Covid-19: Protecting People


Many of us are seeing a huge, community-minded response from people concerned about and wanting to help the vulnerable and self-isolating. This is incredible and necessary. However, we know that there are also those trying to take advantage of the situation, and that precautions need to be taken to prevent further spread of the virus. SCVO states that a "It is important to remain calm and not rush to immediate action, as we are aware that from previous international emergencies, the positive desire of individuals and groups to help can often have unintended consequences and result in negative longer-term impacts." Please ensure you and the people you work with are aware of the best practices as advised by trusted sources.

SCDC (Scottish Community Development Centre) are looking to raise awareness of an important new resource on safe delivery of services in communities during the COVID 19 emergency. SCDC has worked  with colleagues at Public Health Scotland to produce the advice who technically checked its content with detailed input from Health Protection Scotland. Please click here to see a news item promoting this advice and here for a direct link to the resource. 

PPE

Information on the face coverings regulations, announced by the First Minister on Thursday
15 October, can be found here.
If VCS organisations, carrying out essential work in communities, are having problems around sourcing the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), they are able to purchase it through the Scottish Government’s PPE procurement framework, which was set up in response to the pandemic. Organisations that want to access this scheme should contact ReadyScotland@gov.scot. The Ready Scotland website also gives appropriate PPE guidance and a useful tool to assist VCS organisations determine what PPE they might need.

Visual aid - spread of Covid 19 through the air

​https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-10-28/a-room-a-bar-and-a-class-how-the-coronavirus-is-spread-through-the-air.html?ssm=TW_CC 

Safeguarding
Please click here to see a copy of the poster promoting safeguarding of adults and providing guidance to the public regarding what to do if they are concerned about an adult.  

Argyll & Bute Council

Argyll & Bute Community Support Guide from the Council is aimed at supporting community groups, organisations and local people who are volunteering to provide support to the vulnerable and the elderly. It provides good protocols for everything from delivering groceries to (not) handling cash: 
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