Health & Family

Here we go again

THERE’Snothing remotely surprising about a new variant of the Sars-CoV-2 virus taking over. We’ve known for a long time that this virus isn’t going anywhere, that it mutates all the time, and then selects those mutations that allow it to spread more quickly. That’s called evolution and you By DrPHIL HAMMOND can’t stop it. The only surprising thing about Omicron is its name. Why we choose the Greek alphabet to name variants of concern is beyond me, but we’ve had quite a few since Delta that have passed unnoticed. Every one from Epsilon to Mu hasn’t been able to out-compete the big D.

Beta was big in South Africa but barely troubled the UK. Nu sounds like new and Xi sounds like the Chinese leader so before we knew it, we were up to Omicron. Next in line is Pi, and the government has been taking that in large volumes for at least a year, with all their departmental parties (sorry, “gatherings”) as we were all supposed to be following the rules.

And then to deny such gatherings ever happened and even if they did, all the rules were followed! It’s a never-ending Pi take.

No-one yet knows whether Omicron will cause more hospitalisation and death than Delta, but even if it is no more virulent, it will likely cause more harm by spreading further and faster and will very likely become the dominant strain. So what should we do?

We couldn’t stop the SARS original, grew a huge wave of the Alpha variant within our borders and then carelessly imported a huge loading dose of Delta from India which spread like wildfire. So our chances of stopping a variant that is even more transmissible than Delta on our over-crowded, liberal island are negligible.

The best we can hope for is to flatten the wave of infection to take the heat off the NHS, but the only way of doing that in the past has been through lockdowns which are themselves very damaging and everybody hates them.

Even more people will be spreading the virus, most won’t actually get Covid but they could pass on the virus to those more vulnerable. Given how many of us could theoretically test positive without having any symptoms, it could be the mother of all pingdemics ahead. The economy could grind to a halt again.

The good news is that human ingenuity will in time suppress each new variant. There is a world of difference between failing to stop a virus before we had vaccines and failing to stop a variant when we do have vaccines that should still provide decent (if diminished) protection against hospitalisation, harm and death, and are already being altered to be omicron-specific and effective against multiple variants.

We were always likely to need boosters against a mutating virus, so get yours when you are called. It’s the single best protection you have against serious Covid illness.

In addition, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has now approved two antibody treatments, sotrovimab and ronapreve, which can dramatically improve outcomes for those seriously ill with Covid if given within five days of symptoms.

These add to the growing number of proven treatments for Covid. The harm the virus does will be greatly reduced in countries who can afford the drugs and vaccines. But to reduce the risk of future variants we need to make these available to the whole world . . .

Plop the Raindrop

I ONCE spent almost an entire winter on a reindeer, ranging over the ice in the far north, with the brilliant glow of the northern lights swirling in the darkness.

The reindeer were being herded by the Sami people. I know some of you associate reindeer with an old man with a big white beard who zooms about on a sled at Christmas.

I have to confess I didn’t see anyone of that description. But then the Arctic tundra covers a very big area.

This was a long time ago before cars or anything else like that were invented. So the Sami were selfsufficient and cut off from human beans everywhere else in the world.

That means everything they needed, from food, shelter and warmth, they had to provide for themselves.

With the help of the reindeer, of course. Being a tiny water droplet, like me, does have its privileges. It means I can observe the world around me undisturbed. And I’ve been doing that for millions and millions of years, since I first arrived unexpectedly from deep space on what you call Earth. I’ve seen all kinds of catastrophes and mass extinctions, not to mention some of the most interesting events in your history. Do you want to know who invented the wheel? I’ll see if I can remember her name.

Anyway back to the reindeer. They are quite small, with large splayed feet which helps them to walk on snow. Their fur is thick and layered to keep out the cold. I was snuggled in it, together with a few million bugs.

So reindeer are perfectly adapted to their environment, as are camels in the desert and gorillas in the rain forest.

And in the same way, you have adapted to the environment where you happen to live, usually in harmony with the wildlife and local environment.

Just think about how you tamed dogs and horses to help you. It was the same for the Sami people. They protected their reindeer from predators. The reindeer pulled their sleds and provided them with food, clothing and shelter.

The reindeer probably got the worst part of that deal, but it was an arrangement that seemed to work. There’s a kind of harmony that helps all living things to get along together.

If that breaks down, it can end in disaster. In my case the reindeer rolled in a big pile of bear pooh and left me in it!

The Pilates Room Wells opening in January!

IFyou struggle with aches and pains or want to get stronger and more flexible, then look no further than The Pilates Room Wells which is opening on January 3rd. Run by experienced Pilates teacher, Ali, this brand new home studio will offer private 1-1 Pilates tuition using specialist equipment.

Pilates is truly universal and can be done by anyone of any age, gender, body type, flexibility or physical ability. Ali recently relocated to Wells having previously run a home Pilates studio in Bristol for four years.

She said: “I’m really excited to be re-opening my home studio in the beautiful city of Wells. It’s a wonderful form of exercise and I create tailor-made programmes which are specific to each person’s needs.

“I work very much in partnership with my clients to build their confidence so they can live their lives with more ease and comfort. There’s such a variety of exercises you can do using the equipment that you’ll never get bored...and it’s great fun too!”

In light of the pandemic, safety is key. Ali said: “Keeping clients safe is something I take very seriously especially in light of Covid-19. I will be taking regular lateral flow tests and have implemented a number of measures to ensure my studio is a Covid-safe environment for people to come and enjoy some Pilates.”

Details: www.thepilatesroomwells.com or email ali@thepilatesroomwells.com

Wedmore Dental Practice is welcoming another dentist to the team in January. Nikolai Stankiewicz qualified in his hometown of Melbourne, Australia. He has worked as a family dentist in the South West for over 20 years and brings a wealth of experience to the role.

Nikolai acts as an advisor to dental regulatory bodies. He has also written a book and several research papers focusing on cross-infection control in dentistry. Cross-infection control is paramount in dentistry, especially with the continuing dominance of Covid-19 in our lives. We are really honoured and excited to have Nikolai’s expertise going forwards.

We have continued to be fully operational throughout the pandemic, for existing and new patients. Our mission is to be the dental practice that patients recommend to friends and family and that local business and healthcare providers recommend to their customers and patients.

We take pride in being a small, independent practice. This gives us the autonomy to provide individualised patient care, using high-quality dental materials and laboratories. Give us a call, send an email, or contact us via Insta for more information. We have appointments available for routine and emergency care.

Wishing all of our patients a healthy and happy New Year! The Team at Wedmore Dental Practice

@wedmoredental

Nelson’s match day outing

FORMERCheddar FC player, Nelson Spencer, enjoyed a VIP day out when his former club invited him to watch one of their home games. Now a resident at Somerset Care’s Greenhill House residential care home in Cheddar, Nelson enjoyed catching up with old friends including the club's president, and watched the game in the company of Greenhill's deputy manager, Fay Difford, and her partner, Alex Fudge.

It was his first trip out of the home for a while and Nelson really was treated like a VIP by the club, who put on half-time tea and cake and have invited Nelson back anytime he likes in the future.

Manager of Greenhill House, Jenny Futcher, said: "I would like to thank everyone at Cheddar Football Club for making Nelson's day out so special. A huge thank you is also due to Fay, who used her day off –and roped in her partner –to collect Nelson and give him an incredible day out to remember. "Going to watch the football might seem such a small thing, but it's clear how much it meant to Nelson. It's wonderful to see his face light up every time he talks about his trip out to watch the game.”

Making funerals less of an undertaking

The Bath and Wells Funeral Directors base in Chilcompton

BATH and Wells Funeral Directors, based in Chilcompton, uses the same successful formula developed by Rod Major at its counterpart Wells Funeral Services.

Since establishing WFS in September 2016, Rod and his team have been offering a range of affordable funerals across Mendip, Somerset and beyond. But for them, they say, the services are more about arranging a celebration of life than a funeral.

They pride themselves on delivering funerals that people want; establishing their client's needs, wants and budget is of paramount importance to them as a business.

Rod said: “We like to get to know our families and so, for us, that means a trip to Wells Market and to be visible to one and all on Wednesdays from January to November you will find me on my market stall.

“Reaching out to help with advice – but we like to talk about anything and everything – it's more about getting to know people. Why sit in an office waiting for the phone to ring, when people like to see who they are dealing with and enjoy some good, old-fashioned banter!”

In 2021, Rod delivered more funerals than in the two previous years, from Hindu and pagan services, from Wells Cathedral to Downside Abbey and non-religious services too as well as arranging woodland and meadow burials.

Art student’s designs on Christmas

A TALENTED Year 11 student at the Blue School in Wells designed a Christmas card for clients and carers at the mental health charity Heads Up based on the edge of the city.

Abi Rolfe was recommended by the school’s Head of Art to Jenni Robertson, the charity’s Head of Health and Social Care. Jenni said: “We are working in collaboration with Heads Up so the students can learn about dementia and the other forms of mental illness.”

From February Heads Up will also be giving the students Dementia Friends training.

Your Local Award-Winning Funeral Director

Rod Major, owner

What our customers say: “The most tragic and emotional event in your life needs the best support you can get. I’m very pleased to have chosen WFS for my dear wife’s funeral. “Rod and his team were respectful, informative and professional from the first contact and gave the right balance of contact and getting on with arrangements in the background. “Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. Thanks to Rod on a personal level for your service and respect for my lovely Sharon.” Martin S.

Call Rod on 01761 233 555 or email: fd@bwfd.me.uk www.bathwellsfuneralservices.co.uk

OUR HIGHLY SKILLED CLINICIANS ARE ABLE TO USE THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO INVESTIGATE THE HEALTH OF YOUR EYES!

Join our Eyecare Plan:

•Unlimited advice on all your eye care needs •Great discounts on all your spectacle requirements •Repairs and adjustments to spectacles •We offer a range of contact lenses, dry eye lubricants, solutions and myopia (Short-sightedness) management options. As predictions indicate that by 2050 half of the world’s population will be myopic •OCT scans and Optomap imaging of the health of your eyes

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

There has never been a more exciting time to become a consultant for The 1:1 Diet Flexible working hours to fit around your current commitments Full training and ongoing support provided AND incentives to WIN free holidays Free consultations face-to-face or virtually for weight loss and for consultant vacancy email: cwpfran@gmail.com or call 07999 584935

Blueprint for healthier lifestyles

SOMERSET County Council has unveiled plans for major new safe cycling and walking routes in the county to help create greener, healthier and more active streets.

Its Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans include one for Frome, being led by the town council, aided by Somerset County Council’s Climate Change Fund.

Alongside these, Mendip District Council has commissioned an LCWIP for Mendip which is in development and will be supported by Somerset County Council.

Having a plan in place is key to unlocking Government funding to build the infrastructure and enable people in Somerset to choose to walk or cycle to work, school, the shops or for other short trips for the benefit of people’s health and the environment.

Expanding the active travel network is an essential part of Somerset’s Climate Emergency Strategy – agreed by all Somerset councils to steer the county towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Councillor Clare Paul, the council’s cabinet member for Public Health, said: “Encouraging people to cycle and walk more is a great way to support health and wellbeing. It’s vital for the health of our environment and our communities – it offers the potential for greener, healthier streets for all.”

COURT HOUSE

AWARD WINNING CARE HOME

e Care Home with a difference. We offer all that you would expect from a high quality, family run Care Home set in a Georgian House in the lovely village of Cheddar, Somerset.

You can live your life to the full and choice is our favourite word. Rooms now available with full en-suite facilities and total personal care is offered. Rated by the CQC as good in all areas e Manager – Chris Dando • 01934 742131 • chriscourthouse@gmail.com Court House Retirement Home, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RA www.courthouseretirementhome.co.uk