I’m writing to you with my latest update on the response to the
Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic in
Harrow. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌


[CV Update from GT]

Dear John,

As of 00:01 this morning, Harrow enters ‘Tier 4’, which broadly
follows restrictions of the most recent lockdown but has more wider
implications for Christmas plans - restrictions can be found below and
READ IN FULL HERE
[[link removed]]. The news yesterday
will be disappointing for so many across Harrow and across the
country, with Christmas plans suddenly altered with less than a
week’s notice. This will not be an easy Christmas for so many of us
and I am truly sorry if your family has been affected.

It is also very clear that there must now be more support for sectors
in our economy being hardest hit; to protect jobs and to stop further
people being pushed into hardship, particularly in the hospitality and
self-employed sectors. Speaking with businesses in recent months, I
know that hospitality and SME sector are already enduring significant
financial burdens. With salons, gyms and other non-essential
businesses having to close again as well, the Government must urgently
provide a more substantial support package in order to ensure
businesses in Harrow and across the country more widely can survive.
The impact on mental health cannot be overstated, I have included
details of services in the FINDING SUPPORT section below.

Given the serious rise in the number of COVID cases in Harrow and
across London, I am worried about the NHS locally. In the last week,
Harrow has seen 1,134 CASES of COVID, a rise in 710+ CASES from the
week before. Harrow’s latest case rate is now 421 cases PER
100,000, while nationally, the rate is 245. 

DO MAKE SURE TO OBSERVE THE NEW MEASURES AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO FOLLOW
THE PUBLIC HEALTH RULES:

• Everyone must stay at home and may leave only for a limited set of
reasons. Read more [[link removed]]

• You can no longer form a Christmas bubble with other households
– support bubbles remain in place for those living on their own

• You must stay at home except for work (if it can't be done from
home), exercise and recreation, medical reasons, shopping for food and
other essentials or to care for others

• All gyms, leisure and sports centres will close

• Hairdressers and personal beauty businesses must close 

• All non-essential shops, pubs and restaurants must close –
takeaways and deliveries can continue.

• You can only meet with one person from outside your household in
an outside public space

• You should not enter or leave Tier 4 areas, and Tier 4 residents
must not stay overnight away from home

• Children can move between homes if parents are separated

• Places of worship will remain open and funerals will continue but
there must be no mixing of households inside.

While the weekly clapping has stopped, as a community, we are
immensely grateful to all of our NHS staff, social care workers and
all of our key workers that continue to keep us safe and keep our
local services going. I have been speaking with Dr David Lloyd this
weekend, who has described the huge task ahead of the Health Service
in the coming months with vaccine distribution across Harrow – a
huge thank you to the GPs, doctors, nurses, administrators, many
volunteers and everyone in between. I am asking Dr Lloyd questions
that have been sent to him through social media about the vaccine
safety and its distribution, please do share when you see them, it is
important for tackling the misinformation around vaccinations – I am
sharing these across social media channels with links below. 

I hope readers continue to stay safe, socially distance and regularly
check in on loved ones.  Again, people are being urged to remain
vigilant for any symptoms of Covid-19 If you're feeling unwell with
any of the symptoms of Covid, a new continuous cough, high
temperature, or a loss of or change to taste or smell, it's vital that
you get tested. To book a test visit nhs.uk/coronavirus
[/nhs.uk/coronavirus] or call 119. The response to Coronavirus is
being directed by Government centrally working with Public Health
England, the Government’s advice is available here
[[link removed]]. Government
assistance specifically for businesses  is available here
[[link removed]].  

A reminder that if you need to get in touch about the issues covered
here – or anything else – please contact my office on 0207 219
4243 or e-mail me at [email protected]. Please bear
with us, as we have received five times our regular casework
correspondence in recent months and my office will be closing
from WEDNESDAY, 23RD DECEMBER for the Christmas period and
returning on MONDAY, 4TH January. Wishing readers, a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Yesterday’s announcements will have created anxiety and stress for
many. Don't be afraid to reach out for help if you are worried about
your mental health: Samaritans: 116 123 CALM: 0800 58 58 58 Young
Minds: 0800 018 2138 The Mix (under 25s): 0808 808 4994

[Tier 4]

HARROW COUNCIL

[Cases in Harrow]

The council has a webpage covering their own response to the
coronavirus pandemic, this is regularly being updated and is
available here.  
[[link removed]]

VACCINE DISTRIBUTION BEGINS IN HARROW

The first set of vaccinations started last week at The Hive – GPs
are inviting their mobile patients who are aged 80 and over.
Vaccination has also started in the hospital for NHS staff who are
caring for people with Covid and also those people in need of health
care. It is vital that we keep rates down so that the NHS can continue
to treat people that need support. The majority of people in priority
groups will not begin to see invitations for vaccinations until
mid-January.

BOOK A FREE TEST ONLINE
[[link removed]] OR
CALL 119

😷 GETTING TESTED AT A LOCAL TESTING CENTRE: 🧪

·       SOUTH HARROW walk-through testing centre at Brigade
Close Car Park, HA2 0LQ (opposite South Harrow Police Station) - open
daily 8am to 8pm. No parking available at this site.

·       HARROW WEALD, Harrow Weald Recreation Ground, 8am-8pm

·       Mobile Testing Unit, HARROW CIVIC CENTRE - Car Park
‘A’, Milton Road, 10:30 – 15:30

·       Mobile testing site (cars only) on selected days,
10.30am to 3.30pm at NORTHWICK PARK HOSPITAL (Rear car park).

TESTS MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE. ONLY BOOK A TEST IF YOU HAVE
SYMPTOMS.

DR DAVID LLOYD COVID-19 VACCINE Q&A

[Dr David Lloyd]

This weekend, I’m asking questions to Dr David Lloyd 👨‍⚕️
about the Covid vaccine, my first questions are up with more of your
questions and answers to come – WATCH HERE
[[link removed]]

📌 Why should people get the vaccine and is it safe?

Dr Lloyd wants to reassure us that this vaccine is safe and it will
get us out of the terrible state we are in now. The vaccine has been
approved as by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory
Agency) and has been through 3 phases of clinical trials with checks
at every stage in the development and manufacturing process. In the
third phase, it was given to more than 21,000 volunteers with no
serious safety concerns. As with any medicine, vaccines are highly
regulated products and Dr Lloyd wants to reassure everyone that, when
added up, thousands of “man-hours” have gone into this vaccine,
much like previous vaccines that have taken what feel like a longer
time to secure.  💉

📌 Where are vaccinations taking place in Harrow?

The first vaccinations have taken place this week in Harrow, at The
Hive Stadium in Edgware, with Tithe Farm, Rayners Lane FC being the
next ground. A tremendous effort is being made by GPs, doctors,
nurses, managers, administrators and many volunteers all doing a
fantastic job. It’s going to take months and months to get the
vaccine distributed and the NHS locally and nationally will need the
support of many to make it possible. Please get involved if you
can. 💉

KEY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ON THE VACCINE ROLLOUT IN CARE HOMES

HOW DOES THE PFIZER/BIONTECH VACCINE WORK? 

• The vaccine is a messenger RNA (mRNA) which stands for messenger
ribonucleic acid 

• Scientist take part of the virus’ genetic code or RNA, that
tells the cells what to build, and coats them in a lipid so that they
can enter the cells of the body 

• This is what is in the injection that the person receives 

• Once injected the vaccine is translated into a viral protein which
our immune system detects 

• This prompts the immune system to produce anti-bodies and
T-cells 

• If the person encounters coronavirus the anti-bodies and T-cells
are triggered to fight it 

WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE THE VACCINE? 

The NHS is offering all care home staff, other social care staff and
healthcare staff the vaccine. Having the vaccine offers immunity, to
protect you from COVID-19. The more people that have the vaccine, the
more it will help to protect those most vulnerable in our communities
such as care home residents. 

The JCVI advice states that the infection rates are higher in
residential care home staff, than in those providing domiciliary care
of in health care workers. Therefore, care home workers are considered
a very high priority for the vaccine. You can find the JCVI report 
here
[[link removed]].

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS? 

Most side effects are mild or moderate and go away within a few days
of appearing. If side effects such as pain and/or fever are
troublesome, they can be treated by medicines for pain and fever such
as paracetamol. The common side effects are: pain at injection site,
tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever. Side
effects are listed in the information leaflets: 

Public Health England COVID-19 vaccination patient leaflet
[[link removed]]

Public Health England COVID-19 vaccine health and social care
worker leaflet
[[link removed]]

Leaflet on what to expect after your COVID-19 vaccinations
[[link removed]]

IS THE VACCINE SAFE? 

The vaccine has been approved as safe by the MHRA (Medicines and
Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). The vaccine has been through 3
phases of clinical trials. In the third phase it was given to more
than 21,000 volunteers with no serious safety concerns. As with any
medicine, vaccines are highly regulated products. There are checks at
every stage in the development and manufacturing process. 

At your vaccine appointment you will speak to a clinician who will
check that you are suitable to receive the vaccine and can answers any
that questions that you might have. 

WHY ARE CARE HOMES AND CARE HOME STAFF GOING FIRST? 

The independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)
advises that the first priorities for any COVID-19 vaccine should be
prevention of people dying and the protection of health and social
care staff. Older people living in care homes have been affected by
COVID-19 more than other groups, therefore the JCVI has recommended
that they are the highest priority. 

WHEN IS THE VACCINATION PROGRAMME PROPOSED TO START IN OLDER PEOPLE'S
CARE HOMES?

The NHS is preparing to roll out a safe, effective vaccine as soon as
one becomes available. We do not have a specific date for vaccination
to start in older people’s care homes, 

Are mental health and learning disability homes included? 

The independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)
has published advice on priority groups for the vaccine, this include
residents in care homes for older adults and frontline health and
social care workers. The document specifies older adults care homes. 

PANTO FROM HOME

[Intrepid Hill Players]

The intrepid Hill Players of Harrow will not be stopped by a pandemic,
and if they can’t host their usual Panto in the Ryan, they’ll do a
virtual one… (oh yes, they will)!!

The Players have their final live stream panto at 3PM
TODAY. You’re welcome to come along and cheer and jeer from home.
Please share among families, family organisations, care groups, etc,
who might need some cheering up… 

[link removed]
[[link removed]]

CONSIDER BECOMING A STEM CELL DONOR #HELPVEERNOW

[HelpVeerNow]

Harrow born Veer Gudhka, aged 4, has been searching for a matching
stem cell donor for over a year now. It is often very difficult for
people of Asian origin to find their match. Veer's parents have been
appealing to people of all backgrounds, but especially Asians, to step
forward and join the global stem cell register. All it takes to do so
is a simple cheek swab test in your own home! If you are found to be a
match, donation itself is usually as simple as giving blood. So, we
urge you to register today to help Veer and countless others who are
in desperate need of a match and to potentially give them a second
lease of life.

Order your free swab kit today: [link removed]
[[link removed]]

The HelpVeerNow campaign has managed to inspire over 9000 people to
register and one of these 9000 people in India has actually gone on to
donate his stem cells and save someone else’s life! This is why
every registration really does count, so please keep encouraging
others to register as stem cell donors too

You can download an interactive PDF for sharing across your WhatsApp
and Email networks. Please download today and get
sharing: [link removed]
[[link removed]]

Follow @HELPVEERNOW across Facebook
[[link removed]] and Instagram
[[link removed]].

FINDING SUPPORT

Yesterday’s announcements will have created anxiety and stress for
many. Don't be afraid to reach out for help if you are worried about
your mental health: SAMARITANS: 116 123, CALM: 0800 58 58
58, YOUNG MINDS:0800 018 2138, THE MIX (UNDER 25S): 0808 808 4994

FRESH HORIZONS HOMELESS SUPPORT

The Fresh Horizons CND charity based in Wembley has supported
accommodation available for the single homeless in Harrow during the
ongoing coronavirus restrictions. If you or someone you know is in
need of supported accommodation, Fresh Horizons can be contacted by
telephone at 0300 321 4702 or via email at [email protected]

SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Harrow Council, Harrow CCG, and Young Harrow Foundation have put
together a joint document
[[link removed]] signposting
residents to a collection of some of the most helpful and trusted
sources of information and guidance for children and young people’s
wellbeing.

For young people (high school and college age), the
document ‘looking after ourselves’ can be found here
[[link removed]] – covering
how to stay healthy, stay connected and learn new skills during this
time.

SUPPORT AND ONLINE RESOURCES FOR THE FAMILY

Harrow Council have collected a range of online resources
[[link removed]]
 for all members of the family to keep entertained while libraries
are closed. You will be able to find resource to help with homework,
eBooks, newspapers and magazines and keeping yourself healthy and
motivated.

Counselling services and mental health support

•       5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing
[[link removed]]
  - A fantastic primer on stress, anxiety and depression from the
NHS. Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your
mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel
more positive and able to get the most out of life.

·       Relate Family Mediation 
[[link removed]] - a
service fully geared up to supporting families through the crisis.
Tel: 0300 0032324 or email [email protected].

·       DAWN [[link removed]]  - provide
a counselling service to the local community of Harrow and its
neighbouring boroughs. Tel: 020 8427 6796 or
email: [email protected]

·       Need To Talk [[link removed]]  - offering
1 to 1 counselling supporting their clients or any client by telephone
or webcam. Tel: call/ text on 07427548559 or
email [email protected]

·       Ignite Trust 
[[link removed]]  - During these challenging
and uncertain times, Ignite Trust is working hard to ensure they
continue to provide support to the boroughs most vulnerable and
at-risk young people. Email [email protected].

·        [[link removed]] Every
Mind Matters [[link removed]] - Expert
advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health
and wellbeing.

CORONAVIRUS HOTLINE

The council continues to operate a hotline telephone number during
weekends in order to provide support to those in need of assistance in
Harrow - if you are in need of support due to Covid please give the
hotline a call - 0208 901 2698

NHS – ‘HELP US, HELP YOU’ 

NHS England and NHS Improvement recently launched the Access phase of
the ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign. The campaign encourages the
public to contact their GP if they are worried about a symptom that
could be cancer, encourage pregnant women to keep appointments and
seek advice if they are worried about their baby, encourage those
already who are already being treated for a health issue to keep their
routine appointments and those experience mental health issues to
access NHS services and support.. The NHS has introduced a range of
measures to ensure the safety of patients, including COVIDsecure
wards, and the ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign will help to reassure
patients that they can receive medical care safely. Your NHS is here
to see you, safely. Help Us, Help You. 

For cancer: Visit NHS.UK/CANCERSYMPTOMS [/nhs.uk/cancersymptoms]
 for more information 

For using the NHS during coronavirus: Visit NHS.UK/YOURHEALTHMATTERS
[/nhs.uk/yourhealthmatters] for more information 

For pregnancy advice: Visit NHS.UK/PREGNANCY-AND-CORONAVIRUS
[/nhs.uk/pregnancy-and-coronavirus] for more information 

For mental health and talking therapies If you are struggling with
anxiety or depression, please do come forward: it’s easy to get
help. Ask your GP for a referral to NHS talking therapies, or you can
self-refer via   [/ nhs.uk/talk]NHS.UK/TALK [/ nhs.uk/talk]

CAN YOU PROVIDE SUPPORT?

[LCK]

London's Community Kitchen (based at The Bridge, next to Harrow
Leisure Centre) continue to put Harrow on the map. At the height of
the pandemic, this incredible operation served over 10,000 people
across Harrow and London and they are continuing to serve over 5,000
people per week. The Community Kitchen is working with Harrow Council
and many other community groups to coordinate a Harrow wide response
to the Coronavirus outbreak. Please consider donating or getting
involved in any way that you
can: [link removed]
[[link removed]]

If you’re ever in need of their support, the Community Kitchen want
to help - they wont ask you for any details, or anything in return,
just turn up and they will provide you with food. If you would like to
get involved with the Community Kitchen - register
here: [link removed]
[[link removed] ]  
[[link removed] ]and if you
can donate anything, they will make a little go a very long
way: [link removed]
[[link removed]]

HELP FROM ME

[GT Zoom Surgeries]

I appreciate that whilst this outbreak of Covid-19 is currently
dominating a lot of our thoughts, other concerns and problems do not
disappear. However, to help reduce the spread of infection, I am
asking members of the public who need to contact my office to do so by
phone or email rather than in person and further, I will continue to
hold surgery appointments exclusively by telephone and Zoom video
conferencing. This is a temporary measure and a sensible precaution to
protect vulnerable people.  Please be assured we continue to offer a
full service of advice and support to members of the public who need
it. 

My office can be contacted on [email protected] or by
telephone on 0207 219 4243 (Monday-Friday). Please bear with us, as we
have received five times our regular casework correspondence in recent
months. The office will be closing from  WEDNESDAY,
23RD DECEMBER for the Christmas period and returning on MONDAY,
4TH JANUARY. 

STAY SAFE AND WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS,

GARETH

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Sent by email from the Labour Party, promoted by Keith Ferry on behalf
of Gareth Thomas, both at 132-134 Blenheim Road, Harrow, HA2 7AA
Website: www.labour.org.uk to join or renew call 0345 092 2299.

                                             
             

The Labour Party, 105 Victoria St Westminster, London, SW1E 6QT, United Kingdom
[link removed]