Search found 1 match for SocialDistancing

Matt Damon spending lockdown in Ireland

Lockdown in the Irish village of Dalkey, an affluent suburb of Dublin, has taken an unexpected turn since residents discovered that they currently number actor Matt Damon.
The Bourne Identity star was in the Republic of Ireland to film The Last Duel, to be directed by Ridley Scott, and has been pictured on social media in Dalkey during the restrictions.
His presence has prompted a journalist from the New York Times to ask people in Dalkey what it’s like to have the actor as a neighbour during the pandemic.

  :tweet:  ColumbiaPublicHealth:
You’ve seen it everywhere, but there’s a reason. Contagion star Matt Damon explains why #SocialDistancing is the most critical thing you can do right now. Then head to http://bit.ly/ControltheContagion … to find out more.

"Anyone living in Dalkey has a right to their privacy. Leave him alone, jesus, he’s only human,” said one response on Facebook.  Damon starred in the 2011 film Contagion - about the spread of a virus transmitted by respiratory droplets - along with Kate Winslet, Jennifer Ehle and Laurence Fishburne.
In March, the stars of the film released public service announcements urging the public to social-distance and wash their hands.

UK deaths pass 16,000

The number of covid-19 patients who died in UK hospitals has risen to 16,060 as of 17:00 BST on Saturday, the Department of Health and Social Care say.
That is an increase of 596 in 24 hours - down from the previous daily death toll of 888.
As of 09:00 BST on Sunday, 482,063 tests have been conducted, with 21,626 tests carried out on Saturday.
A total of 372,967 people have been tested of which 120,067 tested positive.

Rise of the robots?

Search and you will find many sci-fi books and films that predict a future world awash with robot workers replacing humans.
As advances in such technology accelerate, the question is whether fiction is gradually turning into fact?
BBC technology reporter Zoe Thomas investigates whether the current pandemic is speeding up the process.
Read more here.

Equipment delay is a 'real worry'

Nick Triggle - Health Correspondent
The delay to a consignment of personal protective equipment (PPE) from Turkey to the UK is a real worry both in the short-term and long-term.
It is clear the pandemic stocks we have been largely relying on to date are running out, at least in terms of gowns and visors.
It has left the country relying on international supply – certainly for gowns.
Given the international demand for them, this threatens to be an ongoing issue that could cause problems for months to come.
Staff are understandably worried – they are putting their lives at risk.
Ministers and their officials are clearly working hard to do what they can.
But in the future serious questions will need to be asked why this situation has arisen in the first place.

The UK picture

We should be hearing from the UK government in the next 30 minutes, but let’s take a look at the latest from the country first:

• A total of 16,060 people hospitalised with coronavirus have now died in the UK
  
• Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove says the government will take a “balanced judgement” on when to lift lockdown measures
  
• Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has dismissed reports schools will re-open in May, saying “no decision has been made”
  
• A delivery of 84 tonnes of PPE from Turkey that was supposed to arrive on Sunday has been delayed, the government says
  
• New data from the National Care Forum adds to growing evidence the number of deaths in UK care homes may be far higher than those recorded
  
• The opposition Liberal Democrats have called for NHS staff to be given a £29-a-day bonus for their service
  

One World: Together at Home event raises almost $128m

The eight-hour One World: Together at Home music event - broadcast on TV and streamed across the world - raised almost $128m (£102m).
More than 100 musicians took part including Lady Gaga, who helped organise the event, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Common and Taylor Swift.
A statement by organisers Global Citizen said: "World leaders, corporate partners and philanthropists announced their support for the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organisation during the event."
The money raised will be used to help fund vaccine development and local and regional charities, it added.

Williamson: These are not normal times

Gavin Williamson begins the briefing by saying: "On any normal Sunday afternoon, many of you would have been out with family and friends enjoying the sunshine.
"And tomorrow, many children would be going to school after a two week break."
"But these are not normal times and we are asking you to stay at home.
The education secretary thanks people for "all the sacrifices you have made and continued to make", saying it is the "surest way to protect the NHS and save lives".
He confirms the total number of deaths of those in the UK hospitalised with coronavirus has reached 16,060.
"We musn't forget behind every single statistic there is a heartbreaking story," he adds.