Where ancient mammals really as small as we first thought?

Louise Stacey

An ancient, cat-sized mammal was found in Madagascar. Scientists have revealed that this mammal would have walked among the last of the dinosaurs.

Adalatherium Hui was the size of a domestic cat.

This cat-sized mammal is thought to have lived alongside the last of the dinosaurs roughly 66 million years ago. Until now, it was thought that all mammals from this era were small rodent-sized animals. But living on Madagascar, which by this point had broken of from the rest of Gondwana, the creature was able to grow larger than most other mammals of its time.

Scientists appropriately named this creature Adalatherium Hui which means ‘crazy beast’.  Scientist believe that Adalatherium would have burrowed in order to hide from predators.

According to David Krause, a vertebrate paleontologist, the discovery “bends and even breaks lots of rules.”

 

Coronavirus puts the whole country in lockdown, but farming still continues…

Callie Sandison 

On March the 23rd Boris Johnson put the whole country in lockdown because of the Covid- 19 outbreak. The lockdown has put nearly everything to a stop but farming, here in Orkney as elsewhere, still continues.

A calf born this year. Callie Sandison

For many farmers Spring is the busiest time of the year. With coos calving and ewes lambing, farmers have been kept occupied. It has proven nearly impossible for a farmer to stay home in lockdown. Whether it’s a trip to the vets, putting kye oot or needing a hand with a ewe, as a farmer its rather difficult to stay in lockdown at such a busy time of the year.

Steven Sandison explained how Coronavirus had affected the farm: “I cant go and pick up supplies. I have to phone and order it and get it delivered. Picking up drugs from the vets, you have to phone and order it and stand outside when collecting it. For the first few weeks, non-essential supplies, like fencing and building material, you could not get at all.

However, he said it had its positives: “Having the bairn’s home from the school has been a big help.”

When asked how he thought Corona has affected farming in general, he said: “When the country was closed down the prices of sheep crashed. Unfortunately, the price of beef has slipped a bit as well. I think another thing affecting people is that only registered buyers are allowed to go to auction sales, and if you’re over 70 you can’t go at all.”

“The price of fuel has dropped significantly. Its early yet, but hopefully this will reduce the price of fertiliser in the future.  It’s been a chance to reconnect with our customers and highlight the importance of buying local produce.”

Mr Sandison thought that in the future: “It might help reduce costs, if unemployment goes up it might be easier to get farm workers.”

Lambs born on the farm this year. Callie Sandison

How is Covid-19 affecting key workers?

Beth Fisher

People like delivery drivers, council works and teaches could be risking their lives to keep the country moving, help you to survive and feel safe.

We know that the NHS is under extreme pressure, but no one really mentions all the other key works working day and night who are not getting any praise. The country needs to respect  key workers and what they do.

Does anyone now what happens at their work or how it is affecting their families? My Dad is a delivery driver and he is working down in England (the north east) were there are 2,948 people who have died. I have not seen him for 2 months and hardly talk to him as because he works nights he is always asleep in the day and at work at night. It is putting a strain on the family. He is being more distance and he told us he is just fed up. He does not have a set timetable and he can go days with no work and then have days of consecutive work. He is staying at our other house by himself; he goes to work at night and sees no one, then goes home to no one.

My sister, who is a teacher of 6-7-year olds, is also still working. In her school there were only 2 pupils in the whole school. She must go in once every three weeks with one other teacher to look after the two children. She states that if we were going to go back to school then they wouldn’t even be able to fit half of the class in and still maintain social distancing, not to mention that a lot of her children are already behind in school so they cannot afford to miss out even more.

Local Primary 7’s Uncertain about Academy’s Plans

Fyfe Craigie

West mainland P7’s still not in the know. 

Stromness Academy from the Orcadian Newspaper website.

Covid-19 has closed schools nationwide. Little is known about what to do about the upcoming transition days.

Transition days happen in late June, giving the new pupils a chance to visit the school, be shown around, make friends with other primary schools and try out their subjects. Currently it is unknown whether this is going to happen at all, unless lockdown measures are eased or lifted during the summer holidays.

Headteacher Mrs Partridge has confirmed that transition activities will be very, very important, but no plans can be made till it is clear school will go ahead.

Schedules after the summer holidays may also be changed, giving the new S1’s a much harder timetable and work plan to cope with.

Mrs Partridge has said that school life will be different from our usual. The Scottish Government proposals have considered a staged return to normal school life, with staggered classes and/or limited numbers among the suggestion.

Keryn Craigie, a P7 student, said: “I am a bit more nervous about moving to the academy, and a little disappointed I miss my days. I miss my chance to meet people from other schools.”

Among the Primary 7’s there is a rather nervous feeling in the air, but with transition activities being considered perhaps it will put their minds at ease.

Old Hospital In Need of Key Workers

Grace Boonzaier

Remaining E. Fraser Electrical employees have reopened wings at the old hospital for coronavirus cases.

The Balfour Hospital.

E. Fraser Electrical is a electrical contractor business which deals with domestic commercial jobs, such as installations and breakdowns. The company is located on Grandon Road in Finstown. It has a staff of 30, of which 27 are currently furloughed and 3 are still working in public. The 3 key workers get the standard pay, but the 27 furloughed will get 80% overall.

The remaining 3 key workers will only work in an emergency or to complete essential jobs, such as to repair heating, or power, and big jobs like the old hospital. During this time, they are predominantly working for the NHS and the OIC. They needed to carry out essential work which was opening wings at the old hospital for coronavirus cases.

At the beginning of COVID 19 plans had to be put in place by the NHS to provide more facilities to cope with cases of the virus. This included opening the old health centre and parts of the old Balfour hospital, which has been closed since the new hospital opened. The old hospital’s power had to be refurbished by the Scottish Hydro as the old heating and other electrical items had been removed from the building. The morg had to be reopened in case of high amount of virus deaths.

One of the remaining workers at E. Fraser Electrical said: “I feel without repairs on essential equipment such as heaters the public would struggle.”

But explained: “It certainly feels different as the workforce is extensively reduced, day to day routines and less staff.”

He explained that PPE was required for him to continue his work safely: “When attending jobs it’s vital to wash hands before entering. Gloves must be worn all the time, and masks if dealing with other people.”

 

Scotland and England: The Different Lockdown Strategies

Yolande Phaithaisong

At 2pm on Monday, the government released a fifty-one-page document titled “Our plan to rebuild”.  This document has the full exit plan for England, and now comes with a new message “stay alert”. But what about Scotland’s exit strategy?

The government’s exit strategy from Lockdown in England consists of three phases. However, the prime minister has stated that this plan is just a sketch and that restrictions will only be relaxed when Covid-19 is under control.

Phase one had already gotten under way on Wednesday. This meant that people in England who are not able to work from home were “actively encouraged” to return to work under the government’s plans. There will also be some relaxation of personal restrictions. For instance, people in English will be able to go sunbathing,  and exercise unlimitedly. Driving to a national park or beach will also be permitted.

The second phase will happen on June 1st, at the earliest. This is when the government will reopen primary schools and may also reopen non-essential retailers such as clothes shops, and the restarting of sports events behind closed doors.

The final phase could be as early as July 4th. This will then be the time to reopen “at least some of the remaining businesses and premises that have been forced to close”. However, some businesses like pubs, where it is very crowded, will be the last to open and this could be as early as autumn.

In Scotland the First minister, Nicola Sturgeon, says that her key approach remains the same with the “Stay at home message”. At the time of writing, even though we haven’t been told  how Scotland might exit out of Lockdown, Nicola Sturgeon has given a hint to what may happen in her “looking beyond lockdown” document.

So far, in Scotland, the government has said businesses should only open if what they do is absolutely essential to tackling lockdown or the Coronavirus. People are also now allowed to go out for exercise more often, but this is only if it takes place close to home and that it is with members of your household or by yourself.

The message “Stay at home” remains.

Covid 19 Causes Concern In The Equine World

Chloe Drever 

The welfare of horses is a concern to all equestrians in Orkney at this time because of their need for exercise to prevent a condition which can be fatal.

Two equine enthusiasts riding their horses.

Horse enthusiasts in Orkney are in a dilemma over whether to ride their horses or not. Their first option is not to ride so as not to put undue strain on the NHS in the event of an accident occurring. However, without exercise horses can become obese which then would lead to laminitis, which can be fatal. Up to 7% of horses and ponies die annually due to this debilitating condition.

Their second option is to ride, but be more careful than normal. This can be done through risk assessing their own personal situations, such as rider ability and horse behaviour. However, some situations are outwith their control: other road users can be disrespectful of the horses flight instinct by not slowing down to pass them safely. This is a concern to all horse riders in Orkney.

Diane Walker explained: “People must be sure that they are in control of their horses and only ride if safe to do so. We must not put the NHS under more anymore stress. You may feel due to the welfare of your horse that he/she may need exercised to keep them fit and health. This would be advised if safe to do so.”

Horse enthusiasts have not had this problem before in Orkney, so life is strange in these hard times. Riders do not think that horse riding will be affected in the future after this pandemic, as it is believed this dilemma will not be a problem once restrictions are lifted.

COVID Catastrophe as Café Closes

Thorfinn Sinclair

The newest café in Stromness, ‘ Ell & Co’,  has been forced to close its door less than a year after opening due to coronavirus sweeping the world.

Customers in the newly refurbished cafe. Rebecca Marr

The long established Café at the Pierhead had fallen into disuse in recent years, but has been given a new lease of life by the Poke family. The new business venture saw extensive renovation to the building both inside and out. With a fresh appearance, ‘Ell & Co’ was a welcome edition to the street.

Having enjoyed working in the hospitality industry, Ellen Poke (co-owner) told us “ from a young age it had been a dream of hers to own a café.” Supported by her parents, this dream became a reality. The revamp of the old café started and was themed “around nostalgia with modern twist.”

When the  café opened in April 2019, Ellen said she was “very excited but nervous about how people would react to it”, but with a very busy year that was soon forgotten.  Receiving lots of customer praise and 5 stars on Facebook reviews, this comment says it all “Fantastic cafe everything cooked fresh, staff are so friendly and helpful, value for money, well worth a visit more than once”.

Catastrophe struck in March 2020 when ‘Ell & Co’ were forced to close their doors due to the Corona crisis. This was “devastating news” for Ellen and her family who were  “ preparing for the coming season with lots of new ideas”. Ellen further commented: “its really weird not going there, driving past and seeing it in darkness.”

With no end to the lockdown in sight, the streets of Stromness are very quiet. But when the town finally reopens, the café and local businesses will rely on the support of the local community.

Remaining upbeat Ellen says: “we are hoping that very soon we can get the coffee machine going again.”

Myself and many others will be looking forward to that … but it’s a milkshake and cake for me!

Cafe logo with kind permission from owners.
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