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Coronavirus

BROUGHTON ST IMPROVEMENTS – NOT YET

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Broughton Street will not feature in the first round of cycle and pedestrian-friendly improvements made as part of the Spaces for People scheme.

The news emerged in a report to the Policy & Sustainability Committee, due to be discussed on Thursday 20 August (see pdf at foot of page).

Broughton resident, former Council Leader, and MP Mark Lazarowicz wrote to Leith Walk and City Centre ward councillors yesterday expressing his disappointment at the omission.

MIXED PICTURE ON LOCAL CORONAVIRUS

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Clear disparities across Spurtleshire and the city

At noon today, the National Records of Scotland published statistics relating to coronavirus (Covid-19) in Scotland.

For the first time this week, some of those data were broken down by Intermediate Zones (IZs). These provide granular detail for how different parts of the country have been affected, but not in so much detail that individuals can be identified.

HIGH ON A HILL

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There is a timeless hush about Edinburgh these days.

Sometimes, it’s like a tonic for the soul. Sometimes, it’s unsettling and peculiar.

Yesterday afternoon, it was simply confusing when the gentle notes of a saxophone seemed to enter Greenside Row from every direction simultaneously.

Spurtle wandered in circles searching for the source, till finally tracking it down to a lone musician high up on the northwest face of Calton Hill.

MCVEY PRAISES VOLUNTEERS

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Council Leader Adam McVey today praised public and voluntary organisations in Edinburgh, and urged residents to be good neighbours. 

He suggests those wishing to help others contact Volunteer Edinburgh for advice and information. 

Newly formed community groups are encouraged to contact EVOC to help coordinate responses across the city, and arrange deliveries of food at a very local level. 

GUIDANCE ON RECEIVING DELIVERIES

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Yesterday we came across guidance for over-70s and vulnerable others on receiving deliveries. 
 
It comes from Dr Richard Simpson, an Honorary Professor of Health Sciences & Sport at Stirling University; Visiting Hon. Professor at St Andrews University; retired MSP; former GP; psychiatrist; Community Union member.
 
We trust his advice, and repeat it unedited below.

OPEN LETTER

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The Broughton Spurtle is a member of the Independent Community News Network. This lunchtime, its Director, Emma Meese, issued the following open letter.

We reproduce it unedited and in full. 

As you can imagine these are very worrying times for our members. 

 

As an organisation, we are now extremely concerned. 

 

This is a time when our members are crucial in ensuring public information reaches communities across the UK to inform and advise about public health. 

 

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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In these troubling times, it’s heartening to find local businesses, charities, and individuals rising to the challenge. 

Some are making offers of help, some are declaring a determination to keep calm and carry on, others are making public statements of solidarity and high principle.

Below we find a willingness to deliver groceries to the vulnerable and at-high-risk by Bellevue-based Claremont Food and Wine (Tel. 556 7853).

COUNCIL RESPONSE ON CORONAVIRUS

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Cllr Adam McVey, Leader of Edinburgh Council, yesterday announced new social distancing and visiting restrictions at Council-run care homes.

In schools, assemblies and other large assemblies will be stopped unless absolutely essential.

£2m emergency funding has already been assigned to reinforcing necessary proactive and preventative measures against Coronavirus.

‘Our focus is on minimising the impact of the virus on our communities and Council services,’ says McVey, ‘with a particular emphasis on health and social care.