COVID-19 – Plymouth Gazette

Why you shouldn’t post your degree certificate online

15Dec

By Vivian HockingNo Comments

Why you shouldn’t post your degree certificate online

In September this year, graduates were once again able to celebrate their hard-fought achievement of earning their undergraduate degree certificate with in person graduation ceremonies on the Plymouth Hoe. More recently, on Wednesday last week, postgraduate students from Plymouth were also celebrating their successes with in-person ceremonies at the Plymouth Guild Hall. Graduation marquees on Plymouth Hoe - University of Plymouth These events marked the first return to in person ceremonies since we reported last year on the decision to hold digital celebrations in lieu of traditional ceremonies, which was part of response measures to the Coronavirus pandemic. Both forms of graduation are typically however followed by celebratory social media posts. It’s not unusual to see photos ...

18Dec

By Poppy CarrollNo Comments

COVID-19, Societies, Sport, Student's Union, SU Policies

Have Clubs and Societies Been Supported by the SU Since Lockdown?

BY POPPY CARROLL Once again, our clubs and societies returned to their Zoom activities, as physical operation was prohibited due to lockdown 2.0. However, during our first semester back at university, clubs and societies were able to operate fully - providing they did so under Government regulations regarding COVID-19. So, how did the student union help our committees in the run-up to our return in September and, how did they guide them throughout the recent national lockdown? With the majority of clubs and societies relying on physical interaction to run, it was bound to be a challenge to recruit and re-start while adhering to the Government's regulations. Like many clubs and societies, the University Choir Society's biggest challenge was not being able to meet up. A representat...

2020 Graduation is Cancelled as University Plans Unfulfilling Zoom Call

29Oct

By Owain GullamNo Comments

COVID-19

2020 Graduation is Cancelled as University Plans Unfulfilling Zoom Call

BY OWAIN GULLAM On Friday 23rd October, 2020 graduates were told via email that planning for an in-person graduation had been stood-down in favour of planning for a virtual ceremony. Typical views of celebrations on the Hoe. Current restrictions limit all gatherings to a maximum of 6 people, yet the University states in an email that each ceremony usually hosts 800. The University is apologetic about the cancellation, but reminds graduates that current circumstances are out of their control. Planners have asked that a virtual ceremony be accepted, with the offer of an in-person "celebration" next September. The University has yet to release an official press statement. We have reached out to the University of Plymouth this morning; they are yet to comment. Their comments ...

Flawed ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme may not be as beneficial as we think; targeting the health of the most vulnerable.

28Aug

By Yasmine JelleyNo Comments

Cartoons: Yasmine Jelley, COVID-19, Health

Flawed ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme may not be as beneficial as we think; targeting the health of the most vulnerable.

BY YASMINE JELLEY COPYRIGHT – YASMINE JELLEY Who knew that this pandemic would be tantalising our taste buds? Nevertheless, the rumours are true. Now that restaurants have been re-opened for about a month, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has introduced the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme, in an attempt to re-build tourism and the hospitality sectors. Since the 3rd August, restaurants registered onto this scheme have provided a mouth-watering 50% off food and drink during the month. What could be better than that? Catching up with friends and eating out at your favourite restaurants, including the most beloved outlets such as Domino's, Wetherspoons and McDonald’s, where you can receive a Big Mac for only £1.60! That being said, is it as good as it seems? Was this the best time to implement this...

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 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...

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...

18Jun

By Lucas VossNo Comments

COVID-19, Plymouth

Is Remote Working the Future We Want?

BY LUCAS VOSS Image: © Lucas Voss Lifestyles have been turned upside down, and the norms of daily routines challenged. The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken everyone up, despite plenty of warning signs and time to prepare for the arrival of the virus that severely struck China, Italy, Iran and Spain, as authorities hurried to set lockdown law in the respective nations. Amongst twiddling thumbs, and twenty-second long cries of “happy birthday” echoing from the SU toilets, there was a quiet unease trembling beneath the surface of the Plymouth students. As the new week commenced, it seemed we would be left lingering a little longer, so normal work proceeded. This was soon to change before the end of business that same day. All was thrown up in the air, as everyone hurried to adapt to hom...

Realising the importance of family during isolation – Satire

11Jun

By Archie MurphyNo Comments

COVID-19, Satire, Uncategorized

Realising the importance of family during isolation – Satire

BY ARCHIE MURPHY Isolation is a difficult time for everyone, and I have found the vast amount of initiatives the public have come up with in order to stay sane, and not end up murdering our siblings, admirable. I have found my personal experience of the COVID-19 crisis to be quite the opposite. I have been abandoned by my loved-up father, who has renounced himself of the responsibility of looking after me, to have a much more enjoyable time with his partner (the word enjoyable being hypothetical). Living by myself is somewhat different from the living conditions we are all used to in Plymouth; waking at 1 P.M. to your slobbery, hungover, lifeless Uni mates each one of you regretting the ignorant decision to have one more in Switch knowing full-well you had a 9 A.M. the next day. Well, ...

11Jun

By Emily BrownNo Comments

COVID-19, Plymouth

Five Things I Have Learnt In Lockdown

BY EMILY BROWN ©ayapach Since the UK entered a national lockdown, there has been added pressure on social media to be proactive and productive. This endless free time pushed me to finally commit to learning sign language, something I have been wanting to do since I was given my late granddad’s ‘Dictionary of Signs’ as a little girl. Despite this, lockdown has left me feeling unmotivated. Now should be the time for me to practice French again, to read, to get in shape, but, even simple tasks such as putting away laundry or cooking something other than cheesy rice seem to be an impossible feat. Should this make me feel guilty? No. I haven’t seen my family since December and had to be updated on my dad contracting and defeating COVID-19 via WhatsApp. These are not ‘normal’ times, s...