The true spirit of Salford: the internet community making coronavirus bearable

During these unprecedented times, people are using the connectivity of social media for good.

The Spirit of Salford Network Facebook group has been set up to help out those in need.

The group has mobilized as a direct response to the current coronavirus outbreak.

At the time of writing, the group has 1,706 members and counting.

The government has been criticized for abandoning wide-spread testing, instead only focusing on the worst cases in hospitals.

The public has been advised to call NHS 111 only in the most serious of cases and to refer to online advice instead.

However, there is some concern from the community over elderly residents’ ability to cope with long periods on their own, as well as lack of access to official guidelines and resources.

Members of the group are volunteering to go on supply runs for those who simply cannot.

The key message from the group is to not panic; many interim ideas are being discussed, and concerns over transmission are being taken into account.

For example, only receiving food donations from one source so that the transmission thread of the potentially dangerous disease can be traced more easily.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Valance will be giving daily updates on the national situation.

Yesterday, the government laid out new measures needed to protect you, others and the NHS.

This clip lays out some of the details and more information is online https://t.co/m3AtRoVWeZ https://t.co/hABeuPbxS0

— Professor Chris Whitty (@CMO_England) March 17, 2020

Public health England has put together a dashboard tracker so that the public can keep up-to-date regarding the spread of the disease on a local level.

Current guidelines are to work from home if possible, stay away from social areas such as pubs or clubs, and to avoid contact with older people.

This has seen some care homes ban visitors entirely.

If you can get involved and help in any way you can, join the Spirit of Salford Network.

At the time of writing, the UK has had 6,650 confirmed cases of the disease.

335 people have died as a result.

If you would like more information on how to get involved pleased contact Sharmina August and Lewis Nelson at councillor.august@salford.gov.uk and councillor.nelson@salford.gov.uk.