As you all know, I’m a firm believer in not infecting others when ill, to the point where I ask that you do not attend class if you are unwell as frankly, it doesn’t help anyone: you make yourself weaker, which is your choice, but when you risk infecting everyone else and anyone they come into contact with, that takes the choice away from them.

Now, with coronavirus, I’d like to be even more pro-active and sensible as I believe it’s not being taken seriously enough and will get a lot worse before it gets better. I’m sure many of you have elderly, frail relatives (as I do), or contact with young babies and toddlers that you could be putting in danger.

How coronavirus is spread
Because it’s a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.

Public Health England

Therefore, I’d like to ask for your consideration for others that if you have travelled to any of the countries on the Department of Health and Social Care’s website risk list below to please follow their advice.

This advice applies to travellers who have returned to the UK from the following areas:

• China
• Thailand
• Japan
• Republic of Korea
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Macau

If you have returned to the UK from any of these areas in the last 14 days and develop symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, you should immediately:

• stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
• call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the country

In Scotland phone your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours. If you are in Northern Ireland, call 0300 200 7885.

Please follow this advice even if your symptoms are minor.

Importantly, please don’t think you know what you are dealing with or that you “are not contagious” as the experts have explicitly said:

“Because it’s a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.”

For more information on what to do see either the Department of Health and Social Care’s website or visit the NHS website.

Don’t be like Steve!

Thank you for your cooperation,
Sam.