Coronavirus live updates: May 15 2020

Health and care leaders have written an open letter thanking people for following government guidelines – and urging them to continue.

They say social distancing and washing hands thoroughly remain the best ways to reduce the spread of the virus, which is “likely to be with us for some time”.

The message comes as some facilities and services and due to reopen, including recycling centres in Bristol and routine NHS services.

Scroll down for updates:

5pm
That’s the end of our live blog for today. Thanks for reading and see you on Monday.

4.46pm
Here’s a round up of some of today’s news and updates:

• Bristol Old Vic has revealed three of the five productions that will be streamed for free on YouTube as part of the Bristol Arts Channel.
• Life Cycle UK is aiming to help key workers avoid public transport and cycle to work by offering a free bike service.
• Bricks is launching a six-month programme to support visual artists in Bristol.
• WECIL Bristol is running a weekly online employment course open to anyone who identifies as disabled or has a long-term health condition.
• The University of Bristol is seeking participants for a study to uncover genetic risk factors for covid-19 infection outcome.

4.37pm
Creative Youth Network has created a series of videos around the theme of ‘kindness and mindfulness’ ready for Mental Health Awareness Week, starting on Monday.

https://twitter.com/Creative_Youth/status/1261316158789234689

3.43pm
Bristol South MP Karin Smyth has called on the Government to honour its promise to extend all personal independence payment (PIP) claims that were due to expire during the lockdown, after being contacted by a constituent whose claim has been ended.

The Government has announced the suspension of reviews and reassessments of all benefits until at least the end of June 2020, along with all face-to-face assessments, causing concern for those whose PIP payments were due to expire.

During questions to the Department of Work and Pensions, the minister responsible, Justin Tomlinson MP, confirmed that there had been an issue for some claimants who were on fixed-term short awards, but that the issue has now been addressed, and the extension will apply to all claimants.

Addressing the issue, Smyth said: “Lockdown is a struggle for everyone, and for those with a long-term health condition or disability are likely to find it even more of a challenge. No one should have to make a choice between staying safe and receiving the benefits to which they are entitled.

“I’m glad to hear the Government reaffirm their commitment to an automatic extension for PIP claimants. I’ll be watching carefully to ensure that as lockdown progresses and changes, claimants receive the support they have been promised.”

3.06pm
Caring in Bristol will be distributing postcards and information sheets to all those the charity has contact with, and to community action groups working with people in crisis.

They explain people’s rights around being outside during lockdown.

1.16pm
Here’s a roundup of some of the stories on Bristol24/7 today:

• Showcase has revealed when it plans to open its Bristol cinemas.
• The coronavirus lockdown has re-exposed inequalities in the starkest way, says a councillor who is taking action to tackle digital exclusion during the pandemic.
• Bristol Zoo has joined in with the latest TikTok trend, the #BlindingLightsChallenge. 
• One of the longest-running LGBTQ+ youth groups in the UK has launched a 25th anniversary film.

12.42pm
Theatre lovers can now watch productions from the comfort of their homes for free, thanks to Bristol Old Vic.

The theatre has revealed three of the five plays that will be streamed for free on YouTube as part of the Bristol Arts Channel.

Messiah, A Monster Calls and The Grinning Man are among the productions to be piloted, with two more titles to be announced.

Each production will preview on Friday evenings at 7pm and will be available through our website for free.

12.18pm
Life Cycle UK is aiming to help key workers avoid public transport and cycle to work by offering a free bike service. Read the full story here.

11.24am
Bricks is launching a six-month programme to support visual artists in Bristol.

The Old Market-based charity says the project has emerged in response to the coronavirus crisis, but also the wider systemic issues that have made the sector increasingly precarious.

They believe it will be “a catalyst to start a step-change in visual arts in Bristol, supporting both stronger individual artist practices and a stronger sector together”.

Through the Reaching Resilience programme, the charity will create a peer network, raise the profile of artists and their stories, support professional development and increase sustainability by increasing earned income routes. Find out more via www.bricksbristol.org/reaching-resilience.

https://twitter.com/bricksbristol/status/1260932389724844032

10.32am
WECIL Bristol is running a weekly online employment course open to anyone who identifies as disabled or has a long-term health condition.

The aim is to support people seeking work and help remove barriers to employment.

Find out more via www.wecil.co.uk/support-info/employment-support/

9.34am
Participants are needed for a study to uncover genetic risk factors for covid-19 infection outcome.

The University of Bristol and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology are seeking more than 2,000 people who have completed consumer DNA test kits to take part in research.

The work will help scientists develop new ways of analysing genome data, including new covid-19 research.

Participants will be asked to submit their DNA file and a supercomputer will process the information within 24 hours.

After receiving the finished computation, participants will be requested to complete a questionnaire tailored to their own genome.

Julian Gough, honorary professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Bristol, and computational genomics programme leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, said: “By taking part in the study you’ll be making a valuable contribution to medical research and to our understanding of analysing DNA data, including covid-19 research and who might be at greater risk of the disease.”

Participation in the study is voluntary and participants will have the right to withdraw at any time. If requested, the research team will remove people’s results from the study and delete any data associated with their participation.

To find out more about the study and how to take part, visit wwwsupfam.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/SUPERFAMILY/23andMe/

8.45am
Good morning and welcome to today’s live blog.

Here are some of the latest developments:

• The one-day mini festival, Bristol Takeover, has gone online for 2020. Read the full story here.
• Health and care leaders in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire have issued an open letter to thank people for observing the coronavirus advice so far and urges everyone to continue to follow government guidelines.
• UWE Bristol has signed up to an initiative helping the UK and its most vulnerable citizens pull through the coronavirus crisis.

Main photo by Ellie Pipe

Read more: Call for citywide action to tackle digital exclusion