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| ‘It’s Very Scary’: U.K. Food Banks Close as Coronavirus Stalls Donations | ‘It’s Very Scary’: U.K. Food Banks Close as Coronavirus Stalls Donations |
| (3 days later) | |
| LONDON — As panicked shoppers in Britain empty supermarket shelves and hoard goods amid the coronavirus outbreak, food banks that depend on donations are struggling to stay afloat, and some have been forced to shut down. | LONDON — As panicked shoppers in Britain empty supermarket shelves and hoard goods amid the coronavirus outbreak, food banks that depend on donations are struggling to stay afloat, and some have been forced to shut down. |
| Vulnerable families who depend on emergency food packages to survive received limited supplies this week as food banks across Britain fell short on items like pasta, tinned vegetables, long-life milk, baby food, diapers and toilet paper. And the winter months, when people in crisis are less likely to meet the basic costs of living, are particularly critical. | Vulnerable families who depend on emergency food packages to survive received limited supplies this week as food banks across Britain fell short on items like pasta, tinned vegetables, long-life milk, baby food, diapers and toilet paper. And the winter months, when people in crisis are less likely to meet the basic costs of living, are particularly critical. |
| “It’s very scary, because everyone is walking around with bags and trolleys full of food stocking up for the next few months, while I’m worrying about whether I have enough food to feed the children this week,” said Angie Fowler, a mother of three who depends on the Chalk Farm food bank in northern London. “If this place closes down, I don’t know what we’ll do. We have no backup.” | “It’s very scary, because everyone is walking around with bags and trolleys full of food stocking up for the next few months, while I’m worrying about whether I have enough food to feed the children this week,” said Angie Fowler, a mother of three who depends on the Chalk Farm food bank in northern London. “If this place closes down, I don’t know what we’ll do. We have no backup.” |
| Even before the coronavirus outbreak, food banks in the country were struggling to meet demands that have steadily increased in recent years. Last year, the Trussell Trust, Britain’s largest network of food banks, delivered 1.6 million three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis — an 18.8 percent increase on the previous year. | Even before the coronavirus outbreak, food banks in the country were struggling to meet demands that have steadily increased in recent years. Last year, the Trussell Trust, Britain’s largest network of food banks, delivered 1.6 million three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis — an 18.8 percent increase on the previous year. |
| “It is possible that food banks will face increased demand as people lose income, at the same time as food donations drop or staff and volunteers are unavailable, due to measures rightly put in place to slow the spread of infection,” said Emma Revie, the Trussell Trust’s chief executive. | “It is possible that food banks will face increased demand as people lose income, at the same time as food donations drop or staff and volunteers are unavailable, due to measures rightly put in place to slow the spread of infection,” said Emma Revie, the Trussell Trust’s chief executive. |
| [Update: Boris Johnson, U.K. Prime Minister, has the coronavirus.] | [Update: Boris Johnson, U.K. Prime Minister, has the coronavirus.] |
| “All of this comes when food banks are already dealing with a record level of need for emergency food,” she said. “We’re working with our network on how best to support people as the situation unfolds.” | “All of this comes when food banks are already dealing with a record level of need for emergency food,” she said. “We’re working with our network on how best to support people as the situation unfolds.” |
| The Islington food bank in northern London said on Monday that it would shut down next week because of a decline in donations and volunteer staff. Other food banks have been reducing their services. | The Islington food bank in northern London said on Monday that it would shut down next week because of a decline in donations and volunteer staff. Other food banks have been reducing their services. |
| The North Paddington food bank in western London, which provides food to more than 100 households each week, said its donations were down 25 percent. On Wednesday, volunteers handed out pre-prepared packages and limited the time people spent on the premises. | The North Paddington food bank in western London, which provides food to more than 100 households each week, said its donations were down 25 percent. On Wednesday, volunteers handed out pre-prepared packages and limited the time people spent on the premises. |
| “We are just focusing on keeping people safe and ensuring they have enough to eat through this crisis,” said James Quayle, the food bank’s manager. “Right now, we are working hard to maintain our own supply chain as donations have become less reliable.” | “We are just focusing on keeping people safe and ensuring they have enough to eat through this crisis,” said James Quayle, the food bank’s manager. “Right now, we are working hard to maintain our own supply chain as donations have become less reliable.” |
| Mr. Quayle said he was surprised by how calm people at the food bank have been in the onset of the outbreak, especially when compared with the panicked shoppers in the supermarkets. “No one is asking for extra,” he said. | Mr. Quayle said he was surprised by how calm people at the food bank have been in the onset of the outbreak, especially when compared with the panicked shoppers in the supermarkets. “No one is asking for extra,” he said. |
| Most food banks anticipate having to deliver more food packages in the coming weeks as people go into self-isolation, an increase that will require additional staff and resources. | Most food banks anticipate having to deliver more food packages in the coming weeks as people go into self-isolation, an increase that will require additional staff and resources. |
| The Sufra food bank, which serves a large number of refugees and asylum seekers, has canceled most of its services. Instead it is providing limited food parcels, and a lack of supplies is forcing most recipients to closely ration their packages. | The Sufra food bank, which serves a large number of refugees and asylum seekers, has canceled most of its services. Instead it is providing limited food parcels, and a lack of supplies is forcing most recipients to closely ration their packages. |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | Updated June 12, 2020 |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| “All the indications are that the U.K. is on the precipice of a recession, which will mean that financial donations to the charity will also start drying up while demand for food aid rises,” said Rajesh Makwana, the food bank’s director. “Add to this the impact of austerity and universal credit, and you can see why this really is the perfect storm.” | “All the indications are that the U.K. is on the precipice of a recession, which will mean that financial donations to the charity will also start drying up while demand for food aid rises,” said Rajesh Makwana, the food bank’s director. “Add to this the impact of austerity and universal credit, and you can see why this really is the perfect storm.” |
| Britain’s biggest supermarket chains, including Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s, introduced restrictions on purchases on Wednesday after shopping aisles were stripped bare within hours of some stores’ opening. They will also reserve the first hour after opening to older people and vulnerable people to ensure them access to essential supplies. | Britain’s biggest supermarket chains, including Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s, introduced restrictions on purchases on Wednesday after shopping aisles were stripped bare within hours of some stores’ opening. They will also reserve the first hour after opening to older people and vulnerable people to ensure them access to essential supplies. |
| Adam Connell, a volunteer who has been delivering packages to seniors and other vulnerable people in recent weeks, fears that the outbreak will push struggling people deeper into poverty and social exclusion. Around 14 million people live in poverty in Britain — about one-fifth of the overall population — according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, an independent social change organization. | Adam Connell, a volunteer who has been delivering packages to seniors and other vulnerable people in recent weeks, fears that the outbreak will push struggling people deeper into poverty and social exclusion. Around 14 million people live in poverty in Britain — about one-fifth of the overall population — according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, an independent social change organization. |
| The loss of food banks carries implications far beyond the distribution of food, executives say. | The loss of food banks carries implications far beyond the distribution of food, executives say. |
| “Foodbanks don’t just provide food — they provide a support network and a social platform for people who would otherwise feel alone and excluded,” Mr. Connell said. “If the spread of the virus gets to a point of crisis like we’ve seen in Italy, I’m not sure how we will be able to continue providing these services.” | “Foodbanks don’t just provide food — they provide a support network and a social platform for people who would otherwise feel alone and excluded,” Mr. Connell said. “If the spread of the virus gets to a point of crisis like we’ve seen in Italy, I’m not sure how we will be able to continue providing these services.” |
| Schools will close starting on Friday throughout Britain, and many parents worry about the added pressures of providing lunches for their children without the help of food banks and other social services. | Schools will close starting on Friday throughout Britain, and many parents worry about the added pressures of providing lunches for their children without the help of food banks and other social services. |
| “It’s already difficult to feed the children during the school holidays,” Ms. Fowler said. “If the schools stay shut and we’re stuck at home all day, I’m not sure how we’ll manage.” | “It’s already difficult to feed the children during the school holidays,” Ms. Fowler said. “If the schools stay shut and we’re stuck at home all day, I’m not sure how we’ll manage.” |
| “I’m already dealing with depression and anxiety,” she said. “I can’t deal with this.” | “I’m already dealing with depression and anxiety,” she said. “I can’t deal with this.” |