Face Coverings – All you Need to Know
The Scottish Government currently recommends the wearing of facial coverings when:
- You leave the house and enter enclosed spaces, particularly where physical distancing is difficult to maintain and there is a risk of close contact with multiple people.
- Travelling on public transport.
- Entering some shops where it is not possible to maintain a two-metre distance from other customers.
There is no evidence to suggest there might be a benefit to wearing face coverings outdoors, unless in an unavoidable crowded situation, in which case there may be some benefit.
Nicola Sturgeon has advised there is “some evidence” that wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces, where physical distancing is more difficult, can protect other people if the wearer is infected. She has “strongly” encouraged people to start wearing them if they have not been doing so already. So wearing a mask is doing your bit to make sure you don’t pass on the coronavirus to anyone else, as you may be infected but not showing any symptoms.
A medical grade mask is not required, just a facial covering of the mouth and nose that is made of cloth or other textiles and through which you can breathe, for example a scarf or fabric mask.
After use, it is important you wash your hands first and avoid touching your face. After each use, you must wash the face covering at 60 degrees centigrade or dispose of safely. Face coverings should not be used for children under the age of two years.
The World Health Organisation provides advice in the infographic below and also has videos about how to wear a fabric mask.
Business Spotlight – The Crannog Cafe
This week’s business spotlight is on Crannog Cafe run by Shonagh Brown. She is a newbie on the High Street, only taking over Café Delights in March and renaming it Crannog. However, she has been very busy throughout lockdown preparing meals and delivering them throughout Linlithgow.
This photo of Shonagh was taken by Queensferry Churches Care in the Community when she did over 70 “pensioner’s sized” afternoon teas recently for them! Their volunteers collected them and delivered them to the pensioner’s homes.
Shonagh has a new menu every week for deliveries, giving priority to the vulnerable and elderly. She said “For some folk I’m the only visitor they’ll have all day, and I’ll have a 10-minute blether on the doorstep. I’m well-known for being very talkative!”
She is doing a fantastic job providing homecooked meals, afternoon tea and cakes, either for yourself or to treat family and friends. You just need to order 24 hours in advance by text, Facebook messenger or email, for delivery Monday to Friday.
You can read more about Crannog Cafe in this recent edition of The Black Bitch Magazine on page 6. Follow on Facebook to keep updated with the latest menus and news!
Community Spotlight – Linlithgow Twinning Association
Linlithgow is twinned with the French town of Guyancourt, which is situated about twenty kilometres south-west of Paris and close to the Chateau of Versailles. One of the key principles of our twinning relationship is that, in order to experience French culture first-hand, we stay with host families when we visit Guyancourt. We also host our French guests in our own homes when they visit Linlithgow. This can be a bit daunting at first, but many rewarding and long-standing friendships have resulted from these exchanges.
The main annual twinning event takes place annually over a weekend when exchange visits are organised between the two towns on alternate years. These are fun packed weekends of music, dancing, rambling and seeing new places. Plus, of course, discovering local cuisine and hospitality and the chance to make lifelong French and Scottish friends. Twinning is open to anyone living in Linlithgow and surrounding areas and individuals, couples and families are welcome to participate. All that is required is an interest in France and the French way of life. The ability to speak a little French can be useful but is not essential and it can be an excellent means of practising and improving your own French language skills.
The Association has already advised our friends in Guyancourt that, because of coronavirus, we will not be able to make our planned trip to Guyancourt in October 2020. Alternative dates are now being sought by both Associations. Linlithgow Twinning Association’s Annual General Meeting will be held using Zoom on Thursday, 25th June at 7pm. If you are interested in taking part please contact Gaynor Parry (01506844878).