Thursday 17 December 2020

The Vaccine rollout comes to Mile End




Today MEOTRA resident and its former Chair, Joan Griffiths emerged from a lengthy COVID-induced hibernation and after a ten minute walk to QMUL had the first of her two COVID-19 vaccination jabs.

It was all over in no time and look who warmed the seat up for her - none other than Wapping resident Sir Ian McKellen.

Joan was somewhat surprised the doctor didn't say "sharp scratch", whilst her companion was more concerned there were no lollipops offered in reward. Nevermind. A short stop at The Coffee Room and Joan was in croissant heaven.

As the year draws to a close it's great to see these small signs of hope. 
 


Monday 14 December 2020

Tower Hamlets - ANYONE can now get COVID-19 tested including those without symptoms

 

A model of the COVID-19 spike protein virus

On Sunday Tower Hamlets Council announced that ANYONE in the borough is now able to get tested for COVID-19 including those without symptoms. This follows a worrying rise in Covid-19 cases locally.

For MEOTRA residents this is literally a walk in the park, as the Walk-in Test Centre is situated at Mile End Park's Art Pavilion (just behind the Grove Road Texaco Garage).

On Sunday afternoon there were some 400 tests available in the next couple of days at this local centre.

To book a test visit: http://orlo.uk/g0rMf When you arrive on the website, select... 1️⃣ No - not an essential worker 2️⃣ No symptoms 3️⃣ No - not part of a trial 4️⃣ My council has asked me

It takes around 5 minutes to fill out the online form and I found it easiest to do on a smartphone (less questions it seemed).

I know it may seem pointless to get tested if you don't have symptoms, but it isn't. Around 80% of infections are mild or asymptomatic but these folk can still pass the virus on to. So the more testing we do the more we can break the chain of transmission.


Sunday 13 December 2020

Bow West Safer Neighbourhood Team Newsletter & Survey

 

Link to the Bow West Metropolitan Police's latest newsletter.

Attached is the recent Bow West SNT newsletter which summarises what's been happening across Bow West lately. It details the number and type of crimes in our area as well as in the borough as a whole, lists the Ward Priorities and contains the various ways you can report crime or concerns.

The Team hold regular ward panel meetings where the Ward Priorities are discussed (currently ASB and drug use in Newport House, Strahan Road; and ASB and group gathering on Guerin Square, Malmesbury Estate). These priorities are often chosen based of reporting concerns through www.met.police.uk and this shows the importance of reporting crime or issues that concern you.

There is also a short survey for Bow West residents to fill out (it only takes a couple of minutes honest!) regarding crime in our area. If you have two minutes then please do fill it out. Let's face it there is little else to do these days :) 



Sunday 6 December 2020

Roman Road LDN

 

A montage photo showing many local Bow residents and business workers

Our friends at Roman Road LDN recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise the money needed for them to continue operating during this Covid-19 crisis.

This local magazine works to strengthen the community and the high street using local journalism – working to connect people, raise cultural awareness, promote the local economy and, most importantly, increase community spirit. 

There are many organisations affected by the pandemic and we can't support them all. But during 2020 many locals, especially the extremely vulnerable who have been holed-up for most of the year have found the regular RoRd newsletters really stimulating and reading them has enabled many to take a much-needed virtual stroll around Bow.


The campaign has 9 days to go and has so far raised almost £19,000 of their £30,000 goal. Please consider supporting Roman Road LDN by donating or becoming a patron here https://romanroadlondon.com/campaign/