Health & Family

Living with Covid

FORthe millions of English citizens who were led to believe football and freedom were coming home this summer, it’s turning into something of a disappointment. England has combined a superlative vaccine attack with a dismal By DrPHIL HAMMOND border defence, with the net result that 52% of the population is protected by full vaccination but we still have uncontrolled spread of the highly infectious delta variant.

It may peak soon, have already peaked or carry on rising. But in the meantime, millions of people are being told to isolate by the Covid app or Test and Trace, despite having no symptoms, negative tests and full vaccination status.

Time will tell if the damage to the economy from mass isolation outweighs the damage from the virus now we have high levels of vaccination. But those who hoped double vaccination would buy them complete freedom are understandably angry. And don’t even mention foreign travel… Personally, I would pay a lot of money to avoid Covid, short or long, but I feel the same about, say, pancreatic cancer and dementia. The fact that two free jabs and a few sensible indoor precautions dramatically reduces the risk is something of a miracle. I wish the same applied for pancreatic cancer and dementia. The challenge with all infectious diseases are that they are infectious. Personal choice can’t be divorced from public consequences.

If mask wearing in the crowded indoors dips below, say, 70% it is likely to be much less effective. Likewise, if the notion of “freedom day” dissuades some adults from bothering with vaccinations, others will also pay a price.

The good news is, and always has been, that the great outdoors is very Covid safe, so get out there, have fun, enjoy the Valley Fest (I’ll be there) but be mindful of those less fortunate.

There are 3.8 million clinically vulnerable people out there for whom much touted freedom day may actually lead to more fear. We need to respect the fact we are all different, but need to live kindly and sensibly together. Oh, and buy my book (please).

Dr Hammond’s Covid Casebook is out on August 19th available for pre-order now. His Radio 4 series, Dr Phil’s Bedside Manner, starts on August 26th at 6.30pm.

Plop the Raindrop

I THINKit was a cow that started things off. It was bawling just as the first golden wash of sunshine started spilling across the valley.

This is probably my favourite time of the day, a new dawn which could offer a day of new adventures. But in the cool of the morning, before the sun got too hot, I was happy to snuggle down in the crook of an oak tree’s branches.

Later there is a danger the heat could whisk me back in the sky along with billions of other little water droplets.

Then heaven knows where we might end up.

It’s nice to imagine, at first light, that you are the first thing awake, like a pioneer of some sort discovering a new world for the first time.

It’s magical while it lasts, before the sound of traffic noise starts and you human beans turn on those phones and laptop thingies.

But obviously I wasn’t the first thing awake, because the cow had woken me up. I wondered why it should send such a blood-curdling bellow at 4am in the morning. Perhaps it was thirsty – it was a warm night. Perhaps it was giving birth. Perhaps it just couldn’t sleep and wanted to annoy everybody else. Well it did. Suddenly sparrows everywhere started tweeting like a thousand dripping taps. I know a lot about taps. Then the seagulls started screaming, yak, yak, yak, yak, yak, spinning past on their way to newly-mown fields. The farmer had cut and turned the grass yesterday and would come back later, when it was dry, to roll it into big plastic bags. I got stuck inside one once and it was a very sweaty experience.

Above me a couple of collar doves started to have a chat. You have probably heard them, repeating over and over: “How are you? How are you?” I’ve never heard one reply.

Then the rooks got going, rolling out of the treetops like a squadron of old fighter planes in a totally random formation. It’s a mystery they don’t crash into each other. They were also heading for the fields.

Over the fence, jackdaws have launched a dawn raid on some bird feeders, but are being chased off by magpies.

There are about 100 starlings sitting on the roof above, chattering louder than a Mad Hatter’s tea party. I’ve heard about such tea parties, but can’t say I’ve ever actually seen one.

The cow also woke the other cows, who all started mooing. That woke the cockerels who started strutting their stuff. Then all the dogs got barking.

Inevitably curtains started twitching in lots of bedroom windows as the world woke up to a new day. And the magic was broken.

New lease of life for Elliscombe House

SITUATEDatop a hill in Higher Holton, between Wincanton and Castle Cary, sits the Edwardian Elliscombe House. Built in 1901, it was a family home before being extended and turned into a nursing home, then sat empty for some time.

New owners Glenn and Catherine Trotman have spent many months restoring and improving the house, completely incorporating state of the art systems whilst maintaining the integrity of the building. They are now ready to unveil it as a luxurious residential and nursing home.

Externally the overgrown garden, with magnificent trees, has been tamed; whilst the area around the house has been landscaped with terraces, pathways and planting which will become a sensory feast during the spring and summer months. A magnificent orangery has been added on the south side of the house, in a style which is sympathetic to the original building.

The owners have retained as many original features as possible and the house still boasts a heavy, Spanish style front door, with impressive iron hobnails; stunning fireplaces, and a dramatic Edwardian panelled staircase. Antique furniture, befitting of a large country house, sits alongside traditional and contemporary artwork and lighting and is teamed with upholstered furniture, manufactured in Yorkshire and designed especially to meet the needs of the elderly.

Every step of the way, the owners’ aim has been to create a nurturing environment with a homely feel, as far removed from “institutional design” as is practically possible. The design of the shared spaces also incorporates as much flexibility as possible – the newly-built Orangery, for example, is designed for sitting or dining; but also contains an audio-visual system for film nights and is wired to accommodate a huge Christmas tree as a focal point during the festive season.

The management team has an impressive background in NHS and residential care settings, and is keen to use its extensive experience to benefit the new residents at Elliscombe House. The manager, Carla Bowman, is already planning a number of social events at the home when regulations allow, ensuring that residents can continue with current interests and find new ones.

Holistic massage

JO Wilkins of Serenity Massage Therapies in Axbridge has just joined Hampden Osteopathy in Winscombe on Tuesday mornings. She has availability in the clinic for holistic treatments to help with muscular issues, pain, stress and tension.

Treatments include: targeted deep tissue massage, Thai foot massage, acupressure massage and pregnancy massage.

Jo gets a lot of satisfaction from helping people feel better both physically and mentally and gets great feedback from clients.

Details: 07739 205590 www.serenitymassagetherapies.co.uk

Orriss and Low Optometrists Corner House Winscombe BS25 1AQ 01934 843713 www.orrissandlow.co.uk

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business