tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23086352024112891692024-03-16T15:59:28.470+00:00The Brick CastleParenting and play blog. Skilled at Lego building, mending all things broken or trodden on.
Life with a brood of young people - and how to keep them busy!Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.comBlogger2737125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-35488731459273730592024-03-08T17:45:00.000+00:002024-03-08T17:45:06.033+00:00 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 8th March 2024<div>COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 8th March 2024</div><div><br>World COVID Statistics: 703,975,702 officially reported cases and 7,004,515 losses of life.</div><div><br>4 years since most of the world went into lockdown, a sad milestone as over 7 million people worldwide have now officially died directly from COVID. The true figure is far, far higher, and we'll never know just how many more people did not die directly from acute COVID infection, but had their lives cut short because COVID exists. <br>Sadly this is the sort of data that takes ages to compile, but in 2022 Scientists from Cornell University estimated worldwide deaths due to COVID existing, from the beginning of 2020 until the end of 2021 (the first 2 years of the pandemic), number 14.9 million people. During that time 5.42 million people officially died from COVID.</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb6ejIwfrWjkXjZSF87txxKRWlqO4LKn1mg4U4EUW44rb4AE4kj2OvFLyFR30tzmMaL1XHxsPCJ5mHHrrpipTUKV7IdRxb9U1Dk9jySaLCikyww5rC2of1wn_7GBdnF4bOQyqGzOcOO5pxVhl23AKxJ9EB7AU-oYblEPi76tUJNzmcCyaq46t01ROb-U/s3400/cumulative-excess-deaths-per-million-covid.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cumulative-excess-deaths-per-million-covid" border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3400" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb6ejIwfrWjkXjZSF87txxKRWlqO4LKn1mg4U4EUW44rb4AE4kj2OvFLyFR30tzmMaL1XHxsPCJ5mHHrrpipTUKV7IdRxb9U1Dk9jySaLCikyww5rC2of1wn_7GBdnF4bOQyqGzOcOO5pxVhl23AKxJ9EB7AU-oYblEPi76tUJNzmcCyaq46t01ROb-U/w640-h452/cumulative-excess-deaths-per-million-covid.png" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 8th March 2024" width="640"></a></div><span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2024/03/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-61729022157807920182024-02-23T18:13:00.003+00:002024-02-23T18:13:36.067+00:00COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 23rd February 2024<div style="text-align: left;"><div>COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 23rd February 2024</div><div><br></div><div>World COVID Statistics: 703,586,078 officially reported cases and 6,985,448 losses of life.</div><div><br></div><div>"This week, Member States from around the world are meeting in Geneva to discuss the new Pandemic Accord.</div><div>This agreement is being developed, shaped and decided on by the 194 Member States that make up the World Health Organization.</div><div>Building on the lessons of COVID-19, I broadly see 3 key benefits; the agreement would help countries drive a more equitable response, it will boost collectively health safeguarding and it will enhance cooperation."</div><div>Dr Tedros, Head of WHO (World Health organisation). </div><div>Word is that the talks haven't gone entirely smoothly, with some disagreements and failure to commit, and frankly a jaded response - seems everyone is a bit bored with pandemics right now and can't really face having to learn from their mistakes and get ready for the next one... </div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1D_9Sq8_xql1Hvj_4wx4CZ8NqxDKEJrE3tQERPV4nly12vCQtLbTlf7zeNBDVNrRKzJsOZhFT4mk0UZrYAkdVPoUymT5Yf_FAu5u9hvIllbZuop_iXO1bBmBQKZoBGOzjj56htdXo3yksAQhwUP4j5taqEpjqALCkL7W4kCSgl9mlHXwHOZ4zzaSE6M/s680/Infections%20hurt%20people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Infections hurt people quote from UK doctor" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1D_9Sq8_xql1Hvj_4wx4CZ8NqxDKEJrE3tQERPV4nly12vCQtLbTlf7zeNBDVNrRKzJsOZhFT4mk0UZrYAkdVPoUymT5Yf_FAu5u9hvIllbZuop_iXO1bBmBQKZoBGOzjj56htdXo3yksAQhwUP4j5taqEpjqALCkL7W4kCSgl9mlHXwHOZ4zzaSE6M/w400-h400/Infections%20hurt%20people.jpg" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 23rd February 2024" width="400"></a></div><br><div><div><br></div><div>In the UK all of the COVID stats are going down - positives, hospitalisations and mortality. The unusual double wave has passed, and so has any fear about JN.1. It could have been responsible for the extra peak, but it hasn't got out of control and it's not proven any more dangerous than previous variants. Ahhhh... </div></div><span></span></div><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2024/02/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk_23.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-74697573383609176362024-02-20T14:55:00.002+00:002024-02-20T14:55:30.329+00:00The Traitors Strategy Card Game Review for 4-8 players aged 8 or over. (Sent for review by Ginger Fox Games)<div style="text-align: left;">Missing the BBC TV game show The Traitors already? Don't panic, because now you can play it yourself at home. Ginger Fox Games have released a card game version for 4-8 players aged 8+, and they've sent us a copy to review. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8yFMk20IthRUF69Ia48sxMnUR16HpdRzj70HUaNWlvhVHiZoAt-zWUeQBIwJkSmUgOuYyxyGvQw6v2M2DEyZJAczJhE2LX6gbTxcVhK9G_JLcSf5JV0R53jXWZo0muM_jYN19WJ5rP8ajQOuW-8jvMAK_87nOwG04x7YjZIBWYAzNtlgvpJrFnZ4yg8/s3501/Traitors%20card%20game%20review%20pack%20front%20age%208%20or%20over.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pack front The Traitors strategy card game showing Egyptian style mysterious decor and mystery human wearing black hooded robe" border="0" data-original-height="3501" data-original-width="2525" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8yFMk20IthRUF69Ia48sxMnUR16HpdRzj70HUaNWlvhVHiZoAt-zWUeQBIwJkSmUgOuYyxyGvQw6v2M2DEyZJAczJhE2LX6gbTxcVhK9G_JLcSf5JV0R53jXWZo0muM_jYN19WJ5rP8ajQOuW-8jvMAK_87nOwG04x7YjZIBWYAzNtlgvpJrFnZ4yg8/w462-h640/Traitors%20card%20game%20review%20pack%20front%20age%208%20or%20over.jpg" title="The Traitors card game age 8 or over. Sent for review" width="462"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">Firstly I have to admit to never having watched The Traitors on telly, so this was a complete unknown for all of us. I was worried it would be a vicious and heartless game, but it turns out that isn't the case. This is a very quick game to play, each round takes about 30-45 minutes depending on the number of players, and although it's all about strategy, there isn't really enough time to be mean to anyone else - especially good if you are playing with younger gamers. </div><span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2024/02/the-traitors-strategy-card-game-review.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-51169887771010185902024-02-09T16:35:00.000+00:002024-02-09T16:35:41.889+00:00 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 9th February 2024<div style="text-align: left;"> COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 9th February 2024</div><div><br></div><div>World COVID Statistics: 702,882,810 officially reported cases and 6,980,637 losses of life.</div><div><br></div><div>In England the unusual second peak in hospital admissions for flu over the last few weeks seems to have finally eased (although this cold snap won't be helpful in keeping it down, and we are still likely to see some increased mortality due to having a lot of very sick people already). From Stuart McDonald (COVID Actuaries):</div><div>"Today’s surveillance report from UKHSA shows hospital admissions from flu are within the medium threshold and are no longer on the rise. </div><div>Other indicators such as primary care consultations and ICU admissions are consistent."</div><div>Thank goodness for that.</div><div><br></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikP8v2i3_73SyAopdFVbA63Lr6WILJpmd-ID44jcNiHik20xGBf7xmQYSHa_KS0jrCBnEEH-xLfTLgx-TEQBGTvA24xI10sl0YewfgemA1DrQq6-1Q8dT0O0CnW6NBjPXZuitO-K6b3vwc4-MZd7MXMrOdRktCPDwutL1p3z2IexlppajdXP3lMDKnICo/s1937/England%20COVID%20Hospital%20admissions%20by%20area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="England COVID Actuaries chart Hospital admissions by area" border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1937" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikP8v2i3_73SyAopdFVbA63Lr6WILJpmd-ID44jcNiHik20xGBf7xmQYSHa_KS0jrCBnEEH-xLfTLgx-TEQBGTvA24xI10sl0YewfgemA1DrQq6-1Q8dT0O0CnW6NBjPXZuitO-K6b3vwc4-MZd7MXMrOdRktCPDwutL1p3z2IexlppajdXP3lMDKnICo/w640-h356/England%20COVID%20Hospital%20admissions%20by%20area.jpg" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 9th February 2024" width="640"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via COVID Actuaries</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>In other good news, hospital admissions with COVID are down 20% on last week... ahhhh... and relax (but not too much!).</div><span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2024/02/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-2196674712036334742024-01-26T17:52:00.002+00:002024-01-26T17:52:40.705+00:00 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 26th January 2024<div style="text-align: left;"> COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 26th January 2024</div><div><br></div><div>World COVID Statistics: 702,382,516 reported cases and 6,973,669 losses of life.</div><div><br></div><div>"In the week ending 12 Jan 2024 (Week 2) of deaths registered:</div><div>▪️ 17.7% involved influenza or pneumonia (2,425 deaths)</div><div>▪️ 2.8% involved COVID19 (388 deaths)"</div><div>UK ONS (Office for National Statistics). </div><div>These figures are higher than a normal week in part due to delays from Christmas and New Year, and a lot of people are unhappy that many folk hospitalised with pneumonia are not even being tested for COVID, nor is it considered relevant to these stats if they tested positive a couple of weeks or more previously.</div><div>The good news is that alongside preliminary figures since then, we don't seem to have quite as many people sick with COVID as this time last year. </div><div>The bad news is that we already have a lot of people in hospital with flu, and significant pressure on the NHS, causing 'critical incidents' in several trusts (including Leicester). Unusually we have had 2 flu waves and may not be at the peak of this one for hospitalisations, so fingers crossed that tapers off.</div><div>If you are ill, whatever it may be, please stay home if you can.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxwQBYq3QcBpmn2t2LbfrnZ76xCBNR7p5LkoQ7guvQ-LqURBQbEYY5DLQgh8FTOGzpE9HPigfiDXOkaxzIv14JKkCOdQ4rryuMm6Bm81Cyf4xoKnwLVXXkyM_yV8tEsEyFPv7_8QZIguhvUi7hgVgxgTmUsy_xEGKR3xssfr6IsCOm05_sHGSigrWVFI/s680/WHO%20Measles%20is%20one%20of%20the%20world's%20most%20infectous%20diseases.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="WHO Measles is one of the world's most contagious diseases" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxwQBYq3QcBpmn2t2LbfrnZ76xCBNR7p5LkoQ7guvQ-LqURBQbEYY5DLQgh8FTOGzpE9HPigfiDXOkaxzIv14JKkCOdQ4rryuMm6Bm81Cyf4xoKnwLVXXkyM_yV8tEsEyFPv7_8QZIguhvUi7hgVgxgTmUsy_xEGKR3xssfr6IsCOm05_sHGSigrWVFI/w400-h400/WHO%20Measles%20is%20one%20of%20the%20world's%20most%20infectous%20diseases.png" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 26th January 2024" width="400"></a></div><br><span></span></div><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2024/01/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk_26.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-86484583669694647282024-01-24T14:00:00.001+00:002024-01-24T14:00:52.566+00:00Ad | Simple Steps To Get More Proactive With Your Healthcare In 2024<div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: center;">Simple Steps To Get More Proactive With Your Healthcare In 2024</h3><div>In the pursuit of well-being, a proactive approach is paramount to ensuring a healthier and more fulfilling life. This comprehensive guide provides essential steps and insights to empower you on your journey towards proactive health in 2024. You can lay the foundation for a thriving and balanced lifestyle by addressing various aspects of physical and mental well-being.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoVUOFQQ0GOm7mlLKie_dvFDG2aui40dwo4XCfbH7rG6kRmGjIXlE5VjlZGxngW-wgT3o-wuZxellM5cJKKB3eP3X3U28rCKisMYzdO67fIjVWcJ8pDVPaj6SnkLNIm0HOO4qztrZYKzQxb6KN-xU5xow9q_cfn08tHRqX-7C0Gx1bijy0a_uDqGLS2o/s790/New%20National%20Health%20Service%20leaflet%20cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="National Health Service launch leaflet explaining we are all paying for the NHS" border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoVUOFQQ0GOm7mlLKie_dvFDG2aui40dwo4XCfbH7rG6kRmGjIXlE5VjlZGxngW-wgT3o-wuZxellM5cJKKB3eP3X3U28rCKisMYzdO67fIjVWcJ8pDVPaj6SnkLNIm0HOO4qztrZYKzQxb6KN-xU5xow9q_cfn08tHRqX-7C0Gx1bijy0a_uDqGLS2o/w300-h400/New%20National%20Health%20Service%20leaflet%20cropped.jpg" title="Simple Steps To Get More Proactive With Your Healthcare In 2024" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Embrace A Holistic Approach To Fitness</h4><div>To kickstart your journey towards proactive health, consider adopting a holistic approach to fitness. Instead of fixating solely on traditional gym workouts, explore diverse activities that engage both your body and mind. Activities like yoga, Pilates, or even outdoor exercises can contribute to your overall well-being. This approach not only keeps you physically active but also promotes mental clarity and emotional balance.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Prioritise Mental Well-Being</h4><div>A proactive stance towards health extends beyond physical fitness, encompassing mental well-being. Engage in mindfulness practices such as meditation or <a href="https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/calming-breathing-exercises" target="_blank">deep breathing exercises</a> to alleviate stress and enhance your mental resilience. Consulting with a mental health professional can also provide valuable insights and coping mechanisms tailored to your specific needs.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FzXgijxG37GY6bsn9rHDsP2rfQsWfrzKuxQk6i2bQFxjEOGaQiWXqupmyW6vnZvQ8EaZbHP6iDcmgiJ-7iDzyaW2uY_lyW_qwnxw4fv9OAyg-eXz0Ff1NUgwHu3LbXs7DFGgch1rsOi6Bo0r3NjyYRf46uLo8hSRgW0SAK_j-n0mmb1mlzFHb28Z8HM/s780/how%20to%20help%20worried%20children%20book%20review.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Drawing of young man sitting on the ground looking scared" border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="780" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FzXgijxG37GY6bsn9rHDsP2rfQsWfrzKuxQk6i2bQFxjEOGaQiWXqupmyW6vnZvQ8EaZbHP6iDcmgiJ-7iDzyaW2uY_lyW_qwnxw4fv9OAyg-eXz0Ff1NUgwHu3LbXs7DFGgch1rsOi6Bo0r3NjyYRf46uLo8hSRgW0SAK_j-n0mmb1mlzFHb28Z8HM/w400-h355/how%20to%20help%20worried%20children%20book%20review.jpg" title="Jack And The Worry Wizard book to help worried children" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Cultivate Nutritious Eating Habits</h4><div>Nutrition plays a pivotal role in proactive health. Rather than adhering to restrictive diets, focus on cultivating sustainable and nutritious eating habits. Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains into your diet. <a href="https://www.bda.uk.com/find-a-dietitian.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Consult a registered dietitian for personalised advice</a>, ensuring you meet your nutritional requirements while enjoying a diverse and satisfying range of foods.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Address Skin Issues That Have Been Bothering You</h4><div>Your skin is a reflection of your overall health, and addressing skin issues is a proactive step towards well-being. If you've been dealing with persistent skin problems, consult with a dermatologist. Whether it's acne, eczema, or other dermatological concerns, seeking professional advice ensures effective treatment tailored to your skin type and condition. You can find a lot of medications for skin issues, as well as problems like migraines and hay fever, at an online pharmacy. <a href="https://www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk/" target="_blank">The</a> <a href="https://www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk/" target="_blank">Independent Pharmacy</a> treats 88 medical conditions online, and they offer speedy delivery. Visit their website to find out more.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-uE8-m3qMMtySjqelp14vmGj3MCdLM29DkbzB-GI8J4dxzS87FyqHBKCqyqhymKIysVh73JAVVV79J0XUFvSZfSWiT1wJ14uAhaDlsMt5mVq0IYuepgCbdWPDp1daNBvz0TXZVgVJE8LFVXk8vZ2oSzYHwA4gnJ3kBfEqn0yONhmtomb4aWk5VQQ-nA/s400/Stay%20hydrated%20drink%20water%20or%20juice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Overhead view of 12 small plastic cups filled with different coloured juice drinks" border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="400" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-uE8-m3qMMtySjqelp14vmGj3MCdLM29DkbzB-GI8J4dxzS87FyqHBKCqyqhymKIysVh73JAVVV79J0XUFvSZfSWiT1wJ14uAhaDlsMt5mVq0IYuepgCbdWPDp1daNBvz0TXZVgVJE8LFVXk8vZ2oSzYHwA4gnJ3kBfEqn0yONhmtomb4aWk5VQQ-nA/w400-h304/Stay%20hydrated%20drink%20water%20or%20juice.jpg" title="Stay hydrated drink water or juice" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Stay Hydrated</h4><div>Hydration is often underestimated but is crucial for maintaining optimal bodily functions. Make a conscious effort to stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking an adequate amount of water. Carry a reusable water bottle to encourage consistent hydration, supporting your overall health and well-being.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Foster Quality Sleep</h4><div>Prioritise a good night's sleep as <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/stories/waking-up-to-the-importance-of-sleep/" target="_blank">an essential component of proactive health</a>. Establish a consistent sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and <a href="https://www.thebrickcastle.com/2019/05/sleep-tips-to-improve-your-mental.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ensure your sleep environment is conducive to rest</a>. Quality sleep positively influences physical and mental recovery, contributing to improved focus, mood, and overall vitality.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNFHzzS14UejuKE3qe5QsZKKYh4-P8CmQST4J01_Dvo-vRzcqqbZDjK6btaitNjJNEMQr6-lwFX0_8QCSmr3gyl5lX1zHLAbv82zNjOyv77awekwqaw4W8TyqY06pH24HGEkH7z0hwNc5yD6aR0ANHdvAJWb8E_bb4legPOFmgk4s4un5RdGFX1ELiFY/s386/Top%2010%20Tips%20for%20better%20quality%20sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Young boy fast asleep leaning over the back of a Manchester tram seat" border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="385" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNFHzzS14UejuKE3qe5QsZKKYh4-P8CmQST4J01_Dvo-vRzcqqbZDjK6btaitNjJNEMQr6-lwFX0_8QCSmr3gyl5lX1zHLAbv82zNjOyv77awekwqaw4W8TyqY06pH24HGEkH7z0hwNc5yD6aR0ANHdvAJWb8E_bb4legPOFmgk4s4un5RdGFX1ELiFY/w399-h400/Top%2010%20Tips%20for%20better%20quality%20sleep.jpg" title="Top 10 Tips for better quality sleep" width="399" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Regular Health Screenings And Check-ups</h4><div>Being proactive with your health involves regular health screenings and check-ups. Schedule routine appointments with healthcare professionals to monitor key indicators of well-being. Address any concerns promptly and work collaboratively with your healthcare team to implement preventive measures.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Final Thoughts</h4><div>Embarking on a journey towards proactive health requires a commitment to holistic well-being. By incorporating these essential steps into your lifestyle, you can cultivate a foundation for lasting health and vitality. Remember that proactive health is an ongoing process, and small, consistent efforts lead to significant and sustainable results. Prioritise your well-being and embrace the positive transformations that come with a proactive approach to health in 2024.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-3330679079417598382024-01-23T11:54:00.002+00:002024-01-23T11:57:47.616+00:00Futliit LED Backpack Reviewed By Teenagers (Sent for Review). <div style="text-align: left;">We recently moved to rural Scotland, and a big change for my teenage boys has been walking a mile to and from the school bus down an unlit country lane, often in the dark. I'd seen LED backpacks for younger children, but was delighted when Futliit got in touch to see if we were interested in reviewing their much more teenager-appropriate light up backpack. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLM02lLaX9MZ3bM6xp7tiznI6eiQgmliQVmMrcA8m7MLXcitHcH1X4mTcxnZiL7uc9HQUQUQbIH-knqvHY_p3tYF00BJQT_dmSPdobEPeik-QMezTHGxotqz5Kcp6evuS3iicQNsMQTzGD7oi2qiA_lbIlmh3oZie0lFAn1TG59QrJwHLmZ63YzhRPLY/s1814/Futliit%20Backpack%20review%20with%206ft%20tall%20teenager%20wearing%20backpack%202%20LED%20strips%20lit%20up.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Futliit Backpack review with 6ft tall teenager wearing backpack 2 LED strips lit up" border="0" data-original-height="1814" data-original-width="1812" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLM02lLaX9MZ3bM6xp7tiznI6eiQgmliQVmMrcA8m7MLXcitHcH1X4mTcxnZiL7uc9HQUQUQbIH-knqvHY_p3tYF00BJQT_dmSPdobEPeik-QMezTHGxotqz5Kcp6evuS3iicQNsMQTzGD7oi2qiA_lbIlmh3oZie0lFAn1TG59QrJwHLmZ63YzhRPLY/w400-h400/Futliit%20Backpack%20review%20with%206ft%20tall%20teenager%20wearing%20backpack%202%20LED%20strips%20lit%20up.jpg" title="Futliit LED Backpack Reviewed By Teenagers (Sent for Review)." width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>My initial reaction upon opening the package is that this is an excellent quality bag. The material is still soft, but feels incredibly robust and waterproof. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7x-3oRw7MgiLLdL-Gd88uMb3w9lID23qd3DghTVf8_cFE_BmIYI98o94oV_qj6ezhv3D_VccvrMF_yB5ZYlaBbu__74Qv_ybMGWsFCoO3ayH_T7oJVikkPvhhumwDCefJYugWV1e7fkL4BjzcAhltx4NkHs-ofAKfAvZnWWzLGV9zrb_WngynxnscKU/s3478/Futliit%20Backpack%20strap%20padding%20close%20up%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Futliit Backpack shoulder strap and padding close up" border="0" data-original-height="2609" data-original-width="3478" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7x-3oRw7MgiLLdL-Gd88uMb3w9lID23qd3DghTVf8_cFE_BmIYI98o94oV_qj6ezhv3D_VccvrMF_yB5ZYlaBbu__74Qv_ybMGWsFCoO3ayH_T7oJVikkPvhhumwDCefJYugWV1e7fkL4BjzcAhltx4NkHs-ofAKfAvZnWWzLGV9zrb_WngynxnscKU/w400-h300/Futliit%20Backpack%20strap%20padding%20close%20up%20.jpg" title="Futliit Backpack shoulder strap and padding close up" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The stitching is very well done, and the inside lining is soft and will wipe clean. There are some lovely details which make all the difference, including a strong carry handle on top, and neatly shaped thick padding on the straps and the rear of the bag, as well as the base - this bag is designed to last a long time. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbTtzxklcpd60wCgYo-XhWxq5IE6B-GpSyxl7C7L-1wSwRlSb0AFYxmGcLAJORDyKS9n3xPxPWTgqADf8W2Emt37xwc5_Bv8tau5R4XVYCpiSdjhV-dXmyZzWjxfALAJCOP56B1tacYL3jBvOsaAaY3XO-hxVz8X2Jau4dTnso-GIh3QQNp5tubZfmug/s4032/Futliit%20Backpack%20light%20and%20good%20handle%20on%20top%20of%20bag.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Futliit Backpack light and good handle on top of bag" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbTtzxklcpd60wCgYo-XhWxq5IE6B-GpSyxl7C7L-1wSwRlSb0AFYxmGcLAJORDyKS9n3xPxPWTgqADf8W2Emt37xwc5_Bv8tau5R4XVYCpiSdjhV-dXmyZzWjxfALAJCOP56B1tacYL3jBvOsaAaY3XO-hxVz8X2Jau4dTnso-GIh3QQNp5tubZfmug/w300-h400/Futliit%20Backpack%20light%20and%20good%20handle%20on%20top%20of%20bag.jpg" title="Futliit Backpack light and good handle on top of bag" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The backpack has long straps with plenty of room for adjustment, and they're well secured, with lots of stitching to hold them on firmly - great when your teenagers insist on carrying their PE Kits, damp towels, 48 school books and everything else inside one bag.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguItE3p83iwaqtB6r_8Etg8XMm9Izgog8tE_9fg8Oxz5it41Vppbqw8QmPv3Gk7unVoyJePxmb6WQ5Md6dIW0-PYdrNile5XUdOX7eZb8dnQ_yyk3j8P0yYpgTx3EaAOPUXm_gfydhR29VtTZXG5Vb8A9CdQTW-XltVhZnBukbm0iBhZVGjBw0ioxjz3k/s4032/Futliit%20Backpack%20extendable%20shoulder%20straps%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Futliit Backpack from behind showing extendable shoulder straps" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguItE3p83iwaqtB6r_8Etg8XMm9Izgog8tE_9fg8Oxz5it41Vppbqw8QmPv3Gk7unVoyJePxmb6WQ5Md6dIW0-PYdrNile5XUdOX7eZb8dnQ_yyk3j8P0yYpgTx3EaAOPUXm_gfydhR29VtTZXG5Vb8A9CdQTW-XltVhZnBukbm0iBhZVGjBw0ioxjz3k/w300-h400/Futliit%20Backpack%20extendable%20shoulder%20straps%20.jpg" title="Futliit Backpack extendable shoulder straps" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>Moving on to what is possibly the most important school bag feature, and there are two generously sized zip up main sections. The first has a padded laptop pocket and plenty of space for A4 folders and sheets. The second front zipped section also has plenty of room, plus a large inside zipped pocket, 2 further smaller pockets and a clip for your keys.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_Ga33_aOWFV6ktC_mZ4c1VJy5Xgz6c5H9zAAQiq3JO1y52p4OokrhKfThkeJwFYmST_Ko1uG6rDBn4YwnYNgwzfAFwWqMRPfF1fLkk1EPtPMYcP-r0egSgnvCFtHmWRwBkmKwIYCOE8FL76nBW9IUq4NuKzKAffxd6V6ZSpa1F-46XZvVqVWC9fmOjQ/s3534/Inside%20front%20section%20showing%20pockets%20Futliit%20LED%20Backpack%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Inside front section showing pockets Futliit LED Backpack" border="0" data-original-height="2442" data-original-width="3534" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_Ga33_aOWFV6ktC_mZ4c1VJy5Xgz6c5H9zAAQiq3JO1y52p4OokrhKfThkeJwFYmST_Ko1uG6rDBn4YwnYNgwzfAFwWqMRPfF1fLkk1EPtPMYcP-r0egSgnvCFtHmWRwBkmKwIYCOE8FL76nBW9IUq4NuKzKAffxd6V6ZSpa1F-46XZvVqVWC9fmOjQ/w400-h276/Inside%20front%20section%20showing%20pockets%20Futliit%20LED%20Backpack%20.jpg" title="Inside front section showing pockets Futliit LED Backpack" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The LED lights are the feature that impressed me most before I saw the bag myself, and they don't disappoint. There are 2 completely independent plastic- sleeved strips of LEDs which run alongside the outside zips on the main sections of the bag. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeif2HUcAWBj47QYovfBwBs3TLwM-Qbx41hjRm2X6MKYMlMlFuJuj9EH1Cfy-oZBVW-nB_HAydd8MTs-kDOFrEK-pY1-o2OtsSpFcC8ey6TpRkGTxiLAwDIxUisJ6DBUswooc2uJ5IQuUAIjRmPLhWeamqzVgO-URvWEV_FQjBFctY9net6D07ijkp7h0/s4032/Futliit%20Backpack%20LED%20strip%20around%20smaller%20outside%20section.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Futliit Backpack LED strip around smaller outside section" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeif2HUcAWBj47QYovfBwBs3TLwM-Qbx41hjRm2X6MKYMlMlFuJuj9EH1Cfy-oZBVW-nB_HAydd8MTs-kDOFrEK-pY1-o2OtsSpFcC8ey6TpRkGTxiLAwDIxUisJ6DBUswooc2uJ5IQuUAIjRmPLhWeamqzVgO-URvWEV_FQjBFctY9net6D07ijkp7h0/w300-h400/Futliit%20Backpack%20LED%20strip%20around%20smaller%20outside%20section.jpg" title="Futliit Backpack LED strip around smaller outside section" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Each LED strip has it's own battery and power button, cleverly located at the base of the straps, in a small pocket which fastens neatly closed using press together hook and loop (velcro style) to protect the electrical parts from weather. You only need to open these when changing the batteries - which shouldn't be for a long while yet - and you can feel and press the buttons easily through the fabric, even with gloved hands. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOXMpenWcBo-v-vNuyx0Ikndo-Zpxkfyr3iufo0nCgCHmkgi36SwF7YYyUHjdvenMjFO9SgyDGSk6QMEMkjtFdnLjbrGJ-RFaD9tN7O4KbS_NLUZIu6W2s7dqHE3GTpkJB9nWULIFK9yBrR-pJEqWE7WBKFmv4nTc3lELW_KBOUwGsHzvenBKyfMfxF8/s2601/Futliit%20Backpack%20LED%20lighting%20switch%20and%20battery%20velcro%20pocket%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Futliit Backpack LED lighting switch and battery velcro pocket" border="0" data-original-height="2601" data-original-width="2601" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOXMpenWcBo-v-vNuyx0Ikndo-Zpxkfyr3iufo0nCgCHmkgi36SwF7YYyUHjdvenMjFO9SgyDGSk6QMEMkjtFdnLjbrGJ-RFaD9tN7O4KbS_NLUZIu6W2s7dqHE3GTpkJB9nWULIFK9yBrR-pJEqWE7WBKFmv4nTc3lELW_KBOUwGsHzvenBKyfMfxF8/w400-h400/Futliit%20Backpack%20LED%20lighting%20switch%20and%20battery%20velcro%20pocket%20.jpg" title="Futliit Backpack LED lighting switch and battery velcro pocket" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Press once for rapid flashing LEDs, twice for slower flashing lights, and a third time for static lights. The fourth press turns the lights off. It's super easy to do without even removing your bag from your back, and you can easily see if the lights are on in the dark. Futliit's name is a play on words for Foot and Light, and even with the backpack on your back, it does indeed light up the area around you. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cocn8gDuxhTnoMsmKTXkrTGcomkDLCNWocCKaxajvvAh5dbV4gDT32gOlEStHorhA2iw1QA7pwMzpFTUN9wNLcdttynSPNuFqWNeWGMVwqCYKXjXQmnCGvYNLRQYui2itvuUHjk0HrnrNo320yUSbeE9WLi1yW9CRhxzieLwonKfnwP5T3cVycr0T34/s2788/Futliit%20Backpack%20Review%20both%20strips%20of%20LEDs%20showing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Futliit Backpack Review both strips of LEDs showing" border="0" data-original-height="2788" data-original-width="2788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cocn8gDuxhTnoMsmKTXkrTGcomkDLCNWocCKaxajvvAh5dbV4gDT32gOlEStHorhA2iw1QA7pwMzpFTUN9wNLcdttynSPNuFqWNeWGMVwqCYKXjXQmnCGvYNLRQYui2itvuUHjk0HrnrNo320yUSbeE9WLi1yW9CRhxzieLwonKfnwP5T3cVycr0T34/w400-h400/Futliit%20Backpack%20Review%20both%20strips%20of%20LEDs%20showing.jpg" title="Futliit Backpack Review both strips of LEDs showing" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>If that all wasn't enough, the Futliit backpack also has 3 substantial reflective patches (should you forget to turn on the LEDs), rubber tags to pull the zips open easily while wearing gloves, and tall bottle pockets to either side - with an elasticated top to help prevent you dropping your bottle of water when you inevitably bend over to tie your shoelaces or pick up dropped items. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvcopoMPX6OgWFolsiejzGk9Res7j0TJyHQGXEiyEwxoaTjC09JRbEdjLSXyYDT3-sQLSoe1GHJoeF-a0QzaOasHTrDV_TmRoa806mPjx93_BmckqbHw0Q016m17iqbheG9j2-W96OeaHv0qym5a543J0P25MOFJ2IO7VGUqEyBb_4qjkZDzvvTcgztc/s3026/Futliit%20Backpack%20in%20distance%20one%20strip%20of%20LEDs%20showing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Futliit Backpack in distance one strip of LEDs showing" border="0" data-original-height="3026" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvcopoMPX6OgWFolsiejzGk9Res7j0TJyHQGXEiyEwxoaTjC09JRbEdjLSXyYDT3-sQLSoe1GHJoeF-a0QzaOasHTrDV_TmRoa806mPjx93_BmckqbHw0Q016m17iqbheG9j2-W96OeaHv0qym5a543J0P25MOFJ2IO7VGUqEyBb_4qjkZDzvvTcgztc/w400-h400/Futliit%20Backpack%20in%20distance%20one%20strip%20of%20LEDs%20showing.jpg" title="Futliit Backpack in distance one strip of LEDs showing" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><div>The Futliit Backpack is excellent. My son has been using it for 2 weeks now and he's happy with the size and utility, and he feels much safer walking in the dark. It stands up nicely even when he dumps it on the floor, and it's been fully tested in some pretty heavy wind and rain - without leaking at all. The switches are invisible and subtle, so his schoolfriends don't turn it on every time they walk past, nor does he accidentally turn it on very often - although it has happened once when he stood on it by accident in class. </div><div><br /></div><div>I feel much happier that my son can be seen by traffic much earlier than when car lights catch his reflective jacket - in fact the Futliit backpack itself makes the hi vis glow, so double bonus (you can just see it in the photo below). He's 15, and when he stays out after school he catches a bus 'home' to a nearby town, and as he walks towards the farm we can spot him coming from a very long way away. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9s_m8_vBelzax05F85vepkKfBNC51O7X5ndKqELtmRLSl0txi5nDnJ_VwnkA_GEnwmOAIxD4N5OqrKrciPpkz1AcXH1OHaZ65i-JzmFWh3qpOMD4UkbePD_iCUVkSBQosmIh91e86pCLY_vFKbjXRRpwluttY9AyknDlcMhBxuWk2ZtJ-KF4qKU9IRIw/s2419/Teenage%20boy%20around%20500m%20away%20wearing%20Futliit%20Backpack%20which%20even%20highlights%20his%20hi%20vis%20jacket%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Teenage boy around 500m away wearing Futliit Backpack which even highlights his hi vis jacket" border="0" data-original-height="2419" data-original-width="2419" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9s_m8_vBelzax05F85vepkKfBNC51O7X5ndKqELtmRLSl0txi5nDnJ_VwnkA_GEnwmOAIxD4N5OqrKrciPpkz1AcXH1OHaZ65i-JzmFWh3qpOMD4UkbePD_iCUVkSBQosmIh91e86pCLY_vFKbjXRRpwluttY9AyknDlcMhBxuWk2ZtJ-KF4qKU9IRIw/w400-h400/Teenage%20boy%20around%20500m%20away%20wearing%20Futliit%20Backpack%20which%20even%20highlights%20his%20hi%20vis%20jacket%20.jpg" title="Teenage boy around 500m away wearing Futliit Backpack which even highlights his hi vis jacket" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://futliit.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Futliit LED Backpack</a> is an excellent quality bag that is big enough and strong enough to be a 'proper' school bag for a teenager. It protects excellently against rain and is very comfortable to wear. Both of my boys would far rather carry a Futliit bag than wear the yellow hi vis, and it really does feel like it'll easily last my son the next 2 or 3 years, however hard he is on it. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Futliit LED Backpack currently retails at £79.99 and is available in a warm neutral grey - and at the time of typing they are offering free standard delivery, as well as a 35% discount code on the <a href="https://futliit.co.uk/products/futliit-led-backpack" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Futliit LED Backpack website</a>. Frankly this is a very fair price for what you get (fabulous with the discount), considering that any good quality water-resistant bag is going to cost you around this price anyway - without the addition of LEDs. Futliit have excellent reviews aside from mine, and are hoping to expand the range - they're looking into making bags with multi-coloured lights, and red lights for cyclists. I really do wish them well. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3ON921P8DXE_FiKJo7ra4UbbLWxxmYICA46wtQg_UztOajLlxiOUjbVyQaFKrvFXQc3SqF48bHVNv0OPNRedRZG7NNPWWQB4g1VYd4wzyOLfQPq95cnfBe3JolCHm7bQBjtpQrbgP8NcB-vsq4uMbCcWBTxeG4eGmN9bvB-K56PAGsrLa_WIb2DXxf4/s2574/Futliit%20Backpack%20Logo%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2574" data-original-width="2574" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3ON921P8DXE_FiKJo7ra4UbbLWxxmYICA46wtQg_UztOajLlxiOUjbVyQaFKrvFXQc3SqF48bHVNv0OPNRedRZG7NNPWWQB4g1VYd4wzyOLfQPq95cnfBe3JolCHm7bQBjtpQrbgP8NcB-vsq4uMbCcWBTxeG4eGmN9bvB-K56PAGsrLa_WIb2DXxf4/s320/Futliit%20Backpack%20Logo%20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We were sent out Futliit LED Backpack for my teenagers to review. Natural lighting has been appalling over the past 2 weeks, so I've tried to pick photos which show the true colours, but some variation is unavoidable. I was not offered any other incentive to give a review, and I wasn't paid. I was asked to give my true thoughts, and those of my teenagers, and I have. </i></div>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-22475784104928934802024-01-17T13:16:00.004+00:002024-01-17T13:16:35.637+00:00Simba Hybrid All-Year Duvet Review (with temperature control technology). Sent for review. <div style="text-align: left;">What could be more timely than a duvet review? In this cold, Wintery weather we all want to feel snug and warm, and the Simba Hybrid Duvet really does do the trick. </div><div><br /></div><div>Simba Sleep have sent me their 10.5 Tog all-year Hybrid Duvet with Stratos® responsive temperature control technology. Not only is it warm in Winter, it dissipates excess heat so that you won't be too hot in Summer, so you can use this duvet all year round. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v4zZ2srfJ_3l3DwFW17wFQDXL1WRjBD0xEPE5Yufd0zoz_6t2uGU5V5rG_yulmBS_SRscF48zpGt4YAwIAgKbkz2To9Ek3Xztk4azGWOHwudFTxT-HjNuK_8f3pU8TM0cPeDV_vJW4uC2xZwobMqS4OMxNGkLOE1wUhPjoM8Ds4B_a07XBVnlwNkKXM/s3015/Simba%20Duvet%20Review%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Close up of Simba label showing some duvet fabric all around" border="0" data-original-height="3015" data-original-width="3011" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v4zZ2srfJ_3l3DwFW17wFQDXL1WRjBD0xEPE5Yufd0zoz_6t2uGU5V5rG_yulmBS_SRscF48zpGt4YAwIAgKbkz2To9Ek3Xztk4azGWOHwudFTxT-HjNuK_8f3pU8TM0cPeDV_vJW4uC2xZwobMqS4OMxNGkLOE1wUhPjoM8Ds4B_a07XBVnlwNkKXM/w400-h400/Simba%20Duvet%20Review%20.jpg" title="Simba Hybrid All-Year Duvet Review (with temperature control technology). Sent for review." width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The duvet arrives covered in a 50% recycled plastic bag, with a recycled textile zip up storage bag inside - storage bags are always handy, and it's a really nice touch - plus I love the fact we don't have loads of waste plastic. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkkVpf1lRwhktNMG2xofywBHaehvssAhcF7Jj1D0DES3CO_HzkIlLbejSLn_HtY0P7QHyADu14uAxLl9cjBL4T6rVXWVywvz6MXQ_4K_qAbhABxDU8VFd0XivYvS8825rsmPbQ8hkShBIgnBLaDZ2uU2TxGfgBn6g5w3LL4ni1LJ4yy-eudtyRL_6VU4/s2886/Simba%20Duvet%20Review%20fabric%20storage%20bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Simba Duvet inside recycled fabric storage bag" border="0" data-original-height="2886" data-original-width="2886" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkkVpf1lRwhktNMG2xofywBHaehvssAhcF7Jj1D0DES3CO_HzkIlLbejSLn_HtY0P7QHyADu14uAxLl9cjBL4T6rVXWVywvz6MXQ_4K_qAbhABxDU8VFd0XivYvS8825rsmPbQ8hkShBIgnBLaDZ2uU2TxGfgBn6g5w3LL4ni1LJ4yy-eudtyRL_6VU4/w400-h400/Simba%20Duvet%20Review%20fabric%20storage%20bag.jpg" title="Simba Duvet Review recycled fabric storage bag" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I unzipped the bag and the first thing I noticed was just how luxurious this feels. The plain cotton on the underside of the duvet is super soft, it's almost a shame you won't be sleeping without a duvet cover. </div><div><br /></div><div>The plain cotton layer is breathable, which helps prevent any clamminess, or sweating in Summer. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW87rb79sBJ35AnbviC6ATbgO5SRd_IF6Xed2vhSFMSdfPD8E6Gnvqq6F5AZr7fV_3bKU2ZoArr0IbSJOwqc7mzqHHT4ANE_X3ydB_JGLonvl5OXIB2jFq5Yi9pUXBEPMjIQR9ie2FRjN96qrkMHzRCMR8dkstOBY6V_45eNaWD-MHYnlOZz7tzmetn6g/s4032/Simba%20duvet%20folded%20inside%20open%20storage%20bag%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Simba duvet folded inside open storage bag" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW87rb79sBJ35AnbviC6ATbgO5SRd_IF6Xed2vhSFMSdfPD8E6Gnvqq6F5AZr7fV_3bKU2ZoArr0IbSJOwqc7mzqHHT4ANE_X3ydB_JGLonvl5OXIB2jFq5Yi9pUXBEPMjIQR9ie2FRjN96qrkMHzRCMR8dkstOBY6V_45eNaWD-MHYnlOZz7tzmetn6g/w400-h300/Simba%20duvet%20folded%20inside%20open%20storage%20bag%20.jpg" title="Simba duvet folded inside open storage bag" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The top side of the duvet is also cotton, and is a geometric patterned fabric which has a distinct feel to it. Brand new out of the packet it rustles a little, but once you have the cover on and start using the duvet, any perceptible rustling swiftly goes away. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRh_OJb4aGzTHCjAiD8bdUMfE5BQgAmW1qx3sMA58ZtK0cEpb1B5BvngoB0FVfjOJ3FjP-n-mVVBcy6CF1fMWNfOuzD23H6qeSpkNowSiaHTMGc7Ssr0iA7_PMrpQ31OBMsL0xULkjc4kn31wwrW7qeMW2Asvrtz_GnubJc9aJDcK2OjMIv4COKMfSks/s2519/Simba%20Stratos%20fabric%20close%20up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Simba Stratos fabric close up and folded over so you can compare cotton underside and topside" border="0" data-original-height="2519" data-original-width="2518" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRh_OJb4aGzTHCjAiD8bdUMfE5BQgAmW1qx3sMA58ZtK0cEpb1B5BvngoB0FVfjOJ3FjP-n-mVVBcy6CF1fMWNfOuzD23H6qeSpkNowSiaHTMGc7Ssr0iA7_PMrpQ31OBMsL0xULkjc4kn31wwrW7qeMW2Asvrtz_GnubJc9aJDcK2OjMIv4COKMfSks/w400-h400/Simba%20Stratos%20fabric%20close%20up.jpg" title="Simba Sleep Duvet Stratos fabric close up" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The pattern isn't just there to be pretty. This is the Stratos® responsive temperature control technology. It works by drawing excess heat away, so you can be comfortable and cosy, but not too hot - this is especially handy for people going through menopause or otherwise prone to heating up during the night. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnwSP_wCL7PVleTjf-VoSIg2ZrI0kopdg4E7xl49MmcYPq8AnoC_u29nVNYm49KyLJZr6tZ24mS94QYvxBljJvpk42OlIkHXS35kLoTzwUKw3FABzF7jYp09k3udehZxyOkDRSYCaXUPNF-zAWkRJFPF_D80X0hUv5rb_2Qw2c0uaaJCgyk2QruXupps/s2186/Simba%20duvet%20with%20Stratos%20temperature%20control%20label%20close%20up%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Simba duvet with Stratos temperature control label close up" border="0" data-original-height="2186" data-original-width="2186" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnwSP_wCL7PVleTjf-VoSIg2ZrI0kopdg4E7xl49MmcYPq8AnoC_u29nVNYm49KyLJZr6tZ24mS94QYvxBljJvpk42OlIkHXS35kLoTzwUKw3FABzF7jYp09k3udehZxyOkDRSYCaXUPNF-zAWkRJFPF_D80X0hUv5rb_2Qw2c0uaaJCgyk2QruXupps/w400-h400/Simba%20duvet%20with%20Stratos%20temperature%20control%20label%20close%20up%20.jpg" title="Simba duvet with Stratos temperature control label close up" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Simba's website explains that within the duvet are super soft polyester Simba Renew Bio-fibres, to keep you cosy and warm. I can't argue with that. It's plump and soft, but not heavy - it was easy for me to change the cover alone. It's also nice and warm - my partner was away with work last night and our bedroom dropped to around 8 degrees, but I still woke up this morning snug and comfortable.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuxkH-mdFqk3PT7iqWRY8x4-4zk73fHEZ3rbYKBdUxuXltnHCgUgjE2lG_HUZPwQePjViP_7IXT7pEif3H5gwGhaPBmhG8jZ5iT2asGOgS9IfvrENSo4dbSMEAO5DCHoGpSMnrXWrO3wzOFIllvWXgTfq_4LBJcfo0NQNmIAJmzsy02DcZDHRoPoam0s/s4032/Simba%20duvet%20rolled%20up%20showing%20fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Simba duvet rolled up showing fabric" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuxkH-mdFqk3PT7iqWRY8x4-4zk73fHEZ3rbYKBdUxuXltnHCgUgjE2lG_HUZPwQePjViP_7IXT7pEif3H5gwGhaPBmhG8jZ5iT2asGOgS9IfvrENSo4dbSMEAO5DCHoGpSMnrXWrO3wzOFIllvWXgTfq_4LBJcfo0NQNmIAJmzsy02DcZDHRoPoam0s/w400-h300/Simba%20duvet%20rolled%20up%20showing%20fabric.jpg" title="Simba duvet rolled up showing fabric" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>There are some really nice details with the Simba Duvet. There are tags attached with information, including which way around the duvet should be used - so you don't end up turning it around or trying to fit it into the duvet cover the wrong way. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdkdLStFJoF_ISQUkvS4QSfvGaQ5Z259jwNR9URs8i2dYFOVO6EQ-tajP4d3cgn2aR_jT6IiOI6vEBABTpROTDMffXQUNow6oMnmYDJvzckqMitr_Zuhuo9W-zBZMOjDZTmac42zECBZMpY0ahHYDryV5yGT_T43RmFEQeHwzDjDLcHkr9z9Q4b5cNuA/s3024/Simba%20Duvet%20label%20showing%20which%20way%20to%20be%20used%20on%20the%20ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Simba Duvet label showing which way to be used on the ed" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3022" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdkdLStFJoF_ISQUkvS4QSfvGaQ5Z259jwNR9URs8i2dYFOVO6EQ-tajP4d3cgn2aR_jT6IiOI6vEBABTpROTDMffXQUNow6oMnmYDJvzckqMitr_Zuhuo9W-zBZMOjDZTmac42zECBZMpY0ahHYDryV5yGT_T43RmFEQeHwzDjDLcHkr9z9Q4b5cNuA/w400-h400/Simba%20Duvet%20label%20showing%20which%20way%20to%20be%20used%20on%20the%20ed.jpg" title="Simba Duvet label showing which way to be used on the ed" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The tags also show you size (UK King size 225 x 220cm), density of filling (10.5 tog 650gsm) and care instructions. Simba duvets are machine washable, and can even be tumble dried on a low heat.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBjPWhzFHV3teCA1p7y_nm407y8jKaWJUB8HlNPpQh6wwxZsF31cIEtoA7oW6fZ2XWqMLTDj4K6lBB19vhRCmFUbaf9W5zq3tRIBOe0-N_b9p8kca5CW34ljXkFO398NNTCe7glY1oJ-edfGres1Nmn1TT0vdjRHBtjZqdSq-dCVtkfELPMBfWPDJOco/s2542/Simba%20Duvet%20fabric%20label%20cotton%20outers%20and%20polyster%20filling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Simba Duvet fabric label cotton outers and polyster filling" border="0" data-original-height="2542" data-original-width="2533" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBjPWhzFHV3teCA1p7y_nm407y8jKaWJUB8HlNPpQh6wwxZsF31cIEtoA7oW6fZ2XWqMLTDj4K6lBB19vhRCmFUbaf9W5zq3tRIBOe0-N_b9p8kca5CW34ljXkFO398NNTCe7glY1oJ-edfGres1Nmn1TT0vdjRHBtjZqdSq-dCVtkfELPMBfWPDJOco/w399-h400/Simba%20Duvet%20fabric%20label%20cotton%20outers%20and%20polyster%20filling.jpg" title="Simba Duvet fabric label cotton outers and polyster filling" width="399" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><div>Simba are keen on being green, and the scannable QR code on the duvet tag takes you to a page explaining <a href="https://simbasleep.com/pages/welcome-hybrid-duvets#anchor--when-your-duvet-arrives" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">how to recycle your packaging, and care for your new Simba duvet</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiJlNkmxkOO0_0GgsfkjWQdN4wbJ5crf78EvSyr-DKm-bu2ADssKWk39rDmcdJtE_Ob185sAnoI7TB090jSWZBbZX-OHjpwucHR1kcHB76BkoCa04sDVMH5z2N0mrT8P6Jd0s-z_GZPdqYo0SD9lIqUDjFTefV74DflIwqzRbQhhj13CyXeFI8GbUNCo/s4032/Simba%20Sleep%20Duvet%20Review%20on%20the%20bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Simba Sleep Duvet on the bed" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiJlNkmxkOO0_0GgsfkjWQdN4wbJ5crf78EvSyr-DKm-bu2ADssKWk39rDmcdJtE_Ob185sAnoI7TB090jSWZBbZX-OHjpwucHR1kcHB76BkoCa04sDVMH5z2N0mrT8P6Jd0s-z_GZPdqYo0SD9lIqUDjFTefV74DflIwqzRbQhhj13CyXeFI8GbUNCo/w480-h640/Simba%20Sleep%20Duvet%20Review%20on%20the%20bed.jpg" title="Simba Sleep Duvet Review on the bed" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>We were sent a King Size Hybrid Duvet, Simba Sleep Hybrid Duvets are available in all standard UK sizes, including Super King. Quite honestly I can't fault it. I've slept under my new duvet for 5 nights and been warm and cosy, but never too hot. I haven't woken up clammy or uncomfortable, and I've slept through for over 6 hours on 2 of those nights, which is a really rare thing for me, and has probably only happened on 2 other nights in the previous 2 years. </div><div><br /></div><div>My youngest 2 boys and I sat on the bed last night and watched a movie, and they were full of praise for how comfortable it was to sit on, and even Sonja the cat seems to have taken particular delight in jumping about on it, and settling down for her twice hourly catnaps. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0k5k4mNRm0v-YKGJIyKL8bOPpFlTKjc6FcvLjC4p-XH1DuBD7riiE8JYwVS6KhmPtsXNtBhkOowGjhHnjuv3M0MsUVeppqWVqnWtUaYlFHI2Bn3R7hOTf5oDMFXo_oK_JrqPBEUohUXOleg6-SS88zEt2M_-FYA1M3Go8Bex44TYNwNDuMl8KwWqt8Q/s3024/20240110_162110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cat lying comfortably on duvet without any cover on" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3023" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0k5k4mNRm0v-YKGJIyKL8bOPpFlTKjc6FcvLjC4p-XH1DuBD7riiE8JYwVS6KhmPtsXNtBhkOowGjhHnjuv3M0MsUVeppqWVqnWtUaYlFHI2Bn3R7hOTf5oDMFXo_oK_JrqPBEUohUXOleg6-SS88zEt2M_-FYA1M3Go8Bex44TYNwNDuMl8KwWqt8Q/w400-h400/20240110_162110.jpg" title="Sonja the cat enjoying a lie down on a Simba duvet" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I've also found that my duvet hasn't moved about within the cover - which is possibly one or all of 3 different reasons as far as I can see, and they're all good:</div><div>1. It fits incredibly well and is perfect 'king size'</div><div>2. Clever design and patterned fabric hold it nicely in place</div><div>3. We don't move about as much when we are asleep, because we are already comfortable. </div><div><br /></div><div>The years have taught me that beds and duvets are an area where you really do 'get what you pay for'. A £50 duvet might be handy for camping or occasional guests, but if you want to look after your own wellbeing with a regular good night's sleep, and don't want to have to buy a new duvet every few months, then you definitely shouldn't skimp on quality. In that respect I think it's well worth spending some money on a product that not only cares for you, but will outlast any cheap alternative, and quite likely save you money (and sanity) in the long run. </div><div><br /></div><div>Simba Sleep offer very fair value for money for the quality of their product. At the time of typing they have duvet discounts of 35% for anyone buying a mattress and duvet together, a 40% off Hybrid Mattress sale, and also offer carbon neutral, free, next day UK delivery. Our King Sized <a href=" https://simbasleep.com/products/hybrid-duvet-with-stratos" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hybrid Duvet with Stratos responsive heat control technology</a> for all-year-round use is currently priced at £249 (single £139), and if every good night's sleep was worth £2, I think you'd get your money's worth very quickly. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We were sent our duvet for review by Simba Sleep, but I did not accept any payment or other incentive, and my review is all my own words. The review is positive because I am genuinely very happy with my 10.5 tog Simba Sleep Hybrid Duvet. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-33220899642841168042024-01-12T18:11:00.000+00:002024-01-12T18:11:11.118+00:00 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 12th January 2024<div style="text-align: left;"> COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 12th January 2024</div><div><br></div><div>World COVID Statistics: 701,603,634 officially reported cases and 6,967,340 losses of life.</div><div><br></div><div>Hello again after my longest break in 4 years - and Happy New Year to you all! I hope your festivities went well and you spent time with people you love. Glad to have you with us... 2024 off we go... </div><div><br></div><div>"We are entering the 5th year of the pandemic and we are certainly in a different phase. This phase is marked by an evolving virus (with the XBB and BA.2 sublineages circulating and JN.1 becoming dominant).</div><div>It’s marked by reduced impact compared to the peak of COVID19 a few years ago, but it’s still a global health threat and it’s still a pandemic causing far too many (re)infections, hospitalisations, deaths and long covid when tools exist to prevent them."</div><div>Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, COVID technical lead for The World Health Organisation (WHO), trying very hard in her end of year message to remind us that the COVID pandemic isn't over, and we should all do the simple stuff like stay home when you are ill, and wearing masks when in busy enclosed spaces. </div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaxTb7R1TxLQlPknuErvNksZBG4cz6JqZUXWyrvWuQQRERXjMv19Rem4XMdYxN80CpQQ1C-xM2aewniEYRsr7VB-_vgNY5Y5RgsqY-HnVvps4wKT_qpZqyw_x2PwWBlEixlFZC5ORf7TUep0e1ZOZoy7hiG5nU0xDQPvUe3QGs2zTWfCzrBxDu0kI9Lg/s1200/120124%20UKHSA%20Stats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="120124 UKHSA Stats" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaxTb7R1TxLQlPknuErvNksZBG4cz6JqZUXWyrvWuQQRERXjMv19Rem4XMdYxN80CpQQ1C-xM2aewniEYRsr7VB-_vgNY5Y5RgsqY-HnVvps4wKT_qpZqyw_x2PwWBlEixlFZC5ORf7TUep0e1ZOZoy7hiG5nU0xDQPvUe3QGs2zTWfCzrBxDu0kI9Lg/w360-h640/120124%20UKHSA%20Stats.jpg" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 12th January 2024" width="360"></a></div><div><br></div><div>Over the past 3 weeks the UK Health Security Agency and mainstream media have avoided saying "COVID" as much as possible. We've had warnings about Flu, RSV, seasonal illness and 'cold weather making lung conditions worse', but if you can find COVID mentioned, it usually isn't in the headlines. </div><div>The Guardian ran an interesting piece about a surge in English hospital admissions due to flu, with "an average of 1,313 people in hospital with the virus each day during the week ending 31 December", but read on and you discover "an average of 3,929 people in hospital" with COVID each day during the same week. This is despite very little testing, even reportedly in people admitted to hospital with obvious symptoms. </div><div>You just can't make something go away by pretending, however hard you try.</div><span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2024/01/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-29230164704540463722023-12-22T15:46:00.004+00:002023-12-22T15:46:51.500+00:00 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 22nd December 2023<div style="text-align: left;"> COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 22nd December 2023</div><div><br></div><div>World COVID Statistics: 700,057,262 officially reported cases and 6,958,594 losses of life.</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFfIkW6D5zqFs0hYr4hOuh0KXbldOejqr6wr8uDBiecbk12Ng5eG-pGc6__7YOusXe5Vhu5uRic7FnBqm6bHM4AF_fgt633yfTaBFmbXyr4EmfBe8SqRArWE9N0sZaIMHt5Rq7Q88KSH9_IMEDdVSeXGOMcKiAyvq8XcfwA3vbWAHNv4cNTgBTlab-BU/s680/NHS%20SAD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Seasonal affective disorder can affect anyone, helpful hints from UK NHS" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFfIkW6D5zqFs0hYr4hOuh0KXbldOejqr6wr8uDBiecbk12Ng5eG-pGc6__7YOusXe5Vhu5uRic7FnBqm6bHM4AF_fgt633yfTaBFmbXyr4EmfBe8SqRArWE9N0sZaIMHt5Rq7Q88KSH9_IMEDdVSeXGOMcKiAyvq8XcfwA3vbWAHNv4cNTgBTlab-BU/w400-h400/NHS%20SAD.jpg" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 22nd December 2023" width="400"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div>"UKHSA estimates that prevalence of COVID in England and Scotland has nearly tripled in the month since the ONS restarted its COVID infection surveillance."</div><div>John Roberts, COVID Actuary.</div><div>We expected a rise, but yowsers. Aren't we glad we got our surveillance data back... erm... hmm. </div><div>Here from the UKHSA:</div><div>"There has been an increase in prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in England and Scotland during the 2 weeks leading up to 13 December 2023."</div><div>- England, estimate 4.3%, equivalent to 2,333,000 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Around 1 in 24 people. </div><div>- Scotland, estimate 4.1%, equivalent to 215,000 individuals. Around 1 in 24 people.</div><div>- Prevalence was higher for individuals aged between 18 to 44 years than for those aged over 65, and was estimated to have increased across all age groups in the 2 weeks up to 13 December 2023.</div><div>- In some areas of London prevalence looks like it might (last week) be as high as 1 in every 12 people.</div><span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2023/12/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk_22.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-2675329950604166662023-12-08T18:34:00.007+00:002023-12-08T18:34:58.658+00:00COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 8th December 2023<div style="text-align: left;"><div>COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 8th December 2023</div><div><br></div><div>World COVID Statistics: 699,001,023 reported cases and 6,948,566 losses of life.</div><div><br></div><div>3 years ago today, 90 year old Margaret Keenan was the first person in the UK (and the world) to be vaccinated against COVID as part of a general immunisation rollout.</div><div>Last interview I can find with her was a few months ago, at which time she was healthy and well with no regrets. </div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYe_826SocjM2bfQJHNnDyhXdRIx29SUvp_Xo5FUNJnxGNNzSAJImXao5cGH3MYufitP-ssCYQ6Tl_HlzKJx7xHCXO0U8d8ULvv4RGfxoQZXar6QT7iwnrHlsB9b2UkuIXb9lFONV-Dnp5ZQOkmw_G_i3nacTAOm8Vuotz_Fh8T4lEm8aZwfYNzYRw2E/s680/WHO%20Get%20vaccinated%20COVID%20is%20still%20everywhere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="WHO COVID Isnt over get vaccinated text and image of lady" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYe_826SocjM2bfQJHNnDyhXdRIx29SUvp_Xo5FUNJnxGNNzSAJImXao5cGH3MYufitP-ssCYQ6Tl_HlzKJx7xHCXO0U8d8ULvv4RGfxoQZXar6QT7iwnrHlsB9b2UkuIXb9lFONV-Dnp5ZQOkmw_G_i3nacTAOm8Vuotz_Fh8T4lEm8aZwfYNzYRw2E/w400-h400/WHO%20Get%20vaccinated%20COVID%20is%20still%20everywhere.jpg" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 8th December 2023" width="400"></a></div><br><span></span><span></span></div><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2023/12/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-41606728358695030942023-11-24T15:55:00.002+00:002023-11-24T15:56:02.674+00:00COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 24th November 2023<div style="text-align: left;">COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 24th November 2023</div><div><br></div><div>World COVID Statistics: 698,216,394 officially reported cases and 6,942,772 losses of life.</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGShNBvxwDLNi955C7udGj9aJRErPoTXpVPgasMmM7nbzawjI6NUZm3eqrDaqEwJhX_Ql_IRpFsTYwAIuZsNgcHck-NaFs19qCIjrn0ao_bG85sVslR9PyiwFhx-e8K8Fx8eH4OhYzPz26jBKPkbn52_jGVoAjraT9ZFf3cxymTA4hbKB_Z7wSYM5hNdg/s680/WHO%20loneliness%20causes%20illness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="WHO loneliness causes illness image of man with risk factors in thought bubbles eg. dementia" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGShNBvxwDLNi955C7udGj9aJRErPoTXpVPgasMmM7nbzawjI6NUZm3eqrDaqEwJhX_Ql_IRpFsTYwAIuZsNgcHck-NaFs19qCIjrn0ao_bG85sVslR9PyiwFhx-e8K8Fx8eH4OhYzPz26jBKPkbn52_jGVoAjraT9ZFf3cxymTA4hbKB_Z7wSYM5hNdg/w400-h400/WHO%20loneliness%20causes%20illness.jpg" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 24th November 2023" width="400"></a></div><div><br></div><div>According to latest NHS figures and reported by COVID Actuaries, hospital admissions with COVID in England decreased by 12% in-week. Biggest decrease NE & Yorkshire (-22%) and the NW (-20%). Acute bed occupancy is down by 10%, on top of a 15% drop last week (although at the end of October England had less than 4,200 beds unoccupied in total, so really needed that decrease).</div><span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2023/11/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk_24.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-57317084323340646992023-11-13T13:23:00.002+00:002023-11-13T13:25:24.358+00:00The Ghost In The Attic Mystery Agency Puzzle Game Review Age 14+ (sent for review)<p>
The Ghost In The Attic is an absolutely fantastic 'The Mystery Agency' escape-room type puzzle-solving game
for as many players as you like, aged around 14 or over. Play is co-operative,
and you'll need all of those different brains with different skills in order
to beat the game. I'm proud to say we did, in around 2 hours - all of which we
enjoyed immensely.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxJ0sjEyqEWyLU-B7njg6oWjfsB5B2-BCvyd6oLt2phoK6mbpA-31yOPKXzr_AALAHJKCFx-7_mcswTMoSp9AX6zvqsOlxGHN-tRFLgK6mveoAoW0wU4Vp1sYZLxwWIM0VtPk2knR7I64GxSSuBVrQx1vwSi9I72fSMo1_l2k45geP023ZJ-ck1l-YAg/s3765/The%20Ghost%20In%20The%20Attic%20Mystery%20Agency%20Puzzle%20Game%20Review%20Age%2014+%20(sent%20for%20review).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Ghost In The Attic Mystery Agency Puzzle Game outer box front like cardboard packaged parcel" border="0" data-original-height="2661" data-original-width="3765" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxJ0sjEyqEWyLU-B7njg6oWjfsB5B2-BCvyd6oLt2phoK6mbpA-31yOPKXzr_AALAHJKCFx-7_mcswTMoSp9AX6zvqsOlxGHN-tRFLgK6mveoAoW0wU4Vp1sYZLxwWIM0VtPk2knR7I64GxSSuBVrQx1vwSi9I72fSMo1_l2k45geP023ZJ-ck1l-YAg/w400-h283/The%20Ghost%20In%20The%20Attic%20Mystery%20Agency%20Puzzle%20Game%20Review%20Age%2014+%20(sent%20for%20review).jpg" title="The Ghost In The Attic Mystery Agency Puzzle Game Review Age 14+ (sent for review)" width="400"></a></div><p>The Ghost In The Attic is an 'escape room' type game, where you follow clues
and solve puzzles in order to discover the solution. Sent to us for review by
<a href="https://www.happypuzzle.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Happy Puzzle Company</a>, this is without any doubt THE BEST
mystery/puzzle/escape type game I've ever played (including in-person escape
rooms). It is incredibly well written and beautifully put together.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjS9LdCcbcth2yETJcugb8QRmtcDdOb56omfIWVmpLahtnJKXkYfCyLToah42MZ6MZOjdNsWwjt_NS-kPG_LDutir2xhCOOh7IH26SH0fnylAweEbrWD7i3F6bE71O40y0WZrGSNB7MO8vgEmLPzYyxwh9P7ptjwMkx5nV46IZcAwI-gInMelOh7bhg6g/s2587/The%20Ghost%20IN%20The%20Attic%20puzzle%20home%20escape%20room%20game%20box%20contents.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Ghost IN The Attic puzzle home escape room game box contents" border="0" data-original-height="2587" data-original-width="2587" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjS9LdCcbcth2yETJcugb8QRmtcDdOb56omfIWVmpLahtnJKXkYfCyLToah42MZ6MZOjdNsWwjt_NS-kPG_LDutir2xhCOOh7IH26SH0fnylAweEbrWD7i3F6bE71O40y0WZrGSNB7MO8vgEmLPzYyxwh9P7ptjwMkx5nV46IZcAwI-gInMelOh7bhg6g/w400-h400/The%20Ghost%20IN%20The%20Attic%20puzzle%20home%20escape%20room%20game%20box%20contents.jpg" title="The Ghost IN The Attic puzzle home escape room game box contents" width="400"></a></div><div><br></div><span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2023/11/the-ghost-in-attic-mystery-agency.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-29493210210114896522023-11-10T16:20:00.007+00:002023-11-10T16:27:23.633+00:00 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 10th November 2023<div style="text-align: left;"> COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 10th November 2023</div><div><br></div><div>World COVID Statistics: 697,638,516 reported cases and 6,937,323 losses of life.</div><div><br></div><div>"A&E depts in England in October saw worst performance this year.</div><div>Nearly 30% waited more than 4 hours to be treated or assessed.</div><div>Nearly 45,000 had to wait more than 12 hours for a bed after decision to admit."</div><div>Some demoralising stats there, neatly summed up by BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkViUQTpzyeKixdmwgxo5DXlEIf6XuS0DKAQxKu6xh3wQks6gJXjS_JsQvVhekGENsfkoSx51t3dy0GvJuLuojWWzpxm6nEBFw8pa3rvSOAK5r2e8hpbBq6BRQQ_GD1R_F7K09koMSzAFkPMc7I4USdvVrQyzqaNliWfhXdX2baqJ8sxhhhfuvFL_tTko/s1899/101123%20COVID%20Actuaries%20hospital%20admissions.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="101123 COVID Actuaries hospital admissions" border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1899" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkViUQTpzyeKixdmwgxo5DXlEIf6XuS0DKAQxKu6xh3wQks6gJXjS_JsQvVhekGENsfkoSx51t3dy0GvJuLuojWWzpxm6nEBFw8pa3rvSOAK5r2e8hpbBq6BRQQ_GD1R_F7K09koMSzAFkPMc7I4USdvVrQyzqaNliWfhXdX2baqJ8sxhhhfuvFL_tTko/w640-h362/101123%20COVID%20Actuaries%20hospital%20admissions.png" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 10th November 2023" width="640"></a></div></div><div><br></div><span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2023/11/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-27641319580216960852023-11-09T12:21:00.000+00:002023-11-09T12:21:20.050+00:00The Christmas Express Family Board Game Review (age 6+) Sent by Cheatwell Games For Review<p>
Our latest review for Cheatwell Games is Christmas Express. Designed for 2 to
4 players aged around 6 or over, this a very nicely illustrated family board
game with the aim to get your 'train' all the way to the North Pole first
- without sliding backwards down a bridge or getting caught in a
snowstorm.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_INSkuLTMKXKGhV_tzKSiePF2fqzXWC1iNNrks3jV9DZ5TNmNKEaOVoW4FjD4Vu_Qdj3JJipbCaHtDrXwsGH3fjLFRsB1fjGrcALJZTFiaR9EkWg6F4i6R5mjTrbY7dZQfUuiH1NWNl8n0Dkj_JiB9pNYl-FqH2p5QNuKYjKzlpLgDNFMZqbYkUvm1z4/s2941/20231012_150013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Christmas Express Game box front showing large colourful text, and cartoony illustrated snowy forest North Pole scene" border="0" data-original-height="2941" data-original-width="2913" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_INSkuLTMKXKGhV_tzKSiePF2fqzXWC1iNNrks3jV9DZ5TNmNKEaOVoW4FjD4Vu_Qdj3JJipbCaHtDrXwsGH3fjLFRsB1fjGrcALJZTFiaR9EkWg6F4i6R5mjTrbY7dZQfUuiH1NWNl8n0Dkj_JiB9pNYl-FqH2p5QNuKYjKzlpLgDNFMZqbYkUvm1z4/w396-h400/20231012_150013.jpg" title="The Christmas Express Game Review (age 6+) Sent by Cheatwell Games For Review" width="396" /></a>
</div>
<div><br /></div>
The illustrations really are excellent, this is an attractive, bright and
colourful game, with a very festive feel. The player pieces are card, with 8 cute animal characters to choose from, so everyone is happy.
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0yYIFu0BquZ9r2AhRn2GYm9peTvfF07abUFzL0MJVVtm9J857FdBaMYAlTi7N-TszbyZoLjCWK6920xfm4hsVs8iFzJvHqLq3KWJfmdUP5HyemFNr3Qqs902-HB37ARMAH5MomDITE3EWrDuRJhS0oyp6WoYCy4VZeGUxk3KFkebZPf35e_9JW6m2aY/s2970/20231012_150142.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Christmas Express Game box contents showing colourful bright friendly characters and game board" border="0" data-original-height="2228" data-original-width="2970" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0yYIFu0BquZ9r2AhRn2GYm9peTvfF07abUFzL0MJVVtm9J857FdBaMYAlTi7N-TszbyZoLjCWK6920xfm4hsVs8iFzJvHqLq3KWJfmdUP5HyemFNr3Qqs902-HB37ARMAH5MomDITE3EWrDuRJhS0oyp6WoYCy4VZeGUxk3KFkebZPf35e_9JW6m2aY/w400-h300/20231012_150142.jpg" title="The Christmas Express Game box contents showing colourful bright friendly characters and game board" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<div><br /></div>
Movement around the board is via a hand of cards. Each time it's your turn,
you pick up cards so that you have 5 in your hand. Most give a number of
spaces to move forward, but some are more specialised....
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
If you collect 3 of the same numbered cards, then you can advance directly to the next train station. In
gameplay we've found that has only occurred an average of once each game - it
really doesn't happen as often as you'd imagine.
</div>
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjQnzFt3iYnCj-ZQnf1bSVJhUwJzeroWSbyX5bvnJnZiLXkCXQQiYRyWWIQtl6FE3QOp0CY2atqxhQV1KoMPvpmR1U7G3beY6Npjji60zO576BKXtEh51-gyU2OlmaYImBZQeMx9Aa-zv21-HZzoRHOYbrdMj95Ihx6NV5kgZG7fU9brsCjZmMeQXsFo/s2992/20231012_150221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Christmas Express Game numbered card examples" border="0" data-original-height="2245" data-original-width="2992" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjQnzFt3iYnCj-ZQnf1bSVJhUwJzeroWSbyX5bvnJnZiLXkCXQQiYRyWWIQtl6FE3QOp0CY2atqxhQV1KoMPvpmR1U7G3beY6Npjji60zO576BKXtEh51-gyU2OlmaYImBZQeMx9Aa-zv21-HZzoRHOYbrdMj95Ihx6NV5kgZG7fU9brsCjZmMeQXsFo/w400-h300/20231012_150221.jpg" title="The Christmas Express A fun board games night for the family" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<br />Special cards include Hustle Bustle, Snow Storm and Santa, and you
choose which card (or cards) to play each time it's your turn. When a special
card is played, it triggers a specific action - you can swap places with
whoever is in the lead, move other players backwards, make someone miss a turn
and other dastardly deeds.
</div>
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9StUAbxVuhR6x7okjqj0cZT3JAaxhVMGCMZihCFx22AMBsve9EqSkVLeHFnecNDvjQGYr8wUzDdkaW5z3hXgyGzJPbLdhZaN3BhnB-H50a2JpcpHQLq4Bs2a70DVfcBPeNR3G085CWSRCVIe5cQMdk1oWNprpixAEYt04MX78pTu8LcgOQ6RwFLBJCJg/s3024/20231029_174800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cheatwell Games Christmas Express Game playing card examples, showing movement and special cards" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9StUAbxVuhR6x7okjqj0cZT3JAaxhVMGCMZihCFx22AMBsve9EqSkVLeHFnecNDvjQGYr8wUzDdkaW5z3hXgyGzJPbLdhZaN3BhnB-H50a2JpcpHQLq4Bs2a70DVfcBPeNR3G085CWSRCVIe5cQMdk1oWNprpixAEYt04MX78pTu8LcgOQ6RwFLBJCJg/w640-h640/20231029_174800.jpg" title="Cheatwell Games Christmas Express Game special event cards" width="640" /></a>
</div>
</div>
<div><br /></div>
The meanest of the cards in my family's opinion is Naughty Elf, which moves
another player to the top of the bridge. You can use this to push them back
quite a long way if you are battling it out to land on the final North Pole
square. You might not want to play this one with a 6 year old in that
position, I know it would have caused upset in our house. A 15 year old, not
so much.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The kindest card is obviously Santa, who saves the day by blocking most of the
other special cards - even the Naughty Elf. <br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66UMvZSAaerWu9igvSq12yVHdJjUTicCgzjDjfKQacj-mYZPDOyGuiTc2Xbnqmj9wduCOs-oXgBW7F49O_2qI6O4pUgwYvDdsbEdOGa5Q5wB4MOiTkVwbXWPjVSl9eAIgyyZ_zndQzea8iebf5fXpCeU-v-sJH_51E2QsEe0gQl4dSRO1ou_gbwUE7TE/s4032/20231029_174911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66UMvZSAaerWu9igvSq12yVHdJjUTicCgzjDjfKQacj-mYZPDOyGuiTc2Xbnqmj9wduCOs-oXgBW7F49O_2qI6O4pUgwYvDdsbEdOGa5Q5wB4MOiTkVwbXWPjVSl9eAIgyyZ_zndQzea8iebf5fXpCeU-v-sJH_51E2QsEe0gQl4dSRO1ou_gbwUE7TE/w400-h300/20231029_174911.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66UMvZSAaerWu9igvSq12yVHdJjUTicCgzjDjfKQacj-mYZPDOyGuiTc2Xbnqmj9wduCOs-oXgBW7F49O_2qI6O4pUgwYvDdsbEdOGa5Q5wB4MOiTkVwbXWPjVSl9eAIgyyZ_zndQzea8iebf5fXpCeU-v-sJH_51E2QsEe0gQl4dSRO1ou_gbwUE7TE/s4032/20231029_174911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>
</div>
</div>
<p>
For what appears to be a fairly regular 'from start to finish' board game,
there can be a lot of strategy in The Christmas Express Game. Having 5 cards
to choose from does mean you always have options, and they are really quite
varied. You can hold on to certain cards until the perfect moment, and
destroy someone else's chance of winning, or streak into the lead. It can
actually be quite harsh if you are a very competitive person who is
determined to win. Likewise, it can feel very rewarding to block someone else's attempt to snow on your own section of the railway line. </p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3pIbRX-rKkNJvIjAWdSgHcGlDEztb9BwaIbKRJkmBv9Iv90duJhy7PkI8BL-f_JRWcUVYElKNAAXzw1lmoOh2J2PNAbIBF3n1KiRcXpEfctkDZ6iHXkU5JpFDnnurVmwELW1BKd4qSnzGMaaliQtAwMxEr5_8R0PXd0Et5psHwZ_etvh0R6BTHfiXzo/s4032/20231029_164259.jpg"><img alt="Three people sitting at a small table playing The Christmas Express" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3pIbRX-rKkNJvIjAWdSgHcGlDEztb9BwaIbKRJkmBv9Iv90duJhy7PkI8BL-f_JRWcUVYElKNAAXzw1lmoOh2J2PNAbIBF3n1KiRcXpEfctkDZ6iHXkU5JpFDnnurVmwELW1BKd4qSnzGMaaliQtAwMxEr5_8R0PXd0Et5psHwZ_etvh0R6BTHfiXzo/w640-h480/20231029_164259.jpg" title="The Christmas Express Cheatwell gameplay" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<p></p>
<p>
Each game we've played has taken under an hour. The Christmas Express Game
has a 'snakes and ladders' feel to it, but with much more opportunity for
strategy and gameplay. You find yourself travelling up and down the board a
lot, especially when the race hots up, and it's never a straight line 'start
to finish'. My competitive boys and partner really love the way this
plays - I'm always too soft to be ruthless, so I feel guilty whenever I have
to hobble another player, especially when they are younger.
</p>
<p>
The Christmas Express Game was sent to us by Cheatwell Games for review. It
is designed for 2-4 players aged 6+, and ideal for family games night. It's
beautifully decorated and a really fun and festive treat, which will make
you feel warm and cosy and Christmassy - even the Naughty Elf.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbJ2PbccsSyanQQayXGFcVPF91WWyRl3Ew5YsKhyT5T-2cY5rqJeCtx3qzl2mM7R3Mj7ejhb8fo29UkWwLKxlCPNaEUzZxPdch3vq-4kG-tEx3yTWglRU8j8DMPkVczAF00DXUrP9DfHFztGgz_4I8vcm915EWKpNo8RA1D2ZNtSIhN13U_c-qCkV2kk/s2652/20231029_172528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Christmas Express game in action, showing teenager looking at board while other boy makes a move" border="0" data-original-height="2652" data-original-width="2652" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbJ2PbccsSyanQQayXGFcVPF91WWyRl3Ew5YsKhyT5T-2cY5rqJeCtx3qzl2mM7R3Mj7ejhb8fo29UkWwLKxlCPNaEUzZxPdch3vq-4kG-tEx3yTWglRU8j8DMPkVczAF00DXUrP9DfHFztGgz_4I8vcm915EWKpNo8RA1D2ZNtSIhN13U_c-qCkV2kk/w400-h400/20231029_172528.jpg" title="The Christmas Express Game from Cheatwell how to play" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Our copy of The Christmas Express Game was sent to us by Cheatwell Games for
review. It's available from Amazon for a very good price - just £15.49
at the time of typing, although full RRP is still a very reasonable £22.99.
I've left an Amazon affiliate link below with the latest price... </b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thebrickcastl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B08WLXY22Z&asins=B08WLXY22Z&linkId=e306f4689cba1df73537fc00c1b0e7c4&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></p><p><br /></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>We were sent our copy of The Christmas Express family board game for review. I was not paid or offered any other incentive, and this review is all my own thoughts and words. Amazon links are affiliate, which means I earn a few pence if you buy through my link, but you won't ever pay a penny extra. </i></p>
</div>
Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-29104319472581928232023-11-07T14:22:00.005+00:002023-11-07T14:24:55.627+00:00Cheatwell Games 'Host Your Own Family Quiz Night' Game Review (age 8+, sent for review)<p>
Host Your Own Family Quiz Night has been sent to us for review by Cheatwell
Games. Recommended for 2 or more players aged around 8 or over, you play as 2
opposing teams. All of the cards have 2 general knowledge questions - one of
which is more suitable for the adults, and one a little easier (and sometimes
more recent) with multiple choice answers for the younger family members. We
played adults vs kids, and it was brilliant.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvne9-kmC7CWY1KMZNo2fza7BiG0Old2yrW2n8FQBm6FA5mFn4NxVNFsE7npq-dfBn1wzgjPRjHbkmhZUVeuLNb8VJvsmfY9kVUucjUbnzP_8NGO0s084hVNzsYovvRG8m2g3P4ZF2CFh-XJlNJ96uPrnqjAfQPYXJz01Vk_38BBrJ_8Yat_O0t9bXTI/s2740/20231012_150445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Host Your Own Family Quiz Night Game Box Front with large logo" border="0" data-original-height="2740" data-original-width="2740" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvne9-kmC7CWY1KMZNo2fza7BiG0Old2yrW2n8FQBm6FA5mFn4NxVNFsE7npq-dfBn1wzgjPRjHbkmhZUVeuLNb8VJvsmfY9kVUucjUbnzP_8NGO0s084hVNzsYovvRG8m2g3P4ZF2CFh-XJlNJ96uPrnqjAfQPYXJz01Vk_38BBrJ_8Yat_O0t9bXTI/w400-h400/20231012_150445.jpg" title="Host Your Own Family Quiz Night Game Review (age 8+, sent for review)" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<p>
The game board is relatively small, so you can play without having to clear a
big table, and play is instant - set up from brand new took about 2 minutes.
Putting the game away is just as quick.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtcYId7nsZKrFtylB9KpGukhTFsUyUi6RJq2bXcIW6fdlb7aqb9XdcxmMM1AWvO_vp3S5p7Rz_vXgnvgvfRTrHrpGVjbIPTovGLes7ahD_QifuljnvPy4tgf_RGDlf9gGdUHaEHWm8gSpnEGsbEdnfEliLET_Zbm4CLVqHAG6TGsc0PbOWK77GgeCzNc/s2947/20231012_150614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Host Your Own Family Quiz Night Game opened with contents spread out" border="0" data-original-height="2947" data-original-width="2947" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtcYId7nsZKrFtylB9KpGukhTFsUyUi6RJq2bXcIW6fdlb7aqb9XdcxmMM1AWvO_vp3S5p7Rz_vXgnvgvfRTrHrpGVjbIPTovGLes7ahD_QifuljnvPy4tgf_RGDlf9gGdUHaEHWm8gSpnEGsbEdnfEliLET_Zbm4CLVqHAG6TGsc0PbOWK77GgeCzNc/w400-h400/20231012_150614.jpg" title="Host Your Own Family Quiz Night Game box contents" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<p>
The questions are split into 8 themes, and the board has corresponding spaces,
so if you land on 'People', then you get a 'People' question. It's really
varied, and the questions very well selected, so none of the categories
actually became dreaded or favoured (even Geography).
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_PpKYyPvVmqO986gV3Wh3S_Ty-dT3HTJfJteeK6qHc8G72YCUHuMaV6_Js89Ihyphenhyphenyrku8_UehTimUxuGm7KbtmKkzDVOOFpFDz5yGHgAZbm5-UHzHqQSaOXpuftC8RbMqkcSo9NnRA_JYA2Y9BnmbXhkV3CwdsOxjUTH_SV26jqrJN9HVcVAW6QP6_x8/s3024/20231012_150829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Host Your Own Family Quiz Night Game board showing categories" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_PpKYyPvVmqO986gV3Wh3S_Ty-dT3HTJfJteeK6qHc8G72YCUHuMaV6_Js89Ihyphenhyphenyrku8_UehTimUxuGm7KbtmKkzDVOOFpFDz5yGHgAZbm5-UHzHqQSaOXpuftC8RbMqkcSo9NnRA_JYA2Y9BnmbXhkV3CwdsOxjUTH_SV26jqrJN9HVcVAW6QP6_x8/w400-h400/20231012_150829.jpg" title="Host Your Own Family Quiz Night Game Board" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<p>
Whenever you get a question correct, you roll the dice again for another
question, and the aim of the game is to get exactly to the centre first. It
means occasionally there's a lot of distance between teams, but that advantage
can disappear very quickly!
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9389KrnGMx0rpEU71jtGiWw-orwYAUIChB32icQ-LqN1tEtmrfXXzfHnbjUNFGqHDOFjEY89c8dvm-onKQitIIEBDEEdFk6XsJaF39z0mXC3VsHL6tE-glSpJnvKHAiUmFFDwV-AuiyVQEyel2PSSyuY6arBtYuuGoyqnaPAjGFHr-4eGmVQgnqGvh8/s2653/20231029_160201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Boy sitting thinking about question answer for family quiz night" border="0" data-original-height="2653" data-original-width="2653" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9389KrnGMx0rpEU71jtGiWw-orwYAUIChB32icQ-LqN1tEtmrfXXzfHnbjUNFGqHDOFjEY89c8dvm-onKQitIIEBDEEdFk6XsJaF39z0mXC3VsHL6tE-glSpJnvKHAiUmFFDwV-AuiyVQEyel2PSSyuY6arBtYuuGoyqnaPAjGFHr-4eGmVQgnqGvh8/w400-h400/20231029_160201.jpg" title="Gameplay for Family Quiz Night game" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<p>
Each game we've played has lasted around 30 minutes, which is a really great
length of time to play, and means if you are playing with younger children,
they won't lose interest and wander off. We could all see quick progress
forward, and it actually makes it really exciting and fast paced game.
</p>
<p>
Playing a quick 30 minute game is incredibly handy when you are short on time,
or want to warm up for something more serious!
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJKomjfajRajlJM3t4Z2qzi4x1f9fip0efzMwZMhTYlu750itZWutnY-uy8Ox4zcyQWa53RIs0BGpYiMBW7JEfg8ms2CavUelNMK6VtXK99hUbQEo4ekhVXLaMh_QTvoMPJVUNwcS1OjXEMVaj_OxcKFVA8t2RoIWOfFY9yrIvvaFHGw0dVOQC0_reYg/s3629/20231029_163348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Two teenagers playing family quiz night game" border="0" data-original-height="2999" data-original-width="3629" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJKomjfajRajlJM3t4Z2qzi4x1f9fip0efzMwZMhTYlu750itZWutnY-uy8Ox4zcyQWa53RIs0BGpYiMBW7JEfg8ms2CavUelNMK6VtXK99hUbQEo4ekhVXLaMh_QTvoMPJVUNwcS1OjXEMVaj_OxcKFVA8t2RoIWOfFY9yrIvvaFHGw0dVOQC0_reYg/w400-h330/20231029_163348.jpg" title="How to play Cheatwell Family Quiz Night board game" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<p>
Host Your Own Family Quiz Night is genuine fun. Nothing frustrated anyone,
no-one became disappointed that they weren't doing so well, and the mix of
board game and general knowledge quiz works really well. The questions really
are excellently compiled, they aren't too tricky, or too easy!
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMmH6Ce7ELWvr1NNhJpiWqGpiRBqPoYhUcdnLUzxB2_CB3iP0dgN6Tf0dndWi85j4jv4rUBcdwIWWHP1rizPbVuAEZJHNpKyo8heCUQ0Xh0qKzIpI2l5Y1TSC9bEFfDlDvcv-uZWivE50UxTw7g8H9Fnh87qMPNRkVgn3L9CfShzTSnjS9vWHnQy9vVg/s2459/20231012_150737.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cheatwell Family Quiz Night game question cards" border="0" data-original-height="2459" data-original-width="2459" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMmH6Ce7ELWvr1NNhJpiWqGpiRBqPoYhUcdnLUzxB2_CB3iP0dgN6Tf0dndWi85j4jv4rUBcdwIWWHP1rizPbVuAEZJHNpKyo8heCUQ0Xh0qKzIpI2l5Y1TSC9bEFfDlDvcv-uZWivE50UxTw7g8H9Fnh87qMPNRkVgn3L9CfShzTSnjS9vWHnQy9vVg/w400-h400/20231012_150737.jpg" title="Cheatwell Family Quiz Night game question card examples" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<p>
This is an incredibly user-friendly game too. It's a great choice for a family
or group of any ages - as the fact there are 2 different questions means
everyone plays on an even par together, and the 2 opposing teams gameplay
means anyone else can come into the room and join in with one of the teams at
any point.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>
Host Your Own Family Quiz Night is recommended for 2 or more players aged 8 or over, and it's an excellent quiz game, especially ideal
for multi-generational play, for when you only have half an hour, or if you
want a warm up game. The price is also incredibly good, at the time of typing
reduced to £17.49 on Amazon (affiliate link below) - regular full price is
still very fair at £26.99. </b></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thebrickcastl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B08TXWBRBT&asins=B08TXWBRBT&linkId=19cce21f68ff01a6c9c4cbd37c87ebb8&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>
We were sent our copy of Host Your Own Family Quiz Night by Cheatwell Games
for review. We were not paid or offered another incentive, and my review is
entirely my own thoughts and words. Amazon links earn me a few pence if you buy through my link, but you never pay a penny extra. </i></p>
Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-49833713178391153532023-10-27T15:52:00.001+01:002023-10-27T15:52:46.549+01:00COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 27th October 2023<p dir="ltr">COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 27th October 2023</p><p dir="ltr">World COVID Statistics: 697,032,594 officially reported cases and 6,932,236 losses of life.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJPr0tTroxX6FFKFXK-K2giG9eqMv5waZDi_oFHcPxATibPBJzrHFJ3Rh-IeCFbu7LnVkeAUr2olQyiDxV19KXeP-NSv3UnX8peUpQ-jsxyaP8RuSctFwgv11sj9AjMTgMXMgRhH2ewHfB8mnED_Z5aAZGlPxKR244QCRp5oM6HBW7V9L3Q-IQobt5CRI" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJPr0tTroxX6FFKFXK-K2giG9eqMv5waZDi_oFHcPxATibPBJzrHFJ3Rh-IeCFbu7LnVkeAUr2olQyiDxV19KXeP-NSv3UnX8peUpQ-jsxyaP8RuSctFwgv11sj9AjMTgMXMgRhH2ewHfB8mnED_Z5aAZGlPxKR244QCRp5oM6HBW7V9L3Q-IQobt5CRI" width="400">
</a>
</div><p dir="ltr">Hospital admissions with COVID in England have gone down for 2 weeks running. It looks hopeful this wave could have actually peaked and be on the downturn. If so, none of the newer, quicker variants have managed to get through our immunity better than their ancestors, and haven't even spread quickly enough to have an impact - whoot! The early booster roll out could also have been a very prudent move. Fingers crossed, what happens next makes a difference to what happens at Christmas.</p><p dir="ltr">By latest UK Government count (which is insanely behind):</p><p dir="ltr">New Cases 8,560 w/e 21st October</p><p dir="ltr">New Deaths (occurrences) 223 w/e 29th September</p><p dir="ltr">New COVID hospital admissions 3,367 w/e 20th October</p><br><p dir="ltr">The latest deaths data is also relatively small, with the number of people registered as dying only 1% higher than would be expected. Sadly it adds up.</p><p dir="ltr">"CMI calculates 204,800 excess deaths in the UK since the start of the pandemic. That total has increased by 33,200 in 2023.</p><p dir="ltr">Cumulative mortality rates YTD (year to date) are 5.5% of a full year’s mortality worse than 2019."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><p dir="ltr">The Health Foundation charity have crunched the numbers and believe the UK NHS waiting list could expand to 8 million people waiting for treatment by the end of 2024 - or in a better scenario, it could have peaked now and be below 7.2 million by the end of next year.</p><p dir="ltr">The Health Foundation found (no surprises) the main problem is the ongoing chronic lack of staff and funding. Strikes by NHS workers asking for better pay have only caused an extra 210,000 patients to wait (3% of the 7.75 million backlog as of August 2023).</p><p dir="ltr">The longer you wait, the more serious, lengthy and urgent treatment needed, and the longer it takes to fix you and get you back to good health. This is a spiral of gloom, and it began unravelling long before COVID arrived. The NHS has run on less cash than it actually needs and waiting lists have been growing for at least 10 years - because someone (with private medical care) decided it was a good place to save money, and forgot how important health and life are to people, and to the nation as a whole.</p><br><p dir="ltr">As we're on a cheery note, 'destitution' isn't a word most of the world would associate with the UK, as it refers to being unable to meet the most basic physical needs - to stay warm, dry, clean and fed.</p><p dir="ltr">Sadly a study released this week by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (based on data collected up until the end of 2022), found UK destitution has doubled in the last 5 years, and the number of destitute children has tripled:</p><p dir="ltr">- Around 3.8 million people experienced destitution in 2022, a 61% rise since 2019</p><p dir="ltr">- Around 1 million children are destitute, an 88% rise since 2019</p><p dir="ltr">- This is widespread - the 3 local authorities with the highest levels of destitution are Newham, Manchester and Middlesbrough, and the 3 areas it's rising fastest are London, Wales and the West Midlands.</p><p dir="ltr">- More than 6 in every 10 destitute people (62%) have a disability or chronic health problem.</p><p dir="ltr">- The foundation point out that as almost 3/4 of destitute households receive benefits, our benefits system is pushing people (including a million children) well below the poverty line, with little chance of ever clambering out.</p><p dir="ltr">It's notable that the increase is smaller in Scotland. Scotland doesn’t cap child benefit at 3 children, and pays low income families a weekly top up for each of their children.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br><p dir="ltr">"According to the Economist, the world experienced an estimated 5.3 million excess deaths in 2020, 12.6m in 2021, and 6.9m in 2022. So far in 2023, the number is 2.3m, perhaps enough to make Covid, by the end of year, still the world’s third biggest killer."</p><p dir="ltr">New York Times journalist David Wallace-Wells neatly summing up the latest worldwide excess deaths news this week.</p><p dir="ltr">The COVID pandemic is simultaneously over, and also still killing us in droves. This cat is too snarly to go back in the bag, so instead, we should all just act like we can't see it, and remember the Trump method - less testing = less COVID. Eventually, if no-one tests, no-one dies from COVID. It's a winner. </p><br><p dir="ltr">While we're on the subject, some of us really are being told in plain English NOT to test for COVID. This week I have seen multiple emails to both UK medical and teaching staff, reminding them that they should be at work unless they are physically too unwell to function, and shouldn't be testing for COVID, as it could keep them off work for longer than necessary if the result is positive.</p><p dir="ltr">(Must.Go.To.Work.Protect.Short.Term.Economy.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br><p dir="ltr">The COVID inquiry hasn't been quite as explosive over the last 2 weeks, but we did find out Professor Angela McLean (now Patrick Vallance's replacement as UK Govt Chief Scientific Adviser), described Rishi Sunak as “Dr Death the Chancellor” (Muhahaha). She also referred to an unknown person as a "fu€k₩it". Naughty.</p><p dir="ltr">On a more serious note, Sir Patrick Vallance has asked that all of his diary entries aren't made public, because he wrote all kinds of brain dump in there, and his mental health is suffering at the idea we might all read it, and Professor of infectious disease modelling and Government advisor John Edmunds made a blistering testimony:</p><p dir="ltr">"As I explained to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, we either lockdown now and control the epidemic, or it will force you into a lockdown later, when you'll have to lockdown harder and longer. 20,000-25,000 people died. Some would have, but there's no reason for that many people to have died at all.. There was no strategy, no long term thinking."</p><br><p dir="ltr">Guess what's back? Yeeeay, mask wearing in hospitals!</p><p dir="ltr">In fact it's only a few UK health authorities and buildings (inc in Sheffield, Worcester) which at this point have asked staff and service users to wear masks.</p><p dir="ltr">Hospitals and clinics are literally swarming with sick people, vulnerable people, and staff who don't want COVID every 4 months for the rest of forever. What a mix. It always seemed ridiculous that mask-wearing was universally dropped - although don't forget that air purification has stepped up massively. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br><p dir="ltr">Sad news for the Captain Tom Foundation charity, as it is closing down. They just aren't getting many donations, and it's probably not covering the staff bill. The late Sir Captain Tom's daughter is currently going through an appeals process to keep her illegitimately built home spa pool from demolition. (Thoughts and prayers. Maybe a slow handclap.)</p><p dir="ltr">As the charity is coming to an end, a person who worked on the launch has done media interviews. She says she helped set everything up, was in line for loads of industry awards, and then was told she was no longer needed and she couldn't talk about her involvement. Nice.</p><p dir="ltr">Captain Sir Tom Moore raised a fortune for the NHS while he was alive. He has his own legacy, and his daughter has hers.</p><br><p dir="ltr">The world's first vaccine against Malaria is doing astoundingly well! Big handshake to all involved in this one. Over 4 years of vaccinating children under 4 years in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, it has cut deaths from Malaria by 13% - saving 1 in every 8 of the children who would have died, and preventing hundreds of thousands becoming seriously ill.</p><p dir="ltr">In 2021, malaria killed an estimated 468,000 children under age 5 in sub-Saharan Africa, so if the vaccine can be rolled out across the entire area, it should mean over 58,000 children's lives saved, and make a massive difference to available healthcare services. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br><p dir="ltr">It is the weekend again! Huzzah! Most of our young people go back to school on Monday, so if you've been juggling work from home and everything else - you made it. The world news is all a bit grim right now, so it's even more important to treat yourself to something nice. You've earnt it, you deserve it and it's good for your mental wellbeing. I'll be having a board game afternoon with my kids, with snacks and pop, because they've earnt it too.</p><br><p dir="ltr">No numbers tonight because I'm travelling, and it's a long one already! Back in 2 weeks... </p><br><p dir="ltr">Worry About What You Can Change, Find Ways To Work With The Rest. Save The NHS. </p><br><br><br><p dir="ltr">Sources: </p><br><br><p dir="ltr">Images</p><p dir="ltr">https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1717375558491770970?t=VQD_lC2ulC3bc3-0SrfMHA&s=19</p><p dir="ltr">Images hospital stats </p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/COVID19actuary/status/1717460346217095671?t=vJySNxN9FC2ec6Vtt2xokA&s=09</p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/PaulMainwood/status/1717451108895822300?t=rM_XxnDwG8f5fZyMUr4wiA&s=09</p><br><br><p dir="ltr">https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/</p><p dir="ltr">https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/</p><p dir="ltr">https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations</p><p dir="ltr">https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus</p><br><br><br><p dir="ltr">Week 1 stats </p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/chrischirp/status/1714992106849063259?t=G6ifp7WQ9zTBiWu9UieHCg&s=09</p><p dir="ltr">New Cases 8,560 w/e 21st October</p><p dir="ltr">New Deaths (occurrences) 223 w/e 29th September</p><p dir="ltr">https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/</p><p dir="ltr">Deaths data </p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/john_actuary/status/1716795541135261790?t=EXm6DprgeRpUuvYJGlAwQQ&s=09</p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/COVID19actuary/status/1716738217892806947?t=k5mhScTHEeQ2trfTPKCSzw&s=09</p><br><p dir="ltr">Destitution? </p><p dir="ltr">Addendum to covid stats re scotland</p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/ActuaryByDay/status/1716805711903207528?t=J1dNs-auXWSy1nVeNBYnAA&s=09</p><p dir="ltr">And precis and image</p><p dir="ltr">https://twitter.com/ActuaryByDay/status/1716813737225793738?t=p72L1ppnMRRK5GRUyuw_qg&s=19</p><br><p dir="ltr">Health Foundation </p><p dir="ltr">https://www.health.org.uk/search/basic_page_sub_type/54?textsearch=&sort_bef_combine=created_DESC</p><p dir="ltr">https://www.health.org.uk/waiting-list</p><p dir="ltr">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-67228043?s=09</p><p dir="ltr">NHS underfunded Democide </p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/danielgoyal/status/1714546395267342676?t=HOh1fFao1JBdg3gQrDbPCw&s=09</p><br><p dir="ltr">Destitution</p><p dir="ltr">https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment</p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/jrf_uk/status/1716715308369535026?t=CGjJ9XE8KQc9MlZJWUTylQ&s=09</p><br><p dir="ltr">Covid is over, and not. Less testing. </p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/dwallacewells/status/1715391129061917120?t=mN2awUX_b2XpCJbvBg5kJQ&s=09</p><p dir="ltr">https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/coronavirus-excess-deaths-estimates</p><p dir="ltr">Teacher guidance - don't test.</p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/KateCushing2/status/1713210383408779585?t=8Jzfoy0CKumyUooxgNA6iQ&s=09</p><br><p dir="ltr">COVID inquiry</p><p dir="ltr">https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/19/science-adviser-referred-to-rishi-sunak-as-dr-death-covid-inquiry-hears</p><p dir="ltr">https://twitter.com/implausibleblog/status/1715039421152600321?t=PteW-yOXpjAs2Rd1XTQFBw&s=19</p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/BBCHughPym/status/1713942663651582308?t=od1bDbSUJZozxkLgigfA0g&s=09</p><p dir="ltr">Boris bollocks</p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/carolvorders/status/1712930722367856848?t=J4_keQZ9qB5khvOZaky-UA&s=09</p><p dir="ltr">150 partygate fines</p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/PaulBrandITV/status/1712867258991518171?t=YZYSXvuELZMLqxTZTEhPvA&s=09</p><br><p dir="ltr">Mask wearing Sheffield</p><p dir="ltr">https://x.com/BBCNews/status/1716129974745211287?t=Wp0ZEAXw8uqt027O9rOEmQ&s=09</p><p dir="ltr">Worcester did a month ago</p><p dir="ltr">https://twitter.com/WorcsAcuteNHS/status/1707017845190586794?t=2xQe_ze_HpRJ9Q73lopyug&s=19</p><br><p dir="ltr">Captain Sir Tom Moore:</p><p dir="ltr">https://www.upday.com/uk/captain-sir-tom-moore-what-are-the-controversies-surrounding-his-family</p><br><p dir="ltr">https://f7td5.app.goo.gl/e3t6GV</p><br><p dir="ltr">https://www.upday.com/uk/woman-who-helped-launch-captain-tom-charity-was-cut-out-by-the-family</p><br><p dir="ltr">Malaria</p><p dir="ltr">https://www.science.org/content/article/first-malaria-vaccine-slashes-early-childhood-deaths?s=09</p><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-39145476369728902092023-10-13T16:52:00.004+01:002023-10-13T17:47:55.137+01:00 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 13th October 2023<div style="text-align: left;">
COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 13th
October 2023
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<div>World COVID Statistics: 696,503,623 reported cases and 6,925,559 losses of life.</div>
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In England during the month between 1st and 29th September, 866 babies and
children were hospitalised with COVID.
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<div>That is an increase from 476 during August and 276 during July. </div><div><br></div><div><div>COVID hospitalisations are rising across England (Scotland is a more mixed picture). Last week there was a 25% increase, and this week a 12% increase. We are still at a relatively low level, but it's been rising fairly steadily since the end of June, despite the fact we aren't routinely testing anyone any more. </div></div><div><br></div>
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<span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2023/10/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-71146411428279699302023-09-29T16:42:00.004+01:002023-09-29T17:26:16.138+01:00 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 29th September 2023<div style="text-align: left;">COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 29th September 2023</div><div><br></div><div>World COVID Statistics: 695,939,792 reported cases and 6,921,077 losses of life.</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2TL1VTX_RPvOyz7NAIvHT54qFcFDfyspYKvV4flVUJ2rWPkU8kGRqBIIzZxdThZpmk4k-MPwl_a68v8cSBLEwZMmMGfnGusZQTIwYhOjZBhEIgbUt_8Ple3_1QERAIgabhgFirdI_SR57amX2ut-kGNPYrcHrC7eeZrYT5sqMHyToBVu2Djnd5bCp-M/s680/Get%20your%20flu%20and%20COVID%20jabs%20UK%20NHS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Get your flu and COVID jabs UK NHS" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2TL1VTX_RPvOyz7NAIvHT54qFcFDfyspYKvV4flVUJ2rWPkU8kGRqBIIzZxdThZpmk4k-MPwl_a68v8cSBLEwZMmMGfnGusZQTIwYhOjZBhEIgbUt_8Ple3_1QERAIgabhgFirdI_SR57amX2ut-kGNPYrcHrC7eeZrYT5sqMHyToBVu2Djnd5bCp-M/w400-h400/Get%20your%20flu%20and%20COVID%20jabs%20UK%20NHS.jpg" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 29th September 2023" width="400"></a></div><br><div>Hospital admissions with COVID in England increased by 10% in the week ending 22nd September. Biggest increases are in the NW (+33%) and NE&Yorks (+29%).</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsZ2Oe-iAKat1ie4SmY7mz38oKI8_SQ8xCrgzcu15O9h9C0B0HdXC9jay9ULnwQ897zP2q73hRzKm-mm_wvwQcZG-m4HWFXR06Lpnr66zUDa6J7KpnjZ02dR3y7jpjyoOHOyu9ewgnImX4K6LTL3RxUM1StTxFETexKWUfWkckUMXvv8ulCZd2yGXvVw/s1899/290923%20CMI%20hospital%20admissions%20England.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="290923 CMI hospital admissions England" border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1899" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsZ2Oe-iAKat1ie4SmY7mz38oKI8_SQ8xCrgzcu15O9h9C0B0HdXC9jay9ULnwQ897zP2q73hRzKm-mm_wvwQcZG-m4HWFXR06Lpnr66zUDa6J7KpnjZ02dR3y7jpjyoOHOyu9ewgnImX4K6LTL3RxUM1StTxFETexKWUfWkckUMXvv8ulCZd2yGXvVw/w640-h362/290923%20CMI%20hospital%20admissions%20England.png" title="290923 CMI hospital admissions England" width="640"></a></div><br><div>The UK is still losing more people each week than anticipated, but it isn't at the lofty heights (and extra 8-10%) that it was last year. </div><div>The Continuous Mortality investigation (CMI) weekly Mortality Monitor (week ending 15th September) for England and Wales shows rates were 4% higher than the equivalent week in 2019, based on death registrations data.</div><div>"CMI calculates 204,200 excess deaths in the UK since the start of the pandemic. That total has increased by 32,600 in 2023.</div><div>Cumulative mortality rates YTD (year to date) are 5.4% of a full year’s mortality worse than 2019."</div><div>Better news for this year (but worse for last year), the CMI note that there are far more late registrations than usual, so many of December 2022's registrations were actually added in with January 2023's figures.</div><span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2023/09/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk_29.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-36583848822904279172023-09-15T17:06:00.001+01:002023-09-15T17:06:34.031+01:00 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 15th September 2023<div style="text-align: left;"> COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 15th September 2023</div><div><br></div><div>World COVID Statistics: 695,289,957 reported cases and 6,915,596 losses of life.</div><div><br></div><div>Massively mutated COVID variant (current estimate is 33 mutations) BA.2.86 Pirola is agitating a lot of people and causing an upset to our calmly steady COVID stats. It is visibly worrying health officials in the UK, US, Canada, Europe and beyond - although we still see no signs it is more dangerous or deadly, just more easily caught and very quick.</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqOWDF47Wt3eEfYYC1ioX0mBDIx14m9GNkld8rudZG5BkOHxFe61Gi0hblLmNwrxAOuZn837PXXojcTQ-RCvMU8d-IvZ7-gVlfNIb_6qW7LPLKIiHsfBc1eHjPqyKSxbkfGbIAYTr1JYFx33Ly2e-PcR53smQ8JeJuuzq8eIgVPla05v6HSMizE82qj4/s679/150923%20weekly%20England%20hospital%20admissions%20by%20age%20UK%20HSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="150923 weekly England hospital admissions by age UK HSA" border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="679" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqOWDF47Wt3eEfYYC1ioX0mBDIx14m9GNkld8rudZG5BkOHxFe61Gi0hblLmNwrxAOuZn837PXXojcTQ-RCvMU8d-IvZ7-gVlfNIb_6qW7LPLKIiHsfBc1eHjPqyKSxbkfGbIAYTr1JYFx33Ly2e-PcR53smQ8JeJuuzq8eIgVPla05v6HSMizE82qj4/w640-h360/150923%20weekly%20England%20hospital%20admissions%20by%20age%20UK%20HSA.jpg" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 15th September 2023" width="640"></a></div><br><span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2023/09/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk_15.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-24712479657197628062023-09-01T18:16:00.004+01:002023-09-01T18:18:55.022+01:00 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 1st September 2023<div style="text-align: left;"> COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 1st September 2023</div><div><br></div><div>World COVID Statistics: 694,630,525 reported cases and 6,911,550 losses of life.</div><div><br></div><div>Hospital admissions with COVID in England are up among all age groups, but from 3 people per 100,000 population overall, to 3.37.</div><div>Up, but it's not a really dramatic increase, and could simply be a reflection of us spending more time indoors as the weather cools or more people returning to work after holidays, or something else seasonal.</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLJXcNpLWGxRmGJPTnrDOc8KeyC2MFW9OXu3idtQGKdYatcr9lC_V2S-BvQAr-sZNX03oq9G2rlva3xDWD358JfxUwoDGexWSVPjKMqFlZ-uANcdkW08zWNcBAtpGKeeyReNbCH1OPHaojw9X0nP3m8Cbij1b35hCe7UNGnxsGfcKUzdzRWV7g8hdVdY/s3000/Meningitis%20jabs%20for%20uni%20students.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Meningitis jabs for uni students" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLJXcNpLWGxRmGJPTnrDOc8KeyC2MFW9OXu3idtQGKdYatcr9lC_V2S-BvQAr-sZNX03oq9G2rlva3xDWD358JfxUwoDGexWSVPjKMqFlZ-uANcdkW08zWNcBAtpGKeeyReNbCH1OPHaojw9X0nP3m8Cbij1b35hCe7UNGnxsGfcKUzdzRWV7g8hdVdY/w400-h400/Meningitis%20jabs%20for%20uni%20students.jpg" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 1st September 2023" width="400"></a></div><div><br></div><div>Current UK Health Secretary Steve Barclay has offered a 6% pay rise to England’s hospital consultants, and an average 8.8% rise to England's Junior Doctors. He says these offers are final, and is very disappointed that they aren't being accepted. </div><div>Strike dates are planned, including for the first time ever, consultants and junior doctors striking at the same time - 20th September 2023. They will also be on strike simultaneously from 7am 2nd October until 7am 5th October. Many thousands of appointments will not go ahead as planned.</div><div>Junior Doctors in Wales are planning future strike action after refusing a 'final offer' last week, and Junior Doctors in Scotland will not be striking, as they have accepted an offer of 12.4%. </div><span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2023/09/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-58005698184797063672023-08-18T17:26:00.001+01:002023-08-18T17:26:22.746+01:00COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 18th August 2023COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 18th August 2023<div><br></div><div>World COVID Statistics: 693,666,294 reported cases and 6,908,586 losses of life.</div><div><br></div><div>The UK JCVI has given their advice on who should be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine this autumn:</div><div>- residents in care homes for older adults</div><div>- all adults aged 65 years and over</div><div>- anyone 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group</div><div>- frontline health and social care workers</div><div>- persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression</div><div>- persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adults</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div><br></div><div>The UK Government have announced £250m funding and plans for 5,000 extra hospital beds. Sadly these appear to be mainly aspirational or rented from private sources, rather than an increase to NHS supplies.</div><div>If you are a Tory minister, great news, this makes a tidy profit for someone, and puts more public money into private hands.</div><div>If you're a patient or NHS worker, it looks like there'll be 900 actual extra beds - just physical beds and A&E cubicles - by next January. </div><div>If you are a Tory minister, great news, the NHS will spend Winter looking like its not fit for purpose despite your 'heavy investment', and private healthcare will look more attractive to the UK public. </div><div><br></div><div>"WHO has designated COVID19 variant BA.2.86 as a ‘variant under monitoring’ today due to the large number of mutations it carries."</div><div>WHO, yesterday.</div><div>Exactly as it says, something very shifty looking has just entered the room, so everyone is watching to see if if it hangs around, and what it's capable of. At this moment only 5 cases of BA.2.86 (also known as BA.X) have been detected (although hardly anyone is tested these days) in Israel, Denmark (2) and Michigan, USA and London. We have no reason to think BA.2.86 is more dangerous, but we can see it has a whopping 30 mutations to the parts that latch on (like carrying a big bunch of keys) and has potential to sneak round our immunity and infect a lot more of us - if it learns that trick.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile in the UK, new variant Eris is spreading well. This is EG.5 and has also recently been tagged by WHO, as a variant of interest. It now accounts of around 1 in 10 UK cases, and although it hasn't yet 'exploded' (helpfully it's the school holidays), there are a handful of scientists warning it could make Autumn and Winter less pleasant. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div><br></div><div>Jonathan Van Tam, softly spoken voice of the UK COVID response, has taken up a position working with Moderna. </div><div>Last year the UK Government announced a £1b deal with Moderna to build a new mRNA manufacturing plant. </div><div>Did Jon Bon Tam have any part in that decision? Was his input unbiased? Did Jon Claude Van Tam already know 18 months ago that he'd be taking this position now?</div><div>Frankly he always seemed one of the cleverest and most human of the lot, so I'm willing to believe he just fancied a new job, and the timeline is really long for any subterfuge. </div><div><br></div><div>"Misinformation kills.</div><div>52 American physicians actively spread Covid-19 misinformation to millions of people on social media about vaccines, masks, and conspiracies.</div><div>One third of the more than 1,100,000 Covid-19-related deaths as of January 18 2023 were preventable if public health recommendations were followed."</div><div>Dr Jonathan N Stea of University of Calgary, summarising the results of a University of Massachusetts study.</div><div><br></div><div>Remember kids, COVID isn't less dangerous than it ever was - we have just been vaccinated and exposed to it, and our immune system has learnt how to fend it off. If you run the gauntlet without any antibodies today, you carry the same (or slightly increased) risk of severe illness as you did back in January 2020 (and that includes the 1.5m people in the UK who cannot develop a robust immune response, however many vaccinations you gave them). </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Cyprus has an outbreak of a really nasty cat Coronavirus. It has already killed many thousand cats, and now vets are treating their patients with a human COVID treatment - Molnupiravir- in an effort to save the most sick animals. <br></div><div><br></div><div>Does it matter which arm you get your jabs in? Apparently yes!</div><div>Newly published research from the USA measured the T cell immune response in 300 people, 2 weeks after the second dose of their initial COVID jabs (none of them had ever knowingly caught COVID at the time).</div><div>T cells were found in 67% of people who had both jabs in the same arm, and only 43% of those who got one dose in each arm. </div><div>The moral of this story is "crikey, I never saw that coming" really does happen, and that sometimes your Nan's logic is easily as smart as science. </div><div><br></div><div>Disappointing Human Of The Week:</div><div>Captain Sir Tom Moore's daughter is in the news again.</div><div>Not only did she pay herself a fabulous annual salary to run the Captain Tom Foundation charity, she seems to have built herself a home spa pool using charity funding, and now she's being investigated for charging for public charity appearances and taking the cash as her own fee for turning up.</div><div>No-one wanted to see you for being you love. They only invited you because you were representing your late father's charity. (Too harsh? I think not in this case. I'll be astounded if she wasn't also claiming all expenses, food and travel.)</div><div>As a reminder, we are promised that ALL of the original funds raised by Tom walking in his garden were handed over to the NHS Together charities.</div><div><br></div><div>Captain Sir Tom died from COVID and pneumonia in February 2021 aged 100. He developed pneumonia shortly after returning from a promotional trip to Barbados with British Airways. Taking a 100 year old man across the world on a plane during a pandemic, before he's even been vaccinated, is an advertising scheme so poorly thought out, you wonder which idiot agreed to it. His daughter and her family went on the holiday with him.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div><br></div><div>Hoax Of The Week:</div><div>Fox News made statements which implied the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) had authorised Ivermectin for treatment of COVID. Nope. Nopeitty nope nope.</div><div>The confusion came because during the lead up to a court case, someone mentioned that 'the FDA had never banned Ivermectin for COVID patients'. The FDA issue guidance and offer support, of course they didn't ban it. What if you had horrific headlice or intestinal worms AS WELL AS COVID. You'd want Ivermectin then.</div><div>There have now been about a million trials for this, and ALL clinical and real life evidence still shows no decrease in hospitalisations or death from COVID when patients are given Ivermectin - it simply doesn't help. Also, the Earth is a ball. </div><div><br></div><div>It is the weekend! For me it is a busy one, but with family, so it'll be exciting and memorable. I hope you have something nice happening too - and you remember to treat yourself. You earnt it. </div><div><br></div><div>I'll be back in a couple of weeks. </div><div>Play Outdoors, Wear Suncreen, Save The NHS. </div><div><br></div><div>Some people. They look very much like numbers here, but they are all people like you.</div><div><br></div><div>Countries / Cases / Losses of life (plus figures added over the last 24 hours):</div><div><br></div><div>World 693,666,294 (+1,077) 6,908,586</div><div>Macao 14,120 (+412) 123</div><div>Hong Kong 2,916,892 (+399) 13,819</div><div>Afghanistan 224,812 (+52) 7,941</div><div>Lithuania 1,322,361 (+50) 9,695</div><div>Poland 6,518,496 (+44) 119,636 </div><div>Czechia 4,643,541 (+42 ) 42,813</div><div>Denmark 3,182,857 (+39) 8,780</div><div>Vietnam 11,622,383 (+17 ) 43,206</div><div>Slovenia 1,344,385 (+11) 7,100</div><div>Niue (Small island near Tonga) 840 (+7)</div><div>(Most countries do not give a daily update, or even a weekly update - these are the countries and communities who reported most new cases yesterday, but it doesn't give an accurate representation of the actual world picture.) </div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Sources: </div><div>https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/</div><div>https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/</div><div>https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations</div><div>https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus</div><div><br></div><div>Images:</div><div>More beds Image with credit @c_peatfield twitter</div><div>https://twitter.com/c_peatfield/status/1691726808738103460?t=gjQ7M6V2Os9nYETzG8AmGA&s=09</div><div>Measles image </div><div>https://twitter.com/NHSuk/status/1691388031444336640?t=96jFKKqtHCcmixPTSvceDQ&s=09</div><div>Autumn boosters</div><div>https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1688863345149947904?t=Uhvc6QEyLIW51DWE0J-z8w&s=09</div><div><br></div><div>Flu and covid jabs from October NHS advice image</div><div>https://twitter.com/NHSEngland/status/1689671949327237120?t=FLXWIkQOx3f53JnLtiVd0g&s=09</div><div>https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-advises-on-eligible-groups-for-2023-autumn-booster?s=09</div><div>UK beds</div><div>https://www.gov.uk/government/news/250-million-to-boost-nhs-capacity-with-900-new-beds</div><div>https://twitter.com/c_peatfield/status/1691726808738103460?t=gjQ7M6V2Os9nYETzG8AmGA&s=09</div><div>https://twitter.com/danielgoyal/status/1691834058018292200?t=KN1dEZB4wpmkt50bFpVJEA&s=09</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>COVID variant BA.2.86</div><div>UKHSA</div><div>https://twitter.com/UKHSA/status/1692506623082729759?t=XHtsvPHBitgZqfYZMAiHOQ&s=09</div><div>https://twitter.com/lukebsnell/status/1692437750207611042?s=20</div><div>https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1692255671687794902?t=3L2YKRBHzRcVW3E5DK4UPA&s=09</div><div>https://www.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/15tp1f5/new_who_variant_under_monitoring_ba286/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=1</div><div>https://www.who.int/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants</div><div>https://twitter.com/TRyanGregory/status/1691260503903879168?s=20</div><div>https://twitter.com/LongDesertTrain/status/1690989522035617792?s=20</div><div>Eris</div><div>https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/scientists-warn-wear-mask-amid-27529128</div><div>https://twitter.com/Tuliodna/status/1691467126190563328?t=EQPZdtaICAead74cSh8UXg&s=19</div><div>https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/08/1139617</div><div>https://weather.com/en-IN/india/coronavirus/news/2023-08-10-covid-19-who-designates-omicron-descendent-eg5-as-variant-of</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-how-worried-should-we-be-about-the-new-eg5-variant-spreading-in-the-uk-12937285</div><div><br></div><div>https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-how-worried-should-we-be-about-the-new-eg-5-variant-spreading-in-the-uk-12937285</div><div><br></div><div>https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)</div><div>Van dammed tam</div><div>https://twitter.com/carolvorders/status/1692263967282847823?t=D2Z3tMH3puGMB2Ef8P1xEA&s=09</div><div>https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jonathan-van-tam-job-moderna-vaccine-b2395006.html</div><div>Misinformation kills</div><div>https://twitter.com/jonathanstea/status/1691529420375556096?t=43FkhXmXYW6wUpuoaOls5w&s=09</div><div><br></div><div>https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2808358</div><div><br></div><div>Cats</div><div>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/10/cyprus-begins-treating-islands-sick-cats-with-anti-covid-pills</div><div>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/18/experts-warn-about-feline-coronavirus-after-thousands-of-cat-deaths-in-cyprus</div><div>https://news.sky.com/story/sick-cats-in-cyprus-begin-covid-drug-treatment-12937190</div><div><br></div><div>Arm</div><div>https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/08/17/arm-for-vaccine-shots-matter/70604228007/</div><div><br></div><div>Capt Tom </div><div>https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66515278</div><div>https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-55881508</div><div>Ivermectin </div><div>https://www.verifythis.com/article/news/verify/coronavirus-verify/fda-did-not-approve-ivermectin-covid-19-fact-check/536-88912619-12ba-4c66-9d9c-80feca37a059</div><div>https://twitter.com/PeterHotez/status/1690007877648338944?t=CKcI0RTnb1BFFiLg6CwdIw&s=09</div><div><br></div>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-8367913159286420662023-08-04T17:01:00.040+01:002023-08-04T18:00:57.022+01:00 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 4th August 2023<div style="text-align: left;"> COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 4th August 2023</div><div><br></div><div>The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has currently authorised 9 different COVID vaccines, and the latest is Bimervax, which is suitable as a booster jab for people aged 16+. It's still up the Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination (JCVI) as to whether we actually deploy any of the vaccines we've okayed, and the Government have to agree to buy them. </div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqH9H1HeG4oY3gFs4Mw1I-rcmfchmRCA2s5tPMlA4xgiKijqlibl-sGNsovzZsNLPV-jvi-ptmG3e6J1x_FRXljN9p98iUvmQBhL5oi9WBoI4bn4-S3FS7xlb2rLgil3a7aU4p3xQgo3iqF0-RGGrpySltfsGwtXriyej0MEajNXAMymA_FZbdCQZIqI/s680/Protect%20yourself%20from%20the%20sun%20-%20skin%20and%20eyes%20-%20WHO%20poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Protect yourself from the sun - skin and eyes - WHO poster" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqH9H1HeG4oY3gFs4Mw1I-rcmfchmRCA2s5tPMlA4xgiKijqlibl-sGNsovzZsNLPV-jvi-ptmG3e6J1x_FRXljN9p98iUvmQBhL5oi9WBoI4bn4-S3FS7xlb2rLgil3a7aU4p3xQgo3iqF0-RGGrpySltfsGwtXriyej0MEajNXAMymA_FZbdCQZIqI/w400-h400/Protect%20yourself%20from%20the%20sun%20-%20skin%20and%20eyes%20-%20WHO%20poster.jpg" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 4th August 2023" width="400"></a></div><div><br></div><div><div>In the UK COVID cases are currently on the rise, with pharmacists noting a marked increase in test buying over July and the ZOE app. registering a jump in symptomatic people. That follows a similar pattern to previous pandemic years, with us desperate for the school holidays to serve as a firebreak. It's always worth keeping alert though... </div><span></span></div><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2023/08/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-62359629214262697472023-07-21T10:25:00.002+01:002023-07-21T10:25:28.035+01:00 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 21st July 2023<div style="text-align: left;"> COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 21st July 2023</div><div><br></div><div>World to date: Officially reported COVID cases 691,770,965, losses of life 6,901,646</div><div><br></div><div>The final witness has testified for the first phase of the UK COVID Inquiry. There's a lot to sift through and evaluate, so an interim report is expected next year, and it'll be a long time before the final document. By then it'll likely be another degree warmer, fish will contain too much plastic to count as fauna, and no-one will really care about a report stating the obvious inadequacies we all lived through. They hope. </div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_TOlIBNhUZ-rCCfDGE84E4wj5EMRMF4zlHOPy02CwZwmTM3vibV4JFDVRvn00WfRMg0OGmpaAB9jX9lDDA_hSdxhYvqdaIPGHzwpOWt3q9gFJAOcv470W4VL7g0y464jyv-GTG59nkyrrYipvW5WpKn4Fi0HL85jUn5_kom2Ceyq0jKsJ4vDYfXnM78/s680/measles%20is%20common%20abroad%20get%20vaccinated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="measles is common abroad get vaccinated and image of holidaying family climbing steps onto a plane" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_TOlIBNhUZ-rCCfDGE84E4wj5EMRMF4zlHOPy02CwZwmTM3vibV4JFDVRvn00WfRMg0OGmpaAB9jX9lDDA_hSdxhYvqdaIPGHzwpOWt3q9gFJAOcv470W4VL7g0y464jyv-GTG59nkyrrYipvW5WpKn4Fi0HL85jUn5_kom2Ceyq0jKsJ4vDYfXnM78/w400-h400/measles%20is%20common%20abroad%20get%20vaccinated.jpg" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 21st July 2023" width="400"></a></div><div><br></div><div>A recent UK study has looked at just how many children have been hospitalised with COVID in England. </div><div>• Between July 2020 and February 2022, 3,226,535 children and teenagers in England tested positive with COVID for their first time. </div><div>• 29,230 (0.9%, almost 1 in every 111 of those who tested positive) needed hospital admission - some were tested on arrival to hospital with various other ailments, but 21,000 (around 3 in every 4) were taken to hospital and admitted specifically due to COVID. </div><div>• 1,710 (5.9% or 1 in every 17 of those admitted to hospital) involved paediatric critical care.</div><div>• 70 deaths occurred in which covid-19 or paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome was listed as a cause.</div><div>• 8,415 (28.8% or more than 1 in every 4) of those children admitted to hospital were aged under 1 year. </div><span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2023/07/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk_01383275230.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308635202411289169.post-66661256076286388472023-07-07T18:12:00.001+01:002023-07-07T18:12:16.371+01:00 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 7th July 2023<div style="text-align: left;"> COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 7th July 2023</div><div><br></div><div>World COVID Statistics: 691,207,603 officially reported cases and 6,898,266 losses of life.</div><div><br></div><div>Happy birthday to the NHS! </div><div>On Wednesday the UK NHS was 75 years old, and so was the first baby born in their care. Most of us in the UK have lived entire lives without fear of financial ruin because we got poorly or had an accident. We can ring an ambulance, book an appointment with a GP, become pregnant or turn up at A&E without having to worry if we can afford it. That is a very precious thing, and it has been underfunded and squeezed for a long time. In order that the NHS care for us, we really needed to take better care of the NHS. Thank you to anyone who has ever worked for the NHS. </div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyC120kFvtcXOuFGvPzA39w29Rn3_0EaWqtaWkYSnBq2Y_xjlDEa4QMk_i1neLLe6Ng1MzaFmqOzLY6jhdKVbNe3ykYR9znE1ZkpaJykL7Z_BOZPGpL2h2hxQLEUuzsH2dxKWNGH3p90LQQO7McRaEnjmkue0TVViZhWQPsw6AvmizQIUfx0Xmk4ZUQgk/s1080/NHS%20birthday%20card.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="NHS birthday card with a small donor card beside" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyC120kFvtcXOuFGvPzA39w29Rn3_0EaWqtaWkYSnBq2Y_xjlDEa4QMk_i1neLLe6Ng1MzaFmqOzLY6jhdKVbNe3ykYR9znE1ZkpaJykL7Z_BOZPGpL2h2hxQLEUuzsH2dxKWNGH3p90LQQO7McRaEnjmkue0TVViZhWQPsw6AvmizQIUfx0Xmk4ZUQgk/w400-h400/NHS%20birthday%20card.png" title="COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 7th July 2023" width="400"></a></div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday the UK Government lost their legal battle to keep some of Boris and his mates' WhatsApp messages and notebooks secret from the COVID inquiry. They argued that some of it is 'irrelevant', and the High Court decided the COVID inquiry can be the judge of that. I think the Government are out of legal options now - they've got to hand it all over by 4pm Monday.</div><div>(For reference, the Christmas party video with catered snacks, flirtatious dancing and shiny paper hats is amongst things previously deemed irrelevant by our Government.)</div><span></span><a href="http://www.thebrickcastle.com/2023/07/covid-19-coronavirus-and-other-virus-uk.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenny at The Brick Castlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090208734161519771noreply@blogger.com0