OUT IN THE FIELD: Worrying about rising Covid rates and it’s just a Sunday lunch
Public health boss Darrell Gale isn’t a scaremonger. On the few occasions I have met him over recent months – via Zoom meetings obviously – he has been the epitome of a calm measured man who chooses his words very carefully when he talks so eloquently about the risks and spread of Covid-19 across Eastbourne and beyond in the rest of the county of East Sussex. But Mr Gale, the director of Public Health England, is now worried. And if he is worried, we should all be too. While his concerns over the last few days focus more on our neighbours in Hastings and Rother, there is a real fear that if they go into Tier 3, we may well have to get under that umbrella with them too. Mr Gale says we are seeing a worrying rise in Covid infections in parts of East Sussex and we must act now to change this trend – or our lives will get much more difficult. The number of people with new cases of Covid has doubled in the Hastings area in recent days and is climbing sharply in Rother. We aren’t seeing the same rises in other parts of the county yet, but that could change quickly. The good news, he says, is that we can control this situation together. But sacrifices will have to be made. He is adamant people shouldn’t meet anyone indoors unless they’re part of your household or a support bubble; reduce social contact whenever you can: the fewer people we see the less the virus spreads. If you must go out, he continues, avoid crowded places and try and pick less busy times if you need to go shopping; if you get Covid-like symptoms, even a mild cough, self-isolate and book a test – they’re easy to arrange at the site in College Road. Mr Gale’s final points may upset some but it’s common sense advice. He urges us to think carefully about our Christmas socialising. Up to three households will be able to meet in a “bubble” from Wednesday December 23 to the following Sunday. But, he asks, could we manage with less contact just for this year and try to put the virus into reverse here in East Sussex? With the
One thing we can do in a socially distanced sort of way is support local charities this Christmas. There are so many beautifully decorated houses around the town and many of them are collecting for good causes, who have been hit hard by the Covid virus and not being able to hold their usual fundraisers. Look out for them in Boscawen Close, Greenleaf Gardens, Pensford Drive, Sevenoaks Road and Willingdon Park Drive. In Hailsham there are delights to be found in Hawthylands Road. The householders are collecting for charities including The Alzheimer’s Society, Friends of Eastbourne Hospital and St Wilfrid’s Hospice. Take a look and if you can, dig deep.
Until next week, stay safe.