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COVID-19 Update: 6th May

Here is the latest COVID-19 update from Cardiff Council, covering: preparations and advice for VE Day this coming Friday; the latest initiative to promote safe driving, especially as pedestrians and cyclists are observing social distancing; and tips for maintaining emotional wellbeing through the crisis.

 

VE Day in Cardiff

Major events planned to mark the anniversary of VE Day in Cardiff and across Wales have been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, but residents are being urged to mark this significant moment in our history - in ways which take account of current restrictions.

The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Dan De'Ath said: "Seventy-five years have passed but we still owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who played a part in the Second World War, whether on the battlefield or on the home front.

"This anniversary is a time when we should all stop and give thanks for the sacrifices that were made to secure victory in Europe."

A number of activities to commemorate the anniversary are taking place across the UK:

  • At 11am commemorations will begin with a moment of remembrance, marked with a two minute silence.
  • At 3pm, Sir Winston Churchill's 1945 speech to the nation will be broadcast on the BBC as part of special programmes planned for the day.
  • At 9pm, HM The Queen will broadcast a message to the nation on the BBC - at the exact moment her father, King George VI, gave a radio address in 1945.
  • This will be followed by an opportunity for people to gather on their doorsteps and sing ‘We'll Meet Again' in an act of celebration.

Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: "People across Cardiff will rightly want to pay tribute to the men and women who helped defeat Fascism in Europe, whether that's through joining us in silent commemoration or gathering on their doorsteps in song. We owe so much to the sacrifices made all those years ago and it's important they are remembered and celebrated.

"Today we are facing a very different challenge in the form of Covid-19. The current rules on social distancing are in place to save lives and I would urge everybody to mark this important anniversary from the safety of their homes, and to continue sticking to the rules in our parks, and on our streets throughout this bank holiday weekend. Let's take inspiration from the courage and self-sacrifice of our greatest generation, knowing that when the time is right, we too will meet again."

A range of ideas on how the occasion can be marked safely, including activities and games for children, ideas and vintage recipes for holding a 1940s themed tea party, are available at:

https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/

The Museum of Cardiff has also taken its planned ‘Victory Days' exhibition exploring online. The exhibition features personal stories and photographs from VE Day, VJ Day and Peace Day celebrations, as well as photographs of objects from the Museum's collection.

Like all of the Museum's work, the exhibition's focus is on stories from the people of Cardiff and it includes the memories of Cardiffians who were children at the time, as well as photographs of street parties which took place across the city. 

To visit the exhibition, go to:

https://cardiffmuseum.com/online-exhibitions/ 

 

Drivers reminded to be careful and look out for other road users

The Council has launched a new public information campaign to advise motorists to slow down and drive with extra care when using Cardiff's road network.

With the lock down in place for over six weeks now, the number of vehicles driving on Cardiff's roads has reduced significantly, but the number of people running, walking and cycling while carrying out their daily exercise has increased.

With the need to ensure social distancing continues for the foreseeable future, there are concerns with people stepping into the road while walking to maintain a two metre distance from others.

The number of reported incidents involving road traffic collisions with cyclists is also a growing concern, especially given the number of new cyclists driving on Cardiff's roads appears to be increasing.

As part of the campaign, VMS signs on key routes into the city have been updated with a range of safety messages, advising motorists to ‘Kill Your Speed', ‘Respect Speed Limits' as well as ‘Please Drive Safely'.

Temporary traffic signs will also be put up in wards across the city, asking motorists to take extra care and drive safely during these unprecedented times. All of these additional measures will all be supported with a social media campaign to re-enforce the message asking motorists to take extra care and drive responsibly.

 

Tips for supporting emotional wellbeing

Accept a mix of emotions- Anger, anxiety, fear, and stress will appear and disappear and then reappear, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's just being human. How people cope with those emotions will help them to think more clearly and to respond to the ever-changing environment.

Realise that emotional wellbeing is important, and is different, for everyone- We all deal with stress differently. There's no wrong way to feel. Embracing and learning from each other's feelings will make everyone stronger.

Be informed- Read science-based sources such as the World Health Organization, NHS, Government UK, to learn accurate facts and guidelines instead of being frozen by media fear.

Build social connections, even if they're virtual- Don't let stress consume you. Reach out to family members, friends, and colleagues. As we social distance use social media systems, Skype, FaceTime, Zoom to feel connected.

Build daily routines- Feeling as though your life has been thrown into disarray, is normal for all of us during this global pandemic. If you are now working from home, home schooling your children or shielding, you might benefit from having some structure in this new environment. Blocking out time for eating, cleaning, exercising, working etc. will go a long way in terms of helping you to feel some sense of normality. In these difficult times everyone can benefit from this kind of structure.

Don't neglect the other aspects of health- A healthy diet, regular exercise, meditation, and sleep will benefit emotional wellbeing. Engage in a digital wellbeing programme that focuses on improving nutrition, sleep quality, mental health resilience, and mindfulness.

Do a good deed- Call someone who you know might be struggling and offer to be a listening ear. Perhaps you could exchange daily inspirational quotes with one another and focus on something positive that happened that day. Give a Shout Out to a colleague that is not just going above and beyond, but also for being strong and persevering.

Most importantly- Have fun. Laugh. Play games. COVID-19 is certainly top of mind for many people, but it shouldn't be the only thing on our minds.