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Liverpool sees Huge Increase in Face Mask Litter

LITTER pickers in Liverpool are seeing a huge increase in the number of used disposable face masks being spotted during their patrols, as the number of single use masks in Liverpool reaches 356,722 per day.

Charlotte Green of Liverpool, explains that:- "The scale of the problem of carelessly dumped disposable face masks is massive; residents of Liverpool use 356,722 single use plastic masks a day and sadly some of these are being dropped, or simply fall from people�s pockets; sightings are increasingly common now."

TradeWaste.Co.UK says that the number of disposable face masks that will be used across the UK in 2021 has been calculated at 19.5 billion. A proportion of these are discarded either carelessly or accidentally, meaning many end up being blown into woods making their journey into streams, rivers and eventually the sea.

What 19.5 billion single use face masks in numbers looks like:-

► 52 million a day (356,722 in Liverpool)

► 1.6 billion a month in the UK which is 19.5 billion a year; weight equivalent to 5 � Eiffel Towers

The problem of how to dispose of masks is tricky, with no easy way to recycle and conflicting ways to handle potentially contaminated masks; the real problem is the littering caused by careless users.

Litter pickers across the country are reporting an increasing number of masks being collected during their rounds. Generally, litter picking groups are finding 1 mask for every 60m they patrol, especially near shops.

Max Ratcliffe, aged 6, from Menston, in West Yorkshire, took part in a Home Schooling project to examine litter and its effect on the environment in his local wood. He was shocked by how many masks he spotted, with 1 dumped mask found every 50m, on a path, popular with dog walkers. Max reported:- "I think it�s really bad. People should put them in the bin. Animals might eat them, and they might die."

This sadly, others checking litter with the Merseyside area have also found the same, if not worse, with Sefton's Sand Dunes and surrounding roads seeing the highest amounts of PPE and dog waste litter.

Used masks are not only a littering issue, but also a health and safety 1. Charlotte Green concludes:- "Used masks are tricky and you should not touch a used mask; they should be treated like any other potentially contaminated material and only handled professionally using the right protecting equipment. There are obvious risks associated with coming into contact with a used mask. The way to tackle this potential environmental disaster is for everyone to move towards washable reusable masks, not only will this cut down on single use mask litter, but it also reduces the environmental impacts of manufacturing 19.5 billion plastic masks in the 1st place. As a country we have worked so hard to reduce plastic consumption, yet we are sleepwalking into another nightmare."

Food for thought?

► Ditch your Disposable Face Mask in 2021 and save ₤190

► A single use disposable face mask costs 18p

► Over a year using 3 per day this is ₤197.10

► A washable face mask costs ₤1.40 (Pack of 5 is ₤6.99)

► If you can use 5 masks by washing them, then over a year this is a saving of ₤190.11.

Statement from Chair of Merseyside Resilience Forum and Deputy Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Serena Kennedy

"My name is Serena Kennedy, and I am Deputy Chief Constable of Merseyside Police and chair of the Merseyside Resilience Forum. The Merseyside Resilience Forum (MRF) is a multi agency partnership set up to prepare for and respond to any emergency in the county. Throughout 2020, the MRF has been 1 of the key forums where Local Authorities, emergency services, Government agencies and all other organisations have worked together on a regional basis to tackle to Covid19 Pandemic. This statement is to update you on the current situation as we move on with dealing with another period of national lockdown and look ahead to the continued vaccine roll out. It is increasingly clear that after close to a year of Covid19, there is growing sense of fatigue with restrictions across many parts of our communities. Local and national media continue to report how people are still congregating and trying to find ways around the rules, many underestimating the risks they face. However, we must make it clear that the risks remain high. The Covid19 figures for Merseyside are stark:- on 29 December 2020 the weekly admissions to Hospitals for Covid198 were 43 in Merseyside. Just two weeks later, by 12 January 2021, it had gone up to 178; and our numbers remain worryingly high. The steps we take now and in the coming weeks will be crucial in ensuring our region can emerge from the national lockdown at the earliest possible opportunity. The most important step we can all take is to carry on following the lockdown rules, which will remain in place for the foreseeable future. In England this means people must stay at home and only go out where absolutely necessary, such as to shop for basic necessities, or exercise once a day. Also, people are not allowed to leave home to meet people socially if they don't live together or have a support bubble together. This is the only way we can reduce the rates of infection; the:- 'R value' and begin to see fewer people becoming ill with the virus. Although the news of vaccine rol outs is encouraging and going well, we must tackle the increasing risks created by people feeling they are out of harm�s reach; they are not. By working together, we can better protect our communities, our families and ourselves and create a resilient position to emerge from the national lockdown. Finally, thank you for all your hard work so far. Merseyside people have shown true community spirit and strength and we see examples of that every day. Despite this I know it is difficult and I can�t promise it will be any easier for a while yet, but all the effort and working together so far has truly paid dividends and we can be optimistic that by carrying on we can do the right thing for our communities and keep people safe and well."

Covid19 Vaccinations are being rolled out across Southport

COVID19 vaccinations are being rapidly rolled out across Southport, with more venues including chemists due to join the programme in the next few days. Southport MP Damien Moore has welcomed the news as he seeks to reassure people who have been offered jabs at the mass Coronavirus vaccination centre in St Helens that they can be seen closer to home if they prefer.

The Government is currently ensuring that more people in the UK are being vaccinated than any other country in Europe. A record:- 491,970 people received their 1st Covid19 vaccinations on Saturday, a pace that if maintained would allow the Government to beat its target for covering the most vulnerable people in society.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to offer a 1st vaccination to 14.6 million people by 15 February 2021. This would include the over 70's, frontline health workers, care home staff and older residents and others with clinical conditions that put them at extreme risk.

As of Saturday, nearly 6.4 million had received a 1st dose. If the volume of vaccines administered on Saturday was maintained, the top 4 priority groups could be covered by 10 February 2021, nearly a week ahead of schedule.

Southport Conservative MP Damien Moore said:- "The UK is making good progress in the fight against Covid19 and with a vaccine comes light at the end of the tunnel. Ensuring as many people as possible receive the Covid19 vaccine, especially those who are elderly and in the clinically medically vulnerable groups, is our best way of driving down cases, relieving pressure on our NHS Hospitals and gradually easing lockdown restrictions. I understand many people in Southport have received letters from the NHS offering them Coronavirus vaccinations at the mass testing site in St Helens. I would like to reassure people not to worry. If you cannot travel to St Helens, you can choose to receive a vaccination closer to home in Southport if you prefer. Due to our town�s large elderly population, the programme in Southport is taking slightly longer than in other places. If you are able to travel to St Helens for your vaccination and it is safe and convenient, then please go, it will relieve the pressure on vaccination sites in Southport. I would encourage anyone offered a vaccine to do so, as the best way of keeping yourselves and others safe during this pandemic."

NHS health chiefs in Sefton say they are working:- "as quickly as possible to those aged over 80 years" with Covid19 vaccines.

Working together with the borough�s 2 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), GP led services are working hard to immunise those residents over 80 years old and care home residents and staff.

As well as operating from local vaccination centres, roving teams of immunisers are going directly into Care Homes to vaccinate residents and staff. Staff at Southport and Ormskirk NHS Hospital Trust are also being vaccinated.

Sefton�s GP led services are just 1 part of the national vaccination programme. A regional vaccination centre has also opened at St Helens Rugby League Club�s Stadium, which is an additional option. Some Pharmacies in Sefton, including some in Southport, will also join the national programme by the end of January 2021.

MP Damien Moore said:- "Please be patient as this vaccination programme is rolled out as quickly as possible in Southport. Please do not turn up at a regional vaccination centre without an appointment. The local GP led service will be in touch as soon as it can book you in for the vaccine. I would also like to urge people to stay safe and follow the Covid restrictions which the Government has put in place, even if you have had your 1st dose of the vaccine which gives you a good level of protection, but not the maximum. Keep taking similar precautions to keep yourselves and others safe. Maintain social distancing, wear face coverings where instructed to do so, and always remember:- 'hands, space, face.�"

Some residents may be offered their vaccinations in Hospital if they are an inpatient or an outpatient during the vaccine roll out. Hospitals are vaccinating health and care staff. This is the biggest vaccination programme the NHS has ever undertaken. You can find out more about the programme here:- NHS.UK/Conditions/Coronavirus-Covid19/Coronavirus-Vaccination.

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 22,195 cases and the total number now stand at:- 3,669,658 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:-592, within 28 days of positive test, according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is:- 98,531, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 95,829.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 37,899. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 4,076 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 3,547.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,207,381 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 504,935 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-

Liverpool City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

► Liverpool, 41,902 confirmed cases.
232

► Halton, 10,139 confirmed cases.
96

► Knowsley, 14,869 confirmed cases. 114

► Sefton, 20,270 confirmed cases.
157

► St. Helens, 13,775 confirmed cases.
118

► Wirral, 21,035 confirmed cases.

147

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 100 100 to 199 200 & over

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within Local Authorities around the Liverpool City Region, since start of the Pandemic, are as follows:-

► Blackburn with Darwen, 15,259 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 7,758 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 20,910 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 14,377 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 17,121 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 17,843 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 81,217 confirmed cases.

Mhr> ► Preston, 11,003 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 17,674 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 19,029 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 16,717 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 14,729 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 13,867 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 14,976 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 24,160 confirmed cases..

Total UK people who have received vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

6,573,570 470,478

Jab Stats correct as of 24 January 2021

The vaccination programme began on 8 December 2020 with people receiving the vaccine developed by Pfizer / BioNTech, and people began receiving the Oxford University / AstraZeneca vaccine from 4 January 2021. Both vaccines are given as 2 doses, at least 21 days apart, for a full vaccination course.

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

The latest R number is estimated at:- 0.8 to 1 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- -4% to -1%, as of 22 January 2021.