Homeless need help

Trevor Ellis, Chalkhill Road, Wembley, writes:

Picture yourself in the Sahara desert under the relentless blazing sun, with no shade or cool refreshing water to drink and imagine how you would feel in such a situation.

You feel tired, hot, thirsty, hungry, and increasingly depressed as you struggle to make your way through an unaccommodating inhospitable environment.

The London borough of Brent, judging by the eviction of the 37 homeless men from the Euro Wembley Hotel, (Homeless men fear they 'will die' as Wembley hotel stay ends) is, in my view, comparable to that hypothetical scenario, unaccommodating and increasingly inhospitable towards those most in need of support.

Further to that, the accommodation offered to Brent residents by the local authority prior to the regeneration of the Chalk Hill estate in 2001 was often in a poor state of disrepair and in need of improvement, leaving tenants feeling frustrated and unhappy.

I recall being invited to my niece’s flat in the South Kilburn area in 2016 and I was shocked when I saw that her flat was basically one room that served as a bedroom and living room.

The bathroom and kitchen were small in size and I remember thinking to myself, how could Brent Council offer such accommodation to her?

We must stick to the new rules

Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director, Public Health England, writes:

This week we have had the chance to see family and friends again outdoors in a group of six, or two households.

The careful lifting of these restrictions has been possible thanks to the efforts of all Londoners in sticking to the rules up to now, helping bring infection rates down across the capital.

But although we have made significant progress, the pandemic is far from over and the situation remains delicate.

It, therefore, remains vital we do not get complacent and continue limiting transmission over the Easter holidays and beyond. That means sticking to the Rule of Six and avoiding the temptation to meet others in larger groups or indoor settings, as well as remembering the basics of Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air.

Ramadan advice

Roz Rosenblatt, London head, Diabetes UK, writes:

We would like to offer people in the Muslim community who live with diabetes help and advice to stay healthy during Ramadan – especially in the continuing Covid-19 pandemic.

We know Qur’an requires Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset. There are exceptions and people who are unwell or have medical conditions are not required to fast – and this includes people with diabetes.

Those who choose to fast are advised to include more slowly absorbed foods (low GI), such as basmati rice and dhal, along with fruit and vegetables in their meal at the end of each day’s fast. People should also check their blood sugar levels more often than usual.