Dear All,
As we move in to another week of taking care of ourselves AND taking care of the country, we need to salute our efforts! Pat yourself on the back – and you can do it if you have been doing your exercises – refer back to the past few week’s emails for lots of links!
For those who are cocooned – we are really making a brilliant contribution to ‘flattening the curve’. Staying at home is the best thing we can do and will contribute greatly to being sure of meeting all our friends when we can return to classes.
If you can go out to exercise with family, please think of others and how you use your personal distance. Walking each side of the pathways in Newbridge is OK – BUT it does make it difficult if you meet anyone else and they have to move on to the grass… single file on one side? Thanks.
Eircom email address? Thanks to those who have sent their new email addresses. We know that you may be staying with Eircom but if you have changed… let us know. Thanks.
For those members who are out and about and contributing in so many ways in our community – we all appreciate what you are doing.
For all – and those who are cocooned – please see below how you might be able to assist too.**
The Community Call
If you need help then the number for Fingal is 01 890 5000 or covidsupport@fingal.ie
** We have been asked by FCC as part of the Community Call, to collect names of any members who are willing to befriend some lonely and isolated in Fingal by phone. We will be passing on your contact numbers to FCC so if you are able and willing to serve in this way – let us know immediately. Just reply to the email if you are. Once we deliver the list of volunteers, we are no longer involved (to respect confidentiality of those needing support). It will be organised by Fingal County Council and the supporting organisations.
The Farm Shop offer – to AAfA members
Country Crest Farm Shop are now taking orders and payment over the phone (or cash/card payment on collection or delivery). To be fair, it is best to order on the day before you need to collect or have delivered. The delivery service is for members of AAfA and other older people in the community who may really need this service.
If you are collecting they give you a number for your order and a time slot for collecting to avoid congestion. There is no going into the shop now for a browse! The number is 01-8107493 or 087-1470829. Do say you are an AAfA member – while it does not offer a discount, it will let them know how useful their offer is to us. They have a great range of fresh fruit & veg, very good meat, delicious dairy & cheese, home-made dinners and very good apple drinks or wine, to wash it all down! We thank them in advance most sincerely for offering this service to our members at this time.
Delivery poster We have attached a poster giving advice when making or receiving deliveries that may be useful. Dealing with the actual contents of a delivery may need some thought too. You might find this article interesting…
Cleaning your groceries at home
Whichever way you get your groceries, you’ll want to handle them carefully when you get them home. This will reduce the chance of spreading the virus to other people or surfaces in your house. Elizabeth L. Andress, PhD, a professor of foods and nutrition at the University of Georgia, said at the very least you should wash your hands after unpacking and putting away your groceries.
If you’re concerned about potential contamination on your groceries, you can take additional steps to protect yourself. “Some people may choose to wipe or wash cans and boxes of food before storing them to reduce possible virus content,” said Andress. You can also throw out disposable packaging.
When you’re done, she suggests that you wash any tables, countertops, or other surfaces that were touched by your groceries or grocery bags. And wash your hands again.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers advice for cleaning and disinfecting your homeTrusted Source during the pandemic, including which cleaners work best against SARS-CoV-2. If you’re using cloth bags, wash them with laundry soap in a washing machine and dry them thoroughly before reusing them.
Cleaning food like a surgeon
If you or someone in your household is at higher risk for severe illnessTrusted Source from COVID-19, you might want to adopt the modified “sterile technique” recommended by Dr. Jeffrey VanWingen, a family physician practicing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in this YouTube video.
Financial assistance information –The COVID-19 Hardship Fund Application Form is available https://www.ageaction.ie/file/2020-covid-19-hardship-fund-form-finaldocx or you can contact their offices to request a form by contacting us at; Email: hardship2020@redcross.iePhone: Irish Red Cross at 01 6424600 or Age Action at 01 475 6989
Please ensure that you clearly outline the need for which you are applying, how the grant will alleviate hardship and what it will be used for and details of the costs (up to a maximum of €500). Age Action and the Irish Red Cross will assess applications and oversee distribution of funds on a weekly basis and successful applicants will be notified as soon as possible. A member of staff from Age Action or the Irish Red Cross will contact you if they need further information. We will ask that you verify that the funds are used for the purpose intended by supplying receipts and photographic evidence where possible. When Can I Apply: The Fund will open on April 1st 2020 and the closing date for applications is 31st August 2020.
Things to read – Senior Times – Interesting articles and interviews with a slant on Active Age
Age Friendly Ireland links – See the attachments at the end of this email. Some really useful links on these.
Other things to do – Have you checked some of the links on last week’s email – a wonderful world of interests available.
https://chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/list-of-online-resources-for-anyone-who-is-isolated-at-home
Message from Empower – Helpline for those who have lost their jobs or at risk of becoming unemployed https://c.um4.content.force.com/servlet/servlet.EmailAttachmentDownload?q=okYRioswKvti77DlEAJlW%2Bc6lIQuMgwmOsGzQq6SIZ706KdSJXZjm%2BrU1QONYWtrVicKBRjIukGGa6Qg74bkLw%3D%3D
Exercise – Go for Life on Facebook live and also available on YouTube
This is from the Age & Opportunity ‘Go for Life’ programme… 11am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Age & Opportunity Movement Minutes Live on Facebook
Find the sessions on their YouTube channel.
https://youtu.be/nCBryqKmaYg and also https://youtu.be/-kNDj3JMN9g
5 mins relaxation – end of week – Virtual Choir “Va pensiero” (“Nabucco” by G. Verdi) – International Opera Choir
This fantastic work has just been completed by the International Opera Choir in Rome, by Project Manager Raffaella Baioni and directed by Giovanni Mirabile.
Raffaella made each singer record their contribution on their mobile phone. The various files were then assembled by a sound technician. This is the result!
https://youtu.be/JTVXEGIS3LE Don’t be getting any ideas Muireann for the singing group!
So, there we are for another week. Or perhaps it should be – So, here we are for another week. Remember to stay at home and stay safe.
Best wishes to all members.
The Committee