Issue 1170 - Monday 3 May 2021

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rhifyn 1170 issue 1170

3 Mai 2021 3 May 2021

gair rhydd Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972

Inside: In light of recent events, Gair Rhydd examines how safe Cardiff really is for its female students (page 6) Cardiff and the Vale begin to vaccinate students Tirion Davies

Editor-in-Chief

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ardiff and Vale Health Board has begun to vaccinate students and those in their twenties, with areas across Wales having a higher proportion of younger people vaccinated. Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board in North Wales currently have a higher proportion of younger people who have had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, than those who are older. Health Boards across Wales are beginning a “two-stream” process of vaccinations - with the Oxford vaccine being offered to older people between 30 and 49, and the Pfizer dose being given to 18 to 29-yearolds. This is following a review by the UK drugs regulator into the link between the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and rare blood clots; the JVCI, the UK Government’s vaccine advisory group, recommended that 18 to 29-year-olds be given an alternate vaccine where possible. The MHRA, the UK’s medicine regulator, found that 79 people experienced blood clots after the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The clots occur most commonly in younger women, resulting in the MHRA ruling that 18 to 29 yearolds should be given the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine where possible. Cardiff and Vale Health Board have begun offering the jab to students and over-18s who have put themselves on the reserve list for the vaccine. Available on the Cardiff and Vale Health Board website, there is a Reserve Form available, whereby over 18s can put themselves forward for a vaccine ahead of time. It was initially believed that over 18s would begin getting a first dose of the vaccine in early Autumn, without the reserve list. A spokesperson for Cardiff and Vale Health Board told Wales Online that people would be allocated an appointment in chronological order if appointments are cancelled; many of those on the reserve list will be expected to attend a vaccination centre at short notice.

The spokesperson said of the reserve list, “Once details are entered individuals will be contacted in chronological order - oldest first when an appointment is available. “The oldest people on the reserve list will be offered appointments first but our leave nobody behind list will take priority”. As of April 29, Public Health Wales data shows that the number of 18-29 year-olds receiving a vaccine on a daily basis had grown significantly from the previous week. It is now believed, as reported by the BBC, that 23.1 percent of 18 to 29-year-olds have had a first dose of the vaccine, with the majority receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech. Public Health Wales announced on April 29 that 57.6 percent of the Welsh population has received the first dose of the vaccine, with 23.2 percent of the population now fully vaccinated. Wales currently resides as fifth in the list of the top 20 countries in the world to have offered at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to data obtained by the BBC. On the list, provided by Our World in Data, Wales lies higher than Scotland, England and Northern Ireland on the vaccination list. Cardiff and Vale Health Board is currently the health board with the lowest number of full vaccinations administered, although are beginning to increase the number of first-dose vaccinations amongst the younger population. Fiona Kinghorn, the executive director for public health at Cardiff and Vale UHB, told BBC Radio Wales that there was a concern over a rise of people not turning up to their appointments. On average, she said, around 8 percent of people were not turning up. Speaking with BBC Radio Wales last week, Ms Kinghorn said of the missed appointments, “It is a concern for us, and my key message is ‘please get your vaccine’ when you are offered. It is one of our key lines of defence”. Cardiff and Vale Health Board encourages students and over 18s to sign up to the reserve list, and ask that everyone attend their appointments when they become available.

Senedd Elections 2021: What should you know in order to help you to make an informed decision? Source: Adrian Platt (via geograph)

2021 Senedd Elections: What should you know? Dewi Morris

Politics Editor

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his week, the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) will hold its sixth election. This election was always going to be interesting; after 22 years of devolution in Wales, and 22 years of Welsh Labour being in power, the Senedd’s achievements over the past two decades have been in the spotlight over the campaign. Wales’ response to the pandemic

has also cast a light onto the devolution process and the number of key areas such as Health and Education ruled from Cardiff Bay. This Senedd election is set to have a much greater prominence as COVID-19 has illustrated how politics in Wales differs from other UK nations. The past year has also raised the volume on the debate over the constitution, with Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Green Party, Propel, and Gwlad campaigning for Welsh independence.

Pubs begin to re- Ailagor sector lletygarwch Cymru open outdoors Iris Knapman Contributor

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s of Monday 26 April, pubs and restaurants across Wales were able to re-open, with outdoor seating available for patrons. As Wales continues to see a drop in COVID-19 cases as we head into May, there is a hope that further plans to re-open hospitality will be able to go ahead. The Welsh Government is set to open pubs and restaurants with indoor availabilities from May 17. To read more about the easing of restrictions in Wales, including the next set of changes to be made, turn to page 3. 3

Alaw Fflur Jones Golygydd Taf-od

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ydd tafarndai, bwytai a chaffis Cymru yn cael ailagor dan do ar 17 Mai os fydd achosion y coronafeirws yn caniatáu. Mae Mark Drakeford, Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyhoeddi y bydd modd i dafarndai, bwytai a chaffis, sydd heb gael agor dan do ers bron i chwe mis, ailagor yn llawn ar 17 Mai os ydy achosion coronafeirws yn parhau yn isel. Yn ogystal, bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn cyhoeddi ei bwriad i ail agor sinemâu, theatrau ac amgueddfeydd ar 17 Mai. I ddarllen yn fwy am ailagor sector lletygarwch yng Nghymru, trowch i dudalen 8. 8

On the other hand, UKIP and the Abolish the Welsh Assembly party stand for just that – closing the Senedd. Labour have called for a reformed constitution which the Conservatives oppose. The Liberal Democrats campaign for a federal UK, while Reform UK want to change the way the First Minister is elected. To read more about the 2021 Senedd Elections, and to read the manifestos of all the Welsh 12 parties, turn to page 12.

Dorothy Hodgekin and the discovery of insulin Holly Giles

Head of Science & Technology

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iabetes is a common condition that causes the level of sugar in the blood to become too high as the body is unable to process sugar in the diet. The possibility of smart insulin could not be achieved without the basic structure provided to us by Hodgekin and her team. It is due to her “determination” and “iron will” in the face of adversity that we are able to make the advances that we can see happening today To read more about Dorothy Hodgekin, her discovery of insulin, and her impact on the modern world, turn to page 25 25


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