Articles in Author: Ben Clark

Articles in News

    1 in 123 people in England likely now infected. Covid levels continue to rapidly rise. High risk of meeting a Covid infected person.

    Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 28 September 2025

    Ben Clark

    Covid infection levels in England continue to rise very steeply, up 23% in the last week. While the overall risk remains High, we are anticipating that it will be raised to Very High next week. If you do not wish to catch Covid, please take precautions now. Please also get your Covid booster if you are eligible, or consider whether you can afford to get one privately.

    As of 28 September, around 1 in every 123 people in England were infected, and the risk of encountering an infected person in most indoor places is now High. Unless the indoor air is fresh, or filtered/purified, good quality PPE respiratory masks are needed to protect yourself. If you need any advice about this, please do ask.

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    A caucasian woman wearing a red blouse and white headscarf looking gravely into the camera, against a neutral grey background

    Covid & Cancer

    Ben Clark

    There is now compelling medical evidence that Covid-19 infections can reactivate dormant cancer cells, and trigger the growth of secondary cancers (metastatic progression). In studies, cancer survivors who contracted Covid had a statistically significant higher risk of cancer-related deaths compared to uninfected cancer survivors.

    This is such an important issue that BuDS has decided to run an awareness campaign over the autumn and winter. The aim of the campaign will be to warn cancer survivors of the very real additional danger that Covid poses to them.

    We have worked hard to give you accurate information. However, you should always speak to your own GP, oncologist, or cancer clinic to get personal medical advice. We are not doctors, and we cannot give you medical advice.

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    1 in 152 people in England likely now infected. Covid levels rise nearly a fifth this week. High risk of meeting a Covid infected person.

    Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 21 September 2025

    Ben Clark

    Covid infection levels in England have again risen sharply over the last week, as have other Covid measures. Infection levels are around a fifth higher, and the overall risk level remains High. It is clear that the next Covid wave is upon us, and we urge everyone take precautions against catching this dangerous virus. Now is also the time to get your Covid boosters (if available to you) as quickly as possible.

    As of 21 September, around 1 in every 152 people in England were infected. This means that the risk of encountering an infected person in most indoor places is now High. Unless the indoor air is fresh, or filtered/purified, good quality PPE respiratory masks are needed to protect yourself. If you need any advice about this, please do ask.

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    A box of paracetamol on a grey background, with a strip of tablets laying over half of the front of the box

    President Trump’s Claims About Paracetamol & Autism

    Ben Clark

    This is a short post from social media, not a full briefing post. So much has been published by reputable sources on this subject already that BuDS has decided to focus on other issues where our input will be more valuable. If you have any questions, please do get in touch.

    Paracetamol – known as Tylenol in the US – does not cause or ‘trigger’ autism. If pregnant women take paracetamol, their chance of having an autistic child is not affected. It is extraordinary that we have to say this, but the bizarre news coming from America means we have to.

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    President Trump wearing a dark jacket and light blue tie speaking with his hands spread in front of him. In the background is seen Robert F Kennedy Jr.

    President Trump’s Claims About Leucovorin & Autism

    Ben Clark

    President Trump has claimed that a particular medication called Leucovorin is a “gamechanger” in autism treatment, and that “it could help make our kids healthy again”. This is entirely false. Leucovorin is a useful medicine to treat a highly specific condition found in some autistic children, but it is not a treatment for autism, and it does not have a significant positive impact on the symptoms of autism.

    BuDS advises that the parents of autistic children, and autistic people themselves, take no notice of Trump’s announcement. It is simply not true.

    This is twice in one week that we have been forced to correct dangerous misinformation from the US President and his coterie.

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    A young woman in a powered wheelchair sits in front of a grey wall with plants on top. She is smiling towards the camera, and is holding a mobile phone in her left hand

    BuDDies Resources

    Ben Clark

    BuDDies Needed Poster

    Use the buttons below to download this poster in various formats.

    This poster is intended to encourage people to become a BuDDy. This poster is not intended to advertise the BuDDies scheme to disabled people looking for a BuDDy. By downloading this file, you agree to respect BuDS’ copyright in the image and only to use it for the purpose intended.

    BuDDies Needed pdf – A4 poster with crop marks. Intended for professional printing.Download
    BuDDies Needed pdf – A4 poster. Intended for web or email distribution.Download
    BuDDies Needed png image – A4 poster. Intended for social media sharingDownload

    A lady with pink hair and wearing a white tshirt sits in a powered wheelchair, talking on the phone. The phone is held to her left ear, and she is smiling. There is a window and sofa in the background.

    Becoming A BuDS BuDDy

    Ben Clark

    What is BuDDies?

    BuDDies is a befriending scheme for disabled people in England who are feeling lonely or stressed at home. BuDDies is available to all disabled people in England who want friendly conversation with someone who understands. It is a free service, and can continue for as long as it is wanted.

    Who are the BuDDies?

    BuDDies are the BuDS volunteers who befriend and support isolated and lonely disabled people. This is a really rewarding role which can be done flexibly, and in your own time. No particular skills or experience are needed, just a friendly, caring, and non-judgemental approach and a willingness to be a “buddy” to someone who needs a friend.

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    1 in 186 people in England likely now infected. Covid levels rise sharply over last two weeks. Covid risk level raised to HIGH.

    Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 14 September 2025

    Ben Clark

    Covid infection levels in England have risen sharply over the last 2 weeks, as have other Covid measures. The overall risk level has risen from moderately high to High. It is clear that the next Covid wave is building fast, and we urge everyone to resume or continue precautions against catching this dangerous virus. Now is also the time to get your Covid boosters (if available to you) as quickly as possible.

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    1 in 224 people in England likely now infected. Covid levels again remain roughly the same. Precautions now needed in nearly all indoor places.

    Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 31 August 2025

    Ben Clark

    After their recent big jump, Covid infection levels in England have again remained roughly static this week. As of 31 August, around 1 in every 224 people in England were infected. A further increase is only a matter of time, and we shall continue to closely monitor the situation. As the overall trend in infection levels is still upwards, we continue to advise people to resume strict precautions.

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