July 2020 – Plymouth Gazette

Will ME/CFS Sufferers Benefit from the Pandemic?

31Jul

By Yasmine JelleyNo Comments

Cartoons: Yasmine Jelley, COVID-19, Health

Will ME/CFS Sufferers Benefit from the Pandemic?

BY YASMINE JELLEY Copyright - Yasmine Jelley After the announcement from Boris Johnson; pubs, restaurants, hair salons and entertainment facilities were set to reopen from 4th July. Whilst the anticipation is now over, the eager public can now reclaim partial freedom by acquiring that desired fresh pint enjoyed with friends, and getting that well needed haircut. As the lockdown restrictions are starting to ease, it gives the impression that a new sense of normality is in close proximity and this pandemic may all be a distant nightmare. That cannot be said for those suffering with debilitating illnesses, such as Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). ME, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), is estimated to affect 1 in 250 people ...

28Jul

By Amii JamesNo Comments

Cartoons, Cartoons: Amii James

Plymouth Barbican

Plymouth Barbican. Image: Copyright Amii Illustrates The Barbican was left covered in litter from drunk revellers during lockdown on the night of June 24. Litter included plastic cups, beer bottles, nitrous oxide canisters and more. Pub-goers awaiting the reopening of pubs on July 4, and a lack of police presence on the historic harbourside, left the situation to spiral out of control. A large clean-up operation was actioned by Plymouth City Council the following morning to clean the litter on the cobbled streets and waste discarded into the harbour water. There has been an increased police presence in the area and the removal of public toilet fees to prevent a recurrence of these scenes. View more Plymouth Gazette illustrations here

28Jul

By Lucas VossNo Comments

COVID-19, Plymouth

Don’t Forget to Take Your Mask

BY LUCAS VOSS © Lucas Voss New rules come into force in England today, Friday 24th July, that require you to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets by law. This is in addition to the rules that already applied to users of public transport since 15th June. The government also suggests wearing a face covering in other confined spaces where social distancing may be difficult. If you don’t have a mask already, you may be worried how you will shop this weekend with this new rule in place. The government have noted that a face covering does not have to be a mask. It could be a scarf, bandana or home-made covering – they have even provided instructions to make your own! It has been stated by the Cabinet Office that face coverings are ‘largely intend...

25Jul

By Rory Eaves1 Comment

Plymouth, Politics

Who Was Nancy Astor? – Opinion

BY RORY EAVES Nancy Astor - Unknown photographer, 1923 Rightly or wrongly, I had never heard of Nancy Astor until I came to Plymouth, and even then I never took the initiative to find out more about her. I knew nothing about her being the first female Member of Parliament to take her seat, nor did I know anything about her vocalisation of anti-Semitic views. Considering that I studied Woman's Suffrage and pre-WWII Europe for GCSE history, it's quite alarming that such a pivotal and important figure such as Nancy Astor never once came up. Time to right that wrong and explore the life and importance of one of Plymouth's most famous public figures. Nancy Astor's Claim to Fame Nancy Astor is revered and remembered as the first female British MP to take her seat in 1919 for Pl...

The Healing Power of Pole: how the world’s most taboo sport aids eating disorder recovery

25Jul

By Emily BrownNo Comments

The Healing Power of Pole: how the world’s most taboo sport aids eating disorder recovery

BY EMILY BROWN TRIGGER WARNING: mention of eating disorders throughout, but every effort has been made to ensure that no harmful behaviour associated with eating disorders is discussed explicitly in this article. According to the Anorexia and Bulimia Care website, “young people, aged 14 to 25 are most at risk" from eating disorders. With the average student being in this age demographic, it’s unsurprising that eating disorders affect many university students. Something that did surprise me, however, was how many students I would meet through the University of Plymouth Pole Dancing Club (UPPDC) who have experienced an eating disorder. Pole dancing is a sport which intimidates many, often due to its connections with the sex industry and the 'revealing' outfits that are worn. Being ...

Remote Learning Highlights Technological Inequalities

22Jul

By Lucas VossNo Comments

COVID-19, Plymouth

Remote Learning Highlights Technological Inequalities

BY LUCAS VOSS 'Home working' is often used as a blanket term to imply business will continue as usual, albeit from another location. A glimpse into the student or worker's home office is offered in a video call, however this is only a select view or virtual background. So, what is a home office really like? An idealistic space adorned with a desk, ergonomic chair, computer, and top of the range coffee machine to fuel the day, is not accessible to most of the UK's working population. Even so, it would not cater for a whole family now simultaneously working from home, including children being home-schooled. This would resonate with Robert Kelly, as his BBC interview was interrupted by his children in 2017, leading it to go viral - although now it is the new normal for students to witn...

Check Yourself: Young People and Breast Cancer

14Jul

By Eloise ArcherNo Comments

Health, Plymouth

Check Yourself: Young People and Breast Cancer

Copyright Eloise Archer BY ELOISE ARCHER According to the NHS website, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK, and almost 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer within their lifetime. These are some very daunting statistics, but when detected early on, survival rates are proven to be much higher. The Breast Cancer Support Charity also states that, “more than 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer at the earliest stage survive their disease for at least 5 years, compared to around 15% for women diagnosed with the most advanced stage of disease”. Detecting breast cancer early can be massively helped by checking your breasts regularly. After speaking to some university students, it became very clear that there is a huge lack of awareness for th...

9Jul

By Amii JamesNo Comments

Cartoons, Cartoons: Amii James

The Messenger Plymouth

The Messenger Plymouth. Image: Copyright Amii Illustrates Messenger is a large statue in Plymouth, created by the Cornish artist Joseph Hillier, depicting a female actor crouching in preparation to run onstage. It was commissioned by and installed outside the Theatre Royal, Plymouth in 2019 in preparation for the city's 2020 celebration of the 400th anniversary of the ship Mayflower sailing to the New World. View more Plymouth Gazette illustrations here

Plymouth’s Arts Community: The Rise out of Lockdown

8Jul

By Melissa HawkinsNo Comments

Culture, Entertainment, Plymouth

Plymouth’s Arts Community: The Rise out of Lockdown

BY MELISSA HAWKINS Copyright - Amii Illustrates Theatre-goers bustle into the warm auditorium, hugging their damp coats and fistfuls of confectionery as they take their seats amongst the wine fuelled chatter that floats around The Drum. A few doors down, ticket holders patiently wait in line for tonight’s band, a buzz of excitement trailing way beyond the doors and giggling queues of the Pavilion. Set back from the eclectic energy that seeps through the city centre, small groups gather to review their most recent book club read; a tricky dystopian page turner that appears worlds apart from our own. I think back to the last time I went to the theatre – I caught a one woman show at the Barbican Theatre on a whim after lectures one evening; it was raining outside so I was very...

4Jul

By Lucas VossNo Comments

Health, Plymouth

Get Movember 2020 Ready

BY LUCAS VOSS Behind the scenes, work is underway in preparation for this year’s Movember, with ambassadors ready in their roles for the upcoming campaign in November 2020. Despite months until the foundations’ annual peak of awareness, the importance in the present day could not be more relevant. Social immobility across the globe has significantly changed everyone’s lives, increasing loneliness, depression and anxiety. The Guardian reported that "young men aged 18-25" mainly required admission during the pandemic. “What’s happening now is impacting us all in different ways” - Brendan Maher, Global Director of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for Movember. On average men die nearly six years earlier than women, with poor mental health, and testicular and prostate cancer ...