TORONTO -- There is little doubt COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on more than one wedding this season. And while I'm truly disappointed for couples who had big plans for their special day, the average cost of a wedding is not insignificant. Using a rough estimate, let's call it approximately $30,000. This is a big expense for one day, plus a honeymoon. Saving this sort of money takes discipline and hard work. Marriage is a huge milestone and can be celebrated in many ways.

1. In a unexpected twist, couples planning to tie the knot -- while disappointed their wedding plans have been cancelled due to COVID-19 -- are not letting that money sit idly. COVID-19 is not stopping them from building their life together emotionally and financially.

According to Rakhee Dhingra, CEO of Mortgage Savvy, "We recently had the pleasure of assisting a few first-time homebuyers who were scheduled to get married this summer. Unfortunately, due to the current environment they had to postpone their wedding. Based on the money they received back from their deposit cheques, they were able to allocate those funds towards buying their first home one where their family can build long-lasting memories and grow into long-term.

2. Another emerging trend is the backyard and home renovation. It is safe to say many are hesitant to travel this year until at least a vaccine is found and the result -- a staycation option. Rakhee herself has been putting off her backyard reno in favour of travel but has decided this year the travel budget is being shifted toward home investment.

She went on to say, "during COVID-19, weve been able to support many clients on the refinancing front. By leveraging existing equity in their homes, many clients have been able to do some much needed home renovations. Doing so, not only gives them the opportunity to invest back into their home and appreciate the overall value of their property, but also design their home to reflect more of their current needs."

Weeks of isolation has given us a very clear idea of where we spend our time in our home and highlights what has worked and what has been working as well. Our son Kev and his wife Ellen are literally expecting their second child in days. Currently living in a two-bedroom home is ideal for their current situation but are concerned as the family grows and did I mention their two dogs, their home isnt going to be as ideal as it once was. Thoughts of moving were explored and then tempered by the sheer logistics of it during a pandemic and the costs. Their solution is to build on the existing structure with great savings from the land transfer tax costs combined with real estate fees being redirected towards their home renovation.

For families that are growing, backyards that have overgrown, and with more Canadians working from home, a renovation can be both financially savvy and emotionally satisfying.

3. Cottage life isn't for everyone and travel to the cottage due to the pandemic has been restricted in some communities for now. However, that hasn't stopped people from exploring in a low-interest rate environment a second or even investment property. Land, water, fresh air and no air travel can be very appealing. It is still early days however, based on the number of requests I've had -- 3 to date from people thinking about buying in cottage country, you know waterfront supply and demand will soon kick in and prices will continue trend higher.

Real estate for most is our largest asset and our greatest liability. But our home is so much more, it is also a place of pride and comfort. During periods of difficulty hunkering down in your home can have a calming influence in a time when you feel you have little control over much else.

These may be just a few of the early and unintentional trends in real estate that have evolved out of a pandemic but that doesn't mean that it is a bad thing.

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Pattie Lovett-Reid: Three real estate trends emerging from the coronavirus pandemic - CTV News

Team effort

The city brought in a Great Bend firm to scope the filtration system to determine where repairs were needed, and then hired a pipelining contractor to come in and complete the repairs.

Two layers of decking were removed from around the pool, and a channel was excavated around it. Crews also scraped and prepped the interior of the pool for new paint, sandblasted the seam and prepped for a new seal in the deep end where leaking may have been a problem as well.

This has definitely been a real team effort, Eilts said. We had our electric production guys do work here. We had parks, street and water departments. There wasnt a department that wasnt touched by this they did a lot of work.

And not at the expense of their regular workload, Eilts pointed out. A mild winter and spring without snow storms or flooding with the associated clean up involved was a big help.

With the pools decking removed, Haynes Electric Inc., Larned, installed eight LED pole lights and seven pool wall lights, and ran electrical and speaker wiring through new conduit around the pool. The city council will consider replacement speakers in 2021 or later.

A new $58,000 filtration system for the pool, manufactured and sourced locally from United Industries in Sterling, was delivered and set in place at the beginning of May. Installation will be completed soon. The unit can also be utilized in the future at a new pool when the city raises enough funds to make a project of that magnitude feasible.

Opening of the pool is still several weeks off. Once painted, there will be a curing period before the pool can be filled. At that point, the new lights will be tested, as well as the filtration system. When everything checks out, the channel will be filled and the new decking set. And, opening will also depend on how Governor Kellys reopening plan for the state progresses, Eilts added.

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Larned pool renovation is on track - GREAT BEND TRIBUNE - Great Bend Tribune

West Australians could soon be able to skip planning approvals for small home renovation projects such as patios, decks and extensions under proposed State Government reforms.

The WA Government has brought forward its planning reform package after years of consultation in a bid to stimulate the economy and create jobs amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"For smaller projects in particular patios, for pergolas, or for shade sails we're going to remove the requirement for planning approval," WA Premier Mark McGowan said.

"A household who wants to put up a shed or a patio or some shade sails, to have to get planning approval from the local council is expensive and unnecessary."

Also included in the 26 proposed changes are measures to make the development application process easier for "significant, job-creating projects" over the next 18 months.

That would include projects valued at $30 million or more, residential projects of 100 homes or more, commercial developments sized at a minimum 20,000 square metres and some regional or tourism projects.

The Western Australian Planning Commission will act as the decision maker on those projects if the legislation to be introduced to Parliament is passed.

The Government announced the planned changes as WA reported no new cases of coronavirus overnight.

The state total remains at 557 with three active cases in the community.

There are no COVID-19 patients being treated in WA hospitals.

Mr McGowan said the reforms had been talked about for decades, were long overdue and were vital to help with the state's economic COVID-19 recovery.

"These reforms allow us to clear that red tape away and ensure that we get major developers and minor developers and householders and small businesses the opportunity to get their projects underway far more quickly," Mr McGowan said.

"With far less expense, with better design, with less bureaucracy."

Other reforms are aimed at giving small businesses and homeowners more flexibility and include a number of approval exemptions.

Those reforms include abolishing the small business change of use approval that Mr McGowan said had frustrated small business for years.

"That sort of red tape has driven small business people crazy," Mr McGowan said.

"It's cost us investment, it's cost us jobs."

When announcing the moves, Mr McGowan said he was hopeful the legislation would pass through Parliament quickly.

"So we can get jobs and activity back into the West Australian economy we can get something going after this pandemic and get those thousands of people who have lost their jobs back into the workplace," he said.

But the Government was unsuccessful when it tried to get the changes through the Lower House this afternoon just hours after releasing the bill, saying it was urgent because of the pandemic.

It later backed down with the bill now to be debated next week.

WA Opposition Leader Liza Harvey said she was furious with the Government's approach.

"How urgent is it for people to be able to put up a pergola or a patio without approval before June 30?" Ms Harvey said.

"You have not articulated that. You have not articulated why we have to trash parliamentary process.

"Give agreement to a bill we haven't seen, haven't had time to consult on?

"We are not here to rubber stamp legislation from a Government that has become arrogant in the extreme."

Ms Harvey said while her party had not yet adopted a formal position on the package, it seemed to significantly cut down on unnecessary bureaucracy.

"But we do want to make sure that there are some checks and balances in place because the community are very sensitive to planning issues," she said.

"We need to get across the bill to understand if there are any hidden grenades in there that might actually be detrimental to the community."

The WA Nationals have called for more time to consider the bill.

Housing Industry Association WA executive director Cath Hart praised the "bold planning agenda".

"Some builders have more work stuck in councils than they do on site," she said.

"With COVID causing a 50 per cent contraction in WA's residential building pipeline, getting work approved and on site is more critical than ever to support jobs and the industry."

Ms Hart said the reforms would play an important role in the industry's recovery.

If passed, the changes would give local councils less influence, a development that drew the ire of the local government lobby.

WA Local Government Association (WALGA) president Tracey Roberts said councils had been blindsided by the Government's move and she was only able to access the content of the bill after it was publicly announced.

"We are concerned because we've had no consultation," Ms Roberts said.

"There are concerns as to why this has been rushed through."

Here's a guide to help you work out what will be allowed from May 18 and what is still offlimits.

WA Planning Minister Rita Saffioti said the "significant, job-creating" projects would be a priority to ensure the state had a "pipeline of construction work".

"We need good quality projects and we need a faster way to do that. This is a significant reform for WA," she said.

"It will assist WA's economy and create jobs."

Building approvals for home projects will still be required under the changes.

"You need the planning approval and then the building approval, so we want to eliminate planning approval where we can," Ms Saffioti said.

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Coronavirus slowdown prompts move to axe WA planning approvals for small home renovations - ABC News

Kolkata: Almost after 48 hours the West Bengal government on Saturday called the Army for restoration of the situation post cyclone Amphan. The state government has also written a letter to the Railway Board, urging them to stop all trains carrying migrants till May 26 due to extensive damage caused by the cyclone.

In a letter written by the West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha to the Chairman of Railway Board, VK Yadav, the government said, The state has been severely impacted by Super Cyclone Amphan on May 20-21 which caused extensive damage to the infrastructure.

Photo: Debajyoti Chakraborty

Meanwhile, the state Home Department said the state government is mobilizing maximum strength in unified command mode on 247 basis for immediate restoration of essential infrastructure and services asap. Army support has been called for; NDRF and SDRF teams deployed; Railways,Port and private sector too requested to supply teams and equipment. Drinking water and drainage infrastructure getting restored fast. Generators being hired where necessary.

Photo: Debajyoti Chakraborty

In a tweet, the state Home Department said, More than a hundred teams from multiple departments and bodies working for cutting of fallen trees, which is the key to restoration of power in localities. WBSEDCL and CESC asked to deploy maximal manpower, even while lockdown significantly affects the deployment potential of the latter. Police on high alert.

Relief and other measures by Bengal governmentWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in an administrative meeting in South 24 Pargana's most affected area Kakdwip area that The devastation and damage in the state amounts to one lakh crore loss. She said, Relief must reach people of the state immediately. There will be no compromise in this regard.

She also asked the administration to supply water pouches till water supply is restored in the state.

Mamata Banerjee expressed apprehensions that COVID-19 cases might increase now in post-Amphan situation. Post-Amphan, the damage and destruction is more serious condition than COVID-19, she said.

In South 24 Parganas alone, 45,000 electric poles have overturned. We have to reconstruct them again. We will focus on rebuilding the houses, Banerjee said. She urged people to take care and be patient.

More people should be engaged in 100 days work. More locals should be deployed and they should be utilized to clear the trees and contribute in the management of disaster, Mamata said.

Meanwhile, three columns of army have been deployed in Kolkata. The army already started removing trees in Rabindra Sarobar area, which fell due to Cyclone. Known to be the green zone of Kolkata and it has a huge number of trees. It is learnt that ten more NDRF teams are coming to West Bengal to help the state government on request.

Protests over power and Electricity disruption across West BengalProtests over power supply and water have been witnessed across the state, including Kolkata.

Citizens across Kolkata, from South to North in Jadavpur, Behala, Baishnaghata, Garia, Kasba and several others demanded power restoration and water supply after cyclone Amphan. The protesters claimed there was no water and electricity for the last three days.

A tree fell on our house. The house is damaged and we cannot enter the house because of it. The tree has not been cut after three days and we dont even know what is stuck below the tree, said Amit Sahu.

EM Bypass, the main lifeline of the city, was blocked by protesters. CESC authority has assured to restore power by tomorrow, Kolkata Mayor said. Many trees were uprooted and many have become homeless.

Photo: Debajyoti Chakraborty

CESC said power connection have been affected and there are all effort to restore it. Due to lockdown there were limited number of workers.

We have children and elderly persons at home. There is no water supply, not even drinking water. So we have blocked the road in our locality Baisnabghata and demanding immediate restoration of power, Mita Das said.

Not only Kolkata, people blocked Kalyani Expressway protesting in Nadia district demanding restoration of power and water supply.

Meanwhile, BJP and TMC activists clashed with each other on E M Bypass, after BJP state President Dilip Ghosh was prevented by police from travelling to Amphan affected districts of South and North 24 Paragans. Police said he cannot travel due to prevailing lockdown situation.

See the rest here:
West Bengal: Government urges Railway Board to stop Shramik Special trains till May 26 in view of Amphan - Mumbai Mirror

In the early 1970s, Bob Dylan was famously recorded on tape trying to wriggle out of a meeting with fan-turned-garbologist A.J Weberman by saying he needed to build some tables and shelves for his wife and hed been putting it way off.

During lockdown, and with his Never Ending Tour on hiatus, Dylan appears to have again put the home maintenance jobs on hold, having signalled his first album of original material for eight years.

After several years of releasing cover versions of Frank Sinatra lounge standards followed by a series of shows that placed his own canon firmly in that vein, the icon, who turns 79 on Sunday, appears back at his elusive best.

The new double album Rough and Rowdy Ways will be available from June 16, but Dylan has already dropped three of its songs online.

Such is the fervour of Dylans ageing audience of completists, theres little doubt the pre-digital types who have heard the songs will also buy the album not the least because he again appears to be giving hints about his world view.

On March 26, as the world was in the first weeks of lockdown, the 2016 Nobel laureate offered up a 17-minute opus on the assassination of President John F Kennedy, Murder Most Foul.

In a distinctly un-Bob-like message, Dylan thanks his fans for their support and loyalty, adding: This is an unreleased song we recorded a while back that you might find interesting. Stay safe, stay observant and may God be with you.

Given the reclusive star suffered in 1997 from a life-threatening fungal infection, histoplasmosis often caused by bird or bat droppings in the age of the coronavirus, it moved some fans to ask Is Bob OK?.

Turns out Dylans musings on all angles of JFKs demise was just the start of a promotional blitz for new material that offers a few hints into his thoughts on our current age.

Murder Most Foul is not perfect, its sprinkled with a fair share of clunky lines among the familiar Nobel-prize-winning brilliance, but it also places Dylan back in the spotlight as a chronicler of a place and time.

The day that they killed him, someone said to me, Son, the age of the Antichrist has just only begun, Dylan sings over lilting violin that channels the Sinatra crooning hes been practising on the road.

Air Force One coming in through the gate, Johnson sworn in at 2:38Let me know when you decide to throw in the towel. It is what it is, and its murder most foul.

The song then morphs into a series of playlist requests to radio DJ Wolfman Jack featuring classic songs and pop culture moments that may, or may not, have redeemed America in the years since the tragedy in Dallas.

If Bob had stopped at this track, the Dylanologists would have had a years worth of material to write about, but he followed up in April and May with two more tracks.

They also offered some intriguing lines, which may, or may not, show us what the great man has been thinking in the eight years since he released Tempest.

First was I Contain Multitudes a riff on the famous Walt Whitman poem, Song of Myself, which sees the protaganist muse: Today, and tomorrow, and yesterday, too. The flowers are dyin like all things do.

Follow me close,Imgoing to Bally-na-Lee. Illlose my mind if you dontcome with me. I fuss with my hair, and I fight blood feuds. I contain multitudes.

Bally-na-Lee was the home of Irish poet Anthony Raftery, the only one of nine children to survive a smallpox outbreak.

In the final lines the singer could be talking direct to death, albeit in the guise of a woman: Get lost, madame, get up off my knee. Keep your mouth away from me. Ill keep the path open, the path in my mind,Ill see to it that theres no love left behind.

Then if there was any doubt that Dylans new material is rooted in both the path and the present, the bluesy False Prophet appeared to provide even more proof.

Released with an image of a skeleton holding a blood filled syringe and the image of a hanged man with a suspiciously familiar Trump-quaffed hairdo, the growling stripteaser walks a fine line between the protagonist smiting false prophets or actually being one.

You dont know me, darlin. You never would guess. Im nothing like my ghostly appearance would suggest. I aint no false prophet. I just said what I said. Im just here to bring vengeance on somebodys head.

Hello, stranger. Hello and goodbye. You ruled the land. But so do I. You lost your mule. You got a poison brain. Ill marry you to a ball and chain.

With Murder Most Foul already topping the Billboard digital charts, Dylans first No.1 under his own name, theres little doubt the new album will be picked over as one of 2020s most intriguing comebacks.

He may have been putting off releasing new original music, but now Dylan has ticked that off the list he can get back to the home renovation jobs hes been putting way off and popping up some shelves like the rest of us.

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Rough and rowdy Bob Dylan gets around to some new music - The New Daily

When Singapore's circuit breaker period ends on June 1, more businesses and activities will be progressively allowed.

On Tuesday, the Government said there will be three phases in the reopening.

Phase one, from June 2, will last for at least four weeks as some restrictions are eased.

Phase two will last several months as even more measures are lifted. This will lead to phase three, which will be the "new normal" until a vaccine or treatment is found for Covid-19.

The Straits Times answers some questions about what you can do from June 2, when the first phase begins. Government agencies say some details are being ironed out. You can also send your questions toaskst@sph.com.sg.

A Companies must adopt telecommuting to the maximum extent. Employees who have been working from home so far should continue to do so.

They should go into the office only when the employer can demonstrate that it is necessary, such as to access specialised systems or equipment that cannot be accessed from home, or to complete a contract or transaction that is legally required to be completed in person and on site.

A You can return to the workplace if your company is on the list of businesses permitted to resume operations from June 2, and if your employer has put safe management measures in place.

Your employer must also demonstrate the business or operational reasons why you are unable to work from home despite reviewing and redesigning work processes.

Ministry of Manpower (MOM) inspectors will assess the efforts put in by companies to implement work-from-home arrangements, based on whether it is practical for workers to work from home, given the nature of their jobs.

A Employees must telecommute where possible. They can report workplace safety and health issues to MOM via the SnapSafe mobile application.

A School bookshops and retail shops selling school uniforms can resume activities.

Selected services, including motor vehicle servicing, air-conditioner servicing, basic pet services and full hairdressing services, can also resume.

Businesses that still cannot resume include bars, pubs, nightclubs, theatres and cinemas. They are deemed higher-risk because they draw crowds in an enclosed space.

To manage the risks of transmission, most retail outlets will have to remain closed until further notice. Department stores will remain shut.

All libraries will remain closed and their on-site services such as book drops and reservation lockers will continue to be unavailable.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

A No. Such sports and outdoor recreational facilities in HDB estates will continue to remain closed to the public. They will likely be able to reopen only in phase two, at least four weeks away.

Similarly, tennis courts, pools and other recreational facilities in condominiums remain closed. So will private gyms.

A The authorities will be giving more details on this in about a week.

A No. All libraries will remain closed and their on-site services such as book drops and reservation lockers will continue to be unavailable. You will not be fined if you have not returned material that is due. You will have three weeks after libraries eventually reopen to do so.

A No, these services remain closed. Beauty salons may continue to sell products online and deliver them to customers.

However, the good news is that hair salons will be able to offer colouring and chemical treatments from June 2.

A No, foot reflexology services will not be allowed in phase one.

A No. Car showrooms will remain closed and you still cannot test-drive a car. But motor companies can continue to sell vehicles online and deliver them to customers.

Motor workshop services, however, will be allowed to reopen and resume services. Currently, they can tend to only emergency cases.

Property viewings still cannot be conducted in person, but they can be done virtually. Agents also cannot meet clients face to face.ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

A No. Such home-based cleaning services are not allowed to resume.

A No. Property viewings still cannot be conducted in person. But you can do so virtually.

As for property agents, while they still cannot meet clients face to face, they can do so where the clients' physical presence is legally required to complete a transaction. The meeting must take place in the office of the real estate company.

A All construction work, including home renovation, will need approval from the Building and Construction Authority before they can restart. Priority will be given to projects that had started before the circuit breaker and were suspended.

New renovation works will depend on factors such as whether the renovation contractor has sent its workers to be tested for Covid-19. More details will be announced later this week.

Students can choose to wear a face shield or a face mask when they return to school from June 2.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

A Yes, they can choose between a face shield and a face mask.

A No. Just as tuition and enrichment centres remain closed, face-to-face lessons by private tutors will remain suspended in phase one. Tutors and students can continue with online classes.

Bubble tea shops, as well as other outlets selling predominantly beverages, are not allowed to reopen. Food and beverage outlets, food caterers and canteens can provide only takeaway and delivery options.ST PHOTO: WANG HUI FEN

A No. Outlets selling predominantly beverages, such as alcohol and bubble tea, are still not allowed to reopen. Food and beverage outlets, food caterers and canteens are permitted to open, but can provide only takeaway and delivery options.

A It depends. Applications to resume business will be approved by the Monetary Authority of Singapore on a case-by-case basis.

This depends on whether a money changer is able to restrict the number of staff on site to ensure safe distancing, and whether it can implement safe management measures at its outlets.

A No. Maid agencies are not allowed to reopen their physical outlets. They can continue to operate online.

A No. To manage the risks of transmission, most retail outlets, including those selling health supplements, will have to stay closed until further notice. They may continue to sell their products online and fulfil the orders through delivery.

A No. They cannot reopen their physical outlets but can continue to operate remotely.

A No. Insurance agents still cannot have face-to-face meetings with clients, except where the physical presence of the client is legally required to complete transactions. These meetings must take place in the office of the insurer.

A Yes, basic grooming, animal physiotherapy and rehabilitation services for pets can restart on June 2.

But there will be restrictions. Grooming, for instance, includes the maintenance of skin and fur, teeth brushing, emptying of anal glands and medicated baths. It excludes cosmetic styling of pets' fur and spa baths.

If you are taking your pet for physiotherapy or rehabilitation, you will need a referral from a vet.

All services must be by appointment. Non-essential services such as pet-sitting, daycare for animals, walking, boarding and the sale of pets will remain prohibited.

See more here:
Circuit breaker to be lifted: What you can and cannot do from June 2 - straits times

Image caption Volunteers were needed to help prepare bodies for burial

Newham in east London has the highest proportion of deaths from coronavirus in England and Wales. BBC News looks at why, and what it means for the community.

For much of April, Ghouse Fazaluddin was consumed by one thought: "We couldn't just stand back and watch our dead be buried in mass graves."

Using his background as a telecoms project manager, he set to work.

A WhatsApp group was created, and volunteers from the Jamia mosque in Newham, where Mr Fazaluddin is a trustee, were recruited.

The task in hand was essential, but grim.

There had been so many deaths that a backlog of bodies had built up and people were required to prepare each person for burial.

A stream of people came forward, and over the course of 10 days, they cleansed and prayed for 32 people.

"The most important thing for me is how the community has come together," says Mr Fazaluddin.

"The common goal was, we cannot forget our deceased, we cannot just leave them to be buried without the ritual washing that takes place, and that people's dignity, the dignity of the deceased, was preserved."

To facilitate the process, a side room to the mosque was demarcated, with volunteers in personal protective equipment, sourced from builders' merchants, responsible for handling the bodies.

Adam Hussain, a 23-year-old furloughed maintenance engineer, felt a responsibility to step up.

"At first I was a little bit scared to volunteer, but I just couldn't stand back," he says.

"I thought, I'm doing this for the community, doing it for their family, and I just felt happy."

Covid-19 has preyed on Newham like nowhere else.

Data released by the Office for National Statistics shows the east London borough has suffered the highest proportion of deaths from the disease in England and Wales.

While there is local concern that some people did not take the virus seriously at first and continued mixing, a combination of deprivation and ethnicity has allowed the disease to exploit the area's mainly black and Asian population.

The victims have included key workers such as GP, Dr Yusuf Patel, teacher Dr Louisa Rajakumari, and Anwar Hussain Oli, one of several taxi drivers who've died, as well as at least nine residents of the Bakers Court care home in Little Ilford Lane.

"The past few weeks have been really depressing," says Ayesha Chowdhury, a Labour councillor in Newham who knows around 15 people who've died from coronavirus, many of them Bangladeshis.

"When they pass away, the community cannot participate in the funeral, they cannot visit the family so everything is completely shocking.

"Besides dealing with the sadness, they also have to think about the finances of a funeral."

Newham has long been recognised as one of the poorest areas of England, the 2012 Olympic Park was located there in an effort to regenerate the area.

That has brought benefits to some parts, but long-standing high levels of both overcrowding and underlying health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and asthma, have remained.

Despite its problems, the government has cut around 6m, in real terms, from Newham's public health budget since 2016.

The recent ONS data, which showed people in poor areas dying at twice the rate seen in more affluent districts, mirrors earlier research on the impact of pandemics.

A 2012 paper, looking at the much smaller consequences of the 2009 swine flu outbreak in England, found deaths were three times higher in poorer communities and recommended socio-economic disparities be part of future pandemic planning.

Researchers say there is little evidence that happened.

"This is not an equalising virus. This is a virus with a disproportionate effect on poor communities," says Rokhsana Fiaz, Labour Mayor of Newham.

"If you want to avoid a second wave, if you want to minimise deaths, we've got to be given the resources and flexibility to spend at a local level.

"Top down, command and control, will not work in light of the evidence we have."

Public health experts agree that a targeted approach will be needed as the disease develops.

Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard, a public health researcher at Imperial College London, says communities deemed to be most at risk from Covid-19 should get priority whenever a vaccine is developed.

"Once those most in need, such as health and care workers are vaccinated, it's very reasonable to assume that those most at risk would be next in line to receive the vaccine."

In Newham, the community that has lived through this crisis, must now rebuild the borough.

At the East London Science School, they have been hit hard - about 40 staff members have had symptoms, at least 10 pupils have lost relatives and one staff member is caring for two children who have been orphaned after both their parents died of Covid-19.

For head teacher, David Perks, bringing hope means restoring normality.

"Being serious about the education we offer gives them a way of seeing a future for themselves," he says.

"We can't obviously turn things back, but the fact that they can see a future is the best thing we can give them."

See the rest here:
Coronavirus: Restoring hope in the hardest-hit community - BBC News

A house fire is one of the most horrifying calamities a homeowner can experience. A blaze can cause catastrophic damage in a matter of minutes, destroy priceless mementos, and threaten the lives of any occupants.

Thankfully, many residential fires are preventable. By understanding the most common causes of these disasters and taking the necessary precautions, you can vastly reduce the chances of your property going up in smoke.

Cooking

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the leading cause of house fires and injuries caused by these fires. Cooking fires typically occur when the kitchen is left unattended during meal preparation, and most cooking fires start on the stove. If a fire starts while you are out of the room, it can quickly spread before you can fight it on your own.

Hot grease is a common source of ignition. David Beaudrie, writing for the home design site The Spruce, says grease that reaches a temperature of about 600 degrees Fahrenheit can spontaneously combust. The NFPA says flames can easily spread if combustible materials like oven mitts and towels are kept too close to the stove.

Appliances can also sometimes lead to fires. Beaudrie says portable appliances like electric griddles might heat up enough to ignite nearby materials. House Beautiful says fire risk is also heightened if appliances are crowded too close together, allowing more heat to build up.

Never leave the kitchen unattended while cooking, particularly if you are making a dish where grease will be produced. The NFPA says you should turn off the stove even if you just need to leave for a short period of time. When baking, simmering, or otherwise making a meal that requires a longer preparation time, set a timer so you don't forget about the food.

Practice regular cleaning to cut down on combustible materials. Beaudrie says you should thoroughly clean your cookware to prevent grease from building up, and regularly clean potentially flammable materials out of your appliances such as crumbs in a toaster oven.

If a small fire occurs while cooking, it can often be smothered quickly. The NFPA says the easiest thing to do is to put a lid over a flaming pot and turn off the burner, or turn off the heat and keep the door closed if a fire occurs in the oven.

Since fires can often start in the kitchen, keep a fire extinguisher in the room in an easily accessible area. The Donegal Insurance Group of Marietta, Pa., says the extinguisher should be rated A-B-C to take on all types of blazes. Wolgast Restoration, a Michigan home restoration company, says materials such as salt, baking soda, or flour should not be used to douse a grease fire, since these can cause the flames to flare up.

Heating

Homeowners seeking to keep their homes at a comfortable temperature during the winter can inadvertently create a hazardous situation. The NFPA says heating equipment accounted for 15 percent of residential fires in the United States between 2012 and 2016, with half of these blazes occurring between December and February.

Keeping a heater too close to flammable materials is a common source of fires caused by heating systems. Beaudrie says space heaters and electric baseboard heaters can easily ignite nearby materials, while heaters that use fuel such as kerosene can catch fire or explode if they are not used properly.

If a fireplace is used for home heating, a layer of flammable creosote will build up on the inside of the chimney over time. This can eventually ignite, with a chimney fire potentially spreading to other parts of the home.

Make sure there's ample space around any home heaters. The NFPA recommends a three-foot buffer zone between any heating equipment, including fireplaces, space heaters, and furnaces.

Make sure fireplacesincluding pellet stoves and fireplace insertsare properly installed and have the necessary safeguards. Open fireplaces should have a screen to block sparks and embers, and ashes should be allowed to cool thoroughly before being removed to a metal container stored a safe distance from the home. The chimney should be professionally cleaned at least once a year.

Follow all instructions on portable space heaters, and look for a model with safety features such as an automatic shutoff that will be activated if the device tips over. Beaudrie says you should also inspect them regularly to see if they are in good condition.

Central heating equipment is rarely to blame for residential fires, but it never hurts to be cautious. Donna Boyle Schwartz, writing for the home improvement professional Bob Vila, says an annual inspection will ensure that the system is working properly.

Electrical

Faulty wiring is the third most common cause of house fires, according to the NFPA, though fires sparked by this source also caused the most substantial property damage. Beaudrie says electrical fires are commonly caused by short circuits that ignite building materials or overloaded circuits that cause wiring to get too hot.

Electrical fires can also be caused by an outdated electrical system or unsafe practices. House Beautiful says major appliances should be plugged into their own outlets, not a shared power strip. You should also never connect multiple extension cords or use frayed or otherwise damaged electrical cords. Wolgast Restoration says the risk of an electrical fire is heightened if you use an older appliance, run cords under rugs or other heavily trafficked areas, or plug too many devices into a single outlet.

Make sure your home's electrical system is up to date with the recommended safety features. The NFPA says these include arc-fault circuit interrupters to cut off electricity and prevent short circuits. Electrical work should be completed by a licensed professional.

Periodically inspect the cords on appliances and other devices to look for damage. Schwartz says any worn or damaged cords should immediately be replaced.

Be safe when using the outlets in your home. Never overload an outlet, and make sure the wattage of your light bulbs does not exceed the recommended wattage of the light fixture.

Look out for any warning signs of trouble with the wiring. Wolgast Restoration says these may include flickering lights, repeatedly tripping breakers, or a suspect odor. Have an electrician inspect the system if you notice any of these issues.

Open flames

Smoking materials such as cigarettes and cigars cause a small percentage of house fires, according to the NFPA, but are the leading cause of deaths caused by these incidents. Beaudrie says fires caused by smoking materials are often ignited when embers fall on a flammable item after the smoker falls asleep, resulting in the greater possibility of a fatality.

Smokers can reduce the risk of a house fire by using fire-safe cigarettes, only smoking outdoors, and keeping smoking materials out of the reach of children. If you do smoke indoors, use a deep ashtray, keep smoking materials away from any flammable items, and douse smoking materials in water before discarding them.

Caution should also be used when burning candles in the home. While they add a pleasant ambience to a room, candles can lead to disaster if they fall over or set fire to nearby materials.

The NFPA says candles should be kept in sturdy holders and placed on uncluttered surfaces, at least one foot away from anything that might burn. Don't leave candles unattended or use them in the bedroom, where an occupant might fall asleep without blowing out the flame.

Consider alternatives to candles. You should have a flashlight handy so you can use it instead of an open flame for lighting during a power outage. Beaudrie says there are also flameless battery-powered luminaries that provide the same effect as a candle without the danger.

If medical oxygen is stored in the home, refrain from smoking or using candles indoors.

Certain appliances, such as furnaces and water heaters, have pilot lights that could potentially start a fire. Wolgast Restoration recommends that any flammable materials be kept at least three feet away from these appliances.

Flammable materials

Several household materials are combustible, including gasoline used for lawn mowers, propane tanks for grills, paint thinners, and mineral spirits. These materials often pose a serious fire risk because they emit fumes that can travel a long distance and ignite when they encounter a furnace's pilot light or other ignition source.

Flammable lint can accumulate in and around a clothes dryer. Dust, dander, and other materials can create a combustible mass on vents and filters in the home's HVAC system.

Safe storage is key in preventing flammable materials from causing a fire. Schwartz says gasoline, propane, kerosene, and similar materials should be stored in proper containers and kept outside the home. Beaudrie says containers should be no more than 95 percent full to allow room for vapors to expand safely.

Store paint thinners and other hazardous materials in proper containers and keep them at least 50 feet away from potential ignition sources. The ideal storage location is a fireproof cabinet in a separate location from the main living space.

Never keep oil- or chemical-soaked rags stored together, as they can spontaneously combust. Spread the rags out in an outdoor location to allow fumes to disperse, at which point the rags can be cleaned and reused.

Regularly clean the dryer vent before running a load of laundry. Wolgast Restoration says you should also periodically clean out the dryer's exhaust vent, sweep lint away from surfaces around the dryer, and avoid piling up laundry on or around the appliance.

Seasonal dangers

Some fire risks are seasonal, as they are associated with activities that typically take place at a certain time of year. Outdoor grilling during warmer weather is one potential risk, as flare-ups or problems with the grill's heat source can start a blaze.

The NFPA says grills should be regularly cleaned to remove accumulated grease, and the grill should be kept a safe distance from the home, deck, overhanging branches, or anything else that might catch fire. Inspect gas grills for leaks each year, and don't light the grill if you smell gas. Never leave a grill unattended.

Summer is also a time for homeowners to light up their fire pits, which naturally pose a hazard to the property if they aren't used properly. The Donegal Group says fires should not be lit outside when the surrounding vegetation is dry or when there are strong winds. Don't leave the fire unattended, and keep a water source or other firefighting option handy.

Halloween brings jack-o-lanterns, which traditionally use candles. Keep them away from dry decorations such as cornstalks or crepe paper, and consider using battery-powered flame lights instead.

Sumptuous cooking is a hallmark of the winter holidays, but this is also associated with a higher risk of cooking fires. Christmas also has some unique fire hazards. Make sure you keep a natural Christmas tree from drying out, hang decorations so they are a safe distance from any ignition sources, and make sure your holiday lighting is safe.

Excerpt from:
Common causes of house fires and how to prevent them - theday.com

Moving can be such a stressful time. The checklist of things to do can feel a mile long. Between finding a new place, packing, and wrapping up loose ends in your old home, it may be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Its important to remember that moving doesnt have to be such a burden, once youve got a few tricks up your sleeves. If youre in the process of moving or just thinking about moving, here are four ways to take the worry out of what could be a chaotic situation and put your mind at ease.

In order to find a new home within your price range thats also in the neighborhood or school district of your choice, you may need to buy a fixer-upper. Fixer-uppers need a lot of love due to damage like water or mold. As long as you have the time, think about bringing in restoration services. If you live in the Chicagoland area, J.C. Restoration, Inc. can help you bring your new home back to its pre-loss condition. Whether the house needs big fixes like structural repairs and electrical work or smaller fixes like interior decorating and landscaping, youll be in great hands. J.C. Restoration, Inc. has successfully restored damaged properties for thousands of home and business owners. You can put your mind at ease knowing your restoration will be done right.

Moving into a new neighborhood is always stressful, because even if it appears nice, you never really know who youre living next to. Is it safe for your children to play in the front yard unattended? Is it wise for your children to go over and hang out at a new friends house? You can let go of some of that worry if you arm yourself with information. Introduce yourself to your neighbors, get their names, and then do a quick search of public records to see if there are arrest records or mug shots associated with each person. Go Look Up is an online information search engine that shows background checks and so much more. Youre sure to find the information you need to sleep easy.

Its so easy to think you can just do it all yourself, but thats a lot of additional pressure that you dont need. Hiring professional movers can save you some mental space and might even prevent you from injuring your back. If youre worried about getting the best price and hiring a company that will treat your furniture and possessions with respect, call around, read reviews, and dont be afraid to ask questions. With extra hands, your move will go faster, and youll get to move onto the fun partdesigning your new spacein record time.

When you start the moving process, the first thing that youll ignore in your daily routine is self-care. You can be so preoccupied with getting each facet of moving accomplished that you dont take time for yourself. You might think that youre gaining some extra time to complete each tiring task by skipping workouts or daily meditation sessions; however, its actually quite the opposite. Activities like working out and meditating help you to manage stress and put you in the right frame of mind to move forward. By removing that from your daily life, youre doing yourself a great disservice. You might find it harder to concentrate or problem solve. If youre really worried about time, shorten your workout or meditation, but try to keep some semblance of your regular routine.

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Take the Burden Out of Moving: 4 Ways to Put Your Mind at Ease - NuWire Investor

Some of the major changes included opening up the views and bringing continuity to the spaces; raising the ceilings two feet toward the back of the house to build an extension with the kitchen (the focal point of the house) and living room; raising the floor of the master suite; installing a large steel and glass opening on the rear faade to let the light in; and adding three balconies.

Designed to be functional and fit the owners needs, the home features effortless style with its round and arched contours to balance out the hard lines in the steel doors.

The very cool suspended lighting device comes from Flos.

The scalloped plaster fireplace was done by Kamp Studios, and the art flanking it is by Matias Sanchez Martin.

It was built to complement our lifestyle, which is to have friends over for long dinners, good music, many candles, great cocktails and wine, and lots of laughs, Lindsay says. This house is to enjoy and celebrate life in the morning and at night, with no part of it overly precious.

Classic brownstone details are visible in the trims and molding throughout the house in off-white tones mixed with edgier touches like the matte black staircase. We stayed neutral throughout, but played with different textures and tones, incorporating decorative wall finishes like plaster and wallpaper, Jae says. We wanted to keep a sleek modern feel, while avoiding the bare and stark impressions associated with contemporary interiors.

BEFORE: This bedroom layout felt cramped and crowded.

AFTER: The master bedroom redo is all about clean lines and architectural details. The sculptures on display are by Jenny Min.

For the couple, the Brooklyn home is a study of equilibrium, where grids are balanced by curves, matte is juxtaposed with texture, and simple is only occasionally disrupted by grandeur. The house, according to the couple, is like Axel Vervoordt in the middle of a Kanye concert.

BEFORE: The master suite section had to be reconfigured entirely to make the space functional.

AFTER: The result was created with softness and serenity in mind. The scones in the bathroom are by Arne Jacobsen, and the faucets are by Waterworks.

AFTER: The master suite now boasts a grand master bathroom with a large freestanding tub and a custom vanity.

AFTER: Here, another bathroom was designed with a little more moody flair.

Although they invested a significant amount of energy, the couple enjoyed every part of the process. Renovations are very funnyyou feel like you end up with a Ph.D. in what not to do, Lindsay and Kayvan smile. A gut renovation on a townhouse is the most daunting, frightening, fiscally challenging, draining experience, but when you finally get the keys to your house, it becomes the foundation for your future memories that makes everything worth it.

The parlor floor gained a whole new chic living space after the expansion. The steel doors let in an incredible amount of light which brightens the entire floor. The big puzzle artwork is from M. Crow.

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This Brooklyn Townhouse Gets a Refined Renovation - Architectural Digest