GTFM Local News

Wednesday Daytime – 15^th April

It’s emerged that more working age women than men in Wales are being diagnosed with Covid-19.

As Wales On-line reports, although men are more likely to die from the disease, Public Health Wales figures show that in some working age groups, nearly twice as many women than men are being infected and overall women represent 58.3% of the 5,803 confirmed cases so far in Wales.

While detailed study of the phenomena will take time – key reasons being suggested are that some of the most at-risk occupations like working on supermarket checkouts, in nursing and social care are predominantly done by women.

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The search is on for young Hwb Heroes!

At 8am this morning Wales Education Minister Kirsty Williams launched an initiative encouraging the children of Wales to use their creativity to spread positive and entertaining messages online to older people who are currently self-isolating due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

Digital Communities Wales and the Welsh Government Schools Hwb learning network say digital inclusion is more important than ever at the present time, with many older people missing out on face to face communication with family and friends and are jointly calling on children to become ‘Hwb Heroes’ by submitting everything from artwork, posters, poems, stories, photos and videos for publication on Hwb. This will then be shared widely with vulnerable and older generations as messages of hope and support which show that Welsh children care.

Kirsty Williams says it’s a difficult time for all of us, but particularly for some of our older or vulnerable people and those who are in hospitals, nursing homes or hospices. Many of them will be missing being able to see their children and grandchildren and will be feeling even more isolated.

The Hwb Heroes initiative builds on the Digital Heroes project delivered in schools, colleges and young people’s programmes with children and young people showing older people how to get online and use the internet with confidence – and to date, over 5,000 digital heroes have been trained across Wales.

Children can upload their getting online artwork, videos and stories on Hwb via: https://hwb.gov.wales/hwbheroes

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As the dry weather continues, South Wales Fire and Rescue service have had to turn out several times to tackle grass fires, most of which it’s thought are being started deliberately.

In recent days locations have once again included Rhigos mountain where firefighters’ efforts were assisted using a helicopter yesterday, plus other places in the Rhondda and Cynon Valleys.

RCT Council Leader Andrew Morgan told Cynon Valley News “it’s unbelievable that mountain fires are being set at a time of national emergency, whether by adults or children. It has to stop. To whoever is lighting mountain fires, I suggest you take a good look in the mirror when you get home tonight.”   

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And as we’ve previously mentioned – Public Health Wales has launched a new wellbeing campaign to address the negative impact of COVID-19 on the mental, physical and social wellbeing of people in Wales.

They say the ‘How are you doing?’ campaign has been created to support the people of Wales to look after their wellbeing and to ensure public health is protected during the isolation period

It follows a call by many charities and human rights experts warning that emergency isolation measures to tackle COVID-19 will put disabled, vulnerable and older people at risk, as well as having an increased negative impact on the wider public mental and physical wellbeing.

In response, Public Health Wales has launched a new micro-website, with information offering practical support plus useful links to charities and support groups for people who are feeling overwhelmed by the current situation.

You’ll find it at:   English – https://phw.nhs.wales/howareyoudoing

Welsh – https://icc.gig.cymru/sutwytti