6th April 2020: Your Weekly Briefing

Cover image credit @teamGB

This is your JRN Weekly briefing covering the developments of the last week in three key areas. If you have a story to share, contact our news desk at juniorrowingnews@gmail.com

Covid-19 Update:

“People are yearning to know how much longer this will last… the answer is entirely dependent on how much people follow the rules on social distancing.”

This week has been one of the most influential in the ongoing Covid-19 Outbreak. There were highs, there were lows, and there were moments that baffled us all.

At the start of the week, scientists from the University of Minnesota revealed that they had unpicked the mechanism whereby SARS-CoV-2 infects humans, in their article published in Nature.

Back home, anger grew as it emerged that the targets for the testing of frontline NHS staff have not been met, with the government combatting fears by pledging to increase PCR testing to 100,000 tests a day by the end of April.

Other news from around the world suggested that cats should be quarantined along with their owners, whilst tensions in the US grew as Mr Trump ruled out wearing a face mask as the number of cases continued to soar.

The British Government has warned of further lockdown measures if the general public flaunts the rules, especially surrounding exercise. Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said that he “cannot rule out further measures” but said none are imminent.

England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer has said that Covid-19 testing in Care Homes and Prisons is a priority, whilst her Scottish counterpart has been warned by the police after she flaunted her own rules in visiting 2 are homes.

Responding to comments that previous PPE guidance for NHS staff ran contrary to WHO guidelines, Dr Harries said that “What we’re seeing now is a slightly different prevalence of disease and we’ve adapted our guidance to manage that.”

Concerns were also raised with regard to the supply of Oxygen gas to the NHS after one A&E department was forced to close. The government has said that if patients require Oxygen it will be available to them, whilst the incident at Watford General was a result of a localised issue with Oxygen delivery.

It also emerged late Sunday evening that the Prime Minister has been admitted to Hospital for further tests, 10 days after testing positive for the virus. We’re told that the admission was a precautionary step on the advice of his doctor, and that he remains in charge of the government. Mr Johnson urges the public to follow social distancing advice.

The big news of the week came at 8 o’clock Sunday evening when the Queen made a rare address on the BBC concerning the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.

Her speech focussed on the ambition and determination of the Britons of this generation, saying “The pride in who we are is not part of our past, it defines our present and our future”.

Her Majesty thanked those on the frontline of both the NHS and those in essential services who keep the country running. This is only the fifth time that the Queen as reigning monarch has addressed the nation, other times included during the first gulf war, and at the passing of Princess Diana.

British Rowing:

“We have today taken the decision to extend the suspension of British Rowing-run and managed events until 30 June“

This week saw British Rowing issue an update “in light of the current situation across the UK” The major piece of news is that all British Rowing events would be cancelled up until the end of June.

BR also advise that affiliated competitions cancel their events in advance, citing the uncertainty that lies ahead for the sport as a whole.

This means that the British Rowing Masters championships will – in their current form – be cancelled. We are assured, however, that alternative solutions are actively being explored.

It also emerged this week that the National Training Centre Caversham will remain closed until further notice, as will British Rowing HQ in Hammersmith.

Finally, British Rowing advised that they will seek to resolve any issue in relation to the Ranking Points Index that has occurred as a result of Covid-19 disruption.

Away from the official Press Releases, rowing on a wider scale in the UK seems to have adapted as well as could have been expected to the drastic changes in day-to-day life. Across the country, rowing squads are setting up ways to remain in contact throughout isolation as a way to both continue training, and promote mental wellbeing. Our own tips on how squads can look after one another can be found here.

International Rowing:

“We can reconfirm that athletes/NOCs that have already gained an Olympic qualification quota place will retain this despite the postponement of the Games.“

The International circuit remained quiet this week, with teams adjusting to the new reality of Tokyo 2020 taking place 12 months later than planned.

World Rowing did confirm, however, that those athletes that had already gained qualification for the Tokyo Olympics will keep their seats, while qualification opportunities will be researched for those who are yet to gain their place.

We also learnt that the 2020 European Championships have been postponed, with suitable alternative dates in September and October being explored.

FISA is continuing to use its website to promote healthy ways to keep in touch with the sport, with measures such as online ergo competitions being encouraged.

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That’s all for this week’s briefing. Be sure to tune in next week for the latest news, advice, and analysis.

Until then, keep up with our other Covid-19 content on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Stay safe.

Ed Evans

Opinions Editor

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