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Ecclesmachan and Threemiletown Coronavirus Local Support page

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
LOCAL SUPPORT
E&T Helping Hands

These are difficult times we are living in and the Ecclesmachan & Threemiletown Community Council and Village Hall Management Committee are here to help those self-isolating and are in need of help.

We are not a professional body, just your neighbours, so can only help within reason and in ways we can also stay safe.

The major challenges for us all are obtaining food, medicine supplies, posting letters and having access to a friendly voice.

All major supermarkets and pharmacies do offer an online ordering and delivery service, as do the following local shops.

Scotmid – Broxburn. website (link) www.snappyshopper.co.uk
Waz's General Store – Goshen, Broxburn. website (link) www.groceronline.co.uk
John Lawson Butcher – Uphall. website (link) www.johnlawsonbutchers.co.uk
Craigies Farm Shop - Craigiehall. website (link) https://craigies.co.uk

We realise at this time it is difficult to get delivery slots and that some of you will not have the ability, or indeed the technology required to obtain these services. So we are here to help if we can.

If you require help placing online shopping orders or need someone to go and get shopping, please contact us using the "Contact" link at the top of this page, we will then arrange to advise you of your nearest help volunteers. Please note for our own safety we are unable to shop on a daily basis and ask that when using our service you take that into account. If you have an urgent medical requirement from the pharmacy we will do what we can to help at any time, you will not have to wait a week.

If you are feeling lonely and just want a chat, or have a concern about something, please do not hesitate to contact us - we can then be just at the other end of the phone (we can supply contact number details for your local volunteer). If you don’t get an answer right away on that number please just leave a message with your telephone number & someone will get back to you.

The following information is some general advice based on current Government guidance:-

STAY AT HOME IF YOU HAVE CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS
Stay at home for 7 days if you have:
• A high temperature: You feel hot to touch on your chest or back.
• A new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly.
• A loss of taste or smell.
• If someone in your home has a persistent cough or fever. Everyone living there must stay at home for 14 days.
DO NOT go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
Read the NHS advice about staying at home: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice

HOW TO AVOID CATCHING OR SPREADING CORONAVIRUS
• Stay home where possible. Stop non-essential contact with others and non-essential travel.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching common public surfaces such as metal or plastic.
• Use 60% alc. hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are unavailable
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
• Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards.
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

USE THE NHS 111 ONLINE CORONAVIRUS SERVICE IF:
• You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home.
• Your condition gets worse.
• Your symptoms do not get better after 7 days.
• Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

HOW IS CORONAVIRUS SPREAD?
Because it’s a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.
Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.
It’s very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food.

TREATMENT FOR CORONAVIRUS
There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus. Treatments are being tested. The earliest a vaccine is likely to be available is 2021.
Use Paracetamol to help with lowering a fever. Avoid anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen, as this may worsen the symptoms.
Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.

SHOUT CRISIS TEXT LINE
*NOT FOR MEDICAL ADVICE*
For anyone struggling with their mental health in isolation or suffering from anxiety or worry. Please text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offer free 24/7 textline support for those feeling in crisis.