COMMON CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS
For this weeks article we thought we’d round up what we’ve all been googling all week. We are not experts - we’ve just simply collated some information about common concerns:
CREDIT: www.instagram.com/simplepolitics/
LATEST FACTS
As of 9am on 13 March 2020, 32,771 people have been tested in the UK, of which 31,973 were confirmed negative and 798 were confirmed as positive. 10 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have died.
The risk to the UK has been raised to high.
Only yesterday the government stated that mass gatherings will be stopped. What size constitutes a mass gathering isn’t known yet. Nor when this restriction will take place. [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/13/uk-to-ban-mass-gatherings-in-coronavirus-u-turn]
HEALTH
As members of wardrobe/costume we get very close to other people. Wash your hands whenever you can and avoid eating in the theatre especially during a show - to limit putting hands near your mouth [how often do we sit down to eat then get asked to do something and then come back and carry on eating!]. If a cast member mentions anything that could be perceived as a symptom then inform your company manager.
-
Latest and most succinct info from the wonder that is the NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
-
Self isolation advice
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
-
Government action plan [bit wordy tbh]
-
If you’re travelling abroad:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
-
Hand washing advice video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQCP7waTRWU&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77IZttD_pU8
INCOME
-
Claiming benefits if you have coronavirus - an overview
https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/
-
If you’re an employee you are entitled to statutory sick pay:
https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay
-
If you’re self employed and get coronavirus you may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/eligibility
SECURITY OF WORK
This is a big concern for us. What happens if a show or event is cancelled but we ourselves don’t have coronavirus – will we still be paid? The honest answer is it will depend on who you work for. Check your contract for a ‘Cancellation agreement’. For future work avoid verbal agreements and agree a cancellation fee in advance of starting the job.
The best advice we can give you is to sign up to a union. BECTU sent out an email yesterday with their advice and guidelines. They are putting pressure on government regarding sick pay and contacting employers to ensure members will receive average wages if self isolation isn’t possible.
>>>> https://bectu.org.uk/join/ <<<<