The feared increase in hospitalisations and deaths from Covid-19 has arrived in Bucks, with both totals more than doubling. Also, the most reliable information shows that the Covid-19 pandemic in Bucks has NOT improved, with an incredible 1 in every 19 people STILL infected. Contrary to what you may read in the media, the Omicron pandemic in Bucks is NOT ‘getting better’ or ‘going away’, and it is still essential that everyone takes strict precautions against catching Omicron. Read on for more…
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Back in the Saddle – Update 20
I’ve now reached Bradford and, miracle of miracles, I’ve also passed the half way point! Yippee!!! This virtual challenge of cycling the distance from Land’s End to John o’Groats is taking me far longer than I ever thought it would, but with a bit of stubborn determination and a lot of encouragement from all of you, my amazing friends and family, I am slowly but surely getting there.
Read MoreNew Homeworking Support Grant to Help Clinically Vulnerable People in Bucks
We’d like to share some fantastic news if you are a Buckinghamshire worker who’s clinically vulnerable to Covid-19. There’s a new grants scheme coming soon which can fund your employer to help you work more successfully from home. The grants, of up to £2000, can fund technology, training or new IT and software. You can find full details here: https://bbf.uk.com/business-support/homeworking-support-initiative. Read on for more information.
Read MoreNew Study Presents New Information About Covid-19 Transmission In Air
This is an interesting study about the spread of Covid-19 in the air, but it needs to be treated with great caution. This is because the tests were conducted using the Alpha, Beta and Delta variants of Covid-19, NOT the current Omicron variant. As over 95% of all infections today are Omicron, this means the study is of limited value. Also, the study has not yet been peer-reviewed by other scientists, and therefore may be challenged or changed at a later date.
You can read the full study here, and read a media summary of it here.
Covid-19 Risk Assessment Week Ending 10th January 2022
Omicron infections continue to climb in Bucks, with an incredible 1 in every 19 people now infected. This means it is almost inevitable that you and your family WILL catch Omicron in your normal life unless you take strict precautions. The good news is that the number of people going into local hospitals with severe Covid illness isn’t increasing so far.
Our key message remains that everyone needs to take action to keep themselves safe from Omicron. Read on for more…
Read MoreIs the rate of increase in Covid-19 cases in Bucks slowing down?
The graph below shows that the rate at which the calculated number of infected people in Bucks is increasing seems to be slowing down – the calculated increase for week ending 10 January was only 5%. However, the more reliable ONS Infection Survey data, available to 27 December 2021, has always shown a higher total than figures derived from reported test data and so far continues to indicate a continuing high rate of increase.
Read MoreBuDS’ Analysis of the Prime Minister’s Briefing about the Response to Omicron
The Prime Minister yesterday (4 January) held another Covid-19 press conference. While acknowledging the seriousness of the Omicron emergency and announcing plans to put the NHS and essential services on a ‘war footing’, the PM also said that the Government would NOT be introducing any further precautions to slow the spread of Omicron and instead would ‘ride the wave’. Read on for more…
Read MoreBack in the Saddle – Update 19
I am now in the beautiful Peak District National Park and 49% of the way through my virtual journey. I still can’t quite believe how far I’ve managed to cycle each day for the last few weeks. I’ve even managed 1 day were I hit the heady heights of 5km on my trusty exercise bike! That was what I was thinking I’d be achieving everyday, the whole way through this challenge You never know, at this rate I might make it to John o’Groats by the 1.5 anniversary (24 July 2022) of when I started, rather than my original predicated end date (24 January 2022). However, whenever I get there is fine with me. It’s not like someone’s going to come along and move the finishing post.
Read MoreCovid-19 Risk Assessment Week Ending 3rd January 2022
As Bucks goes back to work and school, sadly Omicron infections remain incredibly high, with 1 in every 25 people now infected. This means it is almost inevitable that you and your family WILL catch Omicron in your normal life unless you take strict precautions. The cautiously good news is that the number of people going into local hospitals with Covid has only increased by a small amount so far – but it is still early days.
Our key message remains that everyone needs to take action to keep themselves safe from Omicron. Read on for more…
Read MoreEvent Volunteers
Pre-Covid, BuDS helped make big public events like Armed Forces Day, town fairs and music festivals more accessible and inclusive for all disabled people. We expect to be resuming this work, in a Covid-safe way, in 2022.
A lot of BuDS’ work is done before the event is held, during the planning phase, but often BuDS volunteers also attend the event itself to help disabled visitors and their families. Typically, BuDS will provide accessible games and activities for disabled adults and children, provide an information point and ‘breakout’ quiet space for autistic people, help staff disabled parking and police viewing areas and wheelchair platforms for disabled people. As an event volunteer, you’ll work on the day of the event as part of the organised and professional BuDS team, doing a range of practical tasks and activities. Full PPE and training are provided. You can do one or more events as suits your availability.