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Articles in Covid-19

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XBB.1.5 Variant Warning

Ben Clark

It’s not the news we wanted to end 2022, but a potentially dangerous new Covid-19 variant has started to spread in the UK. It’s called XBB.1.5 and has gone from 0% to around 2 or 3% of all infections in the UK in less than a month. This is one of the fastest rates of growth of any new variant.

XBB.1.5 is extremely immune-evasive, meaning it can get around immunity you may have from vaccination or having had Covid before, even recently. In the US, where XBB.1.5 has been circulating for a few weeks, it is associated with a much higher level of deaths and hospital admissions than other Omicron variants. This strongly suggests that XBB.1.5 is more likely to lead to very severe illness than other Omicron variants.[1]

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Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 23 December 2022

Ben Clark

There’s no good Covid news for Christmas, as the number of people infected with Covid in Bucks continues to rise. With 1 in 32 people now infected, and 9 infected people in a typical busy supermarket, we’ve raised the risk level to EXTREMELY HIGH. This means that, unless you take precautions when out and about, you are very likely to catch Covid in the next few weeks. Remember, you can still catch Covid even if you are fully vaccinated or have had Covid before – there is no such thing as lasting immunity from Covid.

Our advice remains to wear a FFP2 or N95 filter mask in public places (especially hospitals and GP surgeries), breathe clean air, avoid crowds and busy places, work from home if you can, and protect your older and vulnerable relatives and friends. These simple precautions will help save you and your family from serious illness or long-term disability. Bucks hospitals are already seeing a massive 142% increase in Covid-infected people – don’t be one of them.

Remember, it’s scientifically proven that Covid has hidden serious effects for many people who catch it, even if they are not very ill immediately, including making it more likely that they will get seriously ill with common infections. This is why we are continuing to stress that people should take precautions to avoid catching Covid.

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Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 16 December 2022

Ben Clark

The Covid risk in Bucks is still VERY HIGH. As of 14 December, 1 in 43 people in the county were infected with Covid-19. In your average busy supermarket, there will be seven people breathing out Covid for you to catch. This is probably the beginning of the predicted ‘Winter Wave’ of Covid, though it is hard to completely confirm that – cases are apparently rising much slower than we had initially predicted.

Our advice remains to wear a FFP2 or N95 filter mask in public places (especially hospitals and GP surgeries), breathe clean air, avoid crowds and busy places, work from home if you can, and protect your older and vulnerable relatives and friends. These simple precautions will help save you and your family from serious illness or long-term disability.

Remember, it’s scientifically proven that Covid has hidden serious effects for many people who catch it, even if they are not very ill immediately, including making it more likely that they will get seriously ill with common infections. This is why we are continuing to stress that people should take precautions to avoid catching Covid.

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Attitudes and Hate Crime Project: Victim Support Co-Ordinator

Ben Clark

Disabled people are sometimes subject to abuse, insults or physical violence because of their disability. BuDS’ Fair4All Attitudes & Hate Crimes project confidentially supports victims of disability hate incidents, helps them to report incidents to the police if they wish to do, and works to educate and campaign about disability hate crime.

The Fair4All Attitudes & Hate Crimes project is intended to be led and staffed by BuDS volunteers with the support of a part-time paid Disability Hate Crime Officer. A team of volunteers will support victims of hate incidents and crime with emotional support, practical information and, if the victim wants, reporting incidents to the police and going to court. This voluntary role is about managing this team of volunteers (as well as supporting victims if necessary).

This role would ideally suit someone with experience of supporting victims or people who have experienced tough times and/or managing teams of people.

To view the role description, click here:Download

To apply or express an interest, please email volunteering@buds.org.uk. To arrange an informal chat about the role, please e-mail simonec@buds.org.uk.

Attitudes and Hate Crime Project: Victim Support Volunteer

Ben Clark

Disabled people are sometimes subject to abuse, insults, or physical violence because of their disability. BuDS’ Fair4All Attitudes & Hate Crimes project confidentially supports victims of disability hate incidents, helps them to report incidents to the police if they wish to do, and works to educate and campaign about disability hate crime.

The Fair4All Attitudes & Hate Crimes project is intended to be led and staffed by BuDS volunteers with the support of a part-time paid Disability Hate Crime Officer. A team of volunteers will support victims of hate incidents and crime with emotional support, practical information and, if the victim wants, reporting incidents to the police and going to court.

This role would ideally suit someone with experience of supporting victims or people who have experienced tough times. Disabled people are particularly welcome to apply.

To view the role description, click here:Download

To apply or express an interest, please email volunteering@buds.org.uk. To arrange an informal chat about the role, please e-mail simonec@buds.org.uk.

Attitudes and Hate Crime Project: Awareness & Education Volunteer

Ben Clark

Disabled people are sometimes subject to abuse, insults, or physical violence because of their disability. BuDS’ Fair4All Attitudes & Hate Crimes project confidentially supports victims of disability hate incidents, helps them to report incidents to the police if they wish to do, and works to educate and campaign about disability hate crime.

The Fair4All Attitudes & Hate Crimes project is intended to be led and staffed by BuDS volunteers with the support of a part-time paid Disability Hate Crime Officer. A team of volunteers will produce educational and awareness material, carry out campaigns and projects, give presentations and change minds about disability.

This role would ideally suit someone with experience of educational or awareness-raising campaigns, but this isn’t essential. Disabled people are particularly welcome to apply.

To view the role description, click here:Download

To apply or express an interest, please email volunteering@buds.org.uk. To arrange an informal chat about the role, please e-mail simonec@buds.org.uk.

Attitudes and Hate Crime Project: Police & Criminal Justice Liaison Co-ordinator

Ben Clark

Disabled people are sometimes subject to abuse, insults or physical violence because of their disability. BuDS’ Fair4All Attitudes & Hate Crimes project confidentially supports victims of disability hate incidents, helps them to report incidents to the police if they wish to do, and works to educate and campaign about disability hate crime.

This voluntary role provides the essential link between the BuDS Attitudes & Hate Crime Project and criminal justice agencies, mainly Thames Valley Police and the Crown Prosecution Service. It will help make sure victims are supported properly and have the right support as they engage with the police and courts.

This role would ideally suit someone with experience of working in the police or a criminal justice agency or who has experience of supporting victims in the criminal justice field. However, this is not essential. Disabled people are particularly welcome to apply.

To view the role description, click here:Download

To apply or express an interest, please email volunteering@buds.org.uk. To arrange an informal chat about the role, please e-mail simonec@buds.org.uk.

Second Cold Weather Payment In Buckinghamshire

Ben Clark

A second cold weather payment was triggered this week in Buckinghamshire, covering the period between Monday 12th December and Sunday 18th December. This is an additional £25 on top of the existing cold weather payment, triggered in Buckinghamshire on Sunday 18th December. This is because the cold weather is expected to last for the rest of this week. 

BuDS strongly recommends that disabled people keep their heating on and stay as warm as possible. Cold weather payments are intended to help you pay the cost of the extra heating that may be needed to stay warm in freezing weather. 

It is recommended by the Energy Saving Trust that you set your thermostat at the lowest comfortable setting for you, which should be between 18°C and 21°C. The best temperature will depend on your overall health and your individual circumstances. It is essential that you stay warm in this cold winter weather. Remember that if you have to go outside, it is very likely to be icy which increases your risk of falling. 

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Cold Weather Payments in Buckinghamshire

Ben Clark

A cold weather payment has been triggered in Buckinghamshire today, Sunday 11th December 2022, for the period between Monday 5th December and Sunday 11th December.

A cold weather payment is made if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecasted to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. You will receive £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1st November and 31st March.

To check whether your postcode is eligible for a cold weather payment, please type your postcode into the DWP’S, Cold Weather Payment Checker https://coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk/search.php

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Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 9 December 2022

Ben Clark

The Covid risk in Bucks is still going up. As of 7 December, 1 in 38 people in the county were infected with Covid-19 and the risk of meeting an infected person when out and about remains VERY HIGH. In your average busy supermarket, there will be eight people breathing out Covid for you to catch. This is probably the beginning of the predicted ‘Winter Wave’ of Covid.

Our advice remains to wear a FFP2 or N95 filter mask in public places (especially hospitals and GP surgeries), breathe clean air, avoid crowds and busy places, work from home if you can, and protect your older and vulnerable relatives and friends. These simple precautions will help save you and your family from serious illness or long-term disability.

Remember, it’s scientifically proven that Covid has hidden serious effects for many people who catch it, even if they are not very ill immediately, including making it more likely that they will get seriously ill with common infections. This is why  we are continuing to stress that people should take precautions to avoid catching Covid.

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