wedi ymddangos ac mae llawer o fideos gwahanol gan unigolion yn parhau i gael eu huwchlwytho bob dydd. Mae’r grŵp yn gyfle gwych ar gyfer y boblogaeth hŷn sydd yn amlwg methu gadael y tŷ oherwydd y pandemig. Yn ôl The Guardian, mae cynnydd mawr wedi bod mewn achosion o iselder a phryder ers dechrau Mawrth gan fod y pandemig wedi creu cyfnod ansicr iawn i lawer. Mae problemau sydd yn gysylltiedig gyda chyflog ac ansicrwydd wedi cyfrannu’n fawr tuag at hyn. Mae’r grŵp wedi ei sefydlu er mwyn ceisio helpu trwy godi calonnau dros Gymru gyfan drwy gerddoriaeth. Gwelir nifer fawr o deyrngedau cerddorol tuag at staff y GIG a gweithwyr allweddol y wlad sydd yn rhoi eu bywydau mewn perygl er lles y genedl. Mae ambell i weithiwr allweddol a staff y GIG hefyd wedi cymryd rhan wrth ychwanegu fideos cerddorol eu hunain. Mae’r grŵp hefyd wedi bod yn allweddol o ran rhoi cyfle i’r unigolion a chorau a oedd wedi bod yn ymarfer tuag at Eisteddfod yr Urdd ac yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, sydd eisioes wedi eu gohirio am flwyddyn. Mae’r ffaith fod gan unrhyw un hawl i gyfrannu yn ran allweddol iawn o’r grŵp ac yn un o’i brif werthoedd. Mae’r grŵp yn dal i fynd o nerth i nerth ac yn dal i dyfu mewn niferoedd bob dydd.

n ystod pandemig Covid-19 un o’r heriau mwyaf yw sicrhau digon o gyflenwad o offer amddiffyn i weithwyr y gwasanaeth iechyd a’r sector gofal. Mae Aelwyd y Waunddyfal wedi penderfynu cyfrannu at yr ymdrech honno gan roi eu henillion o gystadleuaeth y parti llefaru yn yr Ŵyl Gerdd Dant i Tarian Cymru. Bydd y cyfraniad o £250 yn mynd tuag at warchod gweithwyr iechyd a gofal yn ystod y cyfnod heriol hwn. Dywedodd Nest Jenkins, a fu’n hyfforddi’r parti llefaru, wrth Tafod, “Ar ôl ein buddugoliaeth ym mis Tachwedd yn yr Ŵyl Gerdd Dant, y bwriad oedd trefnu dathliad! Ond gyda phawb yn brysur a’r amser yn hedfan, buan iawn y bu’n rhaid inni adael y brifysgol o achos Covid-19. Ymateb pob un aelod o’r parti llefaru wedi hyn oedd rhoi’r arian i achos llawer mwy teilwng a haeddiannol. “Dewis hawdd oedd rhoi’r arian i Tarian Cymru gan eu bod yn cefnogi gweithwyr iechyd a gofal ar

draws Cymru gyfan. Gyda’n haelodau yn ymestyn o Gaernarfon i’r Gwŷr, roeddem am i’r arian helpu’r ymdrech yn genedlaethol. Bydd yr arian yn mynd at brynu offer gwarchodol i weithwyr GIG Cymru a’r sector gofal. Mae prinder eithriadol mewn offer o’r fath – offer sy’n angenrheidiol er mwyn gwarchod y staff arwrol, eu teuluoedd a’n cymunedau.” Ychwanegodd Meleri Williams, Cadeirydd Aelwyd y Waunddyfal, “Ro’n ni’n hynod o ffodus i gael gwo

Cynnig cefnogaeth: Nyrsys yn Tarddiad: Lleu

CHWARAEON

Sêr chwaraeon Cymru

Mae Gareth Bale, Geraint Thomas

Aled Biston Golygydd Taf-od

yda gohiriad llawer o ddigwyddiadau ym myd chwaraeon dros y misoedd i ddod, mae nifer o sêr y byd chwaraeon wedi bod gartref yn meddwl am pryd y byddan nhw’n gallu mynd allan i’r cae a chwarae eto. Ond yn y cyfnod anodd hwn, mae nifer o chwaraewyr wedi bod wrthi’n cyfrannu arian neu drefnu digwyddiadau er mwyn codi arian, gan ddefnyddio eu platfform er mwyn codi’r swm mwyaf o arian sy’n bosib. Mae miloedd ar filoedd wedi cael eu codi i’r GIG yn y cyfnod hwn, ac mae nifer o sêr byd chwaraeon Cymru wedi bod yn awyddus i gyfrannu hefyd. Fe wnaeth Geraint Thomas seiclo 1,220km mewn 36 awr, mewn tri shifft o ddeuddeg awr er mwyn codi arian. Roedd yn seiclo yn ei garej, ar Zwift, sef ap lle gallwch greu llwybr rhith i ddilyn. Fe wnaeth Thomas ddarlledu’r daith ar Facebook gan ateb cwestiynau a chael trafodaethau gyda’i gefnogwyr. Hefyd, bu nifer o bobl yn seiclo gydag ef yn eu tai eu hun, ac yn rhannu lluniau ar gyfryngau cymdeithasol. Cododd Thomas £360,000 yn gyfan

gwbl, a dywedodd ar ei Instagram, “Diolch i bob un ohonoch sydd wedi cyfrannu… ac wrth gwrs diolch i bob gweithiwr allweddol”. Yn y byd pêl-droed, mae chwaraewyr tîm rhyngwladol Cymru wedi bod wrthi’n cyfrannu mewn ffyrdd gwahanol. Mae Aaron Ramsey, arwr y gêm a wnaeth gadarnhau lle Cymru yn yr Ewros, wedi gwneud dau gyfraniad o £10,000 i’r GIG ar ddechrau’r pandemig. Yn ddiweddar, mae Gareth Bale wedi cyfrannu dros £1 miliwn i wasanaethau iechyd Cymru a Sbaen, swm enfawr o arian. Mae Rabbi Matondo ar y llaw arall, wedi bod yn cymryd rhan yn y STAY INtertoto Cup, sef twrnament ar y gêm FIFA, lle mae chwaraewyr yn cynrychioli eu clwb neu eu gwlad mewn twrnament ar-lein. Mae Matondo yn cynrychioli Cymru a’i glwb FC Schalke yn ystod y twrnament, ac wedi llwyddo i ennill pob gêm dros Gymru hyd at yr amser ysgrifennwyd yr erthygl yma. Mae’r arian sydd yn cael eu cyfrannu yn ystod y twrnament ar-lein yn mynd tuag at staff y GIG. Yn y byd rygbi, mae cyn-chwaraewr rygbi a chapten Cymru a’r Gweilch, Ryan Jones wedi rhedeg marathon yn ei ardd ei hun er mwyn codi arian tuag at staff y GIG. Ei darged gwrei-

TAF-OD

Ennillwyr Newyddiaduraeth Gymraeg Orau Gwobrau SPA Cymru 2019 yn cefnogi cronfa PPE Gerdd Dant i Tarian Cymru -br mor hael am ennill fel parti llefaru yn yr Ŵyl Gerdd Dant llynedd, ac felly doedden ni ddim eisiau gwario’r arian yn fyrbwyll! “Mae’r newyddion erchyll diweddar o farwolaeth un o barafeddygon Cymru wir yn brawf o’r angen am offer diogelwch i’r bobl sy’n rhoi eu bywydau yn y fantol drosom ni. Mae’n gwerthfawrogiad a’n diolch ni mor fawr i bawb sy’n gweithio dros ein diogelwch ni, ac felly dyma gyfraniad bach wrthom ni i’w cadw nhw’n ddiogel hefyd.”

derbyn offer amddiffyn. cu Meinir

Yn ôl Gwen Shenton, arweinydd Aelwyd y Waunddyfal, “Rwy’n falch iawn o aelodau’r Parti llefaru am benderfynu cyfrannu eu gwobr ariannol at gael offer gwarchod personol i’r gweithwyr allweddol sy’n gwasanaethu ar flaen y gad i achub bywydau yn ystod y sefyllfa ofnadwy yma.” Mewn datganiad, dywedodd Carl Morris, cyd-drefnydd a gwirfoddolwr Tarian Cymru, “Rydym mor ddiolchgar i Aelwyd y Waunddyfal am eu cyfraniad hael. Fel apêl newydd mae Tarian Cymru yn llwyr ddibynnol ar gyfraniadau gan gymdeithasau, mudiadau, cwmnïau, ac unigolion. “Bydd modd i ni brynu llawer mwy o offer gwarchodol i weithwyr iechyd a gofal yng Nghymru gyda’r arian – gan gynnwys mygydau, feisors, a gynau. Mae £14 yn gwarchod doctor neu nyrs am wythnos, a bydd angen difrifol yn yr ysbytai, cartrefi gofal, hosbisys a safleoedd eraill dros yr haf yn sicr.” Gydag amser heriol yn wynebu gweithwyr iechyd a gofal yn arbennig, mae cyfraniadau’r cyhoedd yn sicrhau y bydd ganddynt darian i’w hamddiffyn.

yn gwneud gwahaniaeth

ac eraill wedi codi arian at y GIG

BARN

Cymdeithas yn newid? A fydd Covid-19 yn newid cymdeithas yn yr hirdymor?

Llion Carbis

Pennaeth y Gymraeg

rs dechrau’r cyfnod ansicr hwn ymysg pandemig byd-eang, mae fy nghyfrifon cymdeithasol wedi bod yn llawn dop â dyfyniadau ysbrydoledig. Un sy’n codi’n aml yw bod argyfyngau yn dangos natur gorau pobl. Er nad wyf yn sicr o darddle’r geiriau doeth; mae’r neges wedi profi’n wir gan anhunanoldeb cymdeithas wrth ymateb i’r coronafeirws. Petasem yn cwestiynu os yw globaleiddio’n wirioneddol wedi ymgysylltu’r byd, mae’r pandemig yn dangos mae’r un yw’r broblem, yr un yw’r gofidio a’r un yw’r gobaith ledled y byd. Dyma’r tro cyntaf yn fy mywyd y gallaf gofio digwyddiad gyda goblygiadau pellgyrhaeddol yn uno’r byd; o bosib y digwyddiad cyntaf o’r fath ers 9/11. Yn y fath amgylchiadau (rhai sydd rhaid eu profi i’w credu), mae cymdeithas wedi arddangos egwyddorion dynoliaeth sylfaenol o gyfeillgarwch, gofal a thosturi dros eraill. Mae’r system economaidd sy’n mynnu i ni brynu heb ystyriaeth am y sgil effeithiau ac sy’n hyrwyddo unigoliaeth wedi diflannu i raddau helaeth. Yn ei lle, rydym wedi gweld cydnabyddiaeth am y rhai sydd mewn angen, a’r caredigrwydd i weithredu drostynt. Mae cymaint o fusnesau wedi troi eu ffocws ac adnoddau tuag at greu cynnyrch hanfodol, megis offer PPE neu ‘hand sanitizers’ ar gyfer staff y GIG. Yn yr un modd, mae cymaint o fusnesau lleol, megis bwytai Juboraj yng Nghaerdydd wedi coginio a rhoi bwyd i staff y GIG am ddim. Ar lefel fwy personol, rwyf wedi gweld cymaint o bobl yn cynnig eu cymwynas er mwyn siopa dros yr henoed neu’r rhai sy’n dioddef o gyflyrau iechyd blaenorol. Mae cym-

dogion wedi ymdrechu i siarad dros waliau er mwyn sicrhau nad yw’r henoed sy’n byw ar eu pennau eu hunain yn unig mewn cyfnod mor gymhleth. Mae ymateb enwogion wedi bod yr un mor galonogol, fel mae erthygl arall yn yr adran hon yn arddangos. Ar y dyddiau hynny ymhle mae delio gyda difrifoldeb a mawredd y sefyllfa yn anoddach na’r arfer, mae cael dy atgoffa o ymateb rhan helaeth cymdeithas yn codi ysbryd ac yn gysurus iawn. Nid wyf yn gallu cofio cyfnod yn fy mywyd ymhle mae’r fath anhunanoldeb a charedigrwydd wedi’u cyffredinoli i’r fath raddau; dyma sut y dylwn ystyried a gofalu dros ein gilydd. Yn anffodus, fy mhryder i yw pan fydd y cyfnod yma drosodd - pwy a wŷr pryd fydd hynny - bydd cymdeithas yn dychwelyd i fod yn rhanedig, goddefol a bydd prysurdeb bywyd yn ailsefydlu normalrwydd. Nid wyf am eiliad yn awgrymu bod pawb yn hunanol yn gynhenid, dim o gwbl. Ond, rydym yn byw mewn system sydd yn ein gorfodi i ni flaenoriaethu ein chwantau dros unrhyw ystyriaeth arall. Yn 2018, roedd y ‘think-tank’ Class o’r farn bod Prydain yn cael ei orweithio ar gyflogau rhy isel gydag ond 25% o’r ymatebwyr yn credu bod yr economi yn gweithio o’u plaid. Mae 90% o weithwyr y DU yn teimlo o dan straen mwyafrif o’r amser yn ôl adroddiad gan Qualtrics yn 2019. Prydain sydd ag un o’r niferoedd lleiaf o wyliau banc yn y byd sy’n amlygu’r angen am ragor o amser hamdden. Felly, nid wyf yn credu y bydd yr egwyddorion sy’n ganfyddadwy yn gyfredol yn diflannu oherwydd penderfyniadau pobl i ymddwyn yn hunanol, rydym yn byw mewn amgylchiadau ac yn rhan o system sydd yn ein llesteirio rhag ymddwyn a gofalu dros eraill fel y dymunwn.

NEWYDDION

Urdd i gynnal Eisteddfod rhithwir Tomos Evans Prif Olygydd

Y bêl yn rowlio: Mae nifer o wynebau cyfarwydd wedi codi arian i’r gwasanaeth iechyd yn yr wythnosau diwethaf Tarddiad: Jon Candy (drwy Flickr) -ddiol oedd codi £8,000, ond erbyn diwedd y 26.2 milltir cafodd £20,000 eu cyfrannu tuag at ei ymdrechion. Mae Jones hefyd wedi bod yn annog 100 o bobl i ymuno ag ef wrth feicio 100 milltir, gyda phob person yn ceisio cael cyfraniad o £100 er mwyn creu swm o £10,000. Yn y diwedd, cododd £36,000, gyda llawer mwy yn

ymuno â’r her. Yn y cyfnod heriol hwn, mae nifer o arwyr byd chwaraeon Cymru wedi gwneud eu rhan er mwyn cyfrannu tuag at y GIG, a hefyd ein diddanu. Dwi’n siŵr byddwn yn gweld mwy o ddigwyddiadau a chyfraniadau gan bobl yn y byd chwaraeon yn yr wythnosau i ddod.

ae’r Urdd, S4C a’r BBC wedi cyhoeddi y byddant yn cydweithio er mwyn cynnal Eisteddfod yr Urdd rhithwir am y tro cyntaf erioed. Bydd Eisteddfod T yn rhoi’r cyfle i unigolion ar hyd a lled Cymru gystadlu mewn amryw o gystadlaethau megis canu, llefaru, dawnsio, comedi, chwaraeon a chystadlaethau newydd gan gynnwys rhai lip-sync, Strava a chystadleuaeth i’r anifeiliaid anwes hyd yn oed.

Caiff yr Eisteddfod hon ei darlledu ar S4C a BBC Radio Cymru rhwng Mai 25 a 29, yr wythnos y byddai Eisteddfod yr Urdd Sir Ddinbych wedi’w chynnal cyn iddi gael ei gohirio tan y flwyddyn nesaf. Mae rhestr cystadlaethau wedi ei chyhoeddi ar wefan S4C, gyda chyfleoedd i ystod eang o oedrannau i gymryd rhan. Tra bod Eisteddfod yr Urdd a nifer o ddigwyddiadau eraill wedi gorfod cael eu gohirio o ganlyniad i bandemig Covid-19, mae Eisteddfod T yn cynnig holl gyffro maes y ‘Steddfod yn eich tŷ. Tybed pwy a ddaw i’r brig!

Cyfryngau myfyrwyr yn plesio Llion Carbis

Pennaeth y Gymraeg

nodd ydyw i gredu bod fy nghyfnod yn astudio ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd yn gorffen yn y fath amgylchiadau. Fodd bynnag, wrth ystyried bod problemau llawer mwy difrifol yn wynebu ein cymdeithas - a’r byd - yn gyfredol; mae rhaid ffocysu ar y pethau positif. Dw i mor ffodus fy mod wedi mwynhau tair blynedd arbennig yn astudio yma, ac mae cyfryngau myfyrwyr y brifysgol wedi chwarae rôl annatod yn fy mwynhad. Dw i’n cofio fy niwrnodau cyntaf yn y brifysgol; cyfuniad o gyffro, disgwyliad ac ansicrwydd. Wrth ddechrau menter newydd, mae’n cymryd cyfnod i gyfarwyddo a chafodd fy mhroses o gyfarwyddo ei hwyluso trwy gyfrannu i gyfryngau myfyrwyr. Mae ymuno â phrifysgol yn teimlo fel ymuno â byd, os nad bydysawd gwahanol. Mae yna gymaint o wasanaethau a chymdeithasau ar gael i fwynhau; gall y doreth o opsiynau deimlo’n ormod. Dyna pam ei bod hi’n hanfodol i ddewis gweithgaredd neu gymdeithas sy’n apelio atoch chi; rhywbeth sy’n meithrin eich sgiliau ac yn gartref i’ch personoliaeth. Ers bod yn ifanc, rwyf wedi dwlu lleisio fy marn ac ers dechrau blogio yn fy arddegau, roedd ymuno â chyfryngau myfyrwyr Caerdydd yn teimlo fel penderfyniad llwyr naturiol. Yn fwy na hynny, cyfle ydoedd i roi’r theori ar waith fel myfyriwr Newyddiaduraeth a Chyfathrebu. Ond, hanfodol ydyw i bwysleisio, bod gan unrhyw un, o unrhyw faes, y rhyddid a’r gallu i gyfrannu. Ar borth gadael y brifysgol - ac wrth ystyried mai dyma fydd fy nghyfraniad olaf i Gair Rhydd - mae’n teimlo’n amserol i ail-fyw rhai o fy hoff atgofion. O adrodd ar gemau pêldroed Cymru, torri stori ar brif ornest Varsity llynedd a chael diogelu a chodi proffil y Gymraeg o fewn y brifysgol yn wythnosol; rwyf yn ddyledus i gyfryngau myfyrwyr am gael mwynhau cymaint o brofiadau ardderchog. Un o’r prif fuddion o ymuno â chyfryngau myfyrwyr - mantais sydd ddim yn deilwng i bob cymdeithas arall - yw’r profiadau a’r sgiliau sydd o berthnasedd proffesiynol enfawr. Mae ysgrifennu dros bapur newydd neu gylchgrawn, cyflwyno neu gynhyrchu rhaglen radio a ffilmio a golygu cynnwys teledu yn eich arfogi gyda sgiliau cyfryngol a throsglwyddadwy gwerthfawr. Modd ydyw o ddangos ymrwymiad tuag at ddiwylliant y brifysgol a gwireddu datblygiad personol. Wrth ystyried ein bod ni’n talu am ein haddysg ac yn astudio cyrsiau i gynyddu ein cyflogadwyedd, mae’r fath fuddion gyrfaol yn andros o ddefnyddiol. Ond, yn fwy na hynny, y teimlad o berthyn i gymuned, creu perthnasau a ffrindiau sydd wedi bod mor werthfawr yn fy nghyfnod gyda chyfryngau myfyrwyr Caerdydd - yn enwedig yn fy rôl fel un o olygyddion Taf-od dros y ddwy flynedd diwethaf. Mae cyfryngau myfyrwyr yn crynhoi amrywiaeth arbennig y brifysgol. Felly, os ydych ar fin gorffen eich blwyddyn agoriadol yn y brifysgol neu yn agosáu at ddechrau eich blwyddyn olaf yn astudio yn y brifddinas, ac yn dyheu am brofiad newydd, ystyriwch gyfryngau myfyrwyr; ni fyddwch yn difaru!

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GWLEIDYDDIAETH

How Parliament finally went virtual

What are the measures that both the House of Commons and the Senedd Cymru have adopted in order to stay one step ahead of the global pandemic?

Sam Tilley Deputy Editor

or the first time since its creation in 1341, the House of Commons sat virtually last week as a result of the 2020 COVID-19 global pandemic. Due to the government’s guidelines on social distancing, a capped number of 50 MPs were allowed into the chamber at any one time, with strict distancing measures in place to ensure limited human contact. This set-up was then bolstered by the introduction of video conference app Zoom which allowed up to a further 120 MPs to take part in proceedings. This set-up was agreed upon by the House last Monday and will allow Parliament to still hold the

Government to account during these unprecedented times. The first use of this new ‘hybrid’ Parliament was last Wednesday during Welsh Questions. The format was then reused for what is often considered the highlight of the parliamentary week; Prime Minister’s Questions, although of course without the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson still recovering from his own bout of COVID-19. The session was also noteworthy for the debut of new Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer, although his immediate predecessor Jeremy Corbyn caused debate for seemingly ignoring the government guidelines for over 70s to stay at home by turning up in person to the House of Commons.

Mr Speaker: Sir Lindsay Hoyle was elected Speaker of the House of Commons last year and will remain present throughout all proceedings. Source: Richard Townshend (via Wikimedia Commons)

There has been criticism over the new system however. Chair of the Procedure Committee, and former Cabinet minister, Karen Bradley spoke out and criticised the online questioning system as lacking “spontaneity” but eventually agreed that these measures were better than none at all. The estimated cost per month of keeping this so-called ‘hybrid’ Parliament active has been estimated at approximately £369,000 and has already cost almost £150,000 to establish in the first place. MPs will also be prompted to vote virtually for the first time ever. Despite all of these monumental changes, one thing will remain a constant; Members of Parliament have been told that they must still respect the dress code of the Commons, even when phoning into sessions from their homes. They have also been told not to draw attention to themselves whilst on a video call, in order that they can’t have any advantage of those still in the Chamber. The proceedings will also still be chaired by Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle who is believed to have been the mastermind behind the new innovations; the fact that the Speaker will remain in the Commons has again been brought up given that Hoyle suffers from diabetes. Other elected bodies will also meet virtually for the first time. The House of Lords, the upper chamber of the British parliamentary system, will also utilise a ‘hybrid’ system, the only difference from the Commons being the

use of Microsoft’s Teams rather than the US-based Zoom. The Welsh Assembly has opted to sit virtually for the first in its history, with all interactions taking place over Zoom. This has already made national headlines when Health Minister Vaughan Gething conducted a foul mouth rant directed towards fellow Labour Assembly Member Jenny Rathbone when he assumed his microphone was muted. The highly embarrassing episode was capped when the two main opposition parties, Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives, called for his immediate resignation but for now, he remains in his position. For now, politics is living in unprec-

[The government is looking] to extend the digital capacity of those proceedings to ensure the participation of all Members Jacob Rees Mogg, Leader of the House of Commons

edented times and whilst the machine of Westminster is still ticking along, it is clear that both Government and Parliament will have to adapt to remain ahead of whatever the pandemic is throwing at us. Whilst these measures are in no doubt temporary, questions have been raised as to whether features like online voting could be retained in future as the battle to modernise our Parliament well underway.

Inside a Meeting Room in Whitehall

Cabinet Office Briefing Room A has perhaps never been more in the public eye, but how much of what goes on inside do we actually get to know about?

To contact our politics desk, drop us an email at politics@gairrhydd.com

POLITICS

Tom-Henry Jones Politics Editor

Your politics desk Lowri Pitcher Sam Tilley Hallum Cowell Tom-Henry Jones Maisie Marston

n the midst of a national crisis, such as the one the UK finds itself in at present, you will often hear the term ‘COBRA meeting’ used, associated with the Government’s actions. ’COBRA’ is a term which symbolises a Government’s response to a crisis, yet it is simply just an acronym for ‘Cabinet Office Briefing Room A’. You will also likely see the term expressed as ‘COBR’ given that not all briefings will take place in briefing room A. Situated at the heart of Government in Whitehall, COBRA meetings take place in the Cabinet Office and are used to take emergency decisive action relating to national disasters or crises. Normally chaired by the Prime Minister or the relevant Secretary of State, there is a wide range of personnel who attend COBRA meetings. These include a range of senior ministers, intelligence personnel, military chiefs and civil servants. There is no fixed list of who can attend these meetings; it varies according to the nature each crisis. Throughout the coronavirus outbreak, the likes of Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance will be in attendance. It is highly likely also that England’s Health Secretary,

Matt Hancock is in regular attendance. It was recently announced that the First Ministers of the devolved administrations such as Mark Drakeford and Nicola Sturgeon, for Wales and Scotland, respectively, have attended recent COBRA meetings to coordinate a UK-wide coronavirus response. The origin of COBRA meetings dates back to 1972 at the height of the Miners Strikes. Since then COBRA has grown to become a symbol that the Government is on top of and handling a given crisis in an organised and controlled manner. This means there is often political pressure to convene COBRA as a sign that the Government is considering a crisis with extreme importance. COBRA meetings are called for a variety of reasons. In the past they have been convened to coordinate a response to emergencies ranging from the flash floods seen earlier this year, to the Foot and Mouth disease outbreaks of 2001 and 2007. More recently, under Theresa May’s premiership from 2016 until 2019, COBRA met in response to terrorist attacks in London and Manchester. The meetings are used to organise a coordinated response to the incidents and reinforce or re-establish the Government’s action on the crisis. Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently came under attack after an investigation by the Sunday Times suggested Johnson had missed up to

70 Whitehall: The Cabinet Office, where COBRA meetings are held, is a short walk away from 10 Downing Street. Source: Miguel Discart (via Wikimedia Commons)

five COBRA meetings related to the coronavirus outbreak in February and March. The report added that “it was unusual for the Prime Minister to be absent from COBRA and [COBRA] is normally chaired by the Prime Minister.” The Government responded by stating “it is entirely normal and proper for COBRA to be chaired by the relevant Secretary of State.” The statement continued by citing instances where this had been the case in the past. Said examples include Labour Health Secretary Alan Johnson chairing the meetings on H1N1 in 2009, current Transport Secretary Grant Shapps chairing meetings when Thomas Cook collapsed earlier this year and Cabinet Office lead Michael

Gove chairing during no deal Brexit planning. Despite the strong response by the Government regarding the claims made in the report, the image of the prime minister missing COBRA meetings at a time of national crisis is potentially harmful to the Government’s reputation and reliability. For now, as they have in the past, COBRA meetings will continue to play an integral part in coordinating an effective strategy to tacking any crisis. As the UK wide lockdown continues, COBRA meetings will be the place where important decisions regarding COVID-19, such as when social distancing measures will be eased, will be discussed and decided upon.

GWLEIDYDDIAETH 9

COVID-19 and Devolution in Wales

What responsibility does the Welsh Government have over its coronavirus reponse? ures introduced in England. These measures, announced by the Prime Minister, impact sectors from social care, education and health, despite each of these sectors being devolved in Wales. Similarly, each of the devolved administrations worked closely with Westminster to draft the Coronavirus Act 2020 which gained Royal Assent on March 25. This law provides both the UK Government and the devolved governments with emergency powers to increase the health and social care workforce, ease the burden on the NHS and slow the spread of the virus by introducing stringent social distancing measures. Additionally, Wales has its own Chief Medical Officer, Dr Frank Atherton, and Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Peter Halligan, who work with Prof Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance to provide coordinated advice to the UK Government.

Ysbyty Calon Y Ddraig: The Principality Stadium has been transformed into a temporary field hospital. Source: Clint Budd (via Wikimedia Commons)

hus far, Wales has acted mostly in concordance with England and the rest of the UK, although there are some important differences between the laws implemented in both Wales and England which should be noted. Firstly, while fines for leaving your house without a “reasonable excuse”,, can reach £960 in England, the same is not true for people breaking the law in Wales. Here, as in England, fines start at £60 (reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days). However, while in England the fine will double in value each time an individual is convicted (up to a maximum of £960), in Wales individuals will be charged £120 the second or subsequent times they are charged and risk being arrested if they repeatedly refuse to comply with the rules. Additionally, while the regulations in England do not mention how many times individuals are allowed to leave their houses each day to exercise, the Welsh regulations do. The Welsh set of rules stipulates that members of the public may only go outside for exercise once a day, and when doing so should remain at least 2 meters apart from people of different households at all times. However, the Welsh Government an-

nounced on Friday that rules would be relaxed to allow people with disabilities and particular health problems to leave their houses to exercise more than once a day. In a bid to decrease the risk of contamination for those exercising, popular public spaces such as Cardiff’s Roath Park have seen a one-way systems introduced, expected to remain in place until at least April 26. Building upon the initial stay-at-home measures, the Welsh Government also announced a new law which entered into force on Tuesday, April 7 whereby “All businesses will have to take all reasonable measures to ensure the 2m rule is maintained between people on their premises whenever work is being carried out.” Businesses that do not follow the law face a £60 fine (reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days) for their first breach of the law and £120 for second and subsequent offences. However, Drakeford acknowledged that "It's not an absolute ban on people not being able to be within two metres of one another," but businesses should do everything possible to follow the distancing guidelines if possible and that workers who feel unsafe could report this to the police or local council, as both authorities have the

powers to impose fines. More so, given that education is a devolved matter, on April 22 Wales became the first country in the UK to guarantee funding and guidance for the provision of free school meals until schools reopen or until the end of August. Welsh Education Minister, Kirsty Williams announced that the Welsh Government will make available £33 million to assist local authorities to provide free school meals and that each eligible child will receive the equivalent of £19.50 a week. On Saturday April 25, stricter measures regarding people’s ability to travel were implemented. The technical change means that people will not be allowed to remain away from their homes. This is intended to curb the number of people travelling to second or holiday homes in Wales as has been seen in West Wales recently. The change in regulation is also expected to decrease the number of people travelling far from home, to picturesque locations, in order to exercise. The new rules also set out that businesses offering a “click and collect” service will be allowed to open provided they can observe the social distancing rules, although more detail on this will

be released by the Welsh Government. Finally, although no decisions have been made yet, the Welsh Government also possesses the ability to decide when the lockdown in Wales will come to an end, even if this decision goes against the rest of the UK’s exit strategy. On Friday, April 17, Drakeford announced that Wales would act alongside England in extending the lockdown first announced on March 23, by at least another three weeks, until at least the second week of May. During a press conference, he said: “I know that the last 3 weeks have been very difficult for many people...While we have seen some positive signs in the data, it is still too early to change course in dealing with this deadly virus.” But, the First Minister of Wales has not ruled out extending the current lockdown for longer than in other parts of the UK should it be deemed necessary. He claimed: “I will be reluctant to move to a geographical set of distinctions because I think they'd bring complexity with them. But if the evidence was, and if the advice from the medical experts, was that we needed to do things differently and that was right for Wales, then of course that is what we would do."

Vaughan Gething: The Health Minister is at the centre of the Welsh response. Source: National Assembly for Wales (via Wikimedia Commons)

he Welsh Government’s decision to enact policies which are mostly in line with that of Westminster has come under criticism from some. In mid-April, Momentum’s sister organisation, Welsh Labour Grassroots, wrote to Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, criticising the Assembly for working “largely in lock-step with the UK Government.” While raising concerns over the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the scale of testing undertaken in Wales, the organisation warned that “if Wales does not develop a response that goes above and beyond the UK government’s strategy, we not only risk raising questions about the value of

devolution and a Welsh Labour government but risk the well-being and lives of potentially tens of thousands of people.” In response, Drakeford acknowledged the concerns raised by the organisation but defended his government’s response, claiming that “If you’ve got one simple message that applies everywhere in the United Kingdom, even where circumstances are not identical, that really helps people to understand what is being asked of them.” There was also a bizarre episode last Wednesday during one of the virtual Senedd sessions. Following a question from Labour Cardiff Central Assembly Member Jenny Rathbone, Welsh Health Minister Vaughan

Gething was caught using explicit language towards her, unaware that his microphone was not on mute. As a result, the entire Plenary session overheard his outburst and calls for his resignation came from both the Welsh Conservatives and Plaid Cymru. Following the outcry, Gething publically apoligised to Rathbone and remains in his post. For now, despite having the ability to respond in a divergent manner, it seems that the Senedd will remain in close contact with Westminster. This will prove useful in providing one clear message and set of instructions to the public during a period where clear communication will be paramount to establishing an effective response to COVID-19.

Lowri Pitcher Head of Politics

s of April 23, there were 8,358 cumulative cases of COVID-19 in Wales with the level of infection increasing by about 200 daily. While much of what we see as the Government’s response to the virus seems to be a directive of Number 10, much of Wales’ actions to curb the impact of the virus is indeed the decision of the Welsh Government. Each of the UK’s devolved administrations have a variety of powers when it comes to their response to this crisis. However, thus far each of the devolved administrations have cooperated closely with Westminster and the nations’ first ministers have benn present at numerous official high-level and COBRA meetings. This has led to a coordinated UK-wide response and in Wales we have seen the introduction of new measures in line with meas-

Disclaimer: All figures correct as of Thursday April 23

8358 Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wales

200

Is Wales responding differently to the UK?

Has there been criticism?

COVID-19 and Wales in Numbers

Average daily increase of cases in Wales

641 Deaths from COVID-19 in Wales

28,904 Tests carried out in Wales

800 Approximate number of tests carried out daily in Wales

2,000 Number of beds in the new Principality Stadium hospital

2 The Calon y Draig Hospital will be the second largest in the UK

POLITICS Bolsonaro’s coronavirus reponse causes controversy In other 10

news...

Brazil’s President attends anti-lockdown protest admist mocking of COVID-19

Hallum Cowell Politics Editor

South Korea has cast doubt on reports produced by CNN and other media outlets claiming that North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un is critically ill. Speculation about his health emerged after he was absent from his late grandfather’s birthday celebrations on April 15 following statements by South Korean online newspaper Daily DK, that he had undergone surgery on April 12.

air Bolsonaro, President of Brazil, has caused controversy after attending a rally calling for an end to the country’s lockdown. This comes after Brazil’s 26 states, like many regions across the globe, have imposed social distancing measures on their population as COVID-19 continues to sweep across the world. Although Brazil currently has no countrywide lockdown in place, the country’s 26 individual state governors do have the power to implement lockdown measures and have been doing so, including in Brazil’s

largest city, Sao Paulo. As of April 22, Brazil had over 43,500 confirmed cases and over 2,700 deaths linked to COVID-19. These figures make Brazil the worst affected country in Latin America and the 11th most infected country around the world. Meanwhile, the cumulative number of worldwide coronavirus infections has also reached well over two and a half million. President Bolsonaro has previously labelled the lockdown as “dictatorial” and has argued that any lockdown is hurting the country’s economy. Bolsonaro has been documented calling the Coronavirus “a little cold” and

President of the United States Donald Trump has signed an executive order placing a temporary ban on immigrants seeking green cards for a period of 60 days. He claimed that the decision was taken in order to “help put unemployed Americans first in line for jobs as America reopens” in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Depending on the state of the US economy, the 60 day period may be extended.

Sao Paulo: Road traffic in the biggest city in Brazil is 62% lower than in March 2019. Source: Francisco Anzola (via Wikimedia Commons) In Iran, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps says it has successfully launched its first military satellite into orbit. According to a statement on the elite forces’ official website, the satellite, named Nur (“Light”), “orbited the Earth at 425km [264 miles].” The action is expected to worsen tensions between Iran and the US.

Canada has announced plans to give nine billion dollars in financial aid to students during the Coronavirus pandemic. Students will be eligible for up to $1,750 a month from the government from May to August. In a statement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the money aims to cover the funds students would have earned from summer jobs, which have been rescinded due to the pandemic.

Madagascar’s President Rajoelina has launched a herbal coronavirus “cure” despite the World Health Organisation saying there is no proof of a cure for COVID-19. The plant-based tonic has been given out free of charge as Rajoelina urged schoolchildren to sip the tonic throughout the day. Rajoelina claimed that “tests have been carried out and two people have now been cured through this treatment.”

“no worse than the flu”. His presence at an anti-lockdown rally follows earlier clashes in government as the President recently fired his Health Minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, who had supported the implementation of lockdown. The President described the group, comprising a few hundred people attending the rally outside army headquarters in the capital, as “patriots”. Some protesters held signs calling for increased military powers and the closure of Congress and the Supreme Court. This is a contentious issue in Brazil as the country spent nearly two decades under military dictatorship between 1964 and 1985. While Bolsonaro did not comment on these calls at the time, he later told journalists that Brazil would remain a democratic country and that both Congress and the Supreme Court would remain open. He added that “in any given march there are people who infiltrate. People have the right to freedom of speech.” At the protest, the President wore no face mask or gloves and was seen coughing. His critics have labelled his actions “provocative” while Rodrigo Maia, President of Brazil’s lower house tweeted that the “whole world is working together in the fight against coronavirus. In Brazil, we have to fight against coronavirus and authoritarianism. It’s harder work, but we will prevail.” In terms of dealing with the pandemic in his country, Bolsonaro fa-

vours a system where only high-risk people, such as the elderly or those with pre-existing health conditions, would be quarantined until the end of the outbreak. Those that do not fall within this group would be free to continue their daily routines.

In Brazil, we have to fight against coronavirus and authoratarianism. Rodrigo Maia, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil

However, on April 18, a poll demonstrated that according to public opinion, most people in the country seem to favour a formal lockdown despite the effects it would have on individuals’ daily lives and the country’s economy. Jair Bolsonaro has been no stranger to controversy since he became president on New Year’s Day 2019. A former military officer during the tail end of the military dictatorship, during his political career he has made a number of misogynistic, racist and anti-LGBTQ remarks. This has led some to label the president “Trump of the Tropics” and, given the similar reponse echoed by his namesake US President Donald Trump, this is a moniker that will continue to hold. Undoubtedly, his contentious response to the coronavirus in Brazil will forward this narrative.

Countries begin to ease lockdown measures

Italy, Austria and Australia are amongst the countries starting to ease restrictions Maisie Marston Politics Editor

fter 76 days of strict lockdown, Wuhan, the Chinese city where the first cases of coronavirus were reported, has begun to allow healthy citizens out of their houses. On April 7, the day before the complete lockdown was lifted, China reported no deaths for the first time since it started to publish figures. Italy, which became the epicentre for the outbreak in late March, has also announced plans to gradually exit lockdown. In a Facebook post, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said that “A reasonable expectation is that we will apply it from May 4.” At present, a restricted number of shops and businesses have reopened.

A reasonable expectation is that we will apply it from May 4. Giuseppe Conte Prime Minister of Italy

Last week, other European countries joined Italy in announcing plans to relax lockdown measures. Austria, which recorded its first coronavirus case in late-February and locked down just a week after Italy, has recently begun reopening thousands of

shops. Further plans could see museums reopen their doors by mid-May. Since the end of March, Austria has seen the number of new daily infections fall consistently. Neighbouring Germany which has been praised for its response to the crisis has also taken the first steps to take itself out of lockdown. Smaller shops have been permitted to reopen, and some pupils are expected to be back in school at the beginning of May. It has been announced that other restrictions, such as a ban on gatherings of more than two people, will remain in place until further notice. According to data released by the Robert Koch Institute for disease control, the person-to-person infection rate in Germany (the number of people infected by somebody who has the infection) has now dropped to 0.7. The German Health Minister Jens Spahn has since said that “as things stand today, the outbreak is again controllable.” Elsewhere, in Spain and France, officials have said that lockdown would continue. In Scandinavia, Denmark and Norway have also taken the first steps to ease restrictions. Both countries have begun to allow younger children to go back to school. Denmark was the second European country to go into lockdown despite at the time having significantly fewer confirmed cases. This is now believed to be what helped

Bergamo: The city in Lombardy was the worst-hit city in Italy. Source: LaTuaStoria (via Needpix)

Denmark “flatten the curve” of the virus. The transmission rate now sits at less than one new infection per case. Beyond Europe, Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison has announced that from this week restrictions on key health and education services will be relaxed. This came after the country’s health authorities reported just 13 new cases within a 24 hour period, the lowest number since the beginning of March. Morrison has since urged the public not to be complacent and to download a new government “contact tracing app” which would enable authorities to map new outbreaks. Using Bluetooth technology, the app can log when somebody comes within 1.5 meters of another person. If that person later tests positive for coronavirus, data would be available to the health authorities on

those who have been in contact with them. The app has attracted criticism from some in Morrison’s own party who have concerns about imposing on people’s privacy. Iran has also begun to open roads and shopping centres. It has been reported that this is to try and stimulate its economy as it struggles with sanctions imposed by the US on its withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. This is despite warnings from health authorities that the country may see a second wave of infections. As cases around the world continue to rise and the duration that people remain in lockdown continues, governments in every continent are now looking ahead to see how they can once again bring back a sense of normality to their economies and populations.

Visit the collection point on the ground floor of the Students’ Union building to drop off donations or donate to their gofundme page online at Instagram.com/feedthenhs.

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COMMENT

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SYLWADAU

Your comment desk Adam Clarke Harry Clarke-Ezzidio Kat Smith Tehreem Sultan Columnist Indigo Jones

Stop praising the Government for their incompetence The Conservatives have serious questions to answer

Tomos Lloyd Contributor

t has been just shy of five months since the coronavirus outbreak was identified in Wuhan, China. By the January 31, it had reached Italy and Spain, and by the February 22, Italy had announced a new decree to quarantine over 50,000 people in 11 different areas. Just three months after the discovery, the United Kingdom implemented a total of zero precautionary mechanisms. The disaster in China, Italy, and Spain had not raised the alarm bells and routine remained unfettered. As expected, the virus outbreak emerged in the UK on the 28th of February, although a handful of British citizens were diagnosed with the virus whilst abroad prior to this. Given the newfound praise directed at the Government, it is, of course, reassuring to know that the Government’s response was immediate and effective. Except, there was no response. No restrictions and no precautions were implemented, beyond a few video guides teaching the general public how to wash their hands, serving as a metaphorical plaster on the wound of a nation. In fact, it was not until the March 23, almost an entire month since the first emergence of the outbreak in the UK,

that the Government made any significant announcement. Boris Johnson’s pre-written speech, in addition to a mighty vernacular and utmost professionalism, in announcing the coronavirus restrictions, resulted in public opinion being swayed in a manner that felt eerie, at the very least. To put it into context, 6,650 Britons tested positive for the virus by the time the new policy was effected, with 335 dead. Despite this, it seems that overnight the nation had forgotten. It had forgotten about the Government’s plan to implement a herd immunity policy, which would’ved sacrificed the lives of millions of people for the sake of being able to reopen the economy early. It had forgotten that this policy was not empirically sound, and in fact, the data suggested that it was demonstrably foolish.

The government’s plan to implement a herd immunity policy, would’ve sacrificed the lives of million of people. Johnson was moved to the intensive care unit on the April 7 following the worsening of his virus symptoms.

Scrutinised: Matt Hancock and the Conservatives have come under criticism for their handling of the crisis. Source: Andrew Parsons (via Flickr)

This news came as a shock to many. Although, I fail to see how the man proudly admitting to shaking hands with hundreds of people amidst the outbreak, then falling ill, is of any surprise. This news brought with it a variety of Facebook and Twitter threads asking the public to show respect to the Prime Minister. Matt Hancock’s suggestion that NHS staff have been overusing personal protective equipment recieved criticism; however, this anger was quickly diminished by the upcoming NHS applause.

Those already in support of Johnson and his cabinet have had their fondness heightened, and those in the centre, the swing voters, and the liberals, now see a fearless man continuing to lead the country even in the face of danger. Millions of people have consumed enough media to overlook that the Government’s incompetence has led to the deaths of thousands of people. Of course, I do not blame the public. Manufactured consent is the tool used to silence the cries of those that suffer the most.

Celebrity philanthropy

Are these good-will gestures just empty PR events? Adam Clarke Comment Editor

he current COVID-19 pandemic has led to all of us having to change the way we live day to day and things as mundane as going to the shops or visiting family are now under strict guidelines. Yet there are good news stories wherever you look, from Captain Tom Moore raising nearly 30 million quid by walking around his garden or the fact that all of us are taking time out of our day at 8 every Thursday to clap for the thousands of underappreciated workers in the NHS. Everyone is looking for a way to do their bit, and that includes celebrities, many of whom have been using their immense social media followings and influence to raise money or awareness for key workers around the world. But some have been critical of these celebrities, arguing that they are only doing these nice things for their own ego or for the PR benefits that such philanthropy entails. I feel that such criticism is unfair; even if a celebrity is aware of the selfish benefit they will gain by appearing to be benevolent in public, should that take away from the kind act? Lady Gaga’s ‘One World: Together at home’ concert reached 21 million people worldwide and raised 128 million dollars for healthcare causes and charities. Surely this can only be a good thing, right? Wrong. Many people, including Piers Morgan, criti-

cised the singer for getting involved in something which they saw as nothing to do with her. Mr Morgan tweeted, “Why? Has she found a cure? Otherwise, we don’t need a bloody singer there.” Before the concert, he hastily retracted his statement after the success of the concert was seen. I feel that this kind of off the cuff criticism of celebrities is in no way constructive and just shows someone looking for a reason to get angry. I reckon that if Piers Morgan had tried to raise money for charity, and then a fellow celebrity had started criticising him for it, he would be the first to bite back and say it was unfair.

I feel like it is completely unecessary to criticise anyone who is trying to help. narcissistic and possibly sociopathic desires” which seems to me an incredibly negative generalisation of all attempts by celebrities to help. If us clapping the NHS and hanging rainbows in our front windows is a nice way of helping, how is it that celebrities such as Britney Spears, who is

offering to buy supplies for her Twitter followers, or Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, who have donated nearly a million dollars to food banks, are being criticised? Normally I am the first to criticise celebrities for getting involved when they needn’t or posting self-serving updates as to what a nice person they are, but in the current circumstances, I feel it is completely unnecessary to criticise anyone who is trying to help. Surely at this time we could all do with a little less cynicism and just appreciate that someone is doing something to help, even if they are helping themselves at the same time?

Even if a celebrity is aware of the selfish benefit they will gain by appearing to be benevolent in public, should that take away from the kind act? Sure, not all of the celebrity content from the current outbreak has been great. Gal Gadot et al giving their ‘interesting’ rendition of ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon springs instantly to mind. But even if celebrities are gaining something from helping out, the fact remains that they are doing their bit. Rohit Thawani in The Guardian wrote that celebs are, “Driven by

Greater good: Many celebrities, including Lady Gaga, have come under criticism for their efforts to raise charitable funds. Source: Lee Chu (via Wikimedia Commons)

SYLWADAU

We cannot forget the #MeToo movement The movement is more important now than ever before

Sarah Harris Contributor

few days ago, I was aimlessly scrolling through Twitter in the depths of the night, when I came across a few people on my timeline engaging in a conversation. They were arguing about how the #MeToo Movement had become an opportunity for people to ‘seek attention’ and ‘get revenge.’ It was disheartening to see one of the most powerful movements in the history of not just feminism but the world, being so inaccurately depicted. Just a few weeks ago, the #MeToo Movement got the victory that had fuelled its entire foundation - the imprisonment of former movie mogul, Harvey Weinstein. The Movement first gained attention in 2017 when actress, Alyssa Milano, posted on Twitter, “If all the women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote ‘Me Too’ as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.” Since then countless celebrities from Jennifer Anniston to Gwyneth Paltrow, have shared their #MeToo stories. And when you take a moment to really think about the severity of this, it’s shocking. How many of us know at least 1 or 2 women who have shared their own #MeToo status on social media? Almost eve-

ry girl I’ve met since I started my journey at Cardiff University has a #MeToo story of their own, whether they’ve chosen to share it or not. It’s important to keep the conversation ongoing. Like almost anything that sparks a little controversy, the #MeToo Movement has become somewhat of a taboo topic that we either completely avoid or tread around carefully when really, it should be more prevalent than ever.

Almost every girl I’ve met since I started my journey at Cardiff University has a #MeToo story of their own. A Channel 4 investigation in 2019 found that there had been an 82% increase in reports of sexual assaults made directly to universities, with 626 individual reports in 2018 alone. And those are just the small minority of people who have chosen to come forward. Thousands of victims of assault and harassment go without ever coming forward, which has a detrimental effect on not just their university experiences but also their mental and physical health. The arrest of Weinstein may have

Progress: Although strides have been made, there’s still a long a way to go stop sexual assault and harassment. Source: PickPik been a huge victory for the #MeToo Movement, but realistically we still have a long way to go. Sexual assault is a much wider problem than rape, it can constitute of almost any form of non-consensual physical activity. People have lost their jobs for placing their hands-on women’s thighs or making inappropriate derogatory comments and rightfully so. As our rights develop and progress, so should the rights to our bodies and that includes our mental wellbeing. We should be able to go Pryzm without the fear of being

grinded on by a random passer-by. We should be able to walk through the streets of Cathays without the fear of being followed home or attacked. We should be able to run through Bute Park without the fear of someone jumping out of the bushes and attacking us. But we’re still a far way away from reaching this reality. And the only way to eventually get there is by continuing to be vocal and raising awareness on this problem. The #MeToo Movement gives us the opportunity to do so.

We need to support the sector when we need it now more than ever

s the nation shuts down under quarantine, the creative industries have been placed in a difficult and uncertain position. What can be done to help protect the integrity of the creative sector in a time where we need it most? Cinemas, already financially dwarfed by multiple new streaming services, have been placed under a considerable level of vulnerability and are almost completely removed in the process. Although the cinema industry continues to grow, this period has brought uncertainty as, being service-oriented businesses, they rely almost entirely on income through footfall. Whilst some movies such as Black Widow and No Time to Die have been subjected to delays, some titles have received a digital, pay-per-view release on YouTube and Google Cinema. While this ensures that movies like Trolls World Tour and The Invisible Man receive direct short-term income, the earnings of heighted how vastly unsustainable it is and how urgent re-

Cinemas have been placed under a considerable level of vulnerability.

structuring is required. The pessimist in me sees this as the end of modern cinema yet; on the other hand, this could be a new beginning for cinema as a more personalised, niche experience. Modern cinema fails to offer a small-scale, intimate viewing experience that retains the spectacle of the cinema; something untouched by the likes of Netflix and Prime Video. In order to mitigate the financial shortfall during this period, local cinemas are selling moderately priced ‘snack bundles’ - these are definitely worth a look and support local cinema chains. Although the production of TV shows has been delayed and otherwise rescheduled without considerable impact, this has only been detrimental to current affairs and docuseries programming. BBC One’s ‘Big Night In’ is set to replace Question Time and The One Show; programmes that are more difficult to produce with potentially smaller audiences. It has been affected but, the TV industry is less at risk than film and has enough content to fill schedules with popular re-runs while filming is briefly interrupted. While live music concerts have been cancelled, delayed, or moved online, the music industry is set to survive the quarantine as its income through digital sales gradually increases. Arguably, live performances act more as a marketing tool than a source of income for the indus-

The total abandonment of Uni Students Izzy Morgan Contributor

Protect the creative industries

Jack Robert Stacey Contribtor

try and, with artists releasing daily songs through social media, there is more exposure than ever before.

If any facet of the music industry needs support it is the independent scene... the sources of change in the music industry, challenging the mainstream.

If any facet of the music industry needs support it is the independent scene; smaller artists and companies rely on ticket sales as their digital sales arelower than larger music production companies. ‘Indies’ have historically been the sources of diversity and change in the music industry, challenging the mainstream through the creation of alternative sounds and genres; vital to the development of new music. At a time when society is consuming more media than ever before, the creative industries need support to remain fundamental sources of entertainment and education, retaining the diversity of our modern media landscape.

Distraction tactics: Many are turning to the media in their time of need for escapism. Source: Mohammed Mahmoud Hassan (via PDP)

t has to be said university students usually have it good when it comes to the educative experience. For all the sleepless nights spent on assignments, we have Wednesday nights at the SU. And for every exam, there’s at least ten times the amount of awesome memories made due to the fact you’re living with some of your best friends. Unlike GCSE’s and A-Levels, we only have one subject to worry about and it is usually something we’re actually interested in. These are all redeeming factors in my eyes (and tend to distract me from the fact that every day we are adding to a huge pile of student debt). However, if the last few weeks have taught us naive students anything, it is the fact that the Government has no bearing over our education at all. There has been no word from the Government about the fact we are just over nine grand in debt for a year of teaching, which has been totally compromised by the UCU strikes in November 2019 and February and March of this year, followed by coronavirus. Safe to say, universities trying to claim that online teaching is worth £100 (sometimes more) for a lecture recording is crazy and a disrespect to its students, otherwise known as paying customers. There is no access to libraries, with many students being unable to access necessary materials such as books, laptops, printers and WiFi which they might not have access to at home. Powerless in our efforts so far trying to lobby to get our fees back, students are becoming increasingly disenfranchised with doing work at all. Lack of uniformity, direction and effective communication being viewed as major factors contributing to this. The real heartbreaking stories come from those who are final year students not receiving ample guidance and proper plans for graduation, especially due to the interruption from the aforementioned strikes. All the years of hard work, to be left unacknowledged by some universities or even worse in my opinion, the idea that an online graduation ceremony is acceptable. Furthermore, government intervention should also be taking place on the grading in some universities, with differing policies at each. The commendable ‘no-detriment’ policy at the University of Exeter is to be admired whereas in other universities such as Oxford people are still expected to complete the full workload despite the stress faced and graded as they would usually be. With varying situations from person-to-person during this pandemic, no student should be persecuted in terms of marks. Frustrations are mounting from students around the country about the Government’s silence on these issues. Students are taking to social media to air their misgivings to little avail with Facebook pages such as Overheard, Twitter feeds and even TikTok being bombarded. The Government is fundamentally letting university students down by allowing universities to continue in their charging of students and justifying subpar education which isn’t accessible for all students.

COLUMN

Indigo Jones

COLUMN ROAD

Imperfectly Me I

Imperfectly-Perfect: Although we always hope for the best, things can’t always go perfectly - and that’s ok. Source: Indigo Jones

t’s been a long year. Having said that, it’s only April, but nevertheless it’s a year that we will all remember. 2020: the year that the world went into a lockdown, the year we had a global pandemic, the year everyone came together and arguably showed more love and care for each other than ever before. At the beginning of lockdown, I’ll admit I struggled, and as someone who has been lucky to not suffer from any form of mental health condition, I was in a pretty dark place. Selfishly, I felt like everything I had worked towards had been taken away from me, whether that was something as small as the last three months of my third year of university with my friends, or something I had spent three years working towards like graduation. In the space of a day it seemed like everything was cancelled and taken away. I felt selfish for being down, or feeling sorry for myself, as I always thought there are people worse off. There are people who are losing their jobs or people who are losing loved ones. So why did I deserve to feel like I had been affected by this, when in reality I hadn’t lost anything? That’s when my friends began to tell me they felt the same, they felt that they too weren’t allowed to be distressed by the situation. But sometimes we are allowed to feel sorry for ourselves, we’re allowed to make mistakes and be imperfect. We can’t constantly compare

ourselves to those more deserving, as if in life we are in a system of rankings of importance.

In the space of a day it seemed everything was cancelled and ripped away. I felt selfish for being down. We live in a society where we strive for instant gratification and perfection, we long for compliments and approval. Whether that is on Instagram through the number of likes we get on a picture, or maybe through feedback on an essay, we always feel the need to be told how we are doing and whether we are doing well. It’s as if life is one big competition where we need to know whether we are doing better than everyone, perhaps based on a better grade, a better wage or maybe by the happiest family, we constantly strive for perfection in this battle of one-upmanship. But in this battle does anybody ever really win if we all have our secret imperfections? After my brief downward spiral at the beginning of quarantine I felt like I had failed myself, it felt like nothing was going the way I had hoped. I was unsuccessful getting on the course I strived to do, I had no motivation to do university work and I wasn’t exer-

cising like I probably should. I not only felt like I had failed myself but those around me, I was letting people down by not acting how I normally would. I felt like a disappointment when that wasn’t the case at all; in reality those around me were just worried about me. Reflecting on these first weeks I realised that I’m not perfect, but then who is? I realised I put too much pressure on myself to make those around me happy, I spent too much time perfecting things and making sure that every little detail in my life was planned. In reality you can’t plan everything, especially when a virus comes along and ruins all your plans! One of the things I have done during isolation is read for enjoyment rather than reading for work, something I realised I hadn’t done properly since I was in school. I never feel like I have the time to pick up a book and relax because I feel guilty knowing I have some form of coursework to do instead. But I picked up Everything I know about Love by Dolly Alderton, and I was hooked. This book transformed my outlook on everything, and I know that sounds a bit ridiculous but honestly, I was inspired. Dolly Alderton managed to squeeze her memoir in just under 400 pages, and as a result created the most relatable content I have ever read.

I don’t mean I relate to her stories or friendships, but I related to her need to be in control. It has always been a running joke with my friends that I need set plans, I always need to know exactly what is going on, or I need to be in charge of planning the holiday or birthday presents. I’ve never been a relaxed ‘see how it goes’ kind of person, I like timetables and order and I like to know immediately what’s happening. I get anxious when I have to rely on others to arrange things, knowing that my fate lies in their hands. But, one thing I learnt from this book is that we don’t always need to be in control, sometimes it is fun to see how things pan out, and to just let someone else have control for a change.

We don’t always need to be in control, sometimes it is fun to see how things pan out, and to just let someone else have control for a change. Sometimes you don’t get on to the course that you want, and that’s okay because there are other options. Sometimes you get a low grade in a piece of coursework, and that’s fine

too. Sometimes relationships don’t work out, and that is normal. This article is probably riddled with spelling or grammatical mistakes, and you know what who cares! I’ve realised, yes you can make plans for your future, but nobody can really plan for the future because you never know what will happen! Throughout this article I’ve discussed reflection and imperfections, and I must say although my time on Gair Rhydd hasn’t always been perfect, I look back and think of my perfect memories. I laugh at the bad moments, the frequent breakdowns, the article disagreements, losing hours’ worth of InDesigns and staying in the office past 10pm. It was all worth it for the friends I made, the Monday night Taf trips and the Cardiff Student Media Awards, oh and for building my portfolio of work of course. So, I just want to say thank you to everyone at Gair Rhydd for making the last two years one of the best experiences of my life. I also want to thank anyone who has read my (often hypocritical) articles over the last two years, I hope you enjoyed reading them! This wasn’t how I was expecting the academic year to end, or how the last issue was going to end. But, I’m so thankful that I was fortunate enough to spend the last two years with this incredible team, and I wish them all the best of luck with their futures.

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CYNGOR

Living at home instead of university

There is a big difference in your daily routine at home compared to the life you have become accustomed to at university Molly Govus Advice Editor

ocially sanctioned workaholism make When the University officially decided to close its doors for the rest of the semester, I was stuck with a tricky decision that I am sure many other students like me have been put in. Do I stay in Cardiff ordo I go home? It’s a trickier decision than some may initially think. My life in Cardiff

is completely different to my life at home; in Cardiff, I feel free and independent. I have my own little life set up in my chaotic but lovely student house that I share with six of my best friends and a bearded dragon called Jim. At home, I’m absolutely showered in love, but I can’t help the feeling of restriction and that nag of missing the crazy life that Cardiff offers me. As you can probably tell, I chose to isolate with my family at home. If I’m being brutally honest, I

Adjustment: It may take time for students to get used to living with their parents again. Source: Jude Beck (via Unsplash)

think the decision I made was more for my mum than for me and it has taken me a long time to acclimatise to being at home. For a good three weeks, I would say I was in a depressive state of mind. Back to my old childhood bedroom, back to my house in a small town and under the watchful eye of my mum and step-dad. I didn’t feel as happy as I did in Cardiff, and I spent a lot of time feeling guilty about this. Seeing my mum so happy to see me home was hard when I couldn’t match her happiness even if I tried. I eventually learnt to forgive myself for this after having an open chat with my mum. Initially, it was hard for me to admit that I would have been happier in Cardiff. Of course, she understood and was grateful that I was honest with her and explained why she justifiably wanted me at home. I would say being open about how I felt was my first step towards feeling better. The guilt lifted, my family was on the same page and this validated how I felt. This made waking up in the morning and getting out of bed a bit easier as my family knew I was struggling and they gave me the time I needed

and I am ever so grateful. During this strange time, I’ve noticed a lot of posts and articles about ‘making the most’ of lockdown. The pressure to ‘be’ a certain way amidst all that’s going on definitely got the better of me, and I succumbed to thinking that I wasn’t doing lockdown in a socially acceptable way, or in a way that would benefit me. I started off slow – even having a shower and getting dressed was, and still is an achievement for me. Although I may have lost some sense of independence, I still make time for myself. I indulge in a glass of wine (or three) and a few episodes of a TV series once my parents have gone to bed. Then I have my own solitude. I also spend most of the day working through a simple to-do list in the garden whilst my parents do their work inside. I’m glad that I’ve found my own sense of independence and freedom within my four walls. However, what is important to remember is that a healthy, open and positive mindset is what will work wonders during this time not only for you, but for your relationships at home.

Love in lockdown

Finding ways to maintain a relationship despite the sudden separation requires a different approach Satwik Shivoham Advice Columnist

Your advice desk Molly Govus Rhiannon James Columnist Satwik Shivoham

efore this lockdown, it barely took me a ten-minute drive to get to my girlfriend’s place. We would often spend the afternoon together with her family having a laugh, playing with the dogs, beating her mercilessly at snooker, or perhaps annoying the life out of her little brother (undoubtedly her favourite activity). We’ve done this on most afternoons, and we’ve been together for almost three whole years now, so perhaps you realise what a big hit this came as to us. Or not. Now that we don’t have that privilege for weeks, or perhaps months to come, I realize now how precious it all was, but more importantly, how we need to work with it as partners. We do have our moments where we’d wish to be in each other’s company more than anything else – it’s only natural – but we try to get around that. I’m sure a lot of people who are in relationships would call this a “tough phase” as I do, but I hope my thoughts can help you all feel better (and closer than ever before). For almost a year, I have been

promising her a trip to the Paris Disneyland, but we never got around to it, thanks to all the self-study we’ve had to do at uni this year. When we finally saw the plan falling into place with graduation around the corner, it actually fell apart. Now, we could beat ourselves up over it, but instead, we spend our days studying, and the remainder of our time working and saving up for the trip – no matter when it is to happen. We’ve stopped letting that uncertainty get to us. None of this is in our control – not the lockdown, not the virus, certainly not the re-opening of Disneyland. All that matters is how we choose to make the best of this, even if that ‘best’ isn’t as good enough as it was before. Whenever we’re feeling low, we talk in retrospect or prospect, and it’s quite fun! When you’re so shackled by lockdowns and the risk of disease and the negativity all around, it can be refreshing to just simply plan ahead, or reminisce about the past. Remind yourself of all you’ve experienced with your partner which you’d really loved. Ask about what you’d want to experience with them once this is all over.

When you’re stuck in the moment with no way out, the only thing left to really do is cherish past moments or anticipate future ones. I’ve so much idle time that I’ve actually started writing these “memoirs” down, like all about the terribly overpriced brunch we had at The Florist, Bristol, just because she found the restaurant aesthetics all too appealing and Instagramworthy.

Or maybe, I’m planning ahead for her birthday and surprising her with a tiny booklet of all my favourite memories together, which she won’t find out since she doesn’t read any of my articles anyway. *wink wink*. The point is: enjoy the little things. Surviving a pandemic together could be called a “relationship milestone” which could bring about more than one benefit in the years to come.

Staying connected: Focus on making the most out of the situation Source: Alvin Mahmudov (via Unsplash)

CYNGOR 17 Coping with a parent on the front-line How to keep busy during Trying to not let the situation overwhelm you is important, especially when isolation a loved one is at risk

Rhiannon James Advice Editor

aving a family member who works on the front-line brings mixed emotions. Obviously, there is immense pride and admiration that they are putting themselves at risk every day for the benefit of others. On the other hand, there is a sense of dread. This is because as they leave for work each day, you know what they are about to face. My mother is a nurse in an Intensive Care ward. Admittedly, until recently I didn’t think much about what her daily working life would entail. The coronavirus has sparked numerous conversations about what she has to endure daily. The mental and physical strain of being a nurse on an intensive care ward is intense and the admiration I have for my mother alongside the NHS workers continues to grow. Knowing my mother has direct contact with patients battling COVID-19 can be very worrying, especially when we see the news of NHS workers who have passed away or are extremely ill due to contracting the virus. I understand that the media reporting the passing of NHS workers is important, but for someone that could face the reality of it, it’s frightening. Added on top of this, is the con-

stant coverage of the lack of PPE. It’s clearly reported in the public interest, but a real and constant worry for NHS workers and their families. Due to this, I have chosen to limit my consumption of news to once or twice a day, therefore I can remain informed but I also have control over the amount I am exposed to. I have found this lessens the probability that I will be overwhelmed by the whole situation. I am aware that I am focusing a lot on my feelings when it is my mother who is experiencing this first-hand, but I can only write from my perspective. I know there will be many others who can associate with my concerns for the welfare of family members. My mother and I share the worry that she could become ill through her work. In order to not let this dominate our thoughts, we have been actively taking our minds off the current situation. We have recently started a 1000 piece Disney jigsaw. Also, in the evening we all sit down together as a family when my mother isn’t working to watch TV together. We are currently watching Sherlock and Tiger King. Having a form of escapism is so important during this anxiety-inducing time. Additionally, I have been baking significantly more in my new-found spare time. This is a fun activity for me and also it’s nice for my family to have little treats. From speaking to my

mother, I know that these distractions benefit her as much as they benefit me and they’re lovely opportunities to spend quality time together. I am so pleased that others are now recognising the value of our NHS and its workers. It is lovely to see all the rainbows in everyone’s windows on my daily walk and the weekly clapping brings

a huge sense of community belonging. I know my mother thoroughly enjoys going out the front door at 8pm on a Thursday as it lifts her spirits and encourages her to carry on. I want to end this article on a positive note; next time you are clapping for carers please remember you’re not bored at home, but safe at home.

NHS Hero: NHS staff all across the country continue to put themselves at risk to care for those in need. Source: Rhiannon James

Being in lockdown while abroad

What is life like being stuck in another country away from your family?

Katherine Mallett Contributor

f someone had told me three months ago I would get stuck down under on the long white cloud, aka New Zealand, I would have scoffed for two reasons. Firstly, the idea seemed totally impossible. Secondly, there were worse places to be stuck so it didn’t seem all that bad. But, fast-forward three months and I am in fact stuck on the other side of the world and it’s not what I would’ve expected.

My study abroad experience started back in February when my best friend Lilly and I travelled forty hours to Dunedin, New Zealand. The first five weeks were the best ever; filled with brunch, beaches and new friends, but it wasn’t long before reality caught up and the Covid-19 virus breached the borders. The reaction of the Kiwi government was both swift and effective as they had learnt from the rest of the world that the best way to beat the virus was to stop the spread. So,

Lockdown in New Zealand: Boarders all over the world are closing and it is making isolation very difficult. Source: Katherine Mallett.

on Monday 23 March as I sat at my second, maybe third, brunch date of the week, the country was informed it was going into complete lockdown. This meant that all domestic flights between the islands were being halted. Myself and Lilly were panicked by the news and we booked the next available flight to the North Island and then onwards to home. It was a strange time as many of my international friends had already left to fly home after being called back by their home country over fears of being stuck overseas. On March 25, Lilly and I said our emotional goodbyes and went to check-in at the local airport. It was here that we were advised not to travel to Auckland to catch our international flight as it meant going through Canada whose borders were closed to non-citizens. I felt an avalanche of conflicting emotions; anxiety at the uncertainty of the situation, sadness that I wasn’t going to see my family, anger that we were wrongfully sold a ticket, but slightly happy that my adventure hadn’t quite reached its end. Now, as we enter our fourth week of isolation here, quarantine is becoming weirdly familiar and I

owe it to my newly patented quaroutine. A few tips I have are as follows; Don’t stay in bed all day. It sounds easy, but extremely hard when you feel anxious or sad - two common feelings when you’re on the other side of the world during a pandemic. Secondly, get moving. Go on a walk or run whilst attaining to government guidelines for your area. Do a workout video, or even do a two-minute plank each day with your flat – more fun than it sounds! Additionally, facetime is your best friend so use it! Facetime your mum, grandparents, dog, they all miss you. A very important tip; make sure you do your university work. This is in there for me more than anyone else, but who knows who else needs to hear it. It’s a difficult time to stay focused but try to do a little bit each day to stay on top of deadlines If you’re struggling, ask for help. We are living in unprecedented times, miles away from home and it’s more than okay to ask for help. Whether that be someone to talk to, a deadline extension or an explanation on an economics definition, just ask. Lastly, hang in there, nothing lasts forever and nor will this.

Matilde Vicente Contributor

ith so much time on our hands during lockdown, it’s easy to feel saturated with the repetitiveness of each day. Although it’s important to allow yourself the time to watch Netflix or scroll through TikTok, these too can get repetitive after a while. By engaging in a new activity or hobby, you can not only make your day a bit more fun but also give yourself some escapism from the constant stream of news. Bingeing Netflix shows day-afterday can be incredibly exciting at first. After all, it’s what we wanted to have time for in our busy schedules pre-quarantine. However, there are other forms of content that are equally engaging and will bring a little bit of novelty to your day. For example, I have found that getting immersed in a podcast is a great way to pass time. There are podcasts out there that suit all interests and tastes, so it’s definitely worth exploring the options and finding one that captivates you. I have been listening to ‘Invisibilia’, and I would really recommend it if you like storytelling. In each episode, the hosts explore what shapes our behaviour and beliefs through captivating narration. I have found that coupling listening to a podcast with going on a walk - keeping to the recommended distance from others - is a wonderful way to get out of my head for a short while. Alternatively, you can practice yoga to keep active: I would highly recommend ‘Yoga with Adriene’. Another way to keep boredom away in self-isolation is to keep learning. The videos by ‘The StudyTube Project’ channel on YouTube are a great option for this. The channel consists of a group of StudyTubers, who release short daily videos on topics they are passionate about, so as to keep students around the world learning in the midst of the pandemic and cancelled exams. Alternatively, if you want to get around to learning that language you’ve been meaning to get to, look at ‘Language Transfer.’. It’s free, and it offers an incredibly intuitive way to learn languages via short audio clips. I’ve been learning French and have found myself easily recalling what has been taught in previous lessons, without the need for constant reviewing. Although learning a new language or skill is a great way to keep yourself entertained during quarantine, it’s important to not feel pressure to be ‘productive’. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed during these uncertain times, so it’s even more important to prioritise our mental and physical health. Whether this means simply going for a walk to catch some fresh air or taking up a new hobby, hopefully, these suggestions can bring a bit more excitement to your day.

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GWYDDONIAETH

The latest COVID-19 research

Scientific understanding of the virus is increasing every day as a result of the hard work being done by researchers, including those at Cardiff University Christina Fowler Contributor

n a previous edition of Gair Rhydd, in January, COVID-19 was summarised as a virus still contained to Wahun and the scientific community had no information of transmission, symptoms or a possible incubation period. Since then, science has dramatically increased our understanding and can now provide answers to many of these previously unanswerable questions. Scientists all over the world have been researching COVID-19, in the hope of finding a cure and Cardiff University is no exception. An example of this is Dr Parker who was previously researching cancer at Cardiff University. Specifically, he was investigating how viruses can be manipulated to target cancerous cells. This research is now being repurposed to see if the viruses they have been studying can be used to encode coronavirus antigens (proteins on the outside of the cell that induce an immune response). This could be a way to produce a vaccine and protect the population against infection. Currently, they have been able to pinpoint a handful of potential viruses, which have been passed on to immunologists for testing. Also, at Cardiff University, Professor Christoph Lee is working with Dr Ed Mullins from Imperial College London to understand how this coronavirus impacts pregnant women, from conception to post-delivery. Their aim is to create a pan-COVID database of women who are early on in their pregnancy and are also suspected, or confirmed,

From researching cancer to Covid-19: Cardiff University researchers are repurposing their research to aid in the fight against Covid-19. Source: NIAID (via Wikimedia Commons)

to have COVID-19. This research will help doctors better treat and prepare for the impacts COVID-19 could have on both the child and mother. Further afield, Inovio Pharmaceuticals has just begun its phase 1 trial of a DNA vaccine for COVID-19 after partial positive results from a similar vaccine for MERS. Results of which will be eagerly awaited from the millions in lockdown. However, it is important to be aware that even if results from phase 1 show promise, further trials will need to be performed before it will be ready for testing on healthy individuals. A fact so often missed by the media is that vaccinating active COVID-19 patients is still many steps down the line. Due to the lack of vaccines, many

different researchers and governments have been looking at treatment options. After Donald Trump deemed chloroquine combined with azithromycin as a miracle cure, many people have been concerned over the safety and side effects of its use. In Brazil, a study supports these concerns after no significant benefits were found with the treatment. The study looked at high and low dose chloroquine and highlighted the safety concerns they had with this. Despite the lack of treatment options, the large amount of data from COVID-19 patients is allowing scientists to better understand the disease and its spread. The New England Journal of Medicine looked at the large

scale testing that occurred in Iceland and found that 43% of positive cases were asymptomatic. This was supported by a report in Nature medicine where the authors looked at 77 infector-infectee pairs and found that 44% of transmission was pre-symptomatic and estimated that infectivity occurs between zero and two days of symptom onset. This outbreak has not been easy for any member of the community, lockdown has taken its toll, but the scientific community can be a beacon of hope for many during these troubling times. The thought of our university being the source of crucial research needed to help patients worldwide, is not only a source of pride but also of comfort.

To contact our science desk, drop us an email at science@gairrhydd.com

SCIENCE

“Megadrought” to hit USA in coming months

Researchers at Colombia University have predicted one of the worst droughts in history to hit the Southwestern North American region Kirstin Winter Contributor

espite widespread lockdown providing a small respite for the climate, the Southwestern North American region (SWNA) is predicted by scientists to enter a period of “megadrought”. Since the coronavirus outbreak, pollution levels have been dropping all over the world. In New York, carbon monoxide levels have been reduced by 50% since last year and, in China and Northern Italy, nitrogen dioxide levels have also fallen. Despite this, there are predictions that in the SWNA, summer droughts will intensify as the expected spring precipitation falls for 2020. There is some suggestion that the megadrought has already started; 2000 to 2018 was the second driest period since 800CE. However precipitation levels in 2019

did not reflect this. Since 1900, reliable weather records have been kept, allowing scientists to analyse precipitation levels. A report published by scientists at Colombia University predicted this “megadrought” and used tree rings to determine soil moisture levels since 800 CE. There is a relationship between the number of tree rings and the soil

moisture content. Soil moisture levels are indicative of the precipitation levels, allowing scientists to draw accurate conclusions about when droughts have occurred in the past. In the 1200 years analysed in this study, the 20th century was one of the wettest on record, causing misconceptions regarding drought risk. Droughts and fluctuations in precip-

Megadrought: Summer doughts are predicted to intensify this year. Source: pxfuel

itation levels in the past have been attributed to natural causes, for example, cooling ocean temperatures blocking storms over the U.S. The 2020 “megadrought” is likely to be exacerbated by human activity and the subsequent global warming; “What matters is that it has been made much worse than it would have been because of climate change” explains Benjamin Cook, an environmental scientist at Colombia University. According to Park Williams, a bioclimatologist at Colombia University: “We’re on the same trajectory as the worst prehistoric droughts”. Temperature rises of about 1.2 degrees are causing changes in the climate across the globe. The report published in Science attributes 47% of the drought severity between 2000 and 2018 to anthropogenic trends. Droughts are expected to be a lot more severe in terms of longevity, widespread location and frequency.

Word of the week: Atmosphere Your science desk Liv Davies Hollly Giles

• The layers of gases that surround a planet • The atmosphere surrounding the earth contains about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, and about 0.04% carbon dioxide • The earth’s atmosphere has a range of around 500km from its surface

GWYDDONIAETH 19

SpaceX to provide rocket for first manned NASA launch from USA since 2011

Research advancements show hydrogen The mission will be the first time NASA has used a spacecraft from cars could soon another company and is set to be the start of a “new era of spaceflight” by hitting the streets private space company collaboraAnna Hart Contributor

n the morning of July 8th 2011, the last ever NASA space shuttle launched from Florida’s Kennedy Space Centre carrying its four-astronaut crew to the International Space Station (ISS). Space shuttle Atlantis’ was NASA’s 135th shuttle launch since the start of the program 30 years ago. It’s purpose was to deliver vital spare parts to the orbiting lab; marking the end of the space shuttle era and making way for a new era of deep space exploration aiming to send astronauts to Mars, asteroids and other deep space targets. This May, two astronauts are once again set to make their way beyond Earth’s atmosphere, the first time NASA astronauts will launch from the US in almost a decade. In a departure from every mission since NASA’s conception, the astronauts will not be carried by a NASA spacecraft, but by one made and operated by SpaceX: the private space company founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. SpaceX has completed successful cargo delivery missions to the ISS but has never flown a human into space before. As part of this public-

tion, NASA and SpaceX have been working together for years to ensure the Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft can safely send astronauts into orbit. Since it retired its space shuttles in 2011, NASA has been using Russian rockets for manned missions. This launch signals a departure from the past, as NASA makes clear in their mission brief: “A new era of human spaceflight is set to begin as American astronauts once again launch on an American rocket from American soil.” Astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will launch at 4:32pm EDT on May 27th from Florida’s Kennedy Space Centre for an extended stay at the ISS, with the specific duration of the mission – named Demo-2 – still to be determined. It will take about 24 hours from launch for the spacecraft to dock with the ISS, during which time the crew and SpaceX mission control will verify the rocket and spacecraft are performing as intended, validating the crew transportation system, environmental control and displays systems and maneuvering thrusters, among other things, in this final test flight for Space X. The Demo-2 mission will be the

Lily Westerby-Griffin Contributor

SpaceX: The company was founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and aims to put customers in space as soon as possible. Source: SpaceX (via Flickr) final step before the Crew Dragon spacecraft is certified by NASA as suitable for operational, longduration missions to the space station, during which astronauts complete important scientific research, benefitting people on Earth and

laying the groundwork for future space exploration. Future Moon and Mars missions to look out for will start with NASA’s Artemis’ program, which will land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface in 2024.

Key region of the brain in controlling binge drinking discovered

Scientists in the US may have found a cure for the worrying amounts of alcohol misuse Shannon Budden Contributor

team of scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina have identified a new way of tackling binge drinking, according to a study published earlier this year. The research, led by Howard Becker PhD, director of the Charleston Alcohol research centre, showed that deactivating a stress-signalling system in a brain area responsible for motivation and behaviour influenced by emotion can decrease the urge to binge drink. This area of the brain is a network of structures called the extended amygdala. According to the team it is highly responsive to stress and rich in a type of brain receptors called kappa opioid receptors. Unlike other opioid receptors, which produce pleasurable effects for drug and alcohol abuse, the kappa opioid receptors are involved in the negative effects of withdrawal

such as nausea and headaches. When this opioid system is switched off, the tendency to binge drink decreases. This suggests that the kappa opioid system plays an important role in withdrawal as well as in influencing binging behaviour itself. A drug which blocks the kappa opioid receptors was introduced into mice using a binge-drinking

Binge: Binge drinking is a blight on modern society. Source: Senior Airman Jarvie Z. (via AirForceMedicine)

mouse model. The mice were allowed to drink without intervention for four hours a night and the team measured how much alcohol they voluntarily consumed with and without the drug. They found that the mice drank enough to achieve blood alcohol levels in line with a binge episode whilst the receptors were activated, but this was reduced to a moderate level – the equivalent of a glass of wine rather than a bottle – when the drug inactivated the receptors. The team say they don’t yet know why stopping these negative effects also decreases binge drinking, but it is known that the receptors are involved in producing the negative emotional state which encourages compulsive drinking in those with alcohol use disorders. However, the finding holds promise for a therapy which may curb the desire to drink excessively that will be used in people suffering with alcohol addiction, or those who may be at risk of addiction through repeated binge drinking.

According to Alcohol Change UK, 27% of people who consume alcohol in the UK report binge drinking, with alcohol misuse the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health and disability among 15-49 year olds. People who consistently binge drink are at increased risk of developing an alcohol-related disorder and worryingly, binge drinking is one of the most common patterns of alcohol consumption. This research is hoped to help people of all ages tackle the over-consumption of alcohol.

People who consistently binge drink are at increased risk of developing an alcohol-related disorder

he future of cars is electric. With 22% of all UK emissions of carbon dioxide coming from road transport, it’s clear why there is now a significant push for electric vehicles (EVs). Currently, most EVs are powered by thousands of batteries and, despite massive investments, still suffer from limited range and long charge times, pushing for the advancement of alternative EVs. This is where hydrogen powered batteries come in. Hydrogen fuel powered cars are very similar to other electric cars in that they produce power to drive an electric motor. The only difference is that the power being used to run these motors comes from the reaction between oxygen from the air and the hydrogen in the fuel cells, providing immediate access to energy with its only waste product being water. However, hydrogen fuel has always suffered a major pitfall in that the gas itself is incredibly difficult to store. To contain 4-5 kg of gas, requires the equivalent of 700 atmospheres of pressure. Compared to its battery powered counterpart, the upscaling of storage facilities that are capable of this into a mass infrastructure will cost billions of pounds. However, researchers may have just solved this problem through the development of an ultra-absorbent material. The material is formed by nanoscopic holes, generating the equivalent surface area of a football field per gram of substance. In short, this material behaves similarly to a sponge, absorbing hydrogen and has been shown to reduce the required containment pressure to less than 100 atmospheres. Explaining the research, Professor Omar Farha, from the Northwestern University in Evanston, said; “It’s like a bath sponge but with very ordered cavities. With a sponge, if you spill water and you wipe it, in order to reuse the sponge, you squeeze it. With this material we use the same thing - we use pressure to store and release these gas molecules.” Despite having been mocked in the past as “mind-bogglingly stupid” technology by Tesla’s own Elon Musk, continual advancements and investments into this research may put hydrogen EVs into the proverbial driver’s seat of eco transport.

With a sponge, if you spill water and you wipe it, in order to reuse the sponge, you squeeze it. Professor Omar Farha Northwestern University

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Your @Caerdydd desk Tirion Davies Natalie Graham

How Cardiff is responding to Covid-19 Residents of the Welsh capital have been trying to lift spirits

Tirion Davies @Caerdydd Editor

ardiff, like the rest of the world, has been on lockdown since the middle of March. The city is eerily quiet, but it doesn’t mean the Welsh capital or its residents have stopped completely. Many are still determined to help make this quarantine period positive for everyone. It seems Cardiff’s residents understand there is enough anxiety in the world, and many would like to help alleviate this by boosting morale. So, how is Cardiff coping with coronavirus? Rather well, all things considered. Between the temporary Dragon’s Heart field hospital opening in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, to street concerts and fundraising, residents of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan have been successful in their attempts to raise spirits. Here are some of the stories: 1. Jamie Roberts has become a front-line doctor Welsh and British Lions rugby star Jamie Roberts has started his new job as a frontline doctor for the NHS. Roberts, who graduated from Cardiff University with a medical degree in 2013, was living in Cape Town. He was playing for the Stormers rugby team before countries worldwide started to introduce lockdown measures. Shortly after South Africa indefinitely postponed rugby, Roberts decided to head back to Wales and realised he would be able to aid the NHS at this testing time. Although Roberts admits he has never worked clinically, the rugby star understood the pressure put upon the NHS and understands that any kind of help would be appreciated. Jamie Roberts is set to help motivate staff and keep morale high amongst the public, ensuring a positive message and outlook is expressed on behalf of the NHS. Roberts is not the first famous Welsh national face to return to work with the NHS, but he is one of many doing their bit to help keep the NHS well-staffed during this outbreak. He has since started his own blog, ‘Doc Robert’s Blog’ to help keep people informed about what it really means to be on the frontline during this pandemic. Even with his new job, Roberts is updating his blog regularly and is managing to keep everyone smiling. 2. Street concerts taking place all over the capital During this period, many have found themselves attempting to bring a smile to those around them, especially neighbours. Due to social distancing, public gatherings such as concerts have been cancelled, and many are missing out on a night full of live music. However, people across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan are doing their best to coax people out of their houses with music and street concerts. From the comfort of their driveway, some lucky residents have been serenaded by their talented neighbours. Teilo Street in Cardiff recently made headlines after creating the ‘Teilo Street Orchestra’ to raise spirits on the street. The neighbouring houses,

Vacant: An empty Womanby Street is how much of Cardiff looks these days. But, residents of Cardiff have been coming together even when times are very difficult for many. Source: Steve Chapple via Wikimedia Commons which includes two households full of talented musicians, practised through a hole in the fence between their houses before performing ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ for their neighbours during a show of support for the NHS. Robert Plane, a clarinet section principal for BBC National Orchestra of Wales, his wife Lucy Gold, a violinist for the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and their daughter Florence, a student at the Royal Academy of Music, studying bassoon, happened to live next door to fellow musicians. Their neighbours Rosie Biss, a principal cellist for the Welsh National Opera and her husband Andre Swanepoel, a violinist for the Irish Chamber Orchestra were more than happy to help in the street orchestra. Neighbours were thrilled by the rendition of the Wizard of Oz classic, including a frontline NHS worker who was returning home from a busy shift during the national show of support. Another street concert took place in the Vale of Glamorgan with Manon Ogwen Parry and Archie Buchanan, both students at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, performing a concert of opera songs outside Manon’s home in Dinas Powys. The pair sang to neighbouring houses and showed off their musical talents to delighted neighbours who were quick to make themselves comfortable in front of their homes to listen. These impromptu concerts have helped to raise spirits for those who are finding it hard to be stuck at home for such a long period of time. 3. Free meals for key workers in the NHS Those on the frontline a doing vital work during this pandemic. They are working tireless hours and can find it hard to spend time with their family or to shop for necessities. Waterloo Tea, a tea shop and café in Cardiff have taken it upon themselves to raise money to supply food to the University Hospital of Wales and its workers. The brilliant scheme was created on March 27 and has since raised almost £60,000 for staff at Cardiff & Vale University Health Board. Waterloo Tea created the fundraiser to ensure that hospital staff

would have access to nutritious food, aimed to fuel staff so that they would not have to resort to processed foods during long shifts. Although the staff of the café are volunteering in the project, suppliers and caterers are working with Waterloo Tea to prepare as many meals as possible. The Health Charity distribute the food once it is delivered to Waterloo Tea from various kitchens (according to a recent update, 18 kitchens from local businesses have been involved in cooking meals) and food is delivered directly to the wards, as many staff are unable to leave their ward once their shift has begun. In addition to this, Michelin-starred restaurant James Sommerin in Penarth has been putting their kitchen to good use during the lockdown, by cooking meals for NHS key workers. James Sommerin, his wife Louise and their daughter Georgia are often working up to 16-hour days to get meals prepped, cooked, portioned and out for delivery three times a week. The restaurant is working in tandem with the Feed the Heath scheme organised by Waterloo Tea and are ensuring that with each meal comes a message from the family, with words of encouragement thanking those who are eating the meals for all their hard work. The time put in by staff is voluntary, and donations made to James Sommerin are spent on food to ensure the restaurant is stocked up and ready to cook meals each day. The James Sommerin team begin work at 10am and often don’t finish until 2am the next morning but the restaurant insists their work is only a small addition to the other companies and restaurants also doing their bit to aid in the Feed the Heath scheme. Cardiff restaurants and caterers are working in tandem to feed as many health workers as they can – a brilliant show of how working together can help alleviate some of the stress key workers within the NHS are unfortunately under at this time. It’s an incredible example of how a city like Cardiff is amazing when it works together. 4. Daily exercise with a Disney twist Residents in Radyr and Morganstown have noticed some familiar char-

acters walking past their windows for the last few weeks. Adrian and Alex Currie have been using their daily exercise to walk the streets dressed up as various Disney characters, in particular the iconic Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The pair run an entertainment business called Party Wales, but since lockdown measures were placed on the UK, they found themselves unable to work and with no way of using their supplies. With their various costumes, the pair decided a good use of their time would be to cheer up the residents of their Cardiff street. They take it in turns to leave the house for exercise, and wave to children in the street dressed as Disney characters and have expressed how many of their neighbours have explained the costumes have raised their spirits – especially given they weren’t expecting Mickey Mouse to walk past their window. As they wait for the lockdown to end and for their business to be in operation again, the couple is using the Disney parade to set up a GoFundMe page to support local care facilities and hospitals. The Curries are using Facebook as a schedule for their Disney parade, posting updates on which characters might appear and when so that they can help lift Cardiff residents’ spirits and so that neighbours don’t miss out. Cardiff is doing rather well, all things considered. The pandemic has brought people together, with everyone doing all they can to support their neighbours and the NHS. It’s brilliant to see the way residents across Cardiff and the Vale are using their time during the lockdown to bring light to other people’s lives and are ensuring that local NHS staff are aware their work is valued and appreciated. How is Cardiff coping with Coronavirus? As it always does, uniting people from all backgrounds to come together even in the darkest of times. As for the new Dragon’s Heart hospital set to open in the Principality Stadium, the name perfectly personifies the spirit of Cardiff. Our motto, after all, is “Y ddraig goch ddyry cychwyn” (“The red dragon will lead the way”).

@CAERDYDD 21

Growing the Welsh language

Keeping Faith to have a prequel Numerous celebrities are going to be learning Welsh with several for the NHS

shows set to be released by S4C

Tirion Davies @Caerdydd Editor

or years, S4C has been attempting to boost the number of Welsh speakers in Wales. With series online like ‘Dysgu Cymraeg’ (‘Learn Welsh’), in collaboration with the Welsh Government and their television series ‘Cariad@iaith’ (‘love4language’). S4C has tried to attract a new audience that is eager to learn Welsh. With the new programme ‘Iaith ar Daith’ (‘Welsh Road Trip’), S4C are once again appealing to an audience keen to pick up the Welsh language. The new show, which started on April 19, sees one celebrity each week travel to different parts of Wales with their Welsh-language mentor, to learn Welsh – but with the addition of certain challenges, including Carol Vorderman having to present the weather on S4C in Welsh and Ruth Jones taking part in an episode of ‘Pobl y Cwm’. ‘Iaith ar Daith’ is another of S4C’s shows which is in collaboration with Learn Welsh. The show is being advertised amongst all kinds of programming, regardless of whether it is a Welsh show or not, as a way of garnering more viewing. Celebrities like Ruth Jones, Colin Jackson, Carol Vorderman, Adrian and Chiles and Scott Quinnell will take part in the show. Other than Adrian Chiles, all of the celebrities

are from Wales originally and all are aiming to improve upon their Welshspeaking skills. Following the Welsh Government’s 2016 announcement that they wish to see a million Welsh speakers by 2050, there has been a rise in Welsh interest. Between the Welsh-language band Alffa’s achievement in passing a million plays on Spotify and the success of the show ‘Keeping Faith’ and its Welsh-language counterpart ‘Un Bore Mercher’, learning Welsh has become rather popular. Welsh is being popularised, and more and more people are understanding the value of learning the language later in life. The language app Duolingo stated that by September of 2019, it had seen a 34% rise since the previous year 2018 using its Welsh course, with about 38,600 people in the UK using the course. Additionally, Say Something in Welsh, another online tool, estimated last year it has up to 60,000 regular users of its website. Many see it as missing part of their culture. A popular Welsh saying is ‘cenedl heb iaith yw cenedl heb galon’ which means ‘a nation without language is a nation without heart’. For many, this has come to the forefront. In recent years many feel learning Welsh might help them to feel more connected to their country. The surge in support for the Welsh language has grown over recent years, as has an interest in programmes

Tirion Davies @Caerdydd Editor

Nessa: Ruth Jones, star of sitcom Gavin & Stacey, is one of five celebrities taking part in the S4C show. Source: Bryan Ledgard (via Wikimedia Commons) like ‘Cymraeg i Oedolion’ (‘Welsh for Adults’) run through many platforms, including Cardiff University. It’s no surprise celebrities like those involved in ‘Iaith ar Daith’ would want to learn Welsh. For some of the celebrities involved in ‘Iaith ar Daith’, watching other people in their lives learning Welsh has given them the boost to do the same. Colin Jackson, one of those taking part in the programme, said he wanted to learn Welsh after seeing his sister and actress Suzanne Packer learn Welsh in recent years.

The show is bilingual, with subtitles available throughout and is already gaining interest. Advertisements have been appearing on ITV and clips being posted through Twitter. The show seems as though it is an innovative way of not only making Welsh enjoyable but also opening up S4C to a wider audience who would often be apprehensive about watching its programmes without a strong knowledge of Welsh. ‘Iaith ar Daith’ airs each Sunday on S4C and is available on demand on both S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer.

What to watch in lockdown

There are plenty of TV shows and films available which have Welsh significance

Tirion Davies @Caerdydd Editor

ith so much time on your hands, it can be hard to know what to do. For most, this means spending hours in front of the television watching their favourite shows or catching up on films they haven’t seen. But what is there to watch if you miss Wales? We have just the list for you: 1. Twin Town Twin Town is one of those Welsh films everybody seems to know. A dark crime comedy filmed and set in Swansea in the 1990s. The film stars Rhys Ifans and his brother Llyr Ifans as two brothers who have a feud with a small-time gangster. The film is so utterly Welsh it’s a much-loved classic in Wales. The film is funny, crude and has been noted as a favourite by many in Wales. It was the first major film role Rhys Ifans had, and the film was so popular that a 1997 TV documentary about the making of the film was broadcast soon after the film’s original release. Quoted as the Welsh al-

ternative to Trainspotting, Twin Town is one to look out for. Director Kevin Allen stated in 2016 that he wanted to make a sequel to the hit, so it’s definitely one to watch now if you’re missing Wales and are looking for a new film to add to your watchlist. 2. Pride Set in a village at the head of Dulais Valley in the 1980s, Pride follows the story of the unlikely bond formed between striking Welsh miners and London-based gay activists. Although the cast isn’t particularly Welsh (Bill Nighy does try his best at a South Wales Valleys accent, however), the story is a brilliant depiction of not only the gay rights scene of the 1980s, but also the rights of the striking miners, primarily in the South Wales Valleys. Pride is one not only for those looking for LGBTQIA+ representation but also for those who are missing the Welsh community. 3. Submarine Based on Joe Dunthorne’s novel and directed by IT Crowd’s Richard Ayoade, this film is another narrative set in 1980s South Wales. Submarine follows Oliver Tate, an

unpopular 15-year old who forms an obsession with his classmate, Jordana. Jordana photographs herself kissing Oliver to make her exboyfriend jealous which results in a coming-of-age comedy. Despite the film being made in South Wales, Submarine performed well with critics – earning its place at several film festivals following its 2010 release. 4. Grand Slam One of the most iconic Welsh films and one quoted often even today. Grand Slam is a rugby comedy about four men who travel to Paris to watch Wales play France for the Grand Slam title in the 1970s. The film is one considered to be a Welsh classic, with the adventures of Caradog Lloyd-Evans, Glyn, Mog and Maldwyn still able to personify the charisma of Welsh characters for years to come. These are just a few Welsh films to watch whilst you’re missing your time in Cardiff. Remember, this list is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to great Welsh films and Welsh filmmaking is always brilliant. Film Hub Wales have launched a page on their website titled ‘Made In

Wales’ which features productions made in Wales or with Welsh connections. To watch new releases made in Wales, including features, shorts, animation and Welsh-language productions, visit https://filmhubwales. org/en/film-catalogue/ for more.

Pride: An unlikely friendship is formed between gay rights activists and South Wales miners during the 1980s. Source: Junichi Yamashita (via Flickr)

atthew Hall, the writer of hit S4C and BBC Wales drama Keeping Faith, is writing a prequel to the show. The prequel, set five years before the disappearance of Faith Howell’s husband Evan, will be a light-hearted take on Faith’s story. The series, which is filmed in Carmarthenshire, had been filming for the third series before the lockdown was put in place. Hall wanted a take on his story where Faith earned a happy ending, and with the current events taking place all over the world, Hall felt people needed a little light relief. The story is set in Abercorran in the years Faith was living happily before Evan ran away. An escapist story following the lives of the Howell family at happier moments, as a way of giving fans of the show something happy to focus on amongst the stress of the outside world. Matthew Hall decided to write his prequel after seeing the pressure his local health board, Aneurin Bevan Healthboard has been under since the beginning of the pandemic. Hall stated his wife had received chemotherapy treatment from Aneurin Bevan Healthboard a few years ago and felt he wanted to help the hospital in his area. Aneurin Bevan Healthboard currently has the highest number of cases of COVID-19 in Wales and they are struggling with demand without enough equipment. This has been an issue that has impacted the NHS all throughout the UK. Particuarly the availability of Personal Protective Equipemnt (PPE) which has been in short supply due to the demand caused by the virus. Although Hall has penned the Eve Myles-led drama for three years, since its inception, he does not own the copyright of Keeping Faith. Thus, his online prequel is not official, although Hall has stated that if the prequel were successful online, he would be open to talks with S4C in creating more for the small screen. The prequel was created as a fundraiser for Masks4NHSHeroes, a fundraiser to build funds for more equipment for NHS staff battling Coronavirus on our behalf.

Laugharne Castle: Keeping Faith is filmed in Carmarthenshire. Source: Mick Lobb (via Geograph.org)

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SPORT

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CHWARAEON

Your sport desk Reece Chambers George Willoughby Ella Fenwick Luke Wakeling Olly Allen Tom Walker

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Taking a moment to pause by reflecting on our love for sport

Sport Editor Olly Allen provides a personal account on the meaning of sport and the void currently left for sport fans around the world Olly Allen Sport Editor

ne Carlo Ancelotti once said that football is the most important of the less important things in the world, and that is true of all sport. We’re in the midst of one of the worst ever public health crises, and ultimately sport matters very little. But the gaping hole its absence leaves in so many lives, and the chaos that the schedule now finds itself in, is unheard of. The word ‘unprecedented’ has been used an awful lot recently, but there’s no other way of describing it. This is a sport blackout not seen since the Second World War. It gives me the opportunity to reflect, in this final issue of 2019/20, on what lies at the heart of our attachment to sport. Over the last 16 editions of Gair Rhydd, I’ve had the pleasure of reporting on some of the finest sport that Cardiff, Wales and the world has to offer. I’ve loved every minute. Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted, but now we can take a rare back seat and truly admire the beauty that sport provides. Sport is a ritual. A way of life. Our calendars are marked with key

fixtures, international tournaments and major finals. Without it, many find themselves lost and disorientated. It creates identities and forms communities. People from all over the world are brought together to share every twist and turn. Lives are given a meaning and a purpose by sport. It is unpredictable. It is nervewracking. It is spine-tingling. The greatest form of entertainment there is. I remember walking into a football stadium for the first time at the age of eight. I was in awe. I still get the same feeling now whenever I walk through the turnstiles. It’s the sense of anticipation for what is about to unfold – anything and everything could happen. I’ve binge-watched far too many TV shows in this lockdown period, including a pair of football-based programmes, The English Game and Sunderland ‘Til I Die. The two are different in their genres – the former is a drama and the latter is a documentary – but I finished watching both with the same undeniable conclusion. The passion, emotion and euphoria that sport brings out in us is almost impossible to match. Some of the greatest feelings I’ve

ever had in life have come as a result of watching sport. Kieran Trippier scoring against Croatia in the World Cup semi-final. Andy Murray finally winning Wimbledon. The Super Over that decided last year’s Cricket World Cup. Magic before our very eyes. Of course there are the disappoint-

ments too, but these often make the successes even sweeter. When sport does return and we can celebrate these special moments once more, it might just be the greatest feeling of them all. If this period of uncertainty has taught us anything, it’s that we should savour every moment. In sport, and in life.

Collective: The atmosphere created by fans is what makes sport such a unique community. Source: Pixabay (via Pexels)

How British people are keeping fit whilst doing their bit

Sport Editor Tom Walker takes a look at the many ways people are staying active during a period of national lockdown Tom Walker

Sport Editor

ith the UK population currently confined to their own households, and the opportunity for exercise relatively diminished, it would be hard to blame people for electing to fill their time with Netflix series after Netflix series or by watching re-runs of World Cup games of the past. But, in fact, Britain seems to be keeping relatively active despite the obvious limitations to physical activity. With sports clubs, gyms, swimming pools and many other locations used for physical activity closed for the foreseeable future, people have turned to a whole range of exercise sources. There are no official government guidelines on the specific length of time people can exercise for as of yet, but speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, recommended a “walk of up to

an hour, or a run of 30 minutes”. However, the importance of exercise on both our mental and physical wellbeing has been recognised by the government and therefore have been encouraging people to stay active from their own homes. On top of the 10 minute work outs provided by Public Health England, the residents of Britain are being treated to lots of different ways to keep fit from home.

The variety of home activities on offer for people to choose from are more or less endless. From daily PE lessons with Joe Wicks on his Body Coach YouTube channel, to box fit with Tyson Fury and his wife on Instagram live, the UK residents are certainly not short of options. The BBC Sport online page has a

section dedicated to health and wellbeing, encouraging users to try all types of exercises alongside professional athletes, including taekwondo with Welsh double Olympic champion Jade Jones. Their recently launched #GoalsAtHome challenge is another innovative idea, encouraging people to replicate some of the most famous goals in football history on social media. The five, five, five challenge that recently took Instagram by storm required people to run five kilometres, followed by a five-pound donation to the Run For Heroes charity and the nomination of five others to complete it. The challenge has raised just shy of five-million pounds at the time of writing and is a great demonstration of the unity and commitment within the country to defeating the virus. Welsh athletes have been doing their part to raise money for the NHS too. Former Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas rode on a turbo bike at his home in Cardiff for 36 hours

over the course of three days to help raise funds to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

Welsh sporting heroes have come together to help those in need when called upon. Similarly, Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams has just started cycling 774 miles to raise money for numerous NHS charities, while Wales football star Gareth Bale and his wife donated £500,000 to the charitable arm of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. It is hard to comprehend that there have been any sort of positives during these concerning times, but the display of togetherness and the willingness to help others, whether that’s through donations or by providing exercise classes, has been extremely refreshing to see.

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Cardiff University Athletic Union Awards Round-up A number of athletes and clubs were rewarded for their outstanding achievements over the last academic year

Dom Pearson wins President of the Year

Reece Chambers Head of Sport

om Pearson said that he feels very ‘humbled’ to win the AU Presidents award after another successful year with the Tennis Club. The Tennis President was shortlisted for the Sportsman of the Year award, too, but conceded that he was unlikely to win the award due to his ‘ropey’ year on the court. “Obviously, I was very humbled to receive the award... having been nominated for sportsman of the year and being up against some national champions was a real honour too. I knew I wouldn’t win that award because of my slightly ropey on court record this year but in honesty I had forgotten about the AU president’s award and I was genuinely very surprised when I did win it.” More than anything, though, the Tennis President was proud to have helped the club achieve some positive results since joining the club. “I know I have helped the club to achieve some great things over the last few years, but really it is just a case of having all of the right people around me to help achieve some of the amaz-

ing things tennis has done of late. All the captains past and present have been phenomenal, especially Alex Boardman who lead the Ladies’ squad to great success despite some of her own personal struggles.” Pearson also pointed out that he would like to share the award with his fellow committee members at the tennis club. “The congratulations and appreciation the tennis committee/members have shown me has made me remember that my award was actually shared by us all. I have lots of people behind me to help me do what I do in sport and wider life and I am very grateful to all of them, they know who they are. Aside from friends and family, all the staff in the AU are simply brilliant. Hopefully we can keep improving with their continued support over the next few years,” said Pearson. Above all, the tennis President is looking forward to being reunited with his team in the near future. “I cannot wait to get together with the tennis club again when the situation with COVID-19 blows over and we can have a proper celebration in usual style - ready for the next year.”

James Miller wins Sportsman of the Year

Ella Fenwick Sport Editor

fter the recent Athletic Union awards ceremony Gair Rhydd Sport had the opportunity to talk to the elected Sportsman of the year, James Miller. Miller has been participating in pistol shooting since 2014, and has had many spectacular achievements in the niche sport. Over the past year, Miller has represented both GB and Wales in a range of championships in the 10m Air Pistol. When receiving his most recent achievement of Sportsman of the year, he said, “It was an amazing feeling and a big surprise. I am very grateful to have received this accolade, especially as all the nominees were all high calibre athletes. I feel it is an honour, not only for my personal achievements to be recognised, but for pistol shooting as a highperformance sport to be recognised as well.” Reminiscing over the past year, Miller listed his main personal achievements, “Follow on from representing Team GB at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympics, I am pleased to still be ranked as GB junior number one for

Ultimate Frisbee win AU Club of the Year

Amy Dyer wins Sportswoman of the Year Luke Wakeling

Sport Editor

urfer Amy Dyer won Sportswoman of the Year at the AU awards to cap an impressive first year at Cardiff. The Physiotherapy student won gold at the Surf BUCS championships back in October and was looking to continue that success before the outbreak of Coronavirus. “Unfortunately for me, BUCS was at the end of the competitive surfing season so there weren’t any contests over the winter, instead I have been training and surfing as often as I can, as well as doing some promo days with my sponsors at the new wave machine in Bristol. All of which has been great fun.” Dyer was nevertheless proud of her award that she won amongst many other talented female athletes. “It feels amazing to win sportswoman of the year, I was thrilled just to be nominated with the others so to actually win is just the icing on the cake to an epic first year.” Looking towards the coming season, Dyer hopes to repeat her success at BUCS and compete at the English Nationals. “In this coming year I would love to win BUCS again, as well as com-

pete at the English Nationals to aim to get into the women English surfing team. However, with the uncertainty over what is to come in the next few months I am just using this time to recuperate and relax and looking forward to whenever we can get back to normality.” Surfing, although a popular recreational sport that has been around for decades, is growing as a competitive sport; it is going to be included in the Olympics for the first time at Tokyo 2020, due to be held in 2021. Dyer recommends giving it a go for any student looking to try something new. “Surfing was a great help in introducing me to people, especially all of the guys in the surf society who were very welcoming throughout the year and especially supportive of me at BUCS. It was also a great getaway for when the exams got a bit stressful, although trying to fit my boards and wetsuit in my Taly room was a bit of a mission. “My advice for anyone looking to start surfing would be to join the surf society here at Cardiff and go to a Give it a Go session. The society provide all the equipment and the transport so you can go and see if you enjoy it without the stress of sorting out your own gear.”

this year. In October 2019, I won both the Welsh Open and Welsh Confined Championships for the second year in a row. Making me double Welsh champion and ranked Welsh Senior number one. With more years left at Cardiff University, Miller is planning to continue his pistol shooting career and develop in his sport to compete and represent the country at other large events. “This is currently my last year of shooting as a junior. I am still currently training so I can be ready for end of year competitions, such as the 2020 University World Games and Welsh Championship.” Miller describes his agenda for the following years to compete in his largest competition to date; “Looking ahead to 2021, I will be significantly focusing my training on being selected to compete for Wales at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.” Encouraging others to try the niche sport, Miller says; “Every week there is open range days at the Sport Wales National Centre range with the Welsh Target Shooting Federation. It has a safe and relaxed environment, and is a perfect place to learn to shoot both rifle and pistol.”

Luke Wakeling

Sport Editor

ardiff University Ultimate Frisbee Club won AU Club of the Year for the first time at the virtual AU awards on 15 April. They were praised for their success ‘on the pitch’ with both Men’s and Women’s teams securing a commendable amount of BUCS points, with the Men’s 1sts coming third in the indoor nationals and outdoor Division 2 Nationals. The Women’s 1sts came sixth at the Indoor Nationals and came second in their outdoor BUCS league. In addition to their competitive success, the club were recognised for their charity fundraising, inclusivity and environmental focus where the club designed eco-friendly, biodegradable discs from plant-based materials to minimise plastic waste. We spoke to President Callum McIntyre about this achievement. “It was awesome to win Club of the Year this year. It’s something we have been working towards for a long time and we’re thrilled to be given this award. “We’ve had a great year…we took all three teams (Men’s, Women’s and Mixed) to Nationals, and achieved great results once we got there. We were the only Welsh team to do this.

We raised over £4000 for charity this year, running charity tournaments, pub quizzes and a huge Movember campaign, it’s been a great run and is going to make a big difference to a lot of people.” McIntyre was confident that the club would build on this success for next year: “I’m sure next year’s committee will do a great job in pushing the club forward. “We would love to expand and share Ultimate with as many people as possible. “I think sports clubs are a great support for students at university, I think everyone in AU clubs, just like ours, can attest to that. We would also love to continue to raise money for local charities.” Of course, many of Cardiff’s sports teams are left wondering ‘what if’ with everyone’s seasons, including Varsity, cancelled due to Covid-19. McIntyre is certain though what the result would be if the fixture with Swansea went ahead. “This is a no brainer. The Women’s team have been better than ever this year, with an amazing set of results, I have complete faith that they would smash [Swansea’s team]. “As for the men, we have never lost. Says it all really.”

Virtual Varsity replaces Welsh Varsity 2020 Ella Fenwick Sport Editor

his year’s Varsity was cancelled due to the unprecedented disruption caused by COVID-19. Students were due to travel to Swansea to battle against their rivals to maintain their title in the biggest sporting event of the year. Behind the scenes in the Athletic Union, the team have been working hard to ensure that this memorable day of the University calendar would not got uncelebrated. Cardiff University’s VP Sports, Jude Pickett and Swansea University’s Sports Officer, Ffion Davies have teamed up to make the best out of the current situation and to create an experience for all students to unite for this important day. The event is still being hosted on April 29, just with a virtual spin on things. Students will be able to engage with the event throughout the day, on multiple social media platforms, where live challenges will take place and a play through of previous Varsity rugby games will be shown. Similarly to the day of Varsity, supporters can still get involved by showing their support online for the teams and the University have also offered students the opportunity to create Facebook Varsity Frames. The competitive side of Varsity has not been forgotten, and a variety of different sports teams will still be going head to head online. Both Cardiff and Swansea’s sports teams have been allocated a challenge to complete and film for the event. These will appear following a usual Varsity schedule, just on the social media platforms instead with the final results being announced at the end. A range of sports teams have decided to get involved in keeping the Varsity legacy alive. Men and Ladies’ Rugby, American Football, Tennis and Hockey are just a few of the well-known sports clubs competing. The involvement of niche sports such as Equestrian and Archery are also coming together to celebrate the new Varsity, as well as martial arts clubs which include Kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do. All challenges will be judged by Pickett and Davies and will be announced online. Depending on the challenge, teams will be marked on their abilities as well as how they have chosen to interpret the challenge. Each challenge has been arranged to suit the skills of the teams, with a fun element requiring teams to use a little bit of their imagination to complete them. Teams will be filming members and coaches involved creating a compilation of the videos. Both Rugby teams will be competing in the classic lockdown challenge of the “Keepie Uppie Challenge”, but will be replacing the toilet roll for a rugby ball, the team with the highest amount will be crowned the winners. Other sporting activities will involve the Cricket club and American Football team. The events will be taking place across digital platforms on April 29. You can follow all of the action on Facebook and Instagram throughout the day.

To contact our sport desk, drop us an email at sport@gairrhydd.com

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The 2020 Athletic Union Awards Interview with Cardiff University’s Sportsman of the Year Page 23

Welsh Varsity Plans for a virtual event Page 23 The true meaning and purpose of sport Olly Allen Sport Editor

ow do you write an article about sport when the schedules have been wiped out and the arenas are empty? In this period of uncertainty, we’re given the opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of sport. Sport Editor Olly Allen explores the passion, emotion and euphoria that sport brings out in us all and why it means so much to so many people. 22

Ultimate frisbee win Club of the Year at AU awards Luke Wakeling

Sport Editor

Fel Un: The Cardiff Cobras finished the regular season unbeaten and were promoted to the top flight of American Football. Source: Cardiff Cobras

“We were genuinely honoured to win the award”: Cobras President on a memorable season

George Willoughby

Deputy Head of Sport

he coronavirus has had a profound impact on sport all over the world. Seasons are being ended prematurely, whilst governing bodies and organisations try to find a solution to the disruption caused by Covid-19. Sports across all levels have been making the necessary decision and cancelling action until it is safe to do so. This has meant that the Cardiff Cobras will not be able to play their final game against the Southampton Stags. The match would have crowned the winners of the Division One South League. Cardiff had already secured promotion to the BUCS Premier South, with their unbeaten regular season and playoff wins against Reading and Exeter earning that right. Gair Rhydd Sport spoke to Club President Jack Pitt who reflected on the

2019/20 campaign. Looking back at the season, “the boys worked relentlessly,”, said Pitt. “Our main goal was to be promoted [and] we feel we have been unlucky in years gone by in terms of having opportunities to make it happen snatched from us.” The Cobras put together a brilliant season finding a good balance with their offence and defence. The team showed the ability to score points, but, this was just one aspect to their success. The defensive unit was just as important in formulating the perfect season limiting opposing offences to singledigit points on some occasions. This included a shutout over Exeter in the playoffs. Not only did the Cobras secure promotion, but they also were awarded the Team of the Year by the Athletic Union. Speaking about the award, Pitt said the team “was humbled to receive recognition from our Union.” “It must also be said that the AU worked hard in order to help us in our

time of need, and I can’t express my gratitude for their continued support.” As is the case for many teams at Cardiff University, the end of the academic year means players will be graduating. Given the squad size of American Football teams, maintaining a core group of players is vitally important for prolonged success. Teams have to look towards the future, and this is something “we have worked hard to prepare for,” - Pitt told Gair Rhydd Sport. “We have every confidence that the core unit of remaining veterans will not only be able to bring in new talent next year but to step up and keep the team on its upwards trajectory in the top flight.” Pitt has been involved with the Cobras throughout his time at university and was Club President as well as captain for the new season. At the helm, Pitt led his team to promotion and an unbeaten season. Reflecting on the campaign, Pitt said: “I honestly struggle to epress the way I

feel about what we have achieved this year.” “Since BUCS took on American Football, Cardiff has never had the chance to showcase itself in the top flight. “The club having this chance now as a result of my year as President is something I am immensely proud of however the work is not close to being down to just me.” Unfortunately for Pitt, he is one of the few departing players at the conclusion of this season. All good things must come to an end, but, he leaves the squad with no regrets. “The past four years have been the best of my life so far,” - said Pitt. “It has provided me with a rock throughout my study that has helped me stay grounded, helped me get stronger physically and mentally and most importantly provided the opportunity to make friends for life. “I cannot thank the squad, committee and coaches each for all their hard work over the years. It has been an honour.”

ardiff University Ultimate Frisbee Club won Club of the Year at the virtual AU awards ceremony last week. The club have gone from strength to strength in recent years and President Callum McIntyre spoke about the highlights over the past season. This includes an impressive competitive season with all three teams (Men’s, ladies and mixed) placing well at the Nationals, raising over £4000 for charity and producing biodegradable discs 23 to reduce plastic waste.

How people are keeping active and giving to charity Tom Walker Sport Editor

he current coronavirus pandemic has subjected a large majority of the UK population to the confinement of their own homes. However, despite the strict restrictions on going outdoors and the introduction of social distancing, there seems to be somewhat of a fitness drive within the country. Sports Editor Tom Walker, explores the ways in which the people of Britain have been keeping active, whilst also raising large amounts of money for the 22 NHS. Read more on page 22.